FORT RUCKER, Ala. (August 21, 2015) -- Two military veterans, with a combined service of nearly half a century and who have moved from installation to installation throughout their military careers, have found a place they can truly call home -- Fort Rucker.
Military retirees Bill Murray, and friends Deryl Nestor and his wife, Lora, got the chance to experience moving onto a military installation as retirees as they were among the first retired service members to move into Allen Heights community housing on post.
"It feels like I'm coming back home," said Lora. "I think it's going to be very nice living here now. Right now, I'm looking forward to getting my house ready, but the safety of being on post will be nice. The whole area is just so nice."
Murray, 91, and the Nestors, both 79, lived in a Dothan senior living community prior to moving into Fort Rucker housing, but they would frequently visit the installation's Lyster Army Health Clinic to pick up medications, for doctor visits or to have lab work done, so the availability for housing on post to them was a blessing.
"We had various trips that we had to take (onto Fort Rucker)," said Deryl. "(Living on post) will save us a lot of time."
For Murray, living on post is an opportunity to live close to his son, Billy Murray Jr., retired military who lives in Enterprise.
"I'm looking forward to the conveniences of being close to my son," said Murray Sr. "He's a very devoted son. I think he's spent as much time in Dothan with me as he did in Enterprise with his wife, so he'll have a shorter route to travel now to see me -- I'm looking forward to that. I'm also looking for a better lifestyle than I've been accustomed to in the past year and a half. I get to eat when I want and what I want -- this was an answer to my prayers."
"Dad was so excited about (moving here) that it made me happy," said Murray Jr. "It brings him and me closer together and it's more convenient to see each other. I think he's looking forward to doing things like running down to the new commissary, going to the PX and playing golf. You can almost walk to the golf course from here."
Murray received his keys to move in Aug. 14, and although the Nestors had already moved in, they're all looking forward to getting completely settled into their new homes, which they say are among the best they've lived in.
"I love just about everything about our new place, but the first thing that really impressed me was the staff here," said Deryl. "Those people are wonderful and they'll help you do anything. I think the housing here is the best of any military installation that we've been on," adding that in 21 years the couple has moved a total of 21 times during his military career, so they had no problem with one final move home.
The changes to on-post housing eligibility were made due to the decrease in the number of families that current live on Fort Rucker, according to JC Calder, Corvias Military Housing business director. Because of this decrease, housing is now available for retirees.
Additionally, since retirees do not receive a Basic Allowance for Housing, rental rates for retirees are set by market rates, which Calder said is very comparable to housing off post. But with included amenities, such as most utilities included with rent, as well as 24-hour maintenance, lawn care, use of the neighborhood centers and overall security of living on post, the value can't be beat, he said.
Pricing ranges from $875 for a two-bedroom home to $1,050 for a four-bedroom home, with various pricing in between depending on the floor plan type.
"This is an exciting opportunity for more people to take advantage of the quality housing, property management services and excellent customer service (available on post)," said Calder. "These veterans and military personnel are already connected to the military family and are part of the fabric of the community on Fort Rucker. Many have lived on post before and we look forward to welcoming them back."
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