FORT DRUM, N.Y. (Oct. 1, 2015) -- When Edward Goodreault retired from the Army in 1970, he transitioned to a job at a bank in Watertown. The retired sergeant first class settled in Adams when Fort Drum was still Camp Drum. Through the years, he has seen many changes as the post became Fort Drum in 1974, and in 1985, he witnessed the arrival of the 10th Mountain Division (LI) and the growth that came along with it.
He and his wife, Helen Goodreault, have made the short trip to Fort Drum during its annual Retiree Appreciation Day several times. Although they both haven't made it to the last several events, the two, who met at a dance here 21 years ago, enjoy the support and appreciation they receive from the Fort Drum community.
This year's Fort Drum RAD was no different as the Goodreaults arrived Sept. 23 amid warm smiles and laughter from members of the Fort Drum Retiree Council.
Fort Drum officials changed the venue from Clark Hall to the Army and Air Force Exchange Services this year, to the delight of hundreds in attendance, and marked the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War.
The day began with administrative announcements and updates from legal, finance, medical, local area medical facilities, Casualty Assistance, Army Community Service and Army Emergency Relief. There were other items on the docket, such as a tour of Guthrie Ambulatory Health Care Clinic and Army Wellness Center, a fishing clinic at Remington Pond, and a tour of the Simulation Training Facility, where retirees had a chance see the latest protective equipment and robotics.
Michael McKinnon, deputy to the garrison commander, opened the day's festivities by formally recognizing not only the sacrifice of military members from all branches, but also the Families who supported them through their service.
"This event allows us to focus on bringing our past and present Army Family together," said McKinnon, who is an Army retiree himself.
Fellow Army retiree, Mark Overberg, deputy chief of Army Retirement Services Soldier for Life, deputy chief of staff G1, traveled from the Pentagon to serve as the guest speaker. He began his speech with words from George Washington.
"'The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter now justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by our nation,'" Overberg said.
For retired Col. Bill Murphy, who serves as Fort Drum's Retiree Council co-chairman, putting together a day to not only show appreciation for veterans' service, but to continue to serve its retired members, has been a great passion.
The council remains active on retiree issues throughout the year and with its other chapters, works to do research and make recommendations to the Army chief of staff.
"We are part of the Fort Drum community," Murphy said. "And we try to be proactive and productive with the garrison command and Soldier for Life."
Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Stanley Kaminski, who served 30 years and lives in Watertown, comes to the RAD every year with his wife, Jennie. He and other former members attend the event to share their knowledge and to help other retirees and their Families.
Social Sharing