FORT RUCKER, Ala. (Nov. 5, 2015) -- Retirees are valued members of the Army family and Fort Rucker showed its appreciation for their service by giving back to those who paved the way for today's Soldiers.
Hundreds of local retirees attended Fort Rucker's 41st annual Retiree Health Fair at the Fort Rucker Physical Fitness Facility Oct. 30 where they were treated to a one-stop shop for their medical and health information needs.
Retirees were able to talk with medical professionals, have evaluations done, get their flu vaccination, and even seek legal advice, all in the spirit of appreciation, said Chris Moore, retirement services officer.
"We take this opportunity to acknowledge retirees' past and continued support of our nation," he said. "It's something that we owe to the generations that have come and gone before us, and it solidifies in the minds of our current force that their contributions will not go unnoticed when they, too, join the retired ranks."
Medical professionals from Lyster Army Health Clinic, Medical Center Enterprise, Southeast Alabama Medical Center and Flowers Hospital were all on site to answer any medical questions people might have, as well as administer mini evaluations, where people were able to have things like their blood pressure and body mass index checked.
The Fort Rucker Legal Assistance Office was also on hand to answer general legal questions.
Davis Hartman, Army veteran, said that events like the health fair make it easier for him to stay up to date on whatever treatments he might need as he ages.
"When you get older, things just don't work as well as they used to," he said. "You have to start taking better care of yourself, but nobody really tells you what you need to get checked unless you go and look for the help and ask the questions.
"That's what makes (the health fair) so convenient. You can come and ask all the questions you need to right here," he said. "It can be tough preparing for old age, but this makes it so much easier to do so. I think that this opens up opportunities for people that might not otherwise get the help that they need."
Many of those opportunities are available at LAHC, which had their booth set up to educate their patrons on their various programs, including physical therapy, preventative medicine, primary care, behavioral health, nutrition care, managed care, the pharmacy and the dental clinic.
Joseph Harper, military veteran, said he attends the retiree health fair every year to make sure he gets his flu vaccination.
"It just makes it easy for me to remember," he said. "As I get older, I don't like to have to think about all the doctor visits and things throughout the year, but taking care of yourself is something that you have to remember to do -- we don't stay young forever.
"The flu shots that are available to us make the trip here worth it, alone," he continued. "I never used to get flu shots in my younger days, but now that I'm older, I know it's easier for me to get sick and it would be a lot worse if I did. And since I have a few grandchildren, I'd like to stick around a little longer to be able to watch them grow up."
Following the health fair, retirees had the opportunity to attend an appreciation luncheon and social at The Landing where John Radke, Army Retirement Services chief, spoke about issues that retirees face today.
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