Post thanks retirees with appreciation day, health fair

By Erin Murray, Army Flier Staff WriterNovember 3, 2011

Post thanks retirees with appreciation day, health fair
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT RUCKER, Ala. (November 3, 2011) -- Hundreds of retirees from across the southeast visited The Landing for the 37th annual Fort Rucker Retiree Appreciation Day health fair on Oct. 28, where they were able to find out about living healthy lifestyles with the help of many benefits afforded to retirees.

"It brings awareness to [the retirees] about all the programs available to help with the aging process. There are programs out there are geared specifically to retirees, a lot of which are free to them," said Brittany Bost, an aerobics instructor at the Fort Rucker physical fitness facility, who was at the event to encourage retirees to maintain an active lifestyle.

One of the highlights of the fair was the retiree bingo game, which required attendants to visit more than 50 vendors and information booths that were each assigned a corresponding bingo number. Winners of retiree bingo took home prizes provided by Fort Rucker programs and local retailers.

"People are enjoying the retiree bingo. I think it's a really good thing, because it's also encouraging them to walk around and get exercise," said Bost.

Retirees were also able to receive flu and pneumonia vaccines from Lyster Army Health Clinic, something that drew many of them to the event.

Tony Jones, a retired Soldier, was one of the many who visited and got vaccines and health information at the fair. Jones and his wife, Ann, stopped by Fort Rucker on their way from Manchester, Tenn., to vacation at the beach. They were both very impressed by the size of the health fair. It was their first time visiting Fort Rucker since they were stationed here as newlyweds nearly 30 years ago.

"This is a nice retiree fair. We've been to other ones, but they're not as nice. It's changed drastically from when I was last here -- for the better," he said.

Ann was equally impressed with the fair, explaining that she received a bone density test at the fair that empowered her to take steps to improve her health.

"We've never been to it before. It's even better than what I expected. It's been great. If we're in the area, we'd love to come again," she said.

Vendors and attendants alike were glad to show how the Army supports Soldiers, even after their time as active duty servicemembers has passed.

As an Army spouse and as a vendor, Bost was also glad that she could attend to provide services to retired servicemembers.

"Once you're in the Army Family, you're always in the Army Family. We embrace our retirees just as much as we embrace active duty," she said.

"There's an overwhelming amount of people. It's great to see retirees that come from other states. You see how Fort Rucker has extended to other communities," said Kelly Bright, registered sleep technician, who attended the fair representing Southern Sleep Clinics.

According to Chris Moore, retirement services officer, he received many positive comments about the fair.

"It was a great success. The success of the fair shows that retirees feel that the benefits they receive and the knowledge of those benefits are important to them," said Moore.