FORT SILL, Okla., Aug. 18, 2016 -- The 38th Annual Retiree Appreciation Days (RAD) are Sept. 15-16, along with the Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation's Buffalo Burger Cookout Sept. 17, here.

Post officials said they expect more than 500 retirees and their families to attend. A focus this year is to draw new retirees to the events.

Activities begin with an open house Sept. 15 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Rinehart Fitness Center, Bldg. 2730 Bragg Road. More than 80 vendors will be on hand providing information from health and wellness to legal services to updates on health insurance, said Roland Shirley, Fort Sill Retirement Services officer. The annual event is sponsored by the Retirement Services Office and Fort Sill Retiree Council.

The Fort Sill RAD is the biggest in the continental United States and it partners with FMWR for the cookout, said retired Lt. Col. Allen Shell, Fort Sill Retiree Council officer and co-chairman. It's a great opportunity to get ID cards, legal information updated and go to the pharmacy or commissary all in one day.

The RAD draws retirees from several states, and Shirley said he said expects some of them will be coming from as far away as Illinois and Missouri.

Reynolds Army Community Hospital medical staff will offer health screenings, eye examinations and wellness tips. Army Community Services, the Army Substance Abuse Program and Casualty Assistance will also have booths.

Fort Sill Dental Activity dental technicians will be providing oral care information.

Legal assistance staff members will be at the open house to prepare wills, advance directives, medical and durable powers of attorney and give legal advice on other matters. They will invite retirees to their offices on the fourth floor of the Welcome Center, Bldg. 4700 Mow-Way Road. Retirees with appointments will have priority over walk-ins. To make reservations, call 580-442-5058/5059.

There will be more and a greater variety of vendors this year, Shell said. Vendors will include VA reps who can assist retirees with VA benefits including disability claims and G.I. Bill educational entitlements and vocational rehabilitation benefits, Shell said.

"I want to open their (retirees) eyes to a lot of the benefits that are out there for them," Shell said.

The event will have fitness and health information booths, health-care services vendors, and Comanche County Memorial Hospital and Southwestern Medical Center representatives.

New this year are people from the Fort Sill Stray Facility and Lawton Humane Association, who will be there with animals available for adoption, Shirley said.

Numerous veterans organizations, including the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, will be on site. LifeTroops Inc., a veteran's organization, will be there for the first time, Shirley said.

On Sept. 16, at 8:30 a.m. attendees can attend the post-wide retirement ceremony at the Old Post Quadrangle. It's a great opportunity to witness a generation of retiring Soldiers, hear the 77th Army Band "The Pride of Fort Sill," and to see the Fort Sill Artillery Half Section, Shirley said. After the ceremony guided tours will begin at the Fort Sill National Historic Landmark and Museum, and also take visitors to the Jared Monti Hall Simulation Center. Retirees can sign up for the tours at the open house.

At 11:45 a.m. retirees may dine with Soldiers in the Staff Sgt. Juan Garcia Dining Facility for $5.55.

"It's a great opportunity for the retirees to meet today's Soldiers, and for the Soldiers to hear from the veterans," said Shirley.

At 5:30 p.m., the Retiree Appreciation Banquet begins with registration and a social at the Patriot Club.

The guest speaker will be Brig. Gen. Keith Klemmer, Army National Guard deputy commanding general for field artillery. Entertainers, such as the 77th Army Band, will perform during the banquet. People may also win door prizes.

Tickets are $10 and available through the Fort Sill Retiree Council. Tickets may be purchased at the open house or at the door, Shirley said.

Sept. 17 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. is reserved for the free Buffalo Burger Cookout at Fort Sill's Co-Op Park (behind the New Post Chapel).

There will be picnic food, music and activities. The event is open to the public and sponsored by FMWR and the Lawton-Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce. This is a popular event with the retirees and a great way to end the retiree appreciation days, Shirley said.

For more information about retiree appreciation days, call retirement services at 580-442-2645/6131/4251.