CAMP HUMPHREYS -- In an effort to help retired, or soon to be retired, Soldiers and their spouses with questions regarding what to do when the Soldier eventually dies, the Retirement Services Office here hosted a workshop to help answer those questions, June 6, in the Humphreys Community Fitness Center.
The event provided a number of different information tables to help educate retirees about their options and planning for the future. Veterans Affairs, Legal Assistance, TRICARE, Military & Family Life Consultants (MFLC) and Army Community Service were among the organizations represented.
"Death is kind of one of those 'touchy' areas," said Tara Scriven, the Camp Humphreys Retirement Services officer and the organizer of the event. "Preparing for death is a very uncomfortable thing for all of us to talk about. In fact, many of us are reluctant to face the fact that we're not going to live forever."
The workshop was organized to help individuals obtain the necessary information and documents needed to help them with end-of-life choices, so they can improve their quality of life in the coming years and ease any difficulty on loved ones in the future.
"I was in tears of joy that this event finally came through," said Un-suk Carlton, who served as the translator for this event. "As a volunteer, I have worked with many widows and they did not know their retirement benefits. Many times, people don't ask (about benefits), because they don't know what to ask."
Barbara Brown, the Financial Readiness and Army Emergency Relief manager for the garrison, said that this workshop "was a great event to allow me to keep the retirees and spouses informed about AER and explain to them who is eligible and how and where to apply. Some that I spoke with didn't know they were eligible for AER loans and were not aware of the AER Scholarship program."
Charles Woods, the Retiree Council Chairperson for Camp Humphreys, said "We need to take care of our spouses and widows in the community. This workshop opened up a lot of eyes about what we need to leave for our spouses."
For those who couldn't attend and would like more information about planning for the future, contact Scriven, at 753-3872.
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