GRAFENWOEHR, Germany Aca,!" U.S. Army Garrison Grafenwoehr, in partnership with the Grafenwoehr Retiree Council, will host its Retiree Appreciation Day Oct. 25.
"We try to provide a one-stop-shop once every year to focus on the services that military retirees need, such as ID cards, medical and dental screenings, and information ranging from benefits to legal assistance," said John Currie, USAG Grafenwoehr's retirement services officer.
The event will be held at Building 244, just inside Gate 3. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m., with information booths opening at 9 a.m.
A second registration point will be set up at the Grafenwoehr health and dental clinics, which will hold a health fair. Follow-up dental appointments will be made for the afternoon Aca,!" but medical appointments will not provided.
Additionally, the Health Clinic will provide immunizations (flu and Pneumovax), optometry, audiology and nutrition information, and diabetic foot screening.
Onsite representatives will include members from Tricare, Defense Finance and Accounting Service, the Federal Benefits Unit from the U.S. Consulate, Frankfurt (Department of Veterans Affairs and Social Security Administration), legal assistance, ID card office, Installation Access Control System, passport office, customs and the post office.
"Retiree Appreciation Day is a great support event," said Grafenwoehr Retiree Council President, retired Sgt. Maj. Dave Stewart.
"The Army is reaching out and showing its appreciation to retired Soldiers and their families, and it is making sure retirees are aware of the benefits to which they're entitled," Stewart said. "There's also the chance that you may run into old friends and acquaintances. It's the best time to share tips for living in Germany for the long haul, and you really hear some great stories at these events."
Additionally, attendees will be offered an installation tour and lunch at GrafenwoehrAca,!a,,cs dining facility.
"Many retirees fondly remember 'going to the field' in Graf, but it has undergone a remarkable transformation," said Stewart. "The commissary and PX are the largest in Europe."
All U.S. military retirees are invited to attend. Retirees can enter the post with their official ID card.
"However, if you do not have installation access due to a lost or expired ID, you can be signed onto the installation by an ID cardholder with sign-in privileges," said Currie. "Also, certain services, such as legal assistance, customs, IACS, medical and dental require valid ID cards."
"This year, customs will not be issuing temporary customs cards for shopping,Aca,!A? he added, Aca,!A"and retirees and widows must have an up-to-date customs authorization card to shop at AAFES and DECA facilities"
Once retirees enter the garrison and park their cars, shuttle buses will be available to transport attendees to the various locations. Bus schedules Aca,!" with designated stops Aca,!" will be included in the registration packet.
For retirees traveling from long distances, lodging may be available at the Tower View Inn, or receptionists there will provide a listing of nearby off-post accommodations. Attendees are responsible for making their own reservations. The telephone number for the Tower View Inn is 09641-831-700.
The Grafenwoehr Retirement Services Office has also made arrangements for transportation from Berlin, Garmisch and Munich to Grafenwoehr. Any retiree interested in taking the bus from these cities should contact retired Sgt. Maj. J.C. Moss in Berlin at 0307-116-041, or the USAG Garmisch Public Affairs Office at 08821-7501 for Garmisch and Munich.
For more information regarding Retiree Appreciation Day, contact the Grafenwoehr Retirement Service Office at DSN 475-8539, civilian 09641-838539 or e-mail usag.graf.rso@graf.eur.army.mil.
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