FORT DRUM, N.Y. -- Hundreds of military retirees and Family Members attended Fort Drum's Retiree Appreciation Day on Sept. 24. Retired Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth O. Preston served as guest speaker at the event.
Conducted annually in September, Retiree Appreciation Day is held as a means of showing gratitude and a commitment to providing continued to support to military retirees, veterans and their Family Members, said Sonny Mitchell, Fort Drum retirement services officer.
"We provide this event so that retirees understand that they are a still a valued part of the Army Family and the military community," Mitchell said. "This event provides a venue where retirees from all military services can come to get updated information about their benefits and entitlements and get priority services."
During the opening ceremony, Col. Gary A. Rosenberg, Fort Drum garrison commander, said that this year's event is a little different, due to the start of the Army's new Soldier for Life program.
Soldier for Life, which has replaced the Army Career and Alumni Program, is intended to provide additional support to Soldiers from enlistment through retirement.
"The idea is that you have a connection with the military for your entire life," Rosenberg said. "You've been committed to us, and we remain committed to you."
During his remarks at the opening ceremony, Preston encouraged the retirees in attendance to take advantage of the wealth of information and services provided throughout the day.
"Take everything you get today from all the resources that they've got, use the information you've gained, and pass it on," he said. "There are over 40,000 retired service members living in the state of New York. Many of you have retired peers and service members out there who perhaps couldn't be here today. Take this information and pass it along."
Preston spoke of the importance of continuing to support retirees and their Families and of the ways in which the Soldier for Life program is dedicated to this mission.
"For the first time in our history, the retired Army (population) is larger than the active Army," he said. "Soldier for Life is really about reintegration. They serve strong while they're in the Army. We integrate them back into society, and we continue to support them for the remainder of their life. Once a Soldier, always a Soldier."
Preston also encouraged attendees to become involved with their local Army Retiree Council, whose members serve as liaisons between retirees and the government.
In their most recent meeting at the Pentagon, he said, members of the Fort Drum Retiree Council identified their concerns in the areas of health care, commissary benefits and cost of living allowance. Preston assured attendees that these concerns are being considered carefully and that the Army is dedicated to providing continued support, no matter the obstacles.
"There are funding challenges out there at every level, but the Retirement Services Office, the Soldier for Life program and our garrisons will continue to provide support to our retired Soldier population 100 percent," he said.
Throughout the day, retirees had an opportunity to speak with representatives from more than 50 service organizations, which provided information and guidance regarding subjects of interest to the retiree population.
Retired Soldier Kurt Lavin traveled from Syracuse to attend the day's events with his wife Marilyn. Lavin said that he has attended the event for the past few years, and he finds it beneficial.
"To get updated information -- the latest on what's going on -- is really helpful," Lavin said.
Attendees also could take part in a variety of activities designed to promote networking among Soldiers, such as a golf scramble and open fishing at Remington Park. They also were invited to visit Fort Drum's simulation training centers, to see the modern-day technology that is improving the way our active-duty Soldiers are trained.
Social Sharing