FORT RUCKER, Ala. (October 16, 2014) -- It's not often people can find a one-stop shop when it comes to medical and health information, but Fort Rucker is providing just that with an event in honor of Retiree Appreciation Day.
Lyster Army Health Clinic will host the 40th annual Retiree Health Fair Oct. 31 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Fort Rucker Physical Fitness Facility to educate retirees on numerous health topics, as well as provide a mini checkup and administer flu shots, said Chris Moore, retirement services officer for Fort Rucker.
"This is our opportunity to give back to the retiree population, and (the health fair) is a good opportunity for us to give (retirees) a one-stop-shop for people to get out and interact with people, as well as give them a chance to do things like get their blood pressure checked, and have other tests and evaluations done -- it's pretty close to a miniature exam," he said.
More than 850 people attended last year's Retiree Appreciation Day Health and Information Fair, and this year, Jeffrey Atkins, licensed practical nurse and health promotion tech for Lyster, said he's hoping for an even bigger turnout.
"This will hopefully be our biggest health fair," he said. "We're shooting for 900 this year since last year was our biggest, and we have vendors that will be coming from on and off post."
Atkins said Lyster currently has 10 tables reserved so far to showcase everything the clinic has to offer, and will be offering services like a body mass index evaluation, blood pressure checks and flu shots.
Although flu shots are on a first-come, first-served basis, Moore said people shouldn't worry about not being able to get one.
"We've got plenty of flu shots available for everyone," he said. "In all the years we've been giving the flu shot, we've never run out."
Lyster will also have booths set up to educate people on its various programs, such as physical therapy, preventative medicine, primary care, behavioral health, nutrition care, managed care, the pharmacy and the dental clinic.
"The health fair is a great event for retirees and their family members because it gives them a chance to see everything Lyster offers in one room," said Atkins. "It also gives them the opportunity to meet outside providers we may refer them to for specialty care. If people have any questions about anything medically related, not just for military but civilian as well, it's a good place to find all the information in one spot."
In addition to the health fair, there will be a retirement ceremony at 2 p.m. at the U.S. Army Aviation Museum -- an opportunity for people to show their appreciation for those who have served for so long, said Moore.
At 4:30 p.m., there will be a retiree social at The Landing, followed by the Retiree Appreciation Dinner at 5:30 p.m.
Russell B. Hall, U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence deputy to the commanding general, will be the guest speaker during the dinner.
Reservations must be made for the dinner by Oct. 24, and the cost is $16 per person. To register, call 255-9124.
"(The fair) is something that we owe to the generations that have come and gone before us," said Moore. "We are normally quick to remember what we've done and the sacrifices that we've made, but sometimes we fail to realize the sacrifices that others have made, and a lot of times it pales in comparison to what some of our retirees have had to give up over the years."
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