FORT RUCKER, Ala. -- Local military retirees received a big thank you from Fort Rucker when the post hosted its 43rd annual retiree health fair Oct. 27.

Hundreds of retirees flooded Yano Hall during the event where they were able to get medical and health information, as well as their annual flu shot, said Capt. Mildred Castillo, chief of Lyster Army Health Clinic Preventive Medicine.

"The retiree health fair is a great event for retirees and their family members because it gives them a chance to see what (the clinic) and on-post agencies have to offer," she said. "We also (brought in) medical professionals from around the local area."

Those medical professionals came from various agencies, including Medical Center Enterprise, Corvias, Flowers Hospital, Covenant Care and many more were there to answer any questions retirees needed answered.

For Ruth Sutherland, retired spouse, the health fair was a great opportunity for her to ask any questions she might have and stay on top of any treatments she might need.

"It's nice to be able to come out and talk to all of these people and get some checkups while you're here, too," she said. "I don't always want to have to go to the doctor for every little thing or even just to ask questions, so I feel like this takes care of a lot of that for me -- it's just really convenient.

"It makes it easier to take care of yourself, and I know it sounds a bit horrible, but to see that other people are going through the same thing you are makes it a little easier," she added. "When you get older you just realize that these are things everyone has to deal with, so what better way to deal with it than all in one place."

The flu shots available to those in attendance provided a level of convenience for retirees Eli and Edna Dixon.

"We make sure to get our flu shots every year because as you age it becomes something that is necessary," said Eli. "I feel like this makes it so much easier to be able to come here, and get the flu shot and talk to all of these people about what we might need or what we're experiencing."

"We're no spring chickens anymore," added Edna. "It's important to look after one another, and even though we like to stay active by walking every day, we still need to make sure we're keeping healthy on the inside. Sometimes you get older and something just doesn't feel right, so it's always good to ask questions. This gives us a chance to ask all the questions we need. I'm grateful for it."