FORT KNOX, Kentucky -- Lee Massey stared straight ahead at a picture of Abraham Lincoln on the far wall as Ireland Army Health Clinic Nurse Paul Estes squeezed his right arm in preparation for the flu shot.
Massey and his wife had arrived at the Saber & Quill early Oct. 12 to participate in this year's Retiree Appreciation Day -- they make the trek to Fort Knox every year from their home in Shelbyville, Kentucky. Massey said while he and his wife make the 1 1/2-hour trip for the flu shots, they also take advantage of the many services, vendors and speakers that have become a bedrock of the annual event.
"This means everything to the retirees," said Massey. "If you don't need it, it's not here. They have everything you need for information, and to catch up on things."
Massey said he has been attending the event since he retired from the Army as a first sergeant in 2001.
"We don't miss. We come down every year," said Massey. "We appreciate Fort Knox putting this on every year."
According to installation officials, as many as 800 retirees and their families attended the event throughout the day. Major Gen. John Evans Jr., the senior commander of Fort Knox, kicked it off by thanking retirees and their families for their service to the nation and asking them to consider providing another service.
"I've got work for you to do. We need your help in filling our Army with quality Soldiers," said Evans. "This year, for the first time in the last 16 years, we missed our accessions mission in the Army by about 6,500."
Evans said leaders are trying to grow the Army back to numbers that can face all the threats that the United States currently faces. As a result, a shift in thinking is required, which he likened to the Marine Corps mindset -- a mindset that the Army calls Soldiers for Life.
"You play a very critical role because you are what we call chief influencers," said Evans. "You are mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, grandparents, brothers, sisters; you are people who they look to, even though you may not think so sometimes, with a great deal of respect. They respect your opinions; they want to hear your opinion on things, and they're going to seek your approval if they decide to step off and serve our country selflessly."
After he spoke, Evans opened the floor for questions. Some attendees raised concerns about topics that ranged from the need for easier access of facilities by wheelchair-bound veterans to an app to replace The Gold Standard newspaper.
After Evans yielded the floor, he was followed by a representative from Ireland Army Health Clinic to provide an update on construction of the new facility and the transition of veterans to the network.
As briefings continued, many retirees visited the tables of 60-plus vendors housed in the Signature Room or turned the corner at the end of the hall for their flu shots. Less than two hours after opening the doors, nurses had already administered 250 of the at least 500 shots they had on-hand.
One table in the middle of the room included a special treat for many attendees. As people walked up to collect information about service dogs, they were often greeted by Latte. His owner, Staff Sgt. Megan Bates, said her dog is legally classified as a therapy dog.
"He's not for me; he's for the community," said Bates, who works at the veterinarian clinic at Fort Knox. "He's for the library, the senior citizens home; the hospitals. He makes somebody feel good and happy."
The legality of service dogs was an issue brought up during Evans' briefing. Soldiers at the clinic explained that the government recognizes three categories of service dog -- therapy dogs, such as Latte; emotional support animals, whose primary role is to "provide psychological and emotional comfort;" and service dogs -- trained to help disabled individuals accomplish "major life tasks."
Near the front door, John DeReu and others from the Fort Knox Retiree Council were busy signing people in for participation in the various events, to include the luncheon. Gail Lyons, a retiree spouse and member of the council, said the event holds personal meaning to her.
"To me, this is about community service," Lyons said, "and letting veterans know that we think about them and appreciate their service."
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