Hundreds of military retirees and their spouses are expected for Team Redstone's 48th Soldier for Life Retiree Appreciation Day, Oct. 25.
The annual event is coordinated by the Redstone Soldier For Life-Retirement Services Office of the Directorate of Human Resources and the Redstone Military Retiree Council.
RAD is open to all retired, transitioning active duty military, annuitants and their dependents. The goal is to ensure retired Soldiers and their families are updated on changes affecting their retirement rights, benefits, and privileges, and to foster goodwill between the retired and active duty communities.
Marcus Ufeanyui, retirement services officer at Garrison, is coordinating this year's event. He said much planning that goes into it each year, and this year is no different.
"Retiree Appreciation Day is an important event where individuals can get updates on the resources, entitlements and benefits they have. Our intent is to provide a world-class Retiree Appreciation and Soldier for Life Day for our very deserving military retirees, active transitioning military, and their families within the safety and comfort of Redstone Arsenal," Ufeanyui said.
"This will be a one-stop shop for military retirees and their family members that allows persons to come to the event to voice their opinions and gain benefit information. Various guest speakers will give briefings on health care, retirement benefits, veteran services and activities, and legislative action that could affect retirees."
In the past, the event has taken place over two days. Reuben Ferguson, chief of Garrison's Military Personnel Division and event administer, said the event was shortened this year due to budgetary constraints. The retirement services team is working with the retiree council to plan a daylong event that emphasizes how the Army is performing its mission to support military retirees and their families.
Ufeanyui said this will be a day filled with a variety of activities. He and his team look forward to a great turnout.
Attendees will gather at Heiser Hall, building 3712, for a benefits update. The guest speaker is Maria Bentinck, deputy director of the Army Retirement: Soldier for Life Office in Washington, D.C. Representatives from numerous agencies that support military retirees and their families will also provide presentations. Some organizations scheduled include the Military Officers Association of America, Federal Dental Vision Program, Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Alabama National Cemetery.
After a lunch break, the afternoon session will take place at the Community Activity Center, building 3712. This includes a Health Fair and free flu shots provided by healthcare professionals from Fox Army Health Center. Veteran service organizations and community healthcare partners will field information booths and hand out brochures on health and wellness.
Copies of the annual Soldier for Life-Retiree Appreciation Day Bulletin can be found on the Garrison website, https://home.army.mil/redstone/. Redstone is following the Army's move to a more digital footprint. One such effort is the transition from mailing hard copy bulletins to providing them digitally.
Other organizations on Redstone are also involved in the celebration. The Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation's Automotive Skills Center will offer free vehicle safety checks at building 3617, Oct. 23, Oct. 25 and Oct. 26 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Commissary is having a sidewalk sale and raffles Oct. 24-26 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Exchange is raffling off four $50 gift cards and 50 free gift bags on Oct. 25. Legal Services, building 3439, invites retirees and their families Oct. 23-24 to walk in for information on services. They can update their ID Cards, Oct. 23-24 at building 3494. For more information on Retiree Appreciation Day, call (256) 876-2022
Copies of the Retiree Bulletin can be found on the Garrison website, https://home.army.mil/redstone/
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