After a performance by the Leavenworth High School Junior ROTC teams, retired Col. Norm Greczyn, Fort Leavenworth Retiree Council co-chairman, welcomed retirees to the 2023 Retiree Appreciation Day and Health Fair Oct. 28 at the Lewis and Clark Center at Fort Leavenworth, Kan.
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The day began with the JROTC military salute and guest speaker remarks in Eisenhower Auditorium. Organization and agency representatives lined the foyer and filled classrooms for event attendees to visit after the guest speaker remarks.
Deputy to the Garrison Commander Johnny Bevers, the first guest speaker, preceded his remarks with a moment of silence for Company Commander Capt. Alex Northrup, Company B, U.S. Disciplinary Barracks, Army Corrections Brigade, who died Oct. 26 following a motorcycle accident.
Bevers told the audience that Fort Leavenworth Garrison Commander Col. Duane Mosier is an outstanding advocate for retirees and affirmed that the Garrison Command Team supports them.
“The Garrison commander and I just can’t emphasize enough the importance of our Retiree Council here on the fort. The council serves as your voice, and we want you to use that voice to speak to our command team on your behalf,” Bevers said. “We want to hear from you, and we want to fix any issues you encounter on the fort.”
Bevers pledged to the audience that he would meet with the council regularly and address concerns.
“I know you are all still committed to serving our nation every day. I want you to know that you are still a valuable resource to our military. You’re a resource by educating, advocating and inspiring others to serve in our military. You can assist other veterans and retirees in our community by welcoming and mentoring them during their transition to civilian life. Many of you may be a hiring official or run your own business and the opportunity to hire a veteran or assist them in finding employment, thereby reducing the veteran unemployment rate,” Bevers said. “By telling the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine, Coast Guard and Space Force story, you inspire the next generation to serve.”
Bevers told the retirees that there are many places they can stay engaged by volunteering their time and talents with military service organizations, the Retiree Council, Fort Leavenworth Retirement Services and Army Community Service or serving as assistant voting officers, as well as other opportunities.
“These are positive programs that need the expertise, culture and the values of all of our retirees.”
Construction Projects
Bevers gave updates on a few ongoing and soon-to-begin construction projects on post or near post, including the new federal penitentiary that recently broke ground near Grant Gate. Bevers said he expects minimal impacts to post during the two to three years of construction for that facility.
The State of Kansas has appropriated funding to replace Centennial Bridge that crosses from Missouri into Leavenworth with construction scheduled to start in 2027. Bevers assured the audience that there will always be access across the Missouri River during construction of the new bridge, which will be adjacent to the existing one.
Other projects Bevers referenced included the construction of a new Child Development Center at Hancock and Iowa avenues beginning in spring 2024, access control point upgrades being made to Sherman Gate in spring 2024, and the new museum project, which is being achieved differently than other construction projects on post by having a private organization raise funds for the museum, which will later be proffered to the Army.
“We are in partnership with the 9th and 10 Cavalry Association, and they are in the process of raising money (for the new museum),” Bevers said, noting that the museum will be built outside of Grant Gate to allow off-post visitors easy access.
Bevers confirmed during a question-and-answer session that housing on post is available to retirees and surviving spouses. He said there is currently a waiting list for post housing as quarters are being readied for new residents, but there should be housing available by early next year.
“Again, thank you for your service to our nation and allowing us the opportunity to show our appreciation for your enduring contributions to the military,” Bevers said.
Munson Army Health Center
Guest speaker Col. Michael Mendenhall, Munson Army Health Center and Medical Department Activity commander, began his remarks by noting that he, his father and is soon-to-be commissioned son have or will all serve in the military. He asked how retirees in the audience who served in Vietnam to raise their hand.
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“Thank you for your service in Vietnam … When you guys came home, you didn’t get all the tickertape parades like World War II; same with Korea, they didn’t get much either, all these folks that came back from Desert Shield, Desert Storm and all these other things,” Mendenhall said. “So, one, I want to recognize your service, but I also want to recognize some of the silence that you guys had over a long period of time. Thank you for your service — thank you for providing to this nation when it wasn’t comparable.”
Mendenhall provided some updates about MAHC, as well as some practical instruction concerning use of the health center.
“We’ve made some strides this year,” he said, listings doctors, physician assistants and nurses as some of the additional providers MAHC has been able to hire in the past year, allowing greater access to care for families.
Mendenhall said appointments for COVID-19 booster vaccinations are available, but were not given at the health fair with flu vaccinations due to the manufacturer variations.
“We want to check and make sure we know exactly what vaccination you received and we want to make sure we match that up with the correct booster,” he said.
Mendenhall reminded everyone, especially new families moving in, to call 911 in case of emergency —MAHC does not have an emergency room.
Other updates, such as when the center is closed for training (one Wednesday each month) and other changes in operations due to weather or other factors will be posted on the Munson Army Health Center Facebook page.
Mendenhall explained how to use a QR code to go to MAHC’s website, use Q-Anywhere to know when a prescription is ready, and how to review prescriptions. He also talked about referrals, the nurse advice line, the new ScriptPro robotic prescription-dispensing machine that will soon be available at the center.
He asked that patrons complete an after-care survey and encouraged them to use the Interactive Customer Evaluation system, known as ICE comments, to share both kudos and complaints.
During the question-and-answer session following Mendenhall’s remarks, dependent Janet Dewey expressed appreciation for the Munson Army Health Center Pharmacy. Dewey said she when she was having issues getting an essential medicine with Express Scripts, she went to the MAHC Pharmacy.
“They worked it out in less than a week or two, and they worked with my doctor.”
After the guest speaker remarks, break-out discussion groups were offered on TRICARE and preparation for survivor spouses. Many agencies, organizations and businesses offered information, MAHC conducted a health fair administering flu shots, Hancock Lodge conducted cancer screenings, and the Commissary and Post Exchange offered specials in conjunction with the event.
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