FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. — Fort Leonard Wood will once again welcome military retirees from across the region for the Retiree Appreciation Days celebration, scheduled to take place Sept. 12 and 13 at various locations around the installation.
About 300 retirees attended the celebration last year, and according to Camilah Jefferson, Fort Leonard Wood’s Retirement Services officer, they are expecting even more this year.
Some of the events this year will include a bus tour of the installation, the opportunity to attend a bi-monthly retirement ceremony, a retiree appreciation dinner, town hall, and a health and benefits expo.
“The goal for retiree appreciation days is to express our sincere appreciation to the retirees for their dedicated service to our nation, foster a continued sense of belonging, continued connections to the military community, and offer updates on benefits, healthcare and other resources relevant to them,” Jefferson said.
This year’s schedule of events is:
Friday
- 12:30 p.m. bus tour of the installation (the bus departs from the Nutter Field House)
- 3 p.m. bi-monthly retirement ceremony at Lincoln Hall Auditorium
- 5 p.m. social hour in Nutter Field House, followed by dinner at 6 p.m. (the dinner is free for all military retirees and $20 for everyone else)
Saturday
- 7 a.m. free breakfast at the USO
- 9 a.m. town hall at the USO
- 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. lunch in an Army Warrior Restaurant (cost is $7.10 and transportation is provided)
- 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. health and benefits expo at Nutter Field House
The theme of this year’s retiree appreciation dinner Sept. 12 will be “This We'll Defend.”
Retirees and guests may register and pay for the dinner here.
During the event, the 2025 Retiree of the Year, retired Command Sgt. Maj. Freddie Brock, will be recognized and the guest speaker is slated to be retired Sgt. 1st Class Noah Stevens, a former retirement services officer.
Patricia Cruz, Army Retirement Services deputy director, is scheduled to serve as guest speaker on Saturday during the town hall.
“From this year’s event, I hope all retirees get an increased awareness of available support networks and resources that can contribute to their overall quality of retirement as well as connect and reconnect with fellow retirees,” Jefferson said.
In a letter to the retiree community announcing this year’s retirement appreciation day activities, Col. Steven Bartley, U.S. Army Garrison Fort Leonard Wood commander, thanked retirees for many years of devoted and dedicated service, “to our great nation.”
“We are looking forward to seeing you at this year’s Retiree Appreciation Days activities and welcome you back to Fort Leonard Wood,” Bartley wrote. “This weekend is designed to honor you. Please make plans to attend. This is your day.”
Call 573.596.6637, for more information on Fort Leonard Wood’s Retiree Appreciation Days.
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