Fort Lee welcomes military retirees at annual appreciation day
FORT LEE, Va. — U.S. Army Garrison Fort Lee and the Fort Lee Retiree Council hosted the installation’s annual Retiree Appreciation Day Sept. 26 led by the Retirement Services Office and the Directorate of Human Resources at the Soldier Support Center.
“Virginia has one of the highest concentrations of veterans anywhere in the country, and veterans are very key to our state,” said Lesley Kipling, guest speaker and Virginia deputy secretary of veterans and defense affairs. “We need to make sure that we're taking care of our veterans and our military community.”
Retiree support vendors from organizations like TRICARE, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Disabled American Veterans lined the halls and filled rooms with informational table displays, interacting with retirees and providing information on numerous programs and resources available to retirees, including higher education, insurance and healthcare.
“I'm so proud to see all of the support agencies that are at Fort Lee, who are here on a Saturday to make sure that all of our retirees know exactly what they mean to this installation because this installation does care not only about our Soldiers and our Families, but also all of you in our community,” said Brig. Gen. Ronnie D. Anderson Jr., deputy commanding general, U.S. Army Combined Arms Support Command.
About 13,000 retirees reside within a 40-mile radius of Fort Lee according to the Plans, Analysis and Integration Office.
Kenner Army Health Clinic personnel provided immunization services and wellness checks.
“Our Army is what it is today because of the professionalism, leadership and devotion you demonstrated over decades of service,” said Col. Stacy King, Fort Lee garrison commander, speaking to a crowd of retired U.S. service members. “Retirees continue to influence our values, our culture and the very identity of our force. You shape the path that we follow, and your impact echoes in every Soldier who serves today.”
Other speakers who discussed retiree benefits and resources included: Fort Lee Commissary Director Sean Farrell; Kenner Army Health Clinic Commander Lt. Col. Joanna Bailey; Ms. Altheia Brown, TRICARE; and Onyx Taylor-Catterson, the Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation marketing manager.
These speakers provided current information on retiree-specific interests like updates to financial, commissary and healthcare benefits.
Installation services are essential to populations both on and off the installation and include: hospital, health clinic, pharmacy, veterinary, shopping, grocery, religious, hunting, events, bowling, restaurants, ID cards center, administration assistance and golf.
Retirees are encouraged to attend upcoming installation events in the coming months such as: Oktoberfest, Thanksgiving meal and Grand Illumination.
This event not only celebrates retirees’ military service and encourages interaction between active and retired service members, it also provides a vehicle for keeping them connected and allowing their voices to be heard.
The event was open to all military retirees, their spouses and military retiree surviving spouses.
To learn more about services offered to military retirees and volunteer opportunities, visit the Retirement Services Office webpage at: https://home.army.mil/lee/MPD/retirement-services#qt0:0
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