By Tim Cherry
Staff writer
Thursday, September 13, 2012
The Fort Belvoir Garrison educates and celebrates retirees during the annual Retiree Appreciation Day beginning at Barden Education Center and ending at the Main Post Exchange, Sept. 21, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
RAD is an opportunity for former servicemembers to receive updates regarding changes to their retirement rights, benefits and privileges.
The day-long event features a health fair, ID card renewal, display tables from various vendors, a benefits and post update briefing, door prizes and a cake cutting. Col. Gregory Gadson, Fort Belvoir Garrison commander, and Col. Charles Callahan, Fort Belvoir Community Hospital commander, will speak at Barden. The event is free and open to retirees and their Family members and participants can enjoy a free continental breakfast at the education center.
“People look forward to this every year,” said Gwendolyn Lott, Retirement Services Officer. “We’re just trying to let people know what’s going on.” Gadson, Callahan, a Defense Finance and Accounting Services representative and a TRICARE representative will discuss topics such as the latest developments in construction, financing and health care.
Organizations such as the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs and TRICARE will provide retirees with the latest available information within their fields.
Additional vendors include the American Red Cross and the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles who will issue retirees veteran ID cards.
The hospital hosts a health fair to coincide with the vendors’ display tables. Public health nurses will offer cholesterol and blood pressure screenings and on-site flu vaccination shots. Lia Anderson, FBCH public health nurse, said a dermatologist, occupational therapist and nutritionist will be available to speak with retirees.
“We hope that we’ll give them information that will be valuable in maintaining their current health or improving it,” Anderson said.
Lott said 200 to 300 retirees attend Belvoir’s event each year with the age demographic typically ranging from 60 to 80-years-old. She strongly encourages younger retirees to attend.
“Yes, you just retired and you think you know all about your benefits, but you may find out new benefits and privileges that you’re eligible for,” said Lott in reference to young retirees. “Things change every year.”
The health fair, vendor displays and command briefing portion of Belvoir’s RAD will conclude at noon. RAD will conclude at the post exchange where retirees can eat cake and have a chance to win door prizes such as a digital camera, cosmetic baskets and $150 gift card provided by Ann Yi, Fort Belvoir Exchange Main Store manager, and staff. The exchange will offer wine and chocolate tasting among other free sampling items.
Yi said the event celebrates the courage and sacrifice of retired servicemembers and their Families members, who make up 80 percent of the exchange’s customers.
“It’s an annual event and the exchange wants to show their support and appreciation,” Yi said.
