Meade annual retiree event still going strong 40 years later

Oct. 28--A long line of Fort Meade retirees formed at the VA Maryland Health System's display table Friday.

"We probably ran out of about 150 information packets," said Nicole Kaiser, a licensed social worker with the organization. "We should have brought more."

More than 750 military retirees and their spouses attended Fort Meade's 40th Annual Retiree Appreciation Day at McGill Training Center.

Although an Army event, Retiree Appreciation Day is open to all service branches.

"We come to keep abreast of the changes that affect us as retirees in regard to benefits," said Patricia Jackson, wife of retired Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Moses Jackson and a resident of Severn. "It's very informative."

Sponsored by the Fort Meade Retirement Services Office, the daylong event is held to recognize the contributions of military retirees and to provide them with the latest information on their rights and benefits.

"We've received lots of positive feedback [about the event]," said Anna Taylor, Fort Meade's Retirement Services officer. "Retirees can receive the one-on-one attention to be able to talk to someone to answer all their questions and make follow-up appointments for their problems and concerns."

The VA Maryland Health System was one of 45 vendors that participated in the event, distributing information about health care, retirement, education and social services for retirees.

Other Fort Meade vendors included the Soldier for Life Program, Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, Casualty Assistance Center and the Army Substance Abuse Program as well as Johns Hopkins Medicine, the Social Security Administration and the United Services Automobile Association.

Kimbrough Ambulatory Care Center provided 500 doses of the influenza vaccination for nurses to administer to attendees.

Health care professionals from Kimbrough also were on hand to help retirees schedule appointments with their primary providers and to educate them about preventive screenings for breast, colon and cervical cancer.

Retirees also learned about the importance of tobacco cessation, proper nutrition, sleep and exercise.

Retired Sgt. Cyril Padgett, who received a flu shot, said he came to the event from Salisbury to learn about the medical care benefits that will be available to him after age 60 as well as the benefits available to veterans.

After the morning session of vendors and health care information, the attendees either rode a shuttle or walked to the Freedom Inn Dining Facility for lunch.

The afternoon session began with a patriotic salute. Meade High School's Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps color guard posted the colors. Aaliyah Bunville, a Meade High sophomore, sang the national anthem.

Chaplain (Maj.) James Covey, Fort Meade's Family Life chaplain, gave the invocation.

Retired Col. Bert Rice, co-chairman of the Fort Meade Retiree Council, welcomed the audience and introduced Garrison Commander Col. Brian P. Foley.

"It's so wonderful to have you all here," Foley said. "We want to thank you for your service on active-duty and your continued service."

Foley said that as retirees, the attendees were "sustaining the fire of camaraderie that sustains service members for life. ... Even in retirement we continue to enjoy the support of our peers in service."

Foley said Fort Meade's commitment to retirees and veterans is strong. He then gave the audience an overview of Fort Meade's status as the nation's center of information, intelligence and cyber operations.

Mark Overberg, deputy chief of Army Retirement Services, spoke about the Soldier for Life program and its incorporation of retirement services for Soldiers.

According to the Army's Soldier for Life website, the program "connects Army, governmental, and community efforts to build relationships that facilitate successful reintegration of our Soldiers, retired Soldiers, veterans and their families in order to keep them 'Army Strong' and instill their values, ethos and leadership within communities."

As part of Soldier for Life, Overberg said the Army will now refer to retirees as "retired Soldiers."

"We're not going to take that title of Soldier away from you," Overberg said. "We believe that you are Soldiers for life."

Overberg said that retirees are the Army's largest demographic.

"Our policy is to take care of you and your surviving spouses for life," he said.

Overberg also presented an overview of the concerns of retired Soldiers, which include the continuation of health care benefits and no changes in retirement pay or commissary privileges.

He said retirees also have the desire to spread the Army's message to the nation.

Overberg encouraged retirees to take advantage of the federal long-term insurance program and the Army Emergency Relief program.

He also emphasized the Army's Performance Triad and the importance of proper sleep, nutrition and exercise as retirees grow older.

In addition, said Overberg, one of the most important things retirees can do is tell their story.

"Only about 1 percent of Americans serve," he said. "The other 99 percent don't. They don't know about the military, even though the military protects and serves them."

Overberg said retirees must tell their stories to their family members, neighbors and younger Americans.

"You have to tell your story so that the 99 percent knows what you did for them," he said.

After the speech, various prizes were presented to winning raffles.

Many retirees said they attend every year.

"I come just to keep up with what's going on and I get the flu shot every year," said retired Master Sgt. John McClain of Odenton.

A Vietnam veteran, McClain said he also enjoys the opportunity to re-establish bonds with other retirees.

"You meet people here who you knew in the military years ago," he said. "It's a small world."

Editor's note: Fort Meade's Retirement Services Office can be reached at 301-677-9600.

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