Photo By Warren Wright | FORT DRUM, N.Y. – Capt. Gunnar D. Olson, an occupational therapist with the U.S....... read more read more
FORT DRUM, New York – Soldiers and staff with the U.S. Army Medical Department Activity – Fort Drum and Guthrie Army Health Clinic joined others from across the installation to provide education, information, and support to military retirees during Fort Drum’s annual Retiree Appreciation Day, Sept. 20, 2025.
Representatives from various clinical departments, including the primary care clinic, occupational therapy, audiology, Dental Health Activity, public health, and the Armed Forces Wellness Center, were on hand to speak with attendees. They shared information on accessing services and resources available to the retiree population.
“As a retiree, your healthcare needs change,” said Judi McKee-Sanders, nurse supervisor for Fort Drum’s Army Public Health Nursing. “When you’re young, you’re out there, you’re exercising, but when you’re retired, now you’re on a fixed income, you’re a little more aware of expenses and budgets. By doing this, we provide them with not only resources to be able to maintain their health, but also things that they can afford or things that are available that don’t cost them anything big.”
McKee-Sanders, a military retiree herself, emphasized that preventative health is a primary focus in helping retirees maintain their wellness.
“When you retire and you get older, what you’re looking for to be healthy kind of changes focus,” she said. “So, we’re trying to focus on things that will help them continue with their healthy lives as they enjoy their retirement.”
Military retirees represent approximately 10 percent of the beneficiary population supported by the Guthrie AHC. Additionally, the Fort Drum Retirement Services Office supports retirees and their families throughout all of Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, 48 counties of New York, and even seven Canadian provinces.
Bianca Ellis, a retired Army officer, expressed her enthusiasm for attending Retiree Appreciation Day at Fort Drum each year.
“I think it’s wonderful to put out this kind of information,” she said. “I don’t know if folks who are not in the military have access to this kind of free information, and people who are willing to talk with them and show them low-cost, or no-cost resources that are available. So, I think this is a wonderful idea.”
At the wellness displays, the “Mountain Medics” from Guthrie AHC offered retirees valuable information, free blood pressure checks, hearing protection, grip tests, dental care products, and more. As in previous years, a local pharmacy was present to provide retirees with their free annual influenza vaccine.
“That’s been a big win and that has continued to grow as people have come to look forward to it,” McKee-Sanders said.
For attendees and Guthrie AHC representatives, the opportunity to interact with one another stood out as the most significant takeaway from the event, with many noting that sharing stories and experiences was their favorite part of the day.
“My favorite part is talking with the veterans,” explained McKee-Sanders. “They like to share their military time. They like to share what they’re doing today. And it’s really enjoyable to hear them and hear what they feel is important and just the whole interactions.”
Ellis echoed the sentiment, saying everyone was “very kind, very willing to help, willing to provide more information, and answer questions.”
“No one gives you any idea that they’re not happy to be here,” she added. “They’re wonderful.”
| Date Taken: | 09.25.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 09.25.2025 10:02 |
| Story ID: | 549266 |
| Location: | FORT DRUM, NEW YORK, US |
| Web Views: | 97 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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