More than 600 military retirees and family members attended this year’s Womack Army Medical Center Military Retiree Appreciation Day October 19.
Fort Bragg has been hosting this annual event in support of their local retirees for more than 20 years.
The two-day post-wide event began with a town hall from the Fort Bragg garrison commander, Col. Phillip Sounia, October 18.
Some veterans travelled more than three hours to attend the Womack event.
“I travel here every year from Dillon, South Carolina to get my flu shots and vision screening,” said retired Army Sgt. 1st Class Blake Rentin. “I love to come here for me and my wife. She also gets to take advantage of the bone density screening and the mammograms.”
Womack opened the hospital for retirees and their families to take advantage of preventive screenings, immunizations, yoga and information booths.
The Fort Bragg Soldier Support Center was also open for ID cards and legal services.
Local vendors from Fayetteville Veteran Center, the Veterans Administration, Humana, and others set up tables to update retirees on their medical benefits and services available to them.
“I didn’t know that there was a change to my dental benefits,” said retired Army Sgt. 1st Class Vince Coopwood. “I’m glad that I came out to learn about all my new options for my healthcare.”
Donnell Edwards, chief of Fort Bragg Retirement Services Office, explained how the main goal of the annual retiree appreciation day is to entice the retirees and their families to come out and be recognized.
“We want to thank them for their service. They are considered our retired Soldiers…Soldiers for LIFE!
The 2020 RAD will be scheduled for mid-October.
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