Fort Jackson Honors Veterans at Retiree Appreciation Days

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — Fort Jackson is looking to honor some of our country’s bravest.

Thursday kicks-off the annual Retiree Appreciation Days.   Activities will run through Saturday.

Activities are open to retirees and veterans of all branches of service.   The event will focus on retiree health benefits, educational assistance and sports activities.

There will be a free continental breakfast at the Officers Club beginning at 7:30 a.m.   Retirees will be given transportation to Hilton Field and returned back to the Officers Club, in order to avoid traffic associated with graduation.   Those interested in attending should RSVP by calling (803) 751-5166.

The Basic Combat Training Graduation Ceremony is scheduled to start at 9 a.m. at Hilton Field.    Retirees will be honored during this ceremony.   The guest speaker is Bill Dukes, Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army (CASA) for South Carolina.

A Golf Tournament is scheduled for 9 a.m., May 20, at the Fort Jackson Golf Club.

Golf Club Members pay $40 per person. Non-members and guest prices are $50 per person. Prices include cart and user fees, prizes, a barbecue lunch and grounds maintenance fees for non-members.

The Main Exchange and Commissary will participate in Retiree Appreciation Days Saturday with in-store sales beginning 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. for the Commissary, and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. for the Main Exchange.

There is also a Retiree Health and Benefits Exposition is scheduled for Saturday.  The expo will take place at the Solomon Center from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.  An assortment of health services and informational organizations will be on-site at the expo to include Moncrief Army Community Hospital and South Carolina Department of Veteran Affairs.

This year the Moncrief Optometry Clinic is offering the opportunity for retirees to order glasses at the Retiree Health and Benefits Expo.  Interested Retirees should bring a current, valid written prescription and military ID.  The clinic will have trial eyeglass frames for patients to try on to determine the best fit.

Retirees are also invited to participate in the Victory Bingo and No Tap Bowling; both scheduled for May 21.  All retirees who plan to participate in tournaments should call the Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Business Operations Office at 751-3411.

Retiree Appreciation Days have previously had an estimated attendance of more than 2,000 retirees and veterans.