FORT EUSTIS, Va. –
Booths and tables full of information lined the main corridor at the Exchange as retirees, active-duty troops, volunteers and families gathered for the Retiree Appreciation Day event at Fort Eustis, Virginia, May 17.
The annual event hosted by the Fort Eustis Retiree Council, featured activities throughout the day including Exchange and commissary specials, mini case-lot sales and Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation discounts.
"Our retiree community members are very important to us so we want to honor and thank them for their service," said Carla Platteborze, Retiree Council chairmwoman. "We want to remind them that although they're retired, they are still an integral part of our community and we still care about them."
The event began with an opening ceremony with U.S. Army Col. William Galbraith, 733rd Mission Support Group commander as the guest speaker. Galbraith thanked retirees for their past military service and their continued service through volunteerism.
"The bottom line is that volunteering is a hidden force multiplier which really helps us accomplish the mission," said Galbraith. "Our retirees are a piece of living history, the foundation from which our military has evolved and we can continue to grow."
This year the Retiree Appreciation Day event had support from more than 20 vendors who offered a variety of information, including Disabled American Veterans, the American Red Cross, the USO, the Veterans Administration and financial and medical support agencies.