Military retiree benefits event set Sept. 11
FORT DRUM — Military retirees, veterans and spouses who have any questions about benefits will be able to get in-person answers on Sept. 11.
"It's like a job fair expanded into a big benefits fair," said Fort Drum Retirement Services Officer Bert M. Levesque, who is coordinating the event.
Beginning at 8 a.m., the commanding general and the garrison commander, along with the Fort Drum Retiree Council, will host the yearly Retiree Appreciation Day at the New York National Guard Center at P-855 Oswego Ave. on South Post.
Former Sgt. Maj. of the Army Jack L. Tilley will be the guest speaker at the free event.
Representatives of the Department of Veterans Affairs and Disabled American Veterans Association also will be there.
Spouses of deceased retirees and active-duty service members are welcome to attend. The event is not intended for active-duty personnel, Mr. Levesque said, unless the service member has questions about an upcoming retirement.
Although the fair is on an Army post, it is open to retirees of all active duty and reserve military branches, including "gray area retirees" who have retired from a reserve component but are not yet of retirement age.
The main goal of the fair is to make sure retirees and their families are able to speak to representatives of agencies and to ensure people know their benefits.
"Sometimes, a simple conversation makes a light go off," Mr. Levesque said.
Even if retirees and family members know of their benefits, they may be overlooking changes that could help them, according to Fort Drum Retiree Council Co-Chairman Stan L. Kaminski.
"With time, laws change," he said. "We stay on top of changes."
For more information about the event or year-round retirement services, call 772-6434 or e-mail the office at drum.rso@
conus.army.mil. The event does not require advance registration. People should bring with them relevant documents — such as their separation papers and any letters pertaining to their military service and entitlements.
