By Derek Gean
Community editor
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Labor Day weekend will be a busy one for Fort Leonard Wood as military retirees visit the installation to take part in the 36th annual Retiree Appreciation Days.

The events will take place on Sept. 4 and 5.

“Retiree Appreciation Days are important because they continue to foster goodwill between the retired and active-duty communities, said Noah Stevens, Soldier For Life Retirement Services officer.

“Retirees are a vital part of our military Family and their experiences and expertise count,” he said.

The weekend will begin at 8 a.m. Sept. 4 with a golf tournament and luncheon at Piney Valley Golf Course. Also, on Sept. 4, a retirement ceremony is scheduled for 3 p.m. at Lincoln Hall Auditorium and a retiree dinner is scheduled from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Engineer Regimental Room of the John B. Mahaffey Museum. At the dinner, Shirley Janes, a retired Air Force senior master sergeant, will be honored as Fort Leonard Wood Retiree of the Year. Janes served more than 20 years and retired in 1991. Since retirement, she has been involved in numerous employment and volunteer activities benefiting veterans.

At 9 a.m. Sept. 5, Col. Andy Herbst, U.S. Army Garrison Fort Leonard Wood garrison commander, is scheduled to speak at Abrams Theater, followed by Kenneth Preston, retired Sergeant Major of the Army.

Following the speaking presentations, Stevens said he expects the highlight of Sept. 5 to be the Retiree Day Health and Benefits Fair, beginning at 10 a.m. at Nutter Field House. General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital is scheduled to provide services to retirees and their Families at the fair, including information on health issues, physical fitness, medication reconciliation, blood pressure checks, diabetes management, and much more. Several other organizations are scheduled to provide information and assistance to retirees and their spouses.



Schedule of events:



Sept. 4

— 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Golf (four-person scramble), Piney Valley Golf Course – lunch following.

— 12:30 to 2 p.m. — Bus tour of post (departs Nutter Field House).

— 3 to 4 p.m. — Retirement Ceremony, Lincoln Hall Auditorium.

— 6 to 9 p.m. – Annual Retiree Dinner, Engineer Regimental Room, John B. Mahaffey Museum.



Sept. 5

— 6:30 to 8:30 a.m. — Breakfast, American Legion Hall, Chapter 331, St. Robert.

— 8:30 to 9 a.m. — Registration Abrams Theater.

— 9 a.m. — Col. Andy Herbst, U.S. Army Garrison Fort Leonard Wood garrison commander, Abrams Theater.

— 9:30 a.m. — Kenneth Preston, retired Sergeant Major of the Army, Abrams Theater.

— 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Health fair, Nutter Field House.

— 9 a.m. to noon – ID Card Facility open, Dillard Hall, Building 470, Room 2101.

— 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Lunch at dining facility.

— 1 p.m. – Kathy Lucero, United Health Care, Nutter Field House

— 1:30 p.m. — Door prize giveaway.

There is a $50 per person cost to take part in the golf tournament; a $17 per person cost to take part in the retiree dinner and $5.55 cost, payable at the door, for eating lunch at the dining facility Sept. 5.

Stevens said he encourages all retirees to take advantage of the weekend.

“(This event) keeps the retired Soldiers, their spouses, and annuitant’s up-to-date on changes in their retirement rights, benefits and privileges,” he said.

For more information, or to register, contact Stevens at 573.596.0131, ext. 66637 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it