Retiree Appreciation Day gives thanks, information to those who served

Being able to call yourself a retired member of the United States armed forces is no small feat. Deployments, combat tours and times of separation from loved ones are some of the challenges service members see and overcome during their time in uniform. To give retired Marines and sailors important information and show appreciation, the Joseph “Randy” Reichler Reception Center (JRRRC) held its annual Retiree Appreciation Day at Marston Pavilion on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Sept. 29.

“Randy Reichler, a retired Navy Corpsman and services officer, wanted to start this Retiree Appreciation Day,” said William Joseph, JRRRC director. “We have been doing this for about 23 years now. It serves as a health and information fair along with a provided meal.”

The event featured special guests such as Capt. Jeffrey Timby, Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune (NMCCL) commanding officer, and retired Col. John Kopka, both serving lunch to retirees.

“We have close to 60 tables from a large variety of resources available to retirees,” said Joseph. “The Military Retiree Council and NMCCL are some of the organizations out here giving retirees access to information and services.”

In addition to lunch, retirees could receive flu shots and talk to healthcare specialists from several medical fields. For staff of JRRRC, the chance to show retired service members gratitude is always a privilege.

“This started as a way to centralize everything retirees needed and bring them together,” said Lou Alers, JRRRC retired affairs coordinator. “Randy Reichler wanted an event to honor and serve them and he worked hard. Other agencies like the medical center and Red Cross began to get involved as time went by. It became not only a source of camaraderie but also a health and wellness fair. Many of these men and women are scattered across the community and may not see one another for a long time. It means so much to me to see them smile when they find familiar faces.”