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JBLM Retiree Appreciation Day kicks off May 18

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Retirees from across the Pacific Northwest will take over McChord Field's Hangar 9 May 18 for Joint Base Lewis-McChord's annual Retiree Appreciation Day.

The annual health and information fair is a collaboration between retiree service offices for Army and Air Force retirees at JBLM.

There will be 56 Madigan Healthcare System departments, along with 62 other organizations, providing a wealth of information and wide selection health screenings during the annual health fair.

"Over the years (at the health fair), retirees have been identified with a condition that needs further follow-up," Teresa Bruder, RN, PhD, Madigan Health Promotion and Wellness Service action officer, said.

Services will include screenings for oral cancer, glaucoma, diabetes, hearing, cholesterol, carotid arteries; prostate exams and immunizations.

Blood tests will also be done onsite. Those wanting to have their blood drawn for tests will need to fast for 12 hours prior before the fair.

Retirees also have the option to re-enroll in the Madigan Healthcare System to be seen by doctors at the main JBLM campus, as well as those at clinics in Lacey and Puyallup.

"Retirees want to come back to Madigan and we welcome them," Bruder said. "They've wanted to come back to Madigan, now that we've opened the outlying clinics in Puyallup and Lacey, we've opened the availability so that the retirees can come back in."

Another option available to retirees is moving their medical records online, which gives them records at all times and allows them to communicate with their health care providers via email. There will be employees and computers onsite to enroll retirees and teach them how to use the online system.

While one of the main draws might be the health fair, there will also be offices from around Washington state and the country to discuss benefits available to retirees. These will include JBLM's Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, Social Security, VFW, Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs and Defense Finance and Accounting Services (DFAS).

"We bring all kinds of agencies from every place into this venture, retirees know it and appreciate it and it's all under one roof," Alex Silva, JBLM retirement services officer, said.

Doors open at 6:30 a.m. for blood draws and 7:30 a.m. for all other information and services.

There will be a no-host breakfast and lunch available. The guest speaker will be from the Madigan command team. For more information call 966-5884.

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