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Fort Drum welcomes military retirees to annual appreciation event
Mike Strasser
Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs
FORT DRUM, N.Y. (Sept. 22, 2025) - Military retirees and their families gathered outside Clark Hall on Sept. 20 for a day of recognition and support, while also reaffirming their commitment to stay connected with the military community.
“Today is all about saying thank you to our retirees,” said Col. Jason Adler, Fort Drum garrison commander. “It’s about acknowledging everything you and your families have given to our country and to our community.”
Adler said retirees should be proud that their legacy is one forged of selfless service over self-interest.
“Your legacy endures and inspires others, just as you have been inspired by leaders and mentors along your own path,” he said. “Speaking personally, even though we may not have served together, leaders just like you educated, mentored, and guided me on my own Army journey that began as a private, a noncommissioned office and onto the officer ranks. I owe much to them, and by extension, you.”
The annual Retiree Appreciation Day event is hosted by the Fort Drum Retiree Council. Retired Col. Charles Frost, council co-chairman, said their most important role as advocates for the retiree community is forwarding key issues to the Army Chief of Staff Retiree Council.
Frost encouraged retirees to be the inspiration for future generations of service members by sharing their stories with others.
“One of the most important things we can do as retirees to help enlistment is to tell our own stories of service, so the next generation understands what the military is all about,” he said. “Less than seven percent of the population in our country has ever served in the military, so there’s a lot of people out there who don’t know what it means to serve.”
Retiree Appreciation Day also is an opportunity for retired service members to learn about updates to their benefits and receive support services from the ID Card Section, DEERS, and Legal Assistance, to name a few. Retirees could also attend a wellness and veterans resource fair at the Post Exchange, and tour LeRay Mansion and the 10th Mountain Division and Fort Drum Museum.
For those unable to attend Retiree Appreciation Day, the Fort Drum Retirement Services Office is available year round to provide services to retirees and their families, regarding benefits, entitlements, information and referrals.
The RSO is located inside Clark Hall, Bldg. 10720 on Mount Belvedere Boulevard. For more information, call (315) 772-6339, 1-800-556-9790, or visit https://home.army.mil/drum/about/Garrison/directorate-human-resources/MPD/retirement-services-office-rso.
