More than 600 military retirees are signed up to take over Fort Hood this weekend. Veterans from all over the country always return this time of year for Retiree Appreciation Day.
"The first deployment always sticks out because you don't know what's gonna happen who's gonna return, how many friends you're gonna lose," said retired CW5 Anthony Williams.
Of all his 28 years of service, Williams will always remember that first deployment, and points out everyone made it back home.
This weekend Williams can share memories like this with fellow Army Vets at Fort Hood's Retiree Appreciation Day.
"It's something we want to do to show our respect, our appreciation for the service and sacrifice that they all made," said Marlean Druce, Installation Adjutant General.
Soldiers from all over the country head back to Fort Hood to reconnect.
"It brings back together some of that comradeship with people that you may not have seen for a few years and I think it's a great deal," said retired CSM Elivs Irvy.
Others take advantage of Fort Hood's retiree services like free flu shots, health check-ups, and legal assistance, just to name a few.
"They give you information that a lot of soldiers to do or a their wives for surviving widows don't know how to do," said retired SSG Brockly Moore.
Williams says he's proud to back to what he considers a second home and is thankful that this base cares about him just as much as he cares about it.
"It's a great thing because Fort Hood really shows that they really care about retirees and this day is set aside just for them," said Williams.
This is the 38th year of the Retiree Appreciation Day. It starts on Friday, October 26th and ends on Saturday, October 27th.
