CHARLESTON, W.Va. –
The West Virginia National Guard will host the second Military Retiree Appreciation Day (RAD) on March 11, 2023, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Camp Dawson in Kingwood, West Virginia. The free event will be hosted in conjunction with the West Virginia Retired Military Council and is open to military retirees, their families and survivors from all branches of military service. West Virginia Assistant Adjutant General - Air, Brig. Gen. Michael Cadle, will serve as the host.
The RAD provides a venue to get updates on benefits and issues, as well as to reconnect with service and veteran service support organizations. Since West Virginia has no active-duty military bases, this event will be most important for those military retirees who are otherwise isolated from their service connections.
New this year, a social will be held the evening before and lodging is available on-site at the Camp Dawson Event Center.
Attendees can expect to have access to the following services as a part of the event:
Military & VA ID card services (New card issue, card renewals, DEERS updates)
Health screenings and vaccinations
Pay and military benefits assistance to include Tricare
Veterans Assistance through the Dept. of Veterans Affairs and W.Va. Dept. of Veterans Assistance
Retired pay and Survivor Benefit Plan account updates & concerns
Family and Survivor support
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve
Transition advisors
Space A travel and MWR
Static displays
WVNG Traveling Rock Climbing Wall
Exhibits from military and veteran organizations
Camp Dawson activities such as fishing, boating, gym, sauna, pool and more
Mark Overberg, Director of U.S. Army Retirement Services, is scheduled to start the day off as keynote speaker, after which attendees may browse vendor areas, receive assistance, eat at one of the local food trucks on-site and attend briefings and presentations.
The tentative schedule of events is:
0900-0930 Opening ceremony, hosted by Brig. Gen. Michael Cadle
0930-1000 Mark Overberg, Director of U.S. Army Retirement Services
1000-1100 How to Apply for Retirement & Resources Overview Brief
1300-1400 Vietnam Veteran Pinning Ceremony
1400-1500 Women Veteran Brief & photo in honor of International Women’s Day
1500-1600 Military Officers Association of America
Due to Camp Dawson being a closed instillation, all interested attendees and vendors must pre-register: www.surveymonkey.com/r/WVNG_RAD2023.
Follow the West Virginia Military Retiree Facebook Group for updates and more information: www.facebook.com/groups/WVMILRet
Lodging reservations and information: CampDawsonEventCenter.org or 304-791-7001.
WVNG Retirement Services Office forms and additional points of contact, can be found at www.wv.ng.mil/Programs-Benefits/Retirement-Services/ or call 304-561-6528/6355.