FORT SILL — Soldiers and their families will be recognized for their service July 8 during Military Appreciation Day at Fort Sill.
The annual event will be held 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Lake Elmer Thomas Recreation Area. A free catered lunch will be served from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. or while the food lasts. There will be free admission to the beach and free use of the boats, miniature golf, archery, paintball and other activities. Music also will be part of the event, which is open to all of Fort Sill and surrounding communities.
“This is a way to say thank you to our active-duty soldiers, retired soldiers and their families who have been supporting the military,” said Ethan Briner, special event coordinator for the Fort Sill’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation department. “Everyone will have a lot of fun. The soldiers understand this is for them and their sacrifice. Families go through it worse sometimes than the soldiers because they don’t know what’s going on (all the time).”
The appreciation day is coordinated and organized by volunteers who “just want to give back” and honor all of Fort Sill’s soldiers from high-level commanders to soldiers just beginning their military careers.
The annual appreciation event was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but was resumed last year, Briner said.
Fort Sill’s total population is about 53,000 including 20,000 military and civilian personnel, and 33,000 military family members, according to the U.S. Department of Defense.
The public must have passes to gain entry onto the base. If someone needs a pass, they should visit the Visitors Welcome Center at T6701 NW Sheridan Road in Lawton or go to pass.aie.army.mil to fill out the online visitor pre-registration form.
For more details, call (580) 442-4329.