LAWTON — About 1,000 people enjoyed the festivities of Military Appreciation Day July 8 as active-duty soldiers, retirees and their families were treated to fun activities and free food.
Military service members and families participated in a variety of activities including paddleboats, archery, paintball, miniature golf and they had free access to the beach and use of the boats at Lake Elmer Thomas Recreation Area.
A free lunch was catered as participants enjoyed a day with mild weather conditions and no rain.
“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. “The event was open to all the community and military and anyone who has served. It was actually open to the public because they take care of our soldiers.”
The four-hour event is free so more people will attend, Briner said.
“Usually, we ask the soldiers for help when we put on our events, but this is for them to come and enjoy and experience all the beauty” Fort Sill has to offer with the beach and mountains, he said.
“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),” Briner said.
Military Appreciation Day festivities are coordinated 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 appreciation event was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but was resumed last year, Briner said.