Page 91 - South Mississippi Living - November, 2015

Alexander says that although the word home is in the name, the AFRH is a retirement community for active military retirees. “The mission is to fulfill our nation’s commitment to its veterans by providing a premier retirement community with exceptional residential care and extensive support services,” he said. “It’s like a city or a military base.”
With all that’s available for retirees at the
AFRH, it’s easy to see the similarity to a city
or base. Health services include basic medical care, podiatry, opthalmology, occupational and physical therapy, basic dental, pharmaceutical, independent living plus — which
is like home health — assisted living, long term care and memory support. Medical facilities at Keesler Air Force Base are also available. When residents have health issues and become less independent, they are cared for within the AFRH.
“We keep them at their most independent level as long as possible,” Alexander said.
There is a dining facility offering three meals a day, plus a
snack bar, a pub and an exchange where snacks and personal
sundries can be purchased. Recreational amenities include
a salt water swimming pool, walking and biking trails,
garden area, a four-lane bowling alley, arts and crafts studio, woodworking shop, sewing room, fitness center, a walkway
across Highway 90 to the beach, and many activities and events each week.
Public Affairs Director Becki Zschiedrich stresses that residents are encouraged to be active and involved in the community. “There is always something going on here,” Zschiedrich said. “There’s no shortage of things to do.”
Air Force retiree Jack Oyster, 93, served in World War II as a radio operator with the Thirty-Fourth Airborne Group. His plane was shot down on a mission over Mannheim, Germany. “I parachuted out into someone’s courtyard and was taken at pistol point to the police who sent me to Stalag Number Four in Frankfurt,” he said. “Each compound held 2,500 people. We were not treated too bad in the camp, but we were forced to march for eight days to another camp. It was during the winter and we didn’t have the right clothes for the weather.”
Oyster moved into the AFRH in March from his home in Florida. “This is the Taj Mahal of assisted living places,” he said. “People here seem to want to help you live as independently as you can and help with problems. We have a pool and a great gym. I volunteer at the thrift shop and the front desk.”
At 64, Gerry DeVoe is one of the youngest residents. She had a 20-year Navy career working in communications at several posts in this country and in Australia, Guam and Bermuda. “I’m from Michigan and I like that there’s no snow here,” she said. “And I really like that I don’t have to cook, wash dishes or cut grass.”
DeVoe enjoys painting, quilting, spinning and making soap. She can often be found in the sewing room piecing together tops for quilts. She also uses the swimming pool and exercise room.
ABOVE TOP: U. S. Navy Veteran Gerry DeVoe enjoys quilting among many other hobbies including painting, spinning and soap making. ABOVE: The Armed Forces Retirement Home located in Gulfport overlooking the Mississippi Sound.
YOU ARE INVITED...
The public is invited to attend the Armed Forces Retirement Home’s Open House on Veteran’s Day, November 11. Gates open at 8:30 a.m.
Activities include a patriotic ceremony with music, guest speaker, displays, an art exhibit and tours.
A Veteran’s Tribute video will run continuously in the theater.
Gates close for public access at 1:30 p.m. and events conclude at 2 p.m.
FOR MORE REFLECTIONS OF THE GULF COAST >> www.smliving.net
November 2015 • SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living 91