Email   Print   Share By Sgt. William Begley, 11th PAD

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Army retiree John Escobedo launches a drive right down the middle of the fairway during the Retired Military Golf Tournament Saturday at the Courses at Clear Creek on Fort Hood. Sgt. William Begley, 11th PAD

Gene McLeod gets ready to hit a drive at the Retired Military Golf Tournament on the Courses at Clear Creek. Sgt. William Begley, 11th PAD

Cold, windy autumn temperatures were not enough to keep 85 military retirees from competing against each other in the 2012 Retired Military Golf Tournament Saturday at the Courses of Clear Creek on Fort Hood.

The golf tournament was just one of several events that made up the 38th Annual Retirees Appreciation Day.

Retirees like Joe Gordon, a retired U.S. Army first sergeant from Nashville, Tenn., braved the cold weather and enjoyed a day of golf, fun and fellowship. Gordon said that he tries to participate in this tournament every year.

“A lot of the guys are getting a chance to re-unite with their old comrades that they haven’t seen in a long time,” Gordon said.

But, it wasn’t just Army retirees that came out.

United States Navy retired Chief Petty Officer Gene McLeod from Trinity also makes this a yearly event.

“It’s become a tradition for some of us,” McLeod said. “About five years ago, an old sergeant got us started playing this tournament. A bunch of us old Navy guys would get together and golf while our wives would go shopping. It’s just a lot of fun.”

John Escobedo, a retired Army sergeant first class who lives in Killeen made his second appearance at the tournament.

“I think it’s nice that people do stuff for retirees,” Escobedo said. “For us retirees, getting together with each other and having a great time is what it’s all about.”

Gordon said that even though the weather didn’t cooperate, the tournament still had a great turnout.

Paul Wangler turned in the winning score of 5-over-par 77.