FRA Today - March 2011
COMMUNICATIONS
NED Perspective
shipmate forum
On & OFF Capitol HILL
membership matters
Member Benefits
Feature: ESGR – Supporting reservists and their employers
History and Heritage
Reunions
Looking For …
taps
Auxiliary of the FRA NEWS

COMMUNICATIONS 
Sharing information
Putting together this magazine is a tremendous team effort. Great thought goes to what news items will be of interest to our active duty, Reserve, veteran and/or retired shipmates. Topics for feature articles are decided far in advance based on reader input, suggestions from military leadership and an awareness of gaps in coverage by other organizations or news outlets. FRA was approached last year, for instance, by Adam Bashaw, the Deputy Director of Public Affairs for the Marine Forces Reserve, for assistance in getting the word out about the tremendous work the Guard and Reserve do, and the need for greater employer support. The Department of Defense started the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) in 1972 and is working diligently to make sure those who would benefit from their work are aware of its existence. To assist in that effort, Lauren Armstrong, our Feature Editor, and Cpl. Jad Slieman, an active duty combat correspondent at the Marine Forces Reserve Public Affairs Office combined efforts to bring you this month’s feature story. We hope our readers will not only enjoy reading this article, but also consider Reserve service members or employers who may benefit from the information within. 
FRA’s mission is to be the voice for all current and former enlisted Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard personnel on Capitol Hill. Much like the challenges ESGR is facing, there are still personnel who would benefit from FRA membership but are not aware of the Association or that they can quickly join at www.fra.org/join or by phone at 1-800-FRA-1924. Please give thought to those you know who are eligible for FRA membership but are not yet members. Give them a call, send an e-mail, share your magazine or even invite them to a branch meeting. Sharing information about why FRA is important to you may help them see why membership would be a great investment for their future as well.

VA Enrollment
Many thanks to Shipmate Joe Snyder, who let us know about some missing information in last month’s “Shipmate Forum.” The web addresses regarding enrollment in the VA’s healthcare system did not appear in the final copy of the magazine. We apologize for the oversight and want shipmates to know they can apply for VA enrollment online at https://www.1010ez.med.va.gov/sec/vha/1010ez/, by calling the VA at 1-877-222-VETS (8387) or with the help of a VA health care eligibility specialist at any VA medical center. Go to http://www2.va.gov/directory/guide/home.asp?isflash=1 for locations. For more information regarding eligibility, visit http://www.va.gov/healtheligibility/.

Eileen Murphy is the Director of Marketing and Communications and serves as the Managing Editor of FRA Today. Please contact her at eileen@fra.org.

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NED Perspective 

Due Diligence
Key management functions at NHQ include working with affinity partners and other businesses with which we interact regarding NBOD-approved and Association endorsed member benefit programs. This includes interaction with principals and/or reps of these entities, thorough analysis of the terms of their contracts and legal counsel recommendations, and reconciling these with FRA requirements. Throughout, the Association’s interest is foremost. 
During the negotiation and finalization phases, a major concern for Paul Rigby as FRA’s Finance (and Contracting) Officer, and me is ensuring that we’re consistently exercising appropriate (due) diligence in fulfilling our responsibilities in support of the Association and its mission. And it’s important to recognize that the Association is a business — requiring not only effective leadership, but appropriate management practices and staff at NHQ skilled in performing business functions and mindful of legal and ethical requirements for non-profit organizations. 
According to Webster’s Dictionary, diligence means exercising “the degree of attention or care expected of a person in a given situation” — or from a fiduciary duty perspective — always doing what’s best for the organization. This is an ongoing process and it’s important to note more stringent laws have been enacted regarding issues and activities addressed in these documents, along with significantly increased scrutiny of non-profit organization by IRS and other local and state oversight authorities in recent years. 
These issues are also especially important in conjunction with contracting agreements between the Association and affinity partners and/or other businesses. A timely example is the work associated with developing and reviewing responses from a request for proposal (RFP) in conjunction with FRA’s endorsed insurance products brokerage and administration agreement. Following work by and recommendations from the Special RFP Review Committee, approval by the National Board of Directors and ratification by delegates to FRA’s 83rd National Convention, a new multi-year agreement is being finalized with Marsh Global Consumer. This involves the process described above along with dialog and meetings with Marsh representatives, and reworking the agreement into an acceptable format that will be signed by both Marsh and Paul Rigby on behalf of FRA.
Another important agreement is with USAA in conjunction with a new FRA endorsed Mastercard program that will be formally announced next month. We’re pleased to establish a new relationship with USAA to replace the FRA Bank of America Visa Card program (previously with MBNA) which ended on December 31, 2010.
USAA is one of America’s top-rated, award winning financial services providers — and is well known for its great products and customer service. Since 1922, USAA has earned an enviable reputation for excellence in providing insurance and financial services tailored for military members and their families. USAA shares our culture and values, and is routinely recognized as one of the nation’s best corporate workplaces. USAA has a long-standing reputation not only for taking care of its employees, but also for providing the same superior support to its members. 
Current and former enlisted member of the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, are now eligible for the various products and services offered by USAA — including the new FRA endorsed USAA Mastercard program and associated benefits to support important Association programs. This new program complements other long-standing FRA agreements such as GEICO for automobile insurance products and March for insurance products needed by our membership. 
We’re excited about this new relationship with USAA and the benefits it brings to FRA Shipmates and we’re hoping to include a presentation on other USAA programs as part of the upcoming National Board of Directors meeting agenda next month. 
Watch for detailed information on this new program and also check out other valuate member benefit programs available to members of the FRA. Hopefully this offers some insight into some of our work at NHQ, and as always thanks for your continuing support of the FRA and its mission of serving as the premier watchdog organization in maintaining and improving quality of life programs for Sea Services personnel, their families and survivors.
For those unfamiliar with the fiduciary responsibilities associated with serving as a Branch, Regional or National officer, please see the “NBOD Fiduciary Obligations” document posted on www.fra.org. This contains both the “Board of Directors Fiduciary Obligation” paper by David P. Goch, Esq, FRA’s legal counsel, and “Legal and Tax Issues for Fleet Reserve Association Branches” by Goch and Charles M. Watkins, Esq., and is found under Member Resources on the Member News page. To get to follow link to the right when you login to the site.

Joe Barnes is FRA’s National Executive Director and Chairman of the National Committee on Legislative Service and a member of the Special Committee  on Future Strategic Planning. A member of Navy Department Branch 181, he is also an advisor to the National Committees on Budget and Finance and Membership and Retention.

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shipmate forum
Agent Orange Exposure
I know about the list of ships and boats that operated in inland waterways in Vietnam, but I recently received an e-mail that said the USS Repose (AH-16) and the USS Sanctuary (AH-17), the two hospital ships that served along the coast of Vietnam from Da Nang north to the DMZ, were added to the list. I’ve been unable to find any documentation of this. Do you know if this is true? 
Besides a professional interest I have a personal one. I served on the Sanctuary, mainly on the helo deck, for about a year over there and now have type-2 diabetes, which is presumptive for Agent Orange exposure.
Mike Hughes
FRA Response: The VA has provided a recent update to their list of ships that they have conceded had sailed in inland waterways of Vietnam. The list, available at www.fra.org/agentorange, now includes a listing of ships that “operated on Vietnam’s close coastal waters for extended periods with evidence that crew members went ashore or that smaller vessels went to shore regularly with supplies and personnel.” The USS Repose and USS Sanctuary are in this expanded category, and the VA has conceded that Sailors, Marines and other service members who were assigned to these ships are now assumed to have been exposed to herbicides.
If you have not done so, I urge you to apply to the VA for benefits associated with your service-connected disabilities based on the information provided. 

My father served in the Navy for 20 years and currently resides in a nursing home after living with Parkinson’s disease for the last 25 years. What should we do to start a claim? 
Lisa Griggs-Stapleton
FRA Response: Parkinson’s disease has been added to the VA’s list of presumptive health problems associated with exposure to herbicides (Agent Orange) for certain military members who served on the inland waterways of Vietnam and along some areas of the Korean DMZ between April 1, 1968, and August 31, 1971. (See page 12 for more information.) If you think your father’s service places him into the presumptive group, he should absolutely start the claims process for VA benefits.
You can go to website http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/AO/claimherbicide.htm to get a more complete understanding of how to file a claim for presumptive conditions related to herbicide exposure, as well as what evidence is needed by the VA to make a decision about disability compensation benefits.
If your father is a Vietnam veteran, the aforementioned list of ships (see above) may help expedite the claims process for him. If his service aboard one of these ships during the time frames specified can be confirmed through his military records, exposure to herbicides can be presumed. If your father’s ship isn’t noted, but he believes his ship sailed in qualifying areas, he should still submit a claim for benefits. It will be helpful for him to be as specific as possible about the name of the ship and the time period (within 90 days) it sailed in the inland waterways of Vietnam. The VA has a duty to assist you in finding evidence (deck logs) that would verify the service.

I read FRA Today cover to cover, all NewsBytes and faithfully respond to all FRA requests for action, and I do not recall any mention of changes to tax law, tax tables and expiration of other legislation causing a change in Federal Income Tax withholding.  
I am dismayed that military retiree’s have been subjected to a significant reduction of net pay.  
There is no succinct way for me to describe my anger and frustration with our elected representatives at both the state and federal levels.   At the risk of my primary concern (Net Pay) not being read,  I deleted several paragraphs of gripes and concerns I have with all three branches of federal government - I suspect we shipmates are in tune with the problems facing the military active duty and retired community by a Congress totally out of touch with their constituents!  My primary concern, though personal, extends to preserving the quality of life for future military retirees’ and their families!
On a positive note, I applaud and support FRA for their diligence on our behalf ! 
Jerry Crabill
FRA Response: Thank you for your kind words. Changes in Social Security withholdings and other tax changes were referenced in the February 4, 2011, edition of NewsBytes, which is available under the News tab at www.fra.org and includes a link to the IRS website. 
Although the reduction in Social Security withholding will actually increase net pay, FRA shares your concern about the looming threats to military and veterans’ benefits. We’ll continue to keep shipmates informed as legislative proposals are introduced and initiatives advance through Congress. We sincerely appreciate your use of the Action Center at www.fra.org to share your views and concerns with your elected officials.

Submissions: Send Shipmate Forum letters to: Editor, FRA Today, 125 N. West St. Alexandria, VA 22314. E-mail submissions may be sent to fratoday@fra.org. Please include “Shipmate Forum” in the subject line. FRA reserves the right to select and edit letters for publication. Letters published in Shipmate Forum reflect the opinions and views of FRA members. They do not necessarily reflect the official position of FRA as a whole. FRA is not responsible for the accuracy of letter content. 

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On & OFF Capitol HILL
FRA Encourages All Shipmates to Get Involved!
As this issue of FRA Today goes to press, the Pentagon is preparing to release its budget proposals for FY2012, which are expected to include broad cuts to Department of Defense (DoD) spending. DoD officials are already talking about a “modest” increase to TRICARE fees for military retirees under the age of 65 in order to help reduce spending. FRA successfully opposed proposals to increase TRICARE fees in 2006, 2007 and 2008 and was heartened when increases weren’t even suggested in 2009 and 2010. But the growing pressure to cut spending and reduce the deficit is strong this year and getting stronger.
One way for shipmates to join the fight against these and other benefit-related proposals is to share your concerns with your elected officials through FRA’s online Action Center (www.fra.org). This easy-to-use website allows members to view a list of current legislative issues on which FRA is working and provides a prewritten message to lawmakers. Users can also draft their own message if they prefer. 
Our shipmates’ grassroots involvement is a highly effective weapon in combating this and other legislative initiatives that impact FRA members, their families and survivors. FRA congratulates shipmates for sending nearly 53,000 messages to Capitol Hill during the 111th Congress, which is an eight-percent increase from the 110th Congress. An even stronger voice from our membership will be needed if we hope to defeat efforts to increase health care costs for TRICARE beneficiaries. Although it won’t be the only battle FRA will wage on our members’ behalf, preventing drastic healthcare fee hikes is our top priority for the coming months. 
Other proposals to reduce the federal deficit may include implementing a new formula for determining retired pay that uses an average of the five highest years of pay instead of the current high-three calculation. Another proposal suggests changing how the Consumer Price Index (CPI) is calculated, which would have a direct impact on all retirees’ Cost-of-Living-Adjustments (COLA). Additional challenges include a call for Congress to be more fiscally responsible and implement “cut as you go” budgeting, which requires any new expenditures be offset by commensurate reductions elsewhere in the budget. 
Remember, what Congress gives, Congress can take away. Now more than ever FRA members need to have their voices heard on Capitol Hill. 

Be Heard!
FRA offers several ways to make it easy for shipmates to communicate with their elected officials!

Legislative Priorities Survey
As part of its mission to bring the enlisted voice to Capitol Hill, FRA is conducting an online survey to determine which military and veterans benefits are most important to its members and their families. The brief survey asks participants to rate the benefits and quality-of-life programs they’ve earned through service to our nation. 

Communicate With Your Elected Officials
This useful, free guide includes a directory of the 112th Congress and includes helpful tips on effectively expressing concerns to lawmakers. The guides won’t be available until sometime in March, but you can reserve your copy now by sending an e-mail request to bethw@fra.org with your name, mailing address, rank and branch of service or call 1-800-FRA-1924. 

FRA’s Action Center
This free online service allows visitors to send prewritten messages (or visitors can draft their own) to their members of Congress, urging their support or opposition to legislative proposals that impact current and former service personnel. 
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RETIREE ISSUES
Comprehensive Concurrent Receipt Reform
Rep. Sanford Bishop (Georgia) introduced comprehensive legislation (H.R. 333) that will eliminate the restrictions that prevent many disabled retirees from concurrently receiving their full military retired pay and veterans’ disability compensation. “The Disabled Veterans Tax Termination Act” seeks to provide concurrent receipt of both earned benefits for retirees who are rated less than 50-percent disabled; eliminate the existing phase-in period for concurrent receipt; and extend concurrent receipt eligibility to Chapter 61 (medically retired) retirees with less than 20 years of service.
This measure, if enacted, would fulfill FRA’s goal of providing immediate concurrent receipt of both benefits, without offset, for all disabled retirees. 
Shipmates are urged to use the FRA Action Center (www.fra.org) to ask their representatives to support this important bill.
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Tax Changes for 2011
Recent changes to the tax law, tax tables and other legislation will affect FRA members. The net financial impact will depend on individuals’ income level and W-4 elections. 
Some of the changes include: 
•	Reduction in Social Security tax withholding from 6.2% to 4.2% for 2011
•	Expiration of the Making Work Pay credit, which may increase the amount of wages subject to income tax withholding
•	1.4% pay increase for military service members 
Reservists were the first to see the changes, which were reflected in their January 5 paychecks. Active duty military personnel saw their pay change in their January 14 paychecks and this was reflected in January Leave and Earnings Statements (LES).
Retirees and annuitants will see the changes reflected in their March 1 payment and will be able to view the changes online by accessing their myPay accounts at https://mypay.dfas.mil. Changes to retiree accounts are available now and annuitants can view the changes in myPay on February 18. DFAS will be mailing account statements with the new net pay amounts to all retirees and annuitants affected by the change in February. 
Additional tax information can be found at the IRS website www.irs.gov
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DFAS Clarifies RC-SBP Premium Notice
The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) issued a statement further clarifying previous correspondence regarding Reserve Component Survivor Benefit Program (RC-SBP) premiums. In May 2010, DFAS implemented changes that decreased the RC-SBP cost for retired Reservists. Later in the year, DoD declared the decrease did not apply to Reservists who retired before April 2010. 
To rectify the error, DFAS restored these customers’ premiums to their previous (higher) level, effective December 2010, which is reflected on recent account statements. 
For further information, please visit http://www.dfas.mil/rapay/newsletter/rcsbp-cost.html 
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FRA’s Full Month’s Retired Pay Bill in House
Rep. Walter Jones (North Carolina) recently introduced legislation (H.R. 493) authorizing surviving spouses (or other designated survivors) to retain the full month’s retired pay for the month in which a military retiree passes away. “The Military Retiree Survivor Comfort Act” was introduced at FRA’s request and seeks to ensure that survivors are not unfairly burdened when overpayments occur. Jones has also championed this legislation in previous Congresses. 
When a military retiree dies, particularly late in the month, and survivors mourn and work to sort out the details of their loved one’s passing, there is sometimes a delay in reporting the death to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS). If the death report and other administrative details aren’t handled before the next retirement payment is processed, an overpayment occurs for the period between the retiree’s death and the end of the month. DFAS has the authority to recoup this overpayment directly from the survivor’s bank account with little or no warning, often creating financial and emotional hardship for the family. 
Jones’ proposal would allow survivors to retain the full month’s retired pay for any month in which the retiree was alive for at least 24 hours. To offset the cost associated with this proposal, a provision of the bill would delay the first Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuity payment until the month after the retiree dies. 
Congress passed a similar law in 1996 allowing surviving spouses to retain veterans’ disability and VA pension payments issued for the month of the veteran’s death. FRA believes military retired pay should be no different. 
Members are urged to use the FRA Action Center at www.fra.org to express their support for H.R. 493.
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TRICARE ISSUES
House Panel Reviews DoD Budget Cuts and TRICARE Fees
During its first hearing in 2011, the House Armed Services Committee heard testimony from Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III regarding recommended cuts as part of the FY2012 budget. Proposed cost-saving measures include increases to TRICARE enrollment fees for military retirees under age 65 and higher pharmacy co-payments. It was reported that Lynn stated that DoD believes future fee increases should be tied to a rise in the cost of living and, without fee increases for the last 15 years, costs for retirees have actually decreased as a percentage of cost. At press time, details on these proposals are not yet available since the Administration’s FY2012 budget request had not been released. 
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TRICARE Retired Reserve Sign-up Options
Gray-area Reserve Component retirees who want TRICARE coverage now have a new way to qualify for and purchase TRICARE Retired Reserve (TRR) health coverage. Retired Reservists may qualify to purchase TRR coverage if they are under the age of 60 and are not eligible for, or enrolled in, the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan (FEHBP) program. 
To make purchasing TRR easier, Reserve retirees under age 60 can get a DoD Self-service Logon (DS Logon) by contacting the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System/Defense Manpower Data Center Support Office (DSO) and remotely verify their identity. This DS Logon is required to access the Web-based Reserve Component Purchased TRICARE Application (RCPTA) online.
If a gray-area retiree doesn’t have a DS Logon, but has a retired military ID card, he or she can call DSO at 1-800-538-9552 (1-866-363-2883 for the hearing impaired) to request remote proofing documentation. DSO will provide step-by-step instructions and the appropriate documentation required. DSO’s hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 5 a.m. until 5 p.m. (Pacific Time).
Gray-area retirees who don’t have a retired ID card can complete an in-person proofing process at a RAPIDS ID card issuing site, where they can also get a DS Logon. To locate the nearest Rapids site go to: http://www.dmdc.osd.mil/rsl/owa/home They may also go to designated Veterans’ Administration (VA) regional offices to complete in-person-proofing and secure a DS Logon. To locate nearest VA regional offices, visit www.vba.va.gov/vba/benefits/offices.asp
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Military Health System Conference
NED Joe Barnes and ORM Bob Washington represented FRA at the 2011 Military Health System (MHS) Conference where keynote speakers included Dr. Clifford Stanley, Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness; Dr. Jonathan Woodson, who was recently confirmed as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs; former Senator Tom Daschle; Deborah Mullen, wife of Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen; Navy Surgeon General VADM Adam Robinson and his sister-service equivalents. Conference presentations focused on MHS’s quadruple aim consisting of military readiness, population (beneficiary) health, experience of care and per capita cost. The conference also highlighted the establishment of Medical Home Managed Care Departments in a growing number of military treatment facilities. 
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TRICARE Young Adult Program
The Department of Defense (DoD) announced the premium-based TRICARE Young Adult Program (TYAP) that will extend medical coverage to eligible military family members to the age of 26. The premium-based coverage is expected to be in place later this spring and is authorized by provisions of the recently enacted FY2011 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
TYAP coverage mirrors provisions in the national health care legislation passed last year, except that civilian insurance companies can spread the cost of the coverage for these additional dependents across a large group of policy holders. The NDAA requires DoD to charge a premium to families that elect this additional coverage and the rates must cover the full cost of the program. No specific prices have been set, but experts are predicting premiums will be from $1,400 to $2,400 per dependent, per year. 
For more information, read Tom Philpott’s Military Update column (1-13-11) available on the FRA website at  http://www.fra.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=News&TEMPLATE=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&CONTENTID=11608)
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VETERANS’ ISSUES
More Ships Added to VA’s Agent Orange Exposure List
FRA strongly encourages all U.S. Navy and Coast Guard Vietnam veterans to review the expanded list of vessels exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam. The updated list, released by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in January 2011 and available online at www.fra.org/agentorange, is continuously revised to include vessels that operated primarily or exclusively on Vietnam’s inland waterways; ships that temporarily operated in these inland waterways or docked to the shore; and ships that operated in Vietnam’s close coastal waters for extended periods with evidence that crewmembers went ashore. If a veteran’s service aboard one of these ships can be confirmed through his military records during the time frames specified, exposure to herbicides can be presumed, thus expediting claims for VA benefits. Veterans should understand that the list is not complete and presumption of exposure will not be denied solely because a veteran’s ship is not on it.
“Thousands of Navy and Coast Guard veterans who served aboard ships during the Vietnam conflict experience health problems related to herbicide exposure, but their illnesses and disabilities are not automatically considered service-connected in the eyes of the VA,” explains Chris Slawinski, FRA’s national veterans’ service officer. “The VA restricts this type of presumptive service connection to vets who had ‘boots on the ground’ or can prove their ship operated on inland waterways. Each addition to the VA’s list of exposed vessels will make it easier for these veterans to prove exposure and will hopefully facilitate more timely determination of benefits.”
FRA is working to reverse the VA’s policy that prevents “blue water” military retirees and veterans – those who served off shore in Vietnam – from claiming disability benefits for diseases related to exposure to Agent Orange. The April edition of FRA Today will highlight service members’ exposure to Agent Orange and other toxic substances. 
If you or someone you know served aboard any of these vessels during the times indicated, a VA claim for exposure to an herbicide agent should be filed as soon as possible. To start a claim, contact your nearest VA Regional Office or contact Chris Slawinski at vafra@fra.org or 1-800-FRA-1924 (ext. 115).
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Agent Orange Presumption Expanded for Korea Vets
Veterans exposed to herbicides while serving along the demilitarized zone (DMZ) in Korea will also have easier access to health care and other benefits under a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) final regulation. The regulation recently published in the Federal Register and available online will expand the dates when illnesses caused by herbicide exposure can be presumed to be related to Agent Orange.
The VA will now presume herbicide exposure for any veteran who served between April 1, 1968, and August 31, 1971, in a unit determined to have operated in an area in or near the Korean DMZ in which herbicides were applied. Previously, the VA presumed service-connection for veterans who served in certain units along the Korean DMZ between April 1968 and July 1969. Eligible veterans who meet this service criterion and have specific herbicide-related illnesses do not have to prove an association between their illness and their military service. This “presumption” simplifies and speeds up the application process for benefits.
FRA encourages all veterans to register with the VA and urges those with covered service in Korea who have Agent Orange-related medical conditions to submit their applications for VA health care and compensation as soon as possible, so the agency can begin processing their claims.
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Enhanced VA Health Care Opportunity Ends
Certain combat veterans who were discharged from active duty before January 28, 2003, had until January 27, 2011, to take advantage of their enhanced health care enrollment opportunity through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Although the deadline has passed, these veterans may still apply for health benefits, but some may face income or asset-based restrictions, as well as delays in establishing their VA health care eligibility. Since the inception of the enhanced enrollment opportunity, the VA has sent more than 750,000 personal letters to eligible veterans and hosted thousands of outreach efforts, but to date only 13,000 have enrolled. Combat vets who were discharged or released from active service on or after January 28, 2003, had a five-year enrollment period that began on their discharge or separation date from active duty military service. In the case of multiple call-ups, the most recent discharge date will apply.
Veterans can apply for enrollment online at https://www.1010ez.med.va.gov or by contacting the VA at 1-877-222-VETS (8387) or with the help of a VA health care eligibility specialist at any VA medical center. To find nearest VA location, visit www2.va.gov/ directory/guide/home.asp. 
For more information regarding enrollment, visit http://www.va.gov/healtheligibility.
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Flag Amendment Introduced
Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (Missouri) introduced legislation (H.J. Res. 13) proposing a constitutional amendment that would prohibit the physical desecration of the United States flag. A companion resolution is expected to be introduced in the Senate by Sen. Orrin Hatch (Utah).
In previous Congresses, the House overwhelmingly adopted similar flag-protection amendments, but the necessary two-thirds majority vote could not be achieved in the Senate. The amendment cannot be sent to the states for ratification until the initiative is approved by both chambers.
Shipmates are encouraged to visit the FRA Action Center at http://www.fra.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=News&TEMPLATE=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&CONTENTID=11608 to contact their U.S. representatives and urge them to sign on as co-sponsors of this measure.

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ACTIVE DUTY ISSUES
FRA Honors Outstanding USN, USMC Personnel
FRA continued its longstanding tradition of honoring outstanding Sailors and Marines by participating in recognition events around the Washington, D.C. area during the last week in January. 
Selected from thousands of Navy recruiters and recruiting stations, FRA honored the Navy’s 2010 Recruiters of the Year (ROY) for their outstanding performance in their particular area of recruiting expertise. During this year’s annual ROY Week, FRA participated in a ceremony at the Navy Memorial, where Admiral Jonathan Greenart, Vice Chief of Naval Operations; Rear Admiral Craig Faller, commander of Navy Recruiting Command; and Force Master Chief for Navy Recruiting Command Chris Penton recognized the ROYs and their families. FRA also hosted the group for luncheon and coordinated a tour of the U.S. Capitol for the honorees and their accompanying family members. 
For the 13th consecutive year, FRA also recognized top Marine Corps enlisted personnel by participating in two awards ceremonies at MCB Quantico, Virginia. FRA staff members presented awards to the Marine Corps Recruiting Command’s 2010 Staff Non-Commissioned Officers in Charge, Prior Service Recruiters, and Staff Non-Commissioned Officers in Charge in recognition of their outstanding service. Marine Corps leadership was represented by Major General Ronald L. Bailey, Commanding General of Marine Corps Recruiting Command and Sgt. Major Michael Logan, Sergeant Major of Marine Corps Recruiting Command. 
Similar awards were presented to additional Marine Corps’ top performers during the 2010 Combined Awards Program. This annual ceremony recognizes the Marine Corps’ top Recruiters, Drill Instructors (DI), Marine Corps Embassy Security Guards (MSG), Career Retention Specialists and Combat Instructors (CI). Bailey and Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Carlton Kent presided at this ceremony.
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Fewer Lawmakers with Military Experience
The number of members in the 112th Congress with military experience has dropped again. Of the House’s 435 members, only 87 (20 percent, compared to 23 percent in the last Congress) have served in the military. Only 25 of the 100 U.S. Senators served in the military, which is the same as the 111th Congress, but less than the session before (110th Congress, 2007-2008) when 29 percent of the Senate had first-hand military experience.
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Military Liaison Reminds Banks of SCRA 
Holly Petraeus, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s newly-appointed military liaison, asked the nation’s largest banks to comply with a federal law meant to protect active-duty military members from high interest rates and foreclosures. Petraeus reminded banks that the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) provides a wide range of protections for individuals entering the service, called to active duty or deployed on military orders. The law postpones or suspends certain civil obligations so that service members can devote their full attention to their military duties and relieve stress on the family members. FRA supported the establishment of the military liaison position to provide protections for military personnel. 
Petraeus’ statement was issued after an announcement that J.P. Morgan Chase Bank may have overcharged more than 4,000 military family members and foreclosed on 14 military homes. At press time Rep. Jeff Miller (Florida), chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, announced that the committee will be holding a hearing to examine these allegations.

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The FRA Legislative team is Joe Barnes, National Executive Director; John Davis, Director of Legislative Programs and Branch 181 President; Bob Washington, Health Care Advisor and Outreach Manager; Chris Slawinski, National Veterans Service Officer and Ed Dockery, Assistant Director of Legislative Programs.

membership matters
Value of FRA Membership
People join organizations because they believe they’ll derive some benefit or value from their affiliation with the group. The benefits can take many forms and the perceived value may vary from member to member. FRA shipmates are no exception. Let’s explore the many ways members extract value from their involvement with FRA. 
Legislative Advocacy: Recent research shows that more than 40 percent of current FRA shipmates joined the association to support its broad legislative agenda. Whether you’re concerned about the rising cost of health care, the growing backlog of unresolved veterans’ disability claims, education benefits or military pay, FRA is working to ensure the value of your earned military and veterans’ benefits is not eroded. The Association’s legislative successes in recent years have netted significant financial improvements and savings for our members and are a direct result of shipmates’ active involvement in the legislative process. More than 50,000 messages were sent by shipmates to their elected officials in 2010 through FRA’s Action Center (at www.fra.org), strengthening FRA’s voice on Capitol Hill. This is a great example of shipmates not only benefiting from the Association’s work on their behalf; they also play a primary role in making their FRA membership more valuable. 
Source of Valuable Information: FRA provides factual and timely information to its members about legislative initiatives and other events that affect our members. Communications vehicles like FRA Today; NewsBytes, our free weekly e-mail update; OnWatch, our quarterly online publication that highlights active duty and Reserve issues; our website (www.fra.org), Facebook page (www.fra.org/fb) and Twitter account (www.twitter.com/frahq) make it easy for shipmates to stay up-to-date on news they can use. The Association also strives to make these products more accessible to our members. Those who don’t have access to e-mail can hear a recorded version of NewsBytes by dialing 1-800-FRA-1924, ext. 112, on Friday afternoons. Those with visual impairment can access FRA Today in a format that’s compatible with audio reading equipment. 
FRA also sponsors monthly teleconferences that provide unique opportunities for shipmates to connect with knowledgeable guests on topics of interest. For instance, the March call is on the topic of Reserve employment — call 1-800-391-1709 at noon EST on the second Tuesday of the month to participate. Enter bridge number 444143 when prompted. We also offer Communicate with Your Elected Officials, a guide to effectively sharing your views with Washington lawmakers, and Your Personal Affairs, a booklet that helps shipmates keep track of their important documents and account information. All are designed to keep members informed and engaged.
FRA considers our members sources of valuable information, too. Communication is a two-way process and we’re always anxious to hear shipmates’ concerns and suggestions. In addition to seeking feedback through our online Communities, Facebook and Twitter, we also conduct regular surveys (www.fra.org/survey) to gauge our members’ position on various topics. 
Financial Value: In addition to preserving and enhancing military and veterans’ benefits, FRA offers direct financial value to its members. FRA’s Education Foundation (www.fra.org/foundation) distributes numerous scholarships each year, totaling $118,000 in 2010. While all active, Reserve and retired members of the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard are eligible to apply for the scholarships, FRA members, their spouses, children and grandchildren qualify for a broader range of scholarships, several of which are funded through member legacy donations. 
FRA members also qualify for valuable discounts on services provided by our affinity partners. When shipmates use these companies, they not only receive reduced prices or enhanced service, FRA receives a royalty as well. It’s a win-win situation — and a fantastic way for shipmates to help FRA while helping themselves!
Fellowship and Service: FRA members have a unique opportunity to network and collaborate with their fellow shipmates for service projects and social activities. In addition to branch meetings, shipmates often participate in patriotic holiday observances, events that honor veterans, community service projects and gatherings to welcome service members home from deployments. FRA promotes these opportunities to connect through the “Reunions” listing in FRA Today and on our website, and through the online “Looking for …” community and the associated section of the magazine. 
As you can see, shipmates derive great benefit from their FRA membership. It’s also important to note that our members contribute significantly to FRA’s value proposition.

Penny Collins is a member of FRA Branch 24 in Annapolis, Maryland, and can be reached at penny@fra.org.
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Member Benefits
Take Action!
FRA provides the Action Center on www.fra.org and a pocket guide called Communicate With Your Elected Officials to make communicating with members of Congress easy and convenient. On the Action Center, you can access a list of hot issues and send pre-written messages (or write your own) to your legislators to weigh in. You can also look up your senators and representative to see how they’ve voted on issues of importance to FRA shipmates. Both the Action Center and the Communicate With Your Elected Officials guide are free benefits brought to you by FRA. If you would like a copy of Communicate With Your Elected Officials, please e-mail Eileen@fra.org and include your name and mailing address.
Communicate!
FRA offers Communities on www.fra.org to help shipmates keep in touch with their branch, communicate with HQ, and get information. Use the Communities and be involved! Login to www.fra.org and click Communities. You will see the communities to which you belong — each branch and MALs have individual communities. There are also communities for FRA Today and OnWatch readers, people concerned about health care, and more. This is a place to ask the experts or share your opinions or frustrations. 
NewsBytes
NewsBytes is a free weekly legislative e-mail update designed to keep recipients up-to-date between issues of FRA Today. To subscribe, e-mail newsbytes@fra.org and include your member number (found above your name on the cover of this magazine). To listen to NewsBytes by phone, call 1-800-FRA-1924, ext. 112. 
Provide Input!
FRA is very interested in hearing from you. There’s always a survey available at www.fra.org/survey. The surveys are quick, easy and help us share your concerns with lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
Like FRA!
Visit www.fra.org/fb to view FRA’s Facebook page and join our growing list of fans who “like” us. It’s a great place to post photos, videos, have discussions and find old friends. If you’re already on Facebook, you can invite others to check out FRA and use the page as a great recruiting tool! Our fans also are the first to hear of breaking news, get links to items of importance and shortcuts to other pages of interest.
Take control!
When you login to www.fra.org, not only can you access members-only information, you can also control your membership record. Would you like to subscribe to NewsBytes? Simply click a box. Are you needing a replacement membership card or invoice? Click a box and we’ll send you one within 24 business hours. You can also donate directly to FRA online and even print out a copy of your donation history for your records.
FRA Affinity Partners
FRA also has partnerships with several companies for the benefit of FRA members. When you use these companies, not only do you get a discount, but FRA receives a royalty as well. It’s a win-win situation — and a fantastic way for you to help FRA while you are helping yourself!
COMING SOON! 
FRA MasterCard from USAA
FRA is finalizing the details of a partnership with USAA to administer a new FRA MasterCard program. This award-winning financial services company is committed to providing great products and outstanding customer service to our shipmates. 
GEICO Car Insurance
Call 1-800-MILITARY (1-800-645-4827) and ask for the FRA member benefit discount. 
Capella University 
FRA members and spouses are eligible for tuition discounts at Capella University, an accredited, military-friendly, online university that has built its reputation by providing high quality online degree programs for working adults. Visit www.capella.edu/FRA for more information. 
Columbia Southern University 
In an education alliance with FRA, Columbia Southern University offers competitive tuition rates, waives application fees for service members and offers discounts to FRA shipmates. Visit www.columbiasouthern.edu/Partners/LearningPartners/fleet for further details.
FRA Endorsed Insurance Programs
As an FRA member you can choose from high quality, competitively priced insurance plans to help protect you and your family. Each quality plan has been designed for FRA members like you. You can select insurance protection to meet your family’s insurance needs at economical group rates. Request information regarding the plans of your choice through this website: www.FRAinsure.com or call toll-free 1-800-424-1120.
Navy Times
FRA members qualify for a special subscription rate of 52 weeks for $39.95. Call 1-800-368-5718 to start or renew your subscription. Use FRA priority member code: 1516N3.
Avis Car Rentals
When making reservations through Avis at 1-800-331-1212 or www.avis.com, be sure to use your FRA membership benefit discount: AWD#T867500.
HERTZ Car Rentals
When making reservations through Hertz at 1-800-654-3131 or www.hertz.com, be sure to use your FRA membership benefit discount: CDP#332104.
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Feature: ESGR – Supporting reservists and their employers

When Reserve Component personnel are called up for annual training or deployments abroad, they often leave behind civilian jobs — jobs they hope to return to when their military service ends. Thanks to the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), service members’ right to return to their employment is guaranteed, but it’s not always a smooth process. And that’s where Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) comes in.
Founded in 1972, ESGR is a Department of Defense organization that aims to strengthen the ties between Guard and Reserve service members and their civilian employers. In essence, ESGR makes sure forward-deployed service members aren’t worried about job security back home.
“ESGR is an incredible program for our returning heroes,” says Army Reserve LtCol. Cynthia Norwood, the director of ESGR ombudsmen for the Common-wealth of Virginia. “The last thing a service member needs to worry about is being treated unfairly because of his or her military service.”
“Without employer support, there’s no way Guard or Reserve members could serve with the peace of mind that they can return to their jobs,” adds Air Force Reserve Maj. Melissa Phillips, ESGR’s strategic communication chief, who commends employers, like FRA, that sign a statement of support for the Guard and Reserve.
Educating Employers and Employees
One of the primary purposes of ESGR, explains Phillips, is to educate employees and their employers about USERRA provisions. ESGR’s 54 State Committees, which include Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and D.C., conduct employer and military outreach programs to help both segments better understand the law and encourage employers and service members to contact their local ESGR office if they have questions. Guard and Reserve personnel can find more information or find a local ESGR representative at www.esgr.mil or by calling 1-800-336-4590.
“There’s been a big push in the last few years to make sure that members of the Guard and Reserve know that ESGR exists,” said Phillips. “Over this past year, we sent out more than 800,000 brochures to service members.”
“It’s become very prominent that we become engaged with ESGR,” said R. J. Tobin, the Marine Corps ESGR Reserve Component Liaison, “because it’s not only a Guard program. It’s a Reserve program, as well. We facilitate all, but my focus is Marine-specific.”
Tobin was a Marine for 30 years and affiliated with the Reserve component for five of them. His experience and understanding of the Marine mentality and language is what made him the man for this job. Like his fellow component liaisons with the Navy, Air Force, Army and Coast Guard, Tobin speaks the language he learned in the service.
“I already know — we have 183 sites; 39,600 Reserve Marines; the make-up of the MSC’s (major subordinate commands). I’m their conduit. I truly am,” he said.
After only three months in his office at Marine Forces Reserve headquarters in New Orleans, Tobin has made strides to create a functional information exchange program that not only spreads the word about Reserve Marines’ rights and obligations under USERRA, but is also a sounding board from the field.
The value of ESGR is apparent across the services, explains Coast Guard Cmdr. Kirby Sniffen, who is involved with the Coast Guard’s ESGR public affairs efforts. Like the Marine Corps and other services in the Department of Defense (DoD), “we’re working to broaden our communications efforts throughout the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard only comprises about one percent of the total Reserve Force and we’re fortunate to have a good relationship with DoD, as our folks sometimes deploy with DoD services.”
“ESGR is a great resource for our members, but it’s not helpful if they don’t take advantage of it,” adds Sniffen. “We try to educate Coast Guard personnel about the USERRA law and the resources available to them and often request national ESGR staff to brief our units as they deploy. Port Security Units, for example, are primarily made up of Reservists, with a Reserve commanding officer and active duty support staff. We also work hard to ensure Individual Augmentees also get the information they need.”
Part of the information ESGR is working to get out is the fact that communication is key between Guard and Reserve service members and their civilian employers. It’s a two-way street, says Phillips, because both the Reservist and his or her employer play a part in making sure deployments and training don’t derail civilian work. A good employer, she said, knows about USERRA and understands it well, while a good employee knows how to communicate with his or her boss about upcoming military duties.
“We work to make sure that employers follow the law, but we also remind members of the Guard and Reserve to be the best employees they can be,” echoes Norwood. 

Recognizing Outstanding Employers
Employer recognition is another important facet of the ESGR effort. Sponsored by the National Committee of ESGR, the program honors employers whose policies and practices are supportive of their employees’ involvement with the Guard or Reserve. 
Many employers go above and beyond the requirements of USERRA, explains Sniffen. “Several of last year’s top winners provided full pay and benefits for their Guard or Reserve employee while he or she was deployed. Others made up the difference between the salary they were earning in their civilian job and their Guard or Reserve pay, and some had programs that kept full benefits in place [while they were deployed]. If I were looking for a great place to work, I’d take a look at the top ESGR award winners. But there are a lot of non-winners who also do a lot of great things.” 
Each year, ESGR presents “Patriot Awards” (a certificate and lapel pin) to all employers who are nominated by a Reserve Component employee or spouse. These nominees are subsequently considered to receive higher level awards. For example, “Above and Beyond Awards” are presented at the state or territory level to employers who exceed the legal requirements for granting leave and supporting the military duty of their employees. The  “Pro Patria Award” recognizes the top employer from large business, small business and the public sector in the state or territory. The “Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Awards,” DoD’s most prestigious recognition, are presented by the Secretary of Defense annually for outstanding support to National Guard and Reserve employees. The 2010 Freedom Award recipients ranged from small mom-and-pop companies to the State of Hawaii, and all provided exceptional support to their military employees. 
For example, when Navy Reserve Lt. Tim Graczewski told his boss at California-based Intuit of his upcoming deployment, he knew they were behind him right from the start. The company’s top executives stopped by his office to wish him well. His fellow employees arranged for him to read stories to his seven-year-old son in the company’s professional sound studio and gave the Graczewski family a professionally produced CD of the readings as a going-away gift. The 7,700-employee company paid him the difference between his Intuit salary and his Reserve pay, and also continued his insurance benefits in his absence.
Although there are varying levels of recognition, all awards originate with a nomination by the Reserve Component employee. Nominations can be submitted online at www.esgr.mil, or forms are available at local ESGR Committee offices (visit http://esgr.org/site/Contact/StateLocalContacts.aspx for locations) or by calling ESGR Headquarters at 1-800-336-4590.
“Of the 30 finalists for the 2010 Freedom Awards, we were proud to have a Coast Guard employer among them,” says Sniffen. “That’s a big deal to us. Having a winner who employs a Coastie helps us to encourage others to nominate their employer for the recognition they deserve. We encourage our members to understand it’s not about them; it’s about recognizing employers and encouraging other employers to do the right thing for their Guard and Reserve employees.”
When Conflicts Arise
Nearly half of our nation’s military manpower strength is made up of Guard and Reserve personnel, who act as full partners in our military’s integrated Total Force. As a result, these men and women will spend more time away from their civilian workplace more than any other time in history, defending the nation, supporting a demanding operations tempo and training to maintain their mission readiness. It’s easy to understand why ESGR’s role is expanding.
While most employers strive to follow the law and treat their Reserve Component employees fairly, problems sometimes occur. According to a December 12, 2010, USA Today article (“Veterans Get Boost in Designing New Careers,” by Gregg Zoroya), the Pentagon’s ESGR office reported a more than 80-percent increase in requests for information and a 30-percent increase in cases between 2009 and 2010. The article goes on to cite Department of Labor statistics that reflect a steady, though smaller, increase in case loads since 2005.
If Guardsmen and Reservists have issues with their employers, or vice versa, they have the option of contacting more than 4,700 ESGR volunteers spread across the nation. ESGR relies on approximately 650 trained ombudsmen to conduct free and neutral mediation when conflicts arrive. These USERRA experts can then advise the employer and employee of their respective responsibilities and suggest possible resolutions.
“The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is responsible for enforcing USERRA,” explains Norwood. “Ombudsmen work to resolve problems before they escalate and we try to ensure DOL doesn’t have to get involved. Fortunately, about 80 to 90 percent of conflicts are resolved with mediation and don’t require legal action.”
“About 99 times out of 100, employers violate USERRA out of ignorance,” continues Norwood, “but the law is very clear. It’s illegal for employers to discriminate against someone because of their military service, their former military status or because they might be deployed in the future.” 
“(USERRA) prohibits discrimination and harassment due to military duties,” clarifies Army Lt. Col. Ron J. Schwickerath, ESGR deputy director, Ombudsman Services. “Military service cannot be a factor in discriminating, hiring, or reemploying. It’s discrimination even if it is not the motivating factor or the primary factor; it only has to be a factor.”
Norwood is quick to point out that ombudsmen are not advocates for the military member. “It’s our job to get the facts. We work with all branches of service and we understand that the service member is in the wrong sometimes, too. We’re neutral; we’re on the side of the USERRA law.”

A Productive Partnership
The frequency and duration of service for members of the Guard and Reserve have grown considerably in recent years. As each military service works to effectively manage its workforce, civilian employers are implementing human resources policies that meet, and often exceed, legal requirements to support the men and women who serve.
During the presentation of the 2010 Freedom Awards, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs Dennis McCarthy summed it up best, highlighting the key defense role played by the civilian employers of our nation’s nearly 1.1 million citizen-servicemembers. 
“One thing that we need to constantly keep in mind is that the great young men and women cannot do what they do in service of the National Guard and Reserve without the support of their employers.”

The 2010 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award Recipients
Bill Bragg Plumbing, San Francisco, California
City of Irvine Police Department, Irvine, California
Dollar General Corp., Goodlettsville, Tennessee
East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina
Food Lion, Salisbury, North Carolina
Franklin’s Printing, Murfreesboro, Tennessee		
Hawaii State Government, Honolulu, Hawaii
Intuit, Mountain View, California
Legacy Sports International, Reno, Nevada
Logistics Health Inc., La Crosse, Wisconsin
Merck, Whitehouse Station, New Jersey
Michigan State Police, Lansing, Michigan
Newmont Mining Corp., Denver, Colorado
Southern Co., Atlanta, Georgia
Yerecic Label, New Kensington, Pennsylvania

USERRA Overview
 
The Uniformed Services Employ-ment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) protects civilian job rights and benefits for veterans and members of the Reserve Components. The law, enacted on October 13, 1994 (PL 103-353), applies to virtually all employers, regardless of size, and provides reemployment rights to individuals who have been absent from the job because of voluntary or involuntary duty in the uniformed services (i.e. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, and their respective Reserve components, the Army National Guard, Air National Guard, Commissioned Corps of Public Health Service and any other category designated by the President in time of war or emergency). 

The general premise of the law is to ensure service members are not disadvantaged in their civilian careers because of their military service; are promptly reemployed in their civilian jobs upon their return from duty; and are not discriminated against in employment based on past, present, or future military service. 

The law also protects employers. Employees are required to provide advance notice of their military service, unless military necessity prevents it or it’s unreasonable to do so. And employers aren’t expected to keep positions open indefinitely, either. Guard and Reserve members may be absent for a cumulative period of five years, or up to seven years if the employee is recovering from injuries received during their military service or training. “After five years, it’s implied that the service member has changed jobs,” explains Coast Guard Commander Kirby Sniffen, “and USERRA no longer applies.”

Additionally, USERRA rights don’t apply when an employee is separated from military service with a dishonorable or bad conduct discharge, or is separated under other-than-honorable conditions. Individuals who are dropped from the military rolls for being absent without authority for more than three months or are imprisoned by a civilian court are also ineligible to assert their USERRA rights, as are commissioned officers dismissed from duty in situations involving a court martial.

Service members are required to apply for reemployment or report to work within a reasonable time following his/her military duty. For shorter periods of service — less than 31 days — the service member is required to return to work at the beginning of the next work period after release from the military, taking into account travel time and an eight-hour rest period. Those who’ve served more than 30 days and less than 181 days must request reemployment within 14 days of release from service. Employees have 90 days following their release from service to apply for reemployment if their military duty lasted more than 180 days. 

In return, the employee can expect to go back to the position and status he would have held had he remained continuously employed, with full seniority. If the employee would have been promoted with reasonable certainty had he not been absent, he’s entitled to that promotion upon his reinstatement. It’s important to remember that this “escalator principle” can work against an employee, as it also applies to positions that have been eliminated or experienced salary reductions during the service member’s absence. 

USERRA also provides healthcare coverage for service members, but the rules vary depending on the length of their military duty. For military service of less than 31 days, healthcare coverage continues as if the service member remained employed. Those serving for more than 30 days may elect to continue employer-sponsored healthcare coverage for up to 24 months; however, they may be required to pay up to 102 percent of the full premium. USERRA also clarifies that all pension plans are protected.

For more information or to find a local ESGR representative, visit www.esgr.mil or call 1-800-336-4590.

Lauren Armstrong is the Contributing Editor and an Auxiliary Member at Large. She can be reached at lauren@fra.org.
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History and Heritage
Battle of the Ironclads

2011 marks the 150th anniversary of our nation’s Civil War. The Battle at Hampton Roads was the most notable naval battle of the war, pitting the USS Monitor and the CSS Virginia (formerly the USS Merrimack and often mis-identified in accounts of the battle) against one another in a new age of naval warfare. The two-day battle demonstrated the strength and warfighting capability of ironclad warships and, although the foray would end in a stalemate, it set the stage for a revolution in naval warfare and changes in ship design and construction that would endure for the remainder of the 19th century. 
South Carolina was the first of several states to secede from the Union in January of 1861. Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia and Louisiana soon followed suit. By July, Union and Confederate forces joined battle at Manassas, Va., and the war was on. In an effort to prevent the passage of supplies and arms to the Confederate states along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, the Union Navy established a blockade in the early days of the war. 
Union forces had scuttled the Merrimack when they were forced to abandon the Norfolk Navy Yard at Portsmouth, Va. The Confederates later raised her, converted the steam frigate into an ironclad and renamed her Virginia. She proved her worth on March 8, 1862, when she sailed from Hampton Roads, Va., to mount an attack on the Union blockade ships. She rammed and sank the USS Cumberland, and forced the USS Congress to run aground before destroying her and killing more than 240 Union personnel. The remaining ships in the Union fleet scattered, with the exception of the USS Minnesota, which had run aground. The Virginia was poised to attack the helpless ship, but the tide and darkness were falling, so she withdrew to repair her minor damages and tend her few wounded crewmembers. 
Virginia was ready to rejoin the attack on Minnesota on the morning of March 9, but the situation had changed literally overnight. The Union’s own ironclad Monitor had positioned herself to defend the immobile Minnesota. The two warships’ heavy cannons hammered away at one another for three hours, but neither ship was able to inflict vital damage on the other. By noon, both ships had retreated, ending the conflict in a stalemate. 
The Virginia’s strength over wooden warships was evident from the first day of the Battle at Hampton Roads, and the defensive capability of ironclads was vividly demonstrated as the evenly-matched Monitor and Virginia fought on the second day. While this first battle between ironclads had no victor, the outcome became “a symbol for the triumph of industrial age warfare,” according to the Naval History and Heritage Command. 
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News from the Branches

BRANCH 299  Wilmington, North carolina
In partnership with local chapters of the Vietnam Veterans Association and VFW, the branch hosted a luncheon for the crew of the newly-commissioned USS Gravely (DDG-107). This outreach event provided a great opportunity to highlight FRA’s legislative and community service efforts.

BRANCH 72  Fall River, Massachusetts
Shipmates (l to r) RPNE Philip Justin, Secretary/Treasurer Allen Given, President Roger Gagnon and Chaplain Edward Bailey participated in a Two Bell Ceremony to reverently honor the memory of their departed shipmates.

BRANCH 249  Fresno, California
Shipmate Fred Von Rueden (right) celebrated his 93rd birthday and his 50 years of continuous FRA membership at a recent branch meeting. He’s shown here being congratulated by Branch President Milton Gilbert.

BRANCH 22  Pensacola, Florida
President Bob Hall (c) congratulates Shipmate Joseph L. Walsh (l) for his 50 years of continuous FRA membership and Shipmate James A. Hunnicutt (r) for his 30 continuous years of involvement with the FRA.

BRANCH 126  Jacksonville, Florida
Shipmate C. B. Stilwell (left) joined the FRA on December 1, 1950 in Key West, Fla. A retired Navy salvage diver, Stilwell is an active member of the branch and was honored for his 60 years of continuous membership during a recent branch meeting.

BRANCH 245  Bellingham, Washington
Shipmates (l to r) Gene Schmidtz, Vern Puckett, PRPNW Marion Dent, PRPNW Don Bordwell, Secretary Barney Barrick, PRPNW Tom Flanik and President Bob Baisden pose at the branch’s annual picnic.

BRANCH 24  Annapolis, Maryland
President Don Hoover (left) presents a 40-Year Continuous Membership certificate and pin to Shipmate Robert L. McKitrick, who joined FRA in 1970.

BRANCH 281  Redding, California
Then-National President Gary Blackburn presented the Lofgren Bell to Branch Vice-President Mike Braden at the National convention in Spartanburg, S.C., in recognition of the branch’s 21.88 percent membership growth.

BRANCH 268  Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Branch President Jesse Whitney (right) congratulates Shipmate Donavan Schaefer on his 50 years of continuous FRA membership. Schaefer is a charter member of Branch 268.

BRANCH 94  Corpus Christi, Texas
Branch and Unit members participated in a number of outreach activities at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi during the month of October 2010. In addition to Transition Assistance Programs (TAP) briefings, information tables were set up at a gathering of the Texas Veterans Land Board. Branch Vice-President Robert Middleton (r) is shown sharing a copy of FRA Today with a prospective member.

To submit a photo for News from the Branches, please e-mail a photo as an attachment in jpeg format to FRAToday@fra.org or mail a high-quality photograph to FRA Today, 125 N. West St., Alexandria, VA 22314.  Please include a brief description of the photograph and include the names of those pictured. Laser prints and scanned copies of photographs cannot be accepted. 

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Reunions 
NAS Sanford and all squadrons 1942–1968
June 23–26, 2011, Sanford, Florida. Contact Jerry Bohm, 450 River Dr, Debary, FL 32713-9711, 386-668-4851, dlfrsf@aol.com.
Patrol Squadron Eight (VP8)
October 20–25, 2011, Jacksonville, Florida. Contact Don Rickel, 33 Bridge Street, Topsham, ME 04086, 207-725-8494.
USS Abraham Lincoln SSB(N) 602
August 18–21, 2011, Groton, Connecticut. Contact W.T. “Doc” McCance, 16 Chapman Lane, Gales Ferry, CT 06335, 860-464-6758, 11doc@comcast.net.
USS Agerholm (DD-826)
October 20–23, 2011, San Antonio, Texas. Contact Arthur Hroncich, 23 Greenlea Dr., Clifton, NY 12065, 518-373-8363, Arturohr@msn.com.
USS Annapolis (AGMR-1)
October 12–16, 2011, Norfolk, Virginia. Contact Lee A. Hallman, 201 15th St. E., Tuscaloosa, AL 35401, 205-345-7766, lahusn@yahoo.com.
USS Archerfish (SSN 678)
October 6–8, 2011, Groton, Connecticut. Contact David H. Padgett, Jr., 265 Indigo St., Mystic, CT 06355, 860-536-6797, davidpadgett@yahoo.com.
USS Bausell (DD-845)/U.S. Navy
June 14–18, 2011, Charleston, South Carolina. Contact Eugene D’Arezzo, PO Box 1765, Lake Havasu, AZ 86405, 928-854-2205, genied@frontiernet.net.
USS Begor (APD-127)
October 2–9, 2011,  Long Beach, California. Contact  Rich Pardy, 315 W. Evans Creek Rd., Unit 50, Rogue River, OR 97537, 541-582-1761, rogriv@q.com.
USS Bexar (APA/LPA 237)
September 22–25, 2011, Boston, Massachusetts. Contact Steve Malloy, 1542 10th St., Bremerton, WA, 360-373-1093, ussbexar@comcast.net.
USS Canopus Association
September 8–11, 2011, Buffalo, New York. Contact Richard Retin, 2245 Wintercreek Way SE, Salem, OR 97306, 503-689-1712, usscanopus@mail.com.
USS Cascade (AD-16)
September 25–30, 2011, Branson, Missouri. Contact Larry Countryman, 417-581-2926, ldcountry@centurytel.net.
USS Cony (DD/DDE-508)
June 8–12, 2011, Norfolk, Virginia. Contact Ken Cox, 863-307-3187, 
kcox@tampabay.rr.com.
USS Coontz
August 17–19, 2011, Bremerton, Washington. Contact Red Bennett, 3177 E. Telegraph Rd., Fillmore, CA 93015, 805-320-3318, redann@jps.net.
USS Currier (DE-700)
September 20–22, 2011, Birch Run, Michigan. Contact Randa Colby, 9295 Dodge, Otisville, MI 48463, (989) 274-6755, rndon555@yahoo.com.
USS Dayton (CL-105) Reunion Association
October 5–9, 2011, San Antonio, Texas. Contact Bob MacDonald, 69 Ferndale Lane, Palm Coast, FL 32137-9193, 386-246-3224, dunsailn1@aol.com.
USS English (DD-696)
September 22–25, 2011, Savannah, Georgia. Contact Charles H. Corbett, 412-831-5327, CrbttCHA@aol.com.
USS Goldsborough (DDG-20)
September 11–16, 2011. Cincinnati, Ohio. Contact Pat Taylor 120 East Main St., Eaton, OH 45320, 1-800-433-6061/ 937-533-0897, pat@pattaylorphoto.com visit www.ussgoldsborough.com for details.
USS Hanson (DD/DDR-832)
October 13–16, 2011, Mobile, Alabama. Contact Roy Ridderbusch, 3910 Maple Rd., Lynnwood, WA 98037, 425-742-6591, rrridder@msn.com.
USS Hornet (CV-8/CV-12/CVA-12/CVS-12) / U.S. Navy-Marines
September 14–18, 2011, Washington, D.C. Contact Carl & Sandy Burket, PO Box 108, Roaring Spring, PA 16673, 814-224-5063, hornetcva@aol.com.
USS Iowa (BB-61)
July 18–22, 2011, Charleston, South Carolina. Contact Paul Ogg, 2916 NW Bucklin Hill Rd., #169, Silverdale, WA 98383, 360-692-6032.
USS John F. Kennedy (CVA/CV-67)
September 8–11, 2011, Norfolk, Virginia. Contact Bob Haner, 312 S. Wymore Rd, Apt.103, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, 407-682-2613, bobnghaner@yahoo.com.
USS King (DLG-10/DDG-41) All Hands
June 23–26, 2011, San Antonio, Texas. Contact Randy Gillette, 757-588-3009, randygillette@cox.net.
USS LSM/LSMR Wisconsin-Midwest
May 23–24, 2011, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. Contact Allen Westerberg, 12575 Pleasant Ave So, Apt 315, Burnsville, MN 55337, 952-894-1116, 
maral315@msn.com.
USS Mansfield (DD-728)
August 3–6, 2011, Charlottesville, Virginia. Contact Randy Smith, 434-978-2189, mrolds17@yahoo.com.
USS Meredith (DD-434/726/890)
October 11–16, 2011, Jacksonville, Florida. Contact Les Zavadil, 224 Foxhall Dr., Rocky Mount, NC 27804, 252-446-7816, lzavadil@embarqmail.com.
USS Midway (CV-41) (G Division)
April 28–30, 2011, San Diego, California. Contact Jim Edmunson, 602-971-5414.
USS New Jersey (BB-62)/USS New Jersey Veterans Organization
September 7–11, 2011, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Contact Ernest J. Dalton, 7143 Rolling Hills Lane, San Antonio, TX 78227, 210-275-7886, 
PS159@sbcglobal.net.
USS Roanoke (CL 145)
April 28–May 1, 2011, Savannah, Georgia. Contact Roger Thomas, 1048 Sabattus St. #13, Lewiston, ME 04240, 207-783-0703, mrbutterfly2@aol.com.
USS Sargo (SSN-583) & (SS-188)
September 7–11, 2011, Providence, Rhode Island. Contact Mike Hacking, 637 Little Rock Drive, Santaquin, UT 84655, 801-754-1183, mrhacking@cut.net.
USS Simon Lake (AS-33)
September 18–22, 2011, Branson, Missouri. Contact Wayne Suckow, 505-831-3849, suckowwayne@me.com.
USS Solace (AH-5) – WWII
October 6–8, 2011, Vancouver, Washington. Contact Ralph Laedtke, 1352 - 43rd Court, Washougal, WA 98671, 847-287-6619.
USS Sphinx (ARL-24) All Crews
September 12–15, 2011, Branson, Missouri. Contact Frank Ironi, 954 Lilac Dr., Sauk Centre, MN 56378, 320-352-3271, fironi@mainstreetcom.com.
USS Thomas C. Hart (FF/DE 1092)
July 28–31, 2011, Norfolk, Virginia. Contact Steve Garcia, 11030 Drayton Road, Chester, VA 23831, 804-748-2951, Twosouls1life3@verizon.net.
USS Walke (DD-723) & (DD-416)
October 16–21, 2011, Branson, Missouri. Contact Alan Fear, 240 St. Hwy. 215, Buffalo, MO 65622, 417-234-3580, 2staranchor.ret@gmail.com.
USS Walton (DE 361)
October 5–9, 2011, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Contact Jerry Hudson, 4750 CO. RD. 480, Tebbetts, MO 65080, 573-291-1922, marjer67@ktis.net.
USS Whitehurst (DE-634)
June 22–24, 2011, Knoxville, Tennessee. Contact Gordon Leslie at 803-276-2232.
VP-68/NARDET/NARCEN
April 30, 2011, Patuxent River, Maryland. Contact George “Doc” Durity, 108 Reeves Street, Walterboro, SC 29488, 843-538-1122, gdurity1492@yahoo.com.
VR-21 Pineapple Airlines
July 10–July 13, 2011, Albuquerque, New Mexico. Contact Hugh Ellenberger, 9805 Tapatio Drive, N.W., Albuquerque,  NM 87114-3609, 505-792-1048, hugh4may2b@cs.com.
Going to a reunion?
Reunions are a great place to promote FRA membership! Contact Outreach Manager Bob Washington at 1-800-FRA-1924 ext. 113 or bobw@fra.org to request a guest speaker or materials to distribute at the reunion. FRA can also provide you with talking points to speak on at the reunion about legislative issues that affect you and your shipmates.
 Help your shipmates be informed and involved with what is happening on Capitol Hill by inviting them to visit the Action Center on www.fra.org and contact their elected officials. You can also offer a free subscription to NewsBytes, FRA’s weekly legislative email update. Anyone interested need only send their contact information to newsbytes@fra.org with “subscribe” in the subject line.

Members can post reunions online at www.fra.org, submit to reunions@fra.org or mail to: FRA Reunions, 125 N. West St., Alexandria, VA 22314.

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Looking For …
YN1 Jon Blue, YNCM Donald Lassiter
EPDOPAC San Diego, California. Contact Roy V. Williams, 233 Bayo-Boy Ln., Roseboro, NC 28383-7116, 91990-9236. 
Company Commander E. A. Elter or anyone from Company 94
Great Lakes 1957. Contact Roy V. Williams, 233 Bayo-Boy Ln., Roseboro, NC 28383-7116, 91990-9236. 
J. T. “Tony” Gray
Trying to locate anyone who knew Tony, who was from Alabama, and his wife Kathleen, who was from England. Served 1955 to 1975. Stationed:  Badoeng Strait; El Centro, Calif.; HS7 Norfolk; Brunswick, Ga., VAZZ Lemore, California, and Yuma, Arizona. Please contact Kathleen Gray, PO Box 3531, Camp Verde, AZ  86322.
Shipmates from Company 208, San Diego NTC
March 1962 to June 1962.  Contact Joseph L. Dixon (Pete), 20415 Gum Rd, Joplin, MO 64801, 417-673-4088, pydixon@fastfreedom.net.
Advisers from RAID70/RID43
Also, looking for Advisers from RPD62 who were at Ca Mau or Song Ong Doc, 1970–1971. Please contact Bob Lucas at bobandjudy@mvtel.net.
Shipmates of MCPO George T. McGlynn
Served aboard USS Kitty Hawk, 1967–1968, as a fire controlman. If you served with him, please contact Nancy Parker McGlynn at 405-533-2679. 
Crewmembers of USS Ponce (LPD-15), all eras
You have many shipmates waiting to hear from you! We would like to include all those who participated in creating our legacy in the ship’s 2012 Decommissioning Ceremony. Please help us reach out to our past! Please send contact information to CMC at cmc@lpd15.navy.mil.
MRCS Jackson
Served at Pearl Harbor sub base, 1972–1975. If you know how to reach him, please contact Charles Fryer, 525 Scarborough Dr., Chesapeake, VA  23322, 757-482-0082.
Navy Buddies stationed in Brunswick, Maine, 1958 -1960
I flew in Patrol Squadron 7, on LB2 and LB12. Contact James “Ben” Benjamin at benandpenny@sbcglobal.net.
Members of Boot Camp Company 257
Newport, R.I., May to August 1951. Contact Robert Hill at junjon@comcast.net
These notices are published on a space available basis. Notices must be submitted in writing. E-mail fratoday@fra.org or mail your request to: FRA, Looking for…, 125 N. West St., Alexandria, VA, 22314.

Finding Friends and Shipmates
In addition to the monthly “Looking For …” column in FRA Today, shipmates can use FRA’s online networks to find friends from the past. 

FRA’s Online “Looking For” Community: www.fra.org/communities
By clicking the “FRA Readers” link and then the “Looking For” link, shipmates can post a notice with information about the person they’re seeking. Be as specific as possible about names, nicknames, ships or duty stations, and when you were affiliated with them. Shipmates must log in to the site in order to participate in the communities. Log-in directions are available on the sign-in page.

FRA on Facebook:  www.fra.org/fb
By posting an “I’m trying to locate” message on FRA’s Facebook page, you can reach the growing number of folks who “like” us online. It’s also easy to post photos of the person you’re trying to find, as well as other identifying information about them. 

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 taps 
Name	Branch
Aaron, Wilbur, F, AEC, USN	091
Ackles, Clarence, P, ENCS, USN	011
Acuff, William, M, TM1, USN	194
Ambersley, Charles, E, ADJC, USN	126
Anderson, Horace, S, HMCM, USN	MAL
Anderson, William, R, MMC, USN	221
Anderson, Clyde, D, ADJC, USN	MAL
Anderson, Waldo, P, CWO4, USCG	276
Armbruster, Charles, J, AOCM, USN	249
Atkinson, Robbie, C, CWO4, USN	MAL

Ballard, Larry, T., MM3, USN	201
Barrett, Basil, N, HT1, USN	094
Bartlett, Floyd, W., YNCS, USN	MAL
Bauer, James, V, TM1, USN	003
Bauzon, Julian, PO3, USN	247
Bazer, Arnold, PO1, USN	005
Beintema, Milo, B, AVCM, USN	MAL
Bliss, Kenneth, D, ETC, USN	358
Boess, William, J, GMCS, USN	175
Bomar, Marshall, W, ADRC, USN	022
Boughton, Clarence, E, MMCM, USN	268
Bowles, Thomas, M, WO1, USN	011
Bradshaw, James, E, MSC, USN	011
Bragg, Randy, C, CWO3, USN	367
Brennan, Robert, P, HTC, USN	MAL
Bryant, Elwood, AWCS, USN	289
Bundy, Nathan, S, ET1, USN	290
Burns, Almous, E, YN1, USN	MAL
Burns, Billy, C, CTRCM, USN	MAL

Carpenter, Kenneth, C, ICC, USN	094
Castro, Hector, M, TM1, USN	186
Chappell, Donald, L, PO1, USN	099
Clark, Richard, PNC, USN	379
Clark, Charles, M, RMC, USN	MAL
Clements, Charles, FTGC, USN	MAL
Clifton, James, D, GMTCS, USN	044
Coates, Joseph, W, BMC, USN	219
Coon, Edward, G, POC, USN	101
Craft, Edward, E, DCCS, USN	MAL
Crean, Frederick, P, HM2, USN	146
Crockett, William, B, BMC, USN	136
Croxton, Jesse, QMC, USN	MAL
Culp, Ronald, G, AL1, USN	024
Curry, Patrick, R, PO1, USN	091

Dahlstrom, Kenneth, P, ADJ1, USN	MAL
Davis, Edward, L, LCDR, USN	MAL
Deaton, Harold, E., YNC, USN	070
Deleon, Apolinar, PO1, USN	175
Denney, Jesse, AMS3, USN	093
Dennis, Richard, E, AGCS, USN	210
Dickey, Howard, BM1, USN	001
Dietz, Richard, J, BUC, USN	311
Doyle, Thomas, R, CWO4, USN	093
Drury, David, J, SCPO, USN	248
Durst, John, C, RMC, USN	098

Ebbert, Meredith, E, ETC/RT, USN	047
English, Joseph, E, BTC, USN	MAL
Ervin, Donald, E, QMC, USN	061
Espinosa, Joseph, J, BM2, USN	049
Evans, William, E, CS1, USN	282

Fagan, Bernard, C, PO1, USN	MAL
Farmer, Robert, G, ATCS, USN	022
Finkhaus, Lawayne, J, ADRC, USN	094
Fitzpatrick, Joseph, E, AMCS, USN	MAL
Fletcher, William, RM1, USN	023
Forehand, Fred, W, EMC, USN	091
Foster, Jesse, C, MSGT, USMC	MAL
Furst, William, J, SKC, USN	043

Gamble, Gordon, C, CWO2, USN	MAL
Ganley, Robert, W, TMCS, USN	022
Garner, Richard, E, CDR, USNR	MAL
Garrett, Marshall, R, PO1, USN	101
Griffin, John, M, ADRC, USN	101

Hampton, James, AKC, USN	091
Harper, Francis, M, LCDR, USN	MAL
Hedge, Raymond, EMC(SS), USN	MAL
Hesson, Albert, EM1, USN	MAL
Hicks, Earl, GMMC, USN	047
Hogan, William, H, CAPT, USN	181
Hunter, Robert, E, FTCS, USN	MAL
Hunter, Ted, PO1, USN	006

Jacobs, Loren, W, ADCS, USN	335
Jakaboski, Theodore, P, CAPT, USN	MAL
Jewell, Harvey, E, LCDR, USN	060
Job, Walter, A, MMCS, USN	269
Johnson, Earl, F, UTCS, USN	091
Jones, George, T, ENC, USN	061

Kaczanowski, Joseph, J, CS3, USN	219
Keesey, Donald, W, IC1, USN	132
Keltch, Lewis, ADCS, USN	MAL
Kemp, Robert, J., SCPO, USN	163
Kent, Burdett, HMC, USN	MAL
Kilian, Leonard, M, ENC, USNR	005
Koski, Carlos, I, LCDR, USN	091
Krehel, Joseph, R, GYSGT, USMC	208
Kresty, Edward, J, CAPT, USMC	208

Lake, Eugene, R, CWO, USN	004
Lanham, William, T, USN	009
Lavin, Thomas, M, AO1, USN	013
Layne, Aaron, B, BMC, USN	MAL
Lee, Ernestine, CTC, USN	299
Lemieux, Adrien, SF1, USN	146
Liller, Edward, R, HT1, USN	219
Lohr, Clair, W, ADRC, USN	091

MacRae, George, CPL, USMC	099
Maguire, Francis, E, ENCS, USN	020
Maimone, Anthony, P, STC, USN	047
Mattson, Ronald, USN	055
McCreery, James, C, DT1, USN	MAL
Melim, George, A, CS1, USN	117
Midgette, John, G, HM1, USN	347
Miller, Orlan, S, AZC, USN	126
Moersch, Floyd, E, MMCS, USN	253
Monaghan, Peter, J, MLC, USN	MAL
Moore, Gordon, L, HMC, USN	MAL
Motsch, Albert, B, ADC, USN	028

Novak, Eleanore, T, PNC, USN	136

Ogle, Francis, V, ADRC, USN	060
Ott, Ronald, USN	MAL
Owens, Marvin, W, FTG1, USN	136

Pease, Billy, B, BMC, USN	MAL
Pendergrass, Ralph, R, PR1, USN	136
Perkins, James, H, QMCS, USN	060
Piette, Joseph, MMC, USN	MAL
Powless, Donald, L, SKC, USN	MAL
Purifoy, Leonard, L, BTC, USN	091

Rain, Andrew, J, SGT, USMC	260
Reeves, Calvin, C, RMC, USN	168
Roark, Richard, E, AOC, USN	MAL
Ross, Jerry, R, ACC, USN	091
Ruckle, Philip, S, CS1, USN	293
Runge, Herbert, L, TM1(SS), USN	MAL
Ryans, Hermas, CTO1, USN	136

Salera, Narciso, M, SHC, USN	043
Sawyer, William, F, CUCM, USN	MAL
Seeloff, Elwin, B, ENC, USN	060
Semple, William, AECS, USN	124
Sheppard, James, W, MMCM, USN	184
Shurick, George, A, CWO4/SC, USN	091
Smith, Howard, L, EMC, USN	MAL
Smith, Vincent, E, ENC, USN	020
Smith, James, Coy, AO1, USN	278
Sooter, Jack, L, CE1, USN	MAL
Stapleton, Denny, P, AGCS, USN	241
Stewart, James, D, ADJ1, USN	371
Stewart, John, R, MGYSGT, USMC	126
Stratton, Bobby, G, AMEC, USN	MAL
Stutz, William, J, CPO, USN	022

Taylor, J, V, BTCS, USN	MAL
Tornabene, James, R, MACM, USN	091
Trujillo, Macario, R, CTIC, USN	MAL
Tulao, Felicito, S, RM1, USN	175
Turner, Roger, C, SFC, USN	MAL

Verzinskie, Allan, G, HM1, USN	099

Wieder, Kenneth, R, PNCS, USN	146
Williams, William, R, QMC, USN	217
Williams, Alvin, F, RMCS(SS), USN	MAL
Williams, Lowell, CWO4, USN	MAL
Winfree, George, W, ETCS, USN	347
Wright, James, E, LT, USN	136

Young, David, G, RPC, USN	290
Yuetten, Henry, W, HM1, USN	267

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Auxiliary of the FRA NEWS
Message from the West Coast Regional President
Thank you for electing me to be West Coast Regional President of the LA FRA. My parents Fred (Blackie) Mann, PRPSW and Alice Mann, PRPSW, would be happy to know I have made this decision. Some of you may remember that FRA and LA FRA were a big part of my parents’ life. Although they are now serving with the Supreme Commander, I hope I can make them and you the members happy you elected me West Coast Regional President and will do my best to fulfill this position.
All the Units are working very hard with the different food drives, Toys for Tots, saving old glasses, box top and soup labels. Some have been helping special needs children in their schools and some have given baby layettes to needy families. Many of you have volunteered at the Veterans Hospitals all year long. Units are sending boxes of goodies to the service members in Iraq and Afghanistan. We appreciate and say thank you for all the hard work. 
As most of you know our membership in the organization is shrinking, so membership is a big concern to all of us; let us try to do what we can to recruit and retain members. In order to retain inactive members we can call them to see how they are doing and ask if there is anything we can do, let them know we care and are thinking of them. Invite them back to a meeting, ask if they are in need of a ride, and if so offer to give them one. Let’s all do this together — we are an amazing organization — so let’s keep it going and growing. 
We would like to extend an invitation to all Auxiliary and FRA Members to attend the LA FRA Pilgrimage, which is being held Saturday, April 16, 2011 in conjunction with the FRA’s National Board Meeting. The Westin Hotel, 7801 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA, 22043 will be the Pilgrimage Headquarters. You may make reservations by calling 1-800-937-8461 or 703-893-1340. Be sure to mention you are with LA FRA/FRA to receive the rate of $99 plus 9% tax. The deadline for reservations at this rate is March 10, 2011. The National President’s Tea is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon on Saturday at the hotel. At 2:00 p.m. bus service will be available from the hotel to Arlington National Cemetery. At 3:15 p.m. the wreath will be placed by National President, Helen Courneya, at the Mast of the USS Maine. This will be followed by a procession and 4:15 p.m. wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns. The bus will then return to the hotel. We hope to see you there. 

Fran Hoadley is the editor of LA FRA News and the FRA Today Liaison
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