FRA Today – May 2014
Communications
FROM THE FANTAIL
SHIPMATE FORUM
ON & OFF CAPITOL HILL
HISTORY & HERITAGE
FEATURE— Arlington National Cemetery: Past, Present and Future
CHANGE OF WATCH
REUNIONS
NEW FRA LIFE MEMBERS
TAPS
NEWS FROM THE BRANCHES
NEWS FROM THE AUXILIARY OF THE FRA

Communications 

Investing in the Future
This month’s feature story highlights Arlington National Cemetery and its unwavering commitment to honor those who serve our country. The nation’s most prominent military cemetery is celebrating 150 years of respect and remembrance, and is dedicated to perpetuating that legacy well into the future though updated processes and new technologies. 
Our Spring fundraising campaign is going strong and we hope every shipmate is enjoying his/her personalized mailing labels — perfect for showing your FRA pride when sending cards, letters or even paying bills by mail. Each and every donation is greatly appreciated and is making a difference for the future of the FRA. More than eighty-five cents of every dollar goes directly to member services and programs, which makes your donation a great investment in the Association!
FRA is also investing in the future by making capital improvements to your National Headquarters (NHQ). NHQ staff is working to purge unneeded files and materials in preparation for consolidating our operations during and after the construction process. These improvements are truly an investment in FRA’s future. Not only will this renovation update the Association’s most valuable capital asset, it will also generate rental income from the vacated office space on the third floor. See NED Snee’s “From the Fantail” column on page 4 for more details.
Infrastructure and equipment are essential to FRA’s important work, but it’s the shipmates who keep things moving. We often remind lawmakers that the best ships and weapons are useless without qualified and well-trained personnel to operate them and FRA is no different. This month’s Membership Matters column (page 16) discusses the merits of setting and meeting recruiting and retention goals. Please take a moment to consider the four questions posed there. Recruiting new members, retaining current shipmates, being an active and positive presence in your community and participating in our grassroots lobbying efforts are the very foundation of investing in FRA’s future. 
There are many facets to planning for the future and we’ll be carrying this investment theme into next month’s issue of FRA Today, too.  No matter how old you are or how secure your financial footing, it pays to plan ahead. We look forward to sharing a wealth (no pun intended) of information on fiscal preparedness contributed by USAA, FRA’s preferred financial services provider.

Lauren Armstrong is FRA’s Director of Communications and serves as the Managing Editor of FRA Today. Please contact her at lauren@fra.org.

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FROM THE FANTAIL 

FRA NHQ Renovation Set for Summer 2014
FRA purchased its current National Headquarters, a three-story brick building in Alexandria, Virginia, in 1991. In the decades since, advances in digital file storage and offsite printing have made it possible for a modern office to be more productive with less space. This year, your NHQ is poised to streamline its operations into two floors of the building and thoroughly modernize the facility. The museum, conference room, and mailroom will occupy the first floor, while the majority of the staff will occupy office space on the second floor. Consolidation of operations in this way will allow the third floor to be remodeled for leasing, turning it into a new source of revenue for the Association. 
No interruption or reduction in quality of member services will occur during the renovation. Our magazine and other member benefits, and most importantly, the work we do on your behalf on Capitol Hill, will proceed as usual. Our commitment to our shipmates is, except for reading about the renovation in these pages, that you will never know anything unusual is going on at NHQ.
Last month, we promised regular updates on the progress of this project. The ceremonial first swing at the old walls was taken in mid-April by NP Virgil Courneya (pictured in his hard hat at right). The remainder of the demolition and construction work will commence in mid-June and is scheduled to be complete by the end of the summer. Also shown here are the floor plans for the first and second floor renovations. The mail and copy room will remain on the first level, though reduced in size as we no longer need to produce large volumes of printed material at the office. The rest of the first floor will be transformed from its current utilitarian state into a spacious public area that will house the FRA museum and a conference facility suitable for meeting with honored guests, organizations such as The Military Coalition (which convenes monthly at FRA NHQ); gatherings of Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard Retiree Councils and receptions for award recipients, such as Sailors of the Year and Recruiters of the Year.  The second floor will be remodeled to accommodate NHQ staff workspaces. 

Tom Snee is FRA’s National Executive Director.

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SHIPMATE FORUM 

Atomic Veterans
I enjoyed your article on Atomic Veterans; however, I dispute your comment on page 26 concerning Military Occupational Exposure. The comment “exposure is limited and usually safe, the level of exposure is closely monitored,” has not been true in the history of the storage and deployment of nuclear weapons in the US Navy.
I served on active duty from 1960 to 1991 as a nuclear weaponsman. Since retiring in 1991, I have attempted to bring to the attention of the VA that Navy Nuclear Weaponsmen have probably been exposed to radiation at as high, if not higher, levels than those recognized as “Atomic Veterans.” Many have suffered with cancers I believe may have been caused by their service.
I have also written a book (published in 2007) that details my US Navy career and a detailed account of the Navy nuclear weapons program: “Brotherhood of Doom: Memoirs of a Navy Nuclear Weaponsman.” More can be read about my book at: http://jimlittlebooks.com/. I welcome comments from others who may have had similar experiences. 
Jim Little
Thank you for your great article regarding Atomic Veterans. There is, however, a glaring omission, one of which you may not be aware.
During the 1950s and early 1960s, approximately 850–900 volunteers for submarine duty were directly exposed to radium. A volunteer for the submarine service had to withstand a certain pressure in a test tank, which simulated an escape from a submarine. Most volunteers passed easily, while others had a degree of difficulty equalizing the pressure. Those who did not at first pass the test were treated with radium at the Naval Medical Experimental Laboratory in New London, Connecticut. The treatment consisted of inserting long stainless steel rods, tipped with radium, up the nasal passages into the sinuses. The purpose was to “burn out” a small membrane that was not permitting the pressure to equalize. The treatment was successful for many volunteers and they subsequently served in submarines. There were, however, those of us on whom the treatment was not successful. I can recall having these treatments two or three times. Later, I was transferred to the surface forces. 
I thought nothing more about the radium treatments until the mid-1990s, when I was contacted by a person representing the “Submarine Survivors Group.” It seems that many who received these treatments were developing either brain tumors, thyroid cancer and/or had a significant loss of teeth. I am probably lucky. So far, I do not have a brain tumor or thyroid cancer, but I have lost most of my teeth. 
As with Agent Orange, the Navy and the Department of Veterans Affairs deny any wrongdoing or any connection between the radium treatments and these illnesses. At this moment, nothing is being done. 
I would certainly appreciate the involvement of the FRA with this ongoing problem. 
Chic Sale 
FRA Response: Although only mentioned briefly in our recent feature article (on page 20 of the March 2014 issue), the VA recognizes that service members who underwent “nasopharyngeal radium irradiation treatments” were exposed to potentially unhealthy levels of radiation. As a result of these treatments, you are eligible to a free, comprehensive health registry exam at the VA. This does not constitute a disability claims examination, nor does it guarantee disability compensation, but it will provide you with the opportunity to meet with a health care professional who will discuss potential treatments and follow-up care. 
Your and your brethren’s military service is sincerely appreciated, but there’s no doubt that many have paid a tremendous price. All shipmates are encouraged to file a claim for VA disability benefits if they feel their health concerns are related to their military service. 
SBP the Second Time Around
On page 6 of the March 2014 issue of FRA Today, the answer regarding SBP refunds was not quite as complete as it could have been. 
I took out SBP the first year it was offered, naming my wife Virginia as the beneficiary. Sadly, Virginia died in 2011 after 68 wonderful years of marriage. I was not sure what happened concerning my SBP, but I just wondered and did nothing. Then a miracle happened and I found myself in love with another wonderful woman. When I contacted the SBP representatives, I discovered that my SBP benefit could be applied to my new spouse. And, since I had made the maximum number of payments, there is no longer a reduction from my retired pay. I believe there is a time limit on how long you have to be married before a second spouse can be covered. 
Bruce Williams
FRA Response: Thank you for bringing this clarification to our attention. You are absolutely correct. A second spouse can be named as an SBP beneficiary after one year of marriage. 
Congratulations on finding love a second time!

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

DoD Needs Funding for Bullets and Benefits
FRA was successful in repealing legislation that would limit Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLAs) to one percent for retirees and for active duty and Reserve personnel who joined the military before January 1, 2014, but winning this battle doesn’t mean we’ve won the war. Congress is considering a variety of initiatives that threaten to compromise military pay and benefit programs. The threats aren’t new, but they are very real and include proposals to implement TRICARE fee increases, cap military pay, reduce housing allowances and eliminate subsidies for stateside commissaries. 
The root of these proposals is the automatic budget cuts (a.k.a. sequestration) mandated by the Budget Control Act (BCA) of 2011. Provisions of the BCA unfairly burden the Department of Defense (DoD) with half of the overall budget cuts, even though DoD makes up only 17 percent of the federal budget. These cuts go beyond threats to pay and benefits; they also put military readiness and national security at risk. Sequestration was intended to be so restrictive and punitive that Congress and the Administration would be forced to work together to find reasonable alternatives. Unfortunately, Congress and the White House have been consumed with partisan bickering and have been unable to come to a long-term agreement on the budget without sequestration cuts. 
Unless current law is changed, DoD will have to slash an additional $54 billion in FY 2016 and another $269 billion over the following five fiscal years. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel has warned that future sequestration budget cuts will create a “hollow force.” FRA agrees and believes the military needs adequate funding for both “bullets and benefits.” Every shipmate is strongly urged use the Action Center at action.fra.org to ask their legislators to demonstrate decisive leadership and work to exclude DoD from future sequestration cuts. 
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Commissary Funding Legislation Introduced In House and Senate
The Department of Defense (DoD) has proposed a gradual elimination of funding for stateside commissaries as a cost-saving measure and FRA is supporting the “Military Commissary Sustainment Act” (S. 2017/H.R. 4017), a measure that delays these funding cuts until 2016. The Association echoes Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Micheal Barrett’s comments during a recent Capitol Hill hearing: “I personally think it’s ridiculous that we are going after something that saves a young Lance Corporal (E-3) $4,500 a year.” 
Profits generated from stateside commissary sales are used to offset the operating costs at overseas locations where they are needed most, so cutting funding for stateside commissaries would negatively impact those overseas. Additionally, the Defense Commissary Agency employs 100,000 people, 62 percent of whom are veterans and/or military family members. Closing stateside stores would create an unintended consequence of contributing to the ongoing problem of unemployed veterans. 
FRA’s National Board of Directors addressed this issue when they “stormed” the Hill in April. Members are strongly urged to use the FRA Action Center to ask their legislators to support this bill at action.fra.org.
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FRA Testifies Before Senate Defense Panel
FRA recently spoke before the Senate Armed Services Personnel Subcommittee, sharing concerns of its members and those represented by The Military Coalition (TMC). John Davis, FRA’s director of Legislative Programs and co-chairman of the TMC, represented enlisted organizations as one of four panelists. He addressed the Coalition’s opposition to pay caps, continued sequestration cuts and other budget reductions that impact active duty personnel and military retirees. The TMC testimony also expressed opposition to the proposed TRICARE fee increases and cuts to funding for stateside commissaries.
Another panel (which included Robert Hale, Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller); Jessica Wright, Acting Under Secretary for Defense Personnel and Readiness; and Jonathan Woodson, Assistant Secretary for Defense Health Affairs) spoke to the subcommittee in favor of the cuts proposed in the Pentagon budget. The Senate Armed Services Personnel Subcommittee is scheduled to mark up its portion of the FY 2015 Defense Authorization bill by May 21, 2014.

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Veterans and Retiree Issues
FRA National President Addresses Veterans’ Concerns
FRA National President (NP) Virgil Courneya recently testified before a joint hearing of the House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees, asking Congress to continue its work to reduce the large backlog of disability claims at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) (see at right), expand presumption for “Blue Water” veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange herbicide while serving off the coast of Vietnam, and authorize two-year funding for the full VA budget to avoid the agency having to stop providing benefits and adjudicating disability claims during a government shutdown.
NP Courneya thanked Sen. Bernie Sanders (Vermont) and Rep. Jeff Miller (Florida), respective chairmen of the Senate and House Committees, for their efforts to repeal the one-percent cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) for military retirees, including their sponsorship of legislation (S. 1982 and H.R. 3789, respectively). Sanders’ legislation also contained numerous FRA-supported provisions to improve veterans’ benefits. Courneya cited other issues addressed in the Association’s full statement, including full concurrent receipt of military retired pay and veterans disability compensation for all disabled military retirees, expanded suicide prevention programs, veteran’s status for Reserve Component personnel with 20 or more years of service, and reform of the Uniformed Services Former Spouses’ Protection Act (USFSPA).
Members can read FRA’s written testimony at www.fra.org/testimony.
Additionally, members of the FRA’s Legislative Team regularly meet with Personnel Subcommittee staff from the House and Senate Armed Services Committees, staff from the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee and staff from the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission. These off-the-record meetings are opportunities to provide the Association’s legislative agenda and priorities to key staff members on Capitol Hill.
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Another Doc Fix Extension Approved
The Senate approved (64-35) the “Protecting Access to Medicare Act” (H.R. 4302) in late March. The measure, sponsored by Rep. Joseph R. Pitts (Pennsylvania), would prevent a 24-percent cut in reimbursement rates paid to doctors seeing Medicare and TRICARE patients. The House had earlier approved the “SGR Repeal and Medicare Provider Payment Modernization Act” (H.R. 4015), sponsored by Rep. Michael Burgess (Texas), which would provide a more permanent solution by repealing the antiquated Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) and replacing it with a fair, stable, simplified system of physician payments for Medicare and TRICARE programs. In the end, another temporary one-year extension was approved after lawmakers in both chambers failed to find a solution to the recurrent problem of how to pay for the permanent “doc fix,” which is estimated to cost $138 billion over 10 years. 
Quickly signed into law (P.L. 113-93) by President Obama, the latest temporary fix will expire on April 1, 2015. FRA supports a permanent resolution of the statutory funding formula for Medicare and TRICARE physician reimbursement rates to ensure that TRICARE and Medicare patients have access to quality health care services. The “Doc Fix” issue is listed on the FRA Action Center (action.fra.org) and was one of several issues discussed with legislators and their staff when members of FRA’s National Board of Directors (NBOD) met with their legislators in early April. 
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VA Disability Claims Backlog Shrinking
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is boasting that the disability claims backlog has been reduced to less than 350,000 outstanding claims. The backlog—the number of disability claims pending for more than 125 days—dropped below the 350,000 mark in March for the first time since February 2011. It signifies a decrease of more than a quarter-million cases in the past year, a pace that VA officials believe they can maintain to zero out the backlog by the end of 2015.
In recent testimony before a joint hearing of the House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committees (see at left), FRA NP Virgil Courneya expressed cautious optimism about the dwindling backlog of claims, but also warned that there may be a surge of claims as a large number of U.S. service members withdraw from Afghanistan at the end of 2014. A surge of this size could reverse the recent progress in reducing the backlog.
VA Under Secretary for Benefits Allison Hickey called the dwindling backlog figure a significant step ahead. Officials aren’t celebrating the end of the backlog yet, but they are confident they have put in place new technology and processing systems to ensure a similar backlog fiasco won’t happen again.
FRA supports legislation (H.R. 2189), sponsored by Rep. Jeff Miller (Florida), that would create a commission to evaluate the backlog of disability claims at the VA. The bill also directs the Joint Services Record Center to do a comprehensive search to determine which ships’ crews serving off the coast of Vietnam are eligible (under current law) for presumptive exposure to Agent Orange herbicide. This would help with the Agent Orange-related claims made by Vietnam veterans or by surviving family members of deceased veterans. The legislation has passed the House and is pending before the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. Members are urged to use the Action Center (action.fra.org) to ask their Senators to support this important legislation.
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DoD-VA Seamless Transition Update
The 2014 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) mandates that DoD and VA must have a system in place by Oct. 1, 2016, that will allow the departments to seamlessly share electronic health care data. This provision was in response to departments’ aborted efforts to jointly develop an integrated Electronic Health Record (EHR) system, which were derailed due to cost and schedule challenges. Instead, the two agencies decided to pursue separate efforts to modernize or replace their existing systems. However, according to a new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report (GAO-14-302), the VA and DoD “have not substantiated their claims that the current approach will be less expensive and more timely than the single-system approach.” The report also notes that neither department has provided a joint strategic plan that explains lines of responsibility, time schedule, how to eliminate management barriers, and how much the project will cost. FRA has long supported efforts to ensure adequate funding for DoD and VA health care resource sharing in delivering seamless, cost effective, quality services to personnel wounded in combat and other veterans and their families.
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Veterans’ Use of Post-9/11 GI Bill Increasing
Information released from the VA indicates that the number of veterans taking advantage of the Post-9/11 GI Bill program is increasing. This FRA-supported legislation was enacted into law in 2008 and, since it took effect in 2009, the number of veterans using the benefit has increased by 67 percent. In real numbers, veterans using the benefit have increased from 564,487 students in 2009 to 945,052 in 2012 — the last year data was available.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill extended education benefits to service members who have been on active duty 90 days or more since September 10, 2001, or who were discharged with a service-related disability after 30 days. It provides up to 36 months of education benefits, generally payable for 15 years following release from active duty. A provision of the legislation also allows veterans and service members to transfer unused benefits to their children or spouses, but about 79 percent of the benefits are being used by the veterans or service members themselves, according to VA data.
The VA has recently created several tools designed to make it easier for veterans to pursue higher education. Some schools have been accused of using deceptive tactics to boost veteran enrollment and a new online complaint system, launched in January, allows student veterans to detail problems they have experienced trying to access benefits at certain universities. The online “GI Bill Comparison Tool” allows veterans to easily compare ways they can use their benefits at different universities.
FRA is supporting pending legislation, the House-passed “GI Bill Tuition Fairness Act” (H.R. 357), that would require schools eligible for GI Bill education benefits to give veterans in-state tuition rates even though they may not be residents of the states where the schools are located. Because of the nature of military service, veterans often have a difficult time establishing residency for purposes of obtaining in-state tuition rates. Those who defended this nation did not just defend the citizens of their home states, but the citizens of all 50 states. As such, the educational benefits they receive from the taxpayers should reflect that fact.
Members are urged to use the Action Center to ask their senators to support this legislation at: action.fra.org.
Members wanting more information about the Post 9/11 GI Bill can go to:
http://department-of-veterans-affairs.github.io/gi-bill-comparison-tool.
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Social Security Speed Up of Disabled Veterans Claims
The Social Security Administration (SSA) recently announced it will streamline its review of disability claims for veterans, reducing by weeks the process by which it determines benefits. The agency says it will expedite claims for former service members who already have been deemed fully disabled by the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA), eliminating much of the bureaucratic “red tape” requiring veterans to wait to get a decision about their eligibility for Social Security benefits, sometimes for years. This change would add disabled veterans to the list of high-priority groups—including service members wounded in combat — that are put at the head of the line for review.
“It’s a very good result for veterans who obviously made a tremendous commitment to their country,” said Rep. John Sarbanes (Maryland), who has pushed for the quicker review. “They’re returning from overseas conflicts and they’ve suffered injuries that make it impossible for them to have gainful employment.”
It’s not clear exactly how many people would be affected by the policy, but the SSA estimates it could be tens of thousands of veterans over time. Fully disabled veterans accounted for about 10 percent of all veterans who received disability benefits from the VA in 2012, the last year for which data are available.
Under the new policy, applicants who have been deemed 100-percent disabled by the VA are to be put on a “fast track” at virtually every step of the SSA’s process. The change won’t make it any more likely that veterans will receive benefits, officials say, just that they’ll get a decision more quickly.
For more information on this issue go to: http://www.ssa.gov/veterans/#ht=1.
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VA Removes Annual Income Reporting Requirement
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has eliminated the annual requirement to report income information for most veterans enrolled in the VA health care system. Instead, VA will automatically match income information obtained from the Internal Revenue Service and Social Security Administration.
“Eliminating the requirement for annual income reporting makes our health care benefits easier for veterans to obtain,” said VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki. “This change will reduce the burden on veterans, improve customer service and make it much easier for veterans to keep their health care eligibility up-to-date.”
Some veterans applying for enrollment for the first time are still required to submit income information. There is no change in VA’s long-standing policy to provide no-cost care to indigent veterans, veterans with catastrophic medical conditions, veterans with a disability rating of 50 percent or higher, or for conditions that are officially rated as “service-connected.”
VA encourages veterans to continue to use the health benefits renewal form to report changes in their personal information, such as address, phone numbers, dependents, next of kin, income and health insurance.
For more information, visit www.va.gov/healthbenefits/cost or call VA toll-free at 1-877-222-VETS (8387).
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USO Exec Goes to VA
The Senate recently confirmed Sloan Gibson to be the deputy secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Gibson comes to the VA after more than five years as the president and CEO of the United Service Organizations (USO), a nonprofit entity that provides morale, welfare and recreation-type services to uniformed military personnel.
During his confirmation hearing, he told Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee members his priorities would include the ongoing effort to reduce and eliminate the longstanding backlog of disability claims. He said he also will work to find common ground with the Defense Department on a new strategy for a joint electronic health records system.
Gibson also spent 20 years in the banking industry, retiring from AmSouth Bancorporation in 2004. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and earned both Airborne and Ranger qualifications, and served in the infantry in the Army. Gibson earned a Masters in Economics from the University of Missouri in Kansas City and a Masters in Public Administration from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
FRA looks forward to working with the new deputy secretary on issues of mutual concern.
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PTSD Program Locator
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has established an online “PTSD Program Locator” to assist veterans in finding a specialized assistance program in their geographic area. To locate nearby specialized Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) programs by state or program type, go to: http://www.va.gov/directory/guide/ptsd_flsh.asp.
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Active Duty / Reserve Issues

FRA Co-Sponsors House Guard and Reserve Caucus
FRA joined 12 other military and veterans’ organizations in co-sponsoring the 17th annual House Reserve Component Caucus Breakfast on Capitol Hill. Reps. Duncan Hunter (California) and Tim Walz (Minnesota) co-chair the bipartisan caucus and attendees included caucus members, officials from the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), senior enlisted leaders of the Reserve Component and members of key military associations, including FRA.
The keynote speaker was Christine Fox, Acting Deputy Secretary of Defense. She thanked Guard and Reserve members and their families for the sacrifices they have made in defending the nation. She told the caucus that the proposed DoD budget request is $115 billion above mandated sequestration funding levels for the next five years. She said the days of a Reserve Component being a strategic reserve are gone, and that the Reserves will remain a unified part of the total force.
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Senate Approves Sexual Assault Legislation
The Senate recently passed the “Victims Protection Act” (S. 1917) that reforms how the military handles sexual assault cases. Before the bill was approved, there was vigorous and extensive debate between two of the Senate’s legislators, Senators Kristin Gillibrand from New York and the bill’s sponsor, Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill. The measure would prohibit military commanders from overturning jury convictions on sexual assault; eliminate the statute of limitations for military rapes; and provide victims their own independent counsel in sex crime cases. The bill would also require civilian review if a commanding officer decides not to prosecute a sexual assault case. The bill now goes to the House for further consideration, and members can use the FRA Action Center at action.fra.org to weigh in on the measure.
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FRA Takes Members’ Concerns to Capitol Hill, Presents Pinnacle Award
Members of FRA’s board of directors took shipmates’ concerns directly to Capitol Hill on Thursday, April 10. In one-on-one meetings with their respective elected officials and staff, FRA leaders called for adequate funding for Department of Defense (DoD) healthcare programs to preserve the TRICARE benefit, Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) reforms and many other issues that directly affect the quality of life of FRA shipmates and all current and former enlisted sea services personnel.
During the visits, FRA representatives provided background information and described how proposed budget cuts and changes to military benefit programs directly affect them, their shipmates and their families. Board members asked lawmakers to exclude the Defense Department from further sequestration cuts, preserve the commissary benefit, eliminate restrictions that prevent “Blue Water” veterans from receiving disability benefits for exposure to Agent Orange, secure two-year advance funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), reduce the backlog of unresolved VA disability claims and more.
FRA members and other concerned citizens from around the country participated virtually in the Hill event via the Association’s online Action Center (action.fra.org), where users sent thousands of pre-written letters on FRA’s top legislative priorities to lawmakers. These messages from constituents strengthen FRA’s voice on Capitol Hill and help advance the Association’s legislative agenda, which is also available at the online Action Center.
FRA also presented its prestigious Pinnacle Award to Representative Joe Wilson of South Carolina, who represents the state’s Second Congressional District and chairs the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel. Wilson was selected for this honor because of his strong advocacy for FRA-supported legislation to assist those currently serving in the armed forces, as well as those who served in the past. FRA’s highest honor is presented to a member of Congress whose service and leadership epitomize the Association’s three cardinal principles of Loyalty, Protection and Service.
Wilson thanked FRA for “making a difference” for military personnel and their families. “Our military is under assault,” said Wilson, after referencing efforts to cut funding for military commissaries and impose higher fees on TRICARE beneficiaries. “These budget cuts are primarily directed at the Department of Defense and I’m working to reverse what I call ‘Defense sequestration.’ I’ll keep trying and appreciate FRA’s help.”

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The FRA Legislative team is Tom Snee, National Executive Director; John Davis, Director of Legislative Programs; Bob Washington, Health Care Advisor and Outreach Manager; and Chris Slawinski, National Veterans Service Officer.

HISTORY & HERITAGE
The History of FRA: 1950–1959
1950	FRA first proposes legislation to provide a survivor benefit program as part of the military retirement system.
1952	The Association successfully defeats efforts to increase commissary prices by 18 to 20 percent.
1954	Vice President Richard M. Nixon is the keynote speaker at FRA’s National Convention in San Diego, California.
1955	FRA has one of its most successful years, opening 22 new branches and increasing membership by nearly 6,000 shipmates.
1956	FRA sponsors the Mrs. U.S. Navy Contest to honor the contributions of Navy wives to their husbands’ careers. Beverly Jean Ellis (member of LA FRA Unit 60 and wife of Shipmate Alfred Ellis) was selected from more than 1,500 other Navy wives to win a 1956 Oldsmobile, $2,000 in cash and a tour of the United States.
1957	Legislation is enacted that expands Social Security to include active duty military personnel.
1958	FRA-proposed legislation authorizes two additional senior enlisted pay grades (E-8 and E-9) to enhance retention.
1959	George L. Carlin, FRA’s founding father, joins the staff of the Supreme Commander.

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MEMBERSHIP MATTERS
Setting and Meeting Membership Goals
In an effort to strengthen FRA’s recruiting and retention efforts, it’s helpful for each shipmate to ask himself/herself or his/her branch the four following questions: 
•	Have you recruited or sponsored any new or reinstated members? 
•	What have you done to engage and retain current shipmates? 
•	Have you helped raise awareness of FRA’s important work in your local community? 
•	Have you contacted your elected officials to express your views regarding threats to military pay, benefits and quality of life programs for active duty and reserve personnel, retirees and veterans? 
If you answered “yes” to these questions you’re well on your way to strengthening FRA’s membership base and positioning our organization for future growth. 
These questions will be a recurring theme during the new Membership Year that began on April 1, 2014. For the next 12 months, each shipmate and branch is encouraged to set goals for recruiting and retention, and develop strategies that will enable them to answer a resounding YES to these questions. If each branch could increase its membership by just three percent, it would make a tremendous difference in our efforts to stabilize our organization. Branch Membership and Retention chairmen and committees should plan strategies to meet this growth goal, as well as ways to stay connected with current members and improve retention. 
Shipmate Ryan Nabors (Branch 104, Puyallup, Washington) suggests that recruiting efforts should include efforts to engage the next generation of FRA members. Nabors is one of the younger members in his branch and has kindly offered his perspective on why younger members should be a part of our great organization. He believes recruiting new members to fill leadership positions is vital to any organization, and FRA and its branches are no exception. 
Shipmate Nabors appreciates the FRA leaders and mentors he’s met during his tenure as a shipmate. It was a “no-brainer” when PNP “John” Johnson asked Ryan to join and he was glad to accept the invitation. When Ryan received a birthday card from the branch president, it included the date and location of the next branch meeting. He appreciated the personal contact and made a point to attend. 
“Many younger members should really invest in their futures,” says Nabors, “by joining the FRA and becoming an active member.” He suggests that involvement can come in the form of volunteering for branch or community projects or serving in leadership positions. These types of initiatives not only cultivate a sense of camaraderie and unify the group as they work toward a common goal, they also help raise public awareness about the FRA. 
Thirty-five branches ended the Membership Year (on March 31, 2014) with positive recruiting and retention numbers. FRA congratulates those branches, which will be recognized at FRA’s 87th Convention in Corpus Christi, Texas, (October 15 –19, 2014) for their efforts.
Increasing membership through active recruiting and retention efforts must be everyone’s goal!

Growing Branches
Branch 46	—	Honolulu, Hawaii
Branch 293	—	Elizabeth City, N.C.
Branch 186	—	Hernando, Fla.
Branch 307	—	Gulfport, Miss.
Branch 229	—	Newburgh, N.Y.
Branch 104	—	Puyallup, Wash.
Branch 226	—	Staten Island, N.Y.
Branch 183	—	Interlachen, Fla.
Branch 258	—	Erie, Pa.
Branch 137	—	Minden, Nev.
Branch 197	—	Modesto, Calif.
Branch 287	—	Livermore, Calif.
Branch 364	—	Houston, Texas
Branch 310	—	Silverdale, Wash.
Branch 214	—	Schenectady, N.Y.
Branch 021	—	Fort Collins, Colo.
Branch 292	—	Leehigh Acres, Fla.
Branch 294	—	Crossville, Tenn.
Branch 154	—	Baguio City, Philippines
Branch 13	—	Atlantic City, N.J.
Branch 118	—	Cape Coral, Fla.
Branch 113	—	Stockton, Calif.
Branch 247	—	Dagupan City, Philippines
Branch 257	—	Portsmouth, Va.
Branch 222	—	Slidell, La.
Branch 217	—	Winston-Salem, N.C.
Branch 72	—	Mall River, Mass
Branch 63	—	Lewiston, Idaho
Branch 204	—	Rocky Mount, N.C.
Branch 098	—	Shreveport, La.
Branch 328	—	Roseburg, Ore.
Branch 369	—	Cumberland, Md.
Branch 123	—	Morganton, N.C.
Branch 36	—	Cavite City, Philippines
Branch 111	—	Batangas, Philippines

Penny Collins is FRA’s Director of Membership Development and a member of FRA Branch 24 in Annapolis, Maryland She can be reached at penny@fra.org.

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FEATURE— Arlington National Cemetery: Past, Present and Future

Arlington National Cemetery (ANC) is America’s premier military cemetery and the second largest national cemetery in the country. Managed by the Department of the Army, it is a national and military shrine and the final resting place for more than 400,000 veterans and family members. 
“Arlington National Cemetery is a place to honor the veterans who rest here and recognize their contributions to our nation and the world, and also their families,” explains Renea Yates, Deputy Superintendent for Cemetery Administration. “ANC is also a place where visitors can learn about our nation’s rich history, as well as the role our country has played in world history.”
PAST
Origins
The majestic Greek revival structure that rises above Arlington National Cemetery is one of the first things visitors see when they come through the gates. The flag that flies there is lowered to half-staff 30 minutes before the first funeral service of each day and remains in this position of tribute until 30 minutes after the last one. Known as “Arlington House,” the structure is the historic beginning of our nation’s most recognized and most visited military cemetery. 
Commissioned by George Washington’s adopted grandson, George Washington Parke Custis, the mansion was intended to be a living memorial to our nation’s first president. The home, which also served as a repository for portraits, personal papers and a variety of other Washington memorabilia, was the residence for Custis and his wife from 1802 until their deaths in 1857 and 1853 (respectively). (They are both buried on the property and their original graves can be found in Section 13 of ANC.)
In 1831, Custis’ only child, Mary Anna, married Robert E. Lee, who would later play a significant role in our nation’s Civil War. Under the terms of her father’s will, Mary was allowed to live in Arlington House following her father’s death and Robert would serve as executor of the estate and custodian of the 1,100-acre property. The Lees lived at Arlington House until 1861, when Virginia ratified an alliance with the Confederacy and seceded from the Union. Lee, who was by then a major general for the Virginia military forces, feared for his wife’s safety and encouraged her to quietly secure personal and historic valuables, and move to a safer locale. 
Federal troops took up positions around Arlington and when Mrs. Lee failed to pay property taxes on the estate in person, it was confiscated by the federal government and purchased by a tax commissioner for “government use, for war, military, charitable and educational purposes.” 
Arlington National Cemetery was established by Brig. Gen. Montgomery C. Meigs, the Army Quartermaster General and commander of the garrison at Arlington House. In June of 1864, Meigs recommended that approximately 200 acres of the estate be used as a military cemetery. A stone burial vault was constructed in the rose garden and became the grave for 2,111 casualties from multiple Civil War battles, including the Battle of Bull Run — one of the first monuments to Civil War dead erected under Meigs’ orders. 
Since then, ANC has become the final resting place for hundreds of thousands of American veterans, as well as U. S. presidents, members of the Supreme Court and other notable figures. It is truly a sacred place to “Honor, Remember and Explore.” 
Opportunities for Improvement
This hallowed place came under fire in 2010, when the Army Inspector General identified significant management and operational issues related to the cemetery. But in the past four years, tremendous strides have been made in improving ANC’s administration and operation. 
The new leadership team put in place in 2010 immediately began making substantial changes, which included transitioning the cemetery from using typewriters and 3x5 cards for maintaining records to using technology to become a fully digital organization. The Army conducted a full review of every gravesite and interment record, digitized all the interment files and created a single, verifiable and authoritative database for all those laid to rest in the cemetery. Finally, a Customer Service Center was established, where more than 110,000 interactions were logged in the first two years.  
“2010 identified opportunities for improvement in all facets of our operations,” explains Deputy Superintendent for Cemetery Operations Jack Lechner Jr. “We have a fantastic team of personnel and we’re leveraging everything from Army technology to the watchful eye of Congress and the Inspector General to improve every possible system. We’ve implemented training systems, policies and processes to affect improvements. We’ve established performance standards and train all ANC personnel to meet them. 
“For example, the caretakers who open and close the graves and maintain the grounds go through OSHA [Occupational Safety and Health Administration] training, as well as an industry-standard heavy equipment operators’ course. Our funeral representatives who escort the families throughout the funeral process, supervisors and all staff who interact with the public go through grief training,” Lechner continues. “They need to be able to empathize with grieving families and be able to share that empathy in person and by phone.” 
But it’s not just family members who need support. It’s difficult to work around death all the time, says Lechner, so all ANC staff members receive resilience training. “It helps them understand and be aware of coping mechanisms related to working in an environment of grief.”
Employees who work at the Customer Service Center field up to 400 interactions a day, many of which are the first contact a family member or visitor may have with ANC. 
“We count every phone call, fax, e-mail or feedback message from our website as an ‘interaction,’” explains Yates. “Whether someone wants to start the process to inter their loved one or they simply want to know what hours the cemetery is open, they all represent a need for service. And our staff is committed to providing that service in the most effective, positive and respectful way possible.” 
And the inquiries run the gamut, says Yates. “We get a wide variety of questions, ranging from questions about the protocols for attending funeral services here, the process for laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, logistical information about parking and tours, to questions about notable people buried here.”
ANC is also leveraging the Army’s contracting officer training to support its information technology, call center, ground maintenance and other contracts. “We have $6.2 million in ground maintenance and horticulture contracts alone,” elaborates Lechner. “In addition to the folks who do the mowing and maintenance, we also have three tree/turf/shrub and plant experts on our staff. They not only understand the technical aspects of the work, they are also well versed in the technicalities of contract management.” 
“We have a world-class staff here,” adds Yates, proudly, “and that’s as it should be.”
Present
Transformation is SOP Today
“The transformation that began in 2010 is now our standard operating procedure,” explains Melissa Bohan, public affairs specialist for ANC. And attention to detail is the hallmark of all operations at the cemetery. 
Technology has played a significant role in ANC’s improvements and has allowed the cemetery to expand its service to the 3.1 million family members and others who visit the cemetery annually. Geospatial and global positioning system (GPS) technologies now allow cemetery employees to map each burial plot to within a three-inch GPS accuracy and link each gravesite with the interment database. This allows staff to synchronize burial operations in real time and deconflict burials with public ceremonies, repairs and necessary infrastructure and landscaping work. 
“We have up to five services per hour and it’s critical to deconflict those services, as well as making sure our field operators aren’t excavating a grave or mowing the grass near an ongoing funeral service. We want each family to feel like they are the only family being served at that moment. That’s the most important thing. And, although technology has helped some, much of this work still requires old fashioned brain power. For example, some burial sites are already dictated by a previous family member’s burial,” says Yates.
In the past, ANC maintained a series of paper maps. If a change was made on one set, but not transferred to another, it caused confusion. The digitization of all burial records and the development of the cemetery’s Geospatial Information System (GIS) now allow the staff to work from a single digital map and a single database. When changes are made, they’re visible to the entire staff in real time. 
“Our database now feeds GIS, facilitates the inter-service scheduling of funerals and a variety of other features that not only allows us to work more efficiently and effectively, it also allows us to help visitors and family members find their way through the cemetery,” says Yates. 
Maintaining High Standards 
Numerous procedures and processes have been implemented to improve every facet of cemetery operations, including ground maintenance and the interment process. 
From first contact through the final interment, ANC now has the strictest chain of custody requirements of any national cemetery, according to Lechner. “We maintain positive control and know where the remains are at all times. We are also able to electronically track the full lifecycle of a gravesite: assignment, opening, closing, backfill and tamping. After 30 days, we go back and ensure the grave isn’t sinking and is up to standards. It’s a very comprehensive system.” 
ANC encompasses 624 developed acres and the groundskeeping staff is responsible for all the turf, the shrubs and floral displays throughout the cemetery. They are also responsible for the care and maintenance of some 8,500 trees, of which there are 300 species. (See page 24 to learn more about ANC’s designation as a national arboretum.) 
“Our maintenance requirements vary by season,” describes Lechner. “During the growing season, one of our most obvious responsibilities is keeping the grass mowed. The entire cemetery is mowed at least once a week, but some areas — like around the Memorial Amphitheater, JFK’s grave and Arlington House — are mowed twice a week. And of course, we’re always working to make sure the areas are free of debris and that tracks from our maintenance vehicles are kept to a minimum. Care and cleaning of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and other more public areas take place after hours, but the day-to-day maintenance must be carefully scheduled to avoid interference with funeral services.” 
During the non-growing season, ANC workers perform maintenance on the cemetery’s infrastructure, facilities and equipment. Managing 19 miles of roads throughout the cemetery also means snow removal in the winter. 
“Our operations don’t stop when the federal government closes for inclement weather,” Lechner continues. “When a family has had to wait months to bury their loved one and all the relatives are gathered, often from out of town, it just wouldn’t be right to tell them we’ve got to postpone the service until the weather improves. We recently held 22 services on a day when the government was closed due to snow. The soldiers that guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and our staff are on duty, regardless of the conditions.” 
Heavy equipment is required to do much of the earth-moving and maintenance work at ANC, which often creates additional work for the groundskeepers. ANC now minimizes damage to the grounds with the use of “turf-friendly equipment” that has a lighter footprint and large inflatable tires. Mini-excavators have tracks that don’t tear up the turf and make it easier for crews to rake up the grass behind them, leaving the grounds looking as pristine as possible. Additionally, many of the maintenance vehicles are electric or hybrids, so they’re eco-friendly and also quiet — a critical attribute when working amid so many solemn ceremonies. 
“We’ve also made a big move toward being more environmentally friendly,” continues Lechner. “We protect our watersheds by using an oil/water separator that prevents petroleum products from getting into our groundwater. And we’ve installed grating to catch soil that might otherwise wash into our storm sewers. ” 
ANC strives to achieve diversity in its tree and landscape plantings, using earth-friendly practices that include using ornamental grasses and other plants that require less water and fertilizer. 
“We’ve got a wonderful ecosystem here at ANC that attracts wildlife and pollinators, such as butterflies and birds,” adds Lechner. “We’re also using more native plants and working to eradicate invasive plants, too.” 
Graves and Headstones 
“Opening and closing graves is obviously a large part of the daily operations at ANC,” adds Lechner. “We take the extra step of sifting the removed earth before it is returned to cover the casket. It is then hand-tamped to preclude sinking and settling of the grave. We have a system in place that requires each grave to be inspected seven days after the burial, and then again after 30 days, to ensure it is level.”
The majority of headstones at ANC are issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as a benefit of military service. Since 1948, private monuments are limited to only 13 sections of the cemetery and there are very specific guidelines regarding size. 
“Requests for burial in these areas often stem from a desire to be near a loved one — a parent or child, or classmate,” explains Yates. “We have some families who have contributed generations of service and they often wish to be buried in close proximity to one another.”
The VA-issued headstones weigh 240 pounds and measure 42 inches tall, of which 18 inches is placed below ground level. Throughout the year, ANC groundskeepers raise and realign stones that have sunk or are out of alignment with adjacent stones. If the engraving on a stone deteriorates to the point that it is unreadable, a footstone is added (at the base of the grave) to identify the veteran who’s laid to rest there. 
Families used to have to wait up to five months for a headstone to be placed, but thanks to new technology, that wait time is now down to 60 days or less. An online tool allows the family to choose how they want the headstone to look. There are 13 lines available for inscription, five of which are mandatory. The remaining eight lines can include conflicts in which the veteran participated, awards and medals earned, or even a term of endearment, such as “devoted father.” As a result, accuracy has improved, the error rate has decreased and the overall timetable has been shortened. When a headstone is placed, photos are taken and uploaded to the cemetery’s application, ANC Explorer, that night, so family members can see it as soon as possible.
“We also strive to make sure the stones are clean and kept in good condition,” says Lechner. “Sometimes headstones, particularly those in the shade, start looking dirty because mold begins to grow on them. We used to use bleach to clean them, but that created a chalky finish and was really hard on the stones. Now we use a special product that not only kills the mold, it also helps preserve the stone’s finish. The product reactivates every time it rains and lasts up to three years.”
Mementos and Treasures
ANC personnel are also responsible for ensuring the cemetery is free from litter and debris. Flowers and other remembrances left at gravesites can only remain there so long. Yates explains that ANC’s floral policy authorizes fresh flowers during the growing season and artificial ones and wreaths are authorized during colder weather, and will eventually be removed from the sites. Unsafe items — glass, tobacco, alcohol, ammunition and the like — are prohibited and are removed immediately. 
Personal remembrances aren’t new, but there was an increase in these types of items being left for those killed in more recent conflicts. This is particularly evident in ANC’s Section 60, where many of the service members killed in Iraq and Afghanistan are interred. Although less than 10 percent of the section is currently the final resting place for those killed in action during Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, Section 60 has become the site for a pilot program to collect and preserve some of the unique artifacts and tributes left for these warriors. 
“A trend began in 2009 where loved ones would leave mementos, particularly in Section 60. Often there were photos of the deceased, which really gave a face to those who died, as well as teddy bears, handcrafted items and other personal tributes to the fallen,” explains Yates. “As a result, we’ve had to establish some policies about such things. For example, photos cannot be affixed or attached to the headstones and other mementos can’t interfere with maintenance or become unsightly. We’ve also established a pilot project to collect those tributes that have historic, artistic or intrinsic value. On the second and fourth Friday of each month, remembrances from Section 60 are collected and cataloged by ANC historians. We currently have more than 27,000 items and we hope to use the collection as a teaching tool in the future.” 
FUTURE
ANC at 150
ANC marks its 150th anniversary next month and there are a number of events planned to honor the past and position the cemetery for its future. 
Visit www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/Events/ANC150Events.aspx for a complete list of all anniversary events.
Among the many improvements made in recent years is the development of the ANC Explorer application for smart phones and tablets, which allows family members and the public to easily explore ANC and its rich history. ANC Explorer users can locate a specific gravesite, generate front-and-back photos of the headstone or monument, and receive walking directions to the location. Those using the mobile app can track their path to the site as they move through the cemetery. 
“As part of Arlington’s 150th anniversary commemoration, we will be releasing an updated version of our app, ANC Explorer 2.0. It will allow users to download prepared guided tours, such as sites off the Custis and Crook Walks and areas near the interpretive tour bus stops. Users will also be able to create customized tours and save content to their mobile devices,” explains Bohan, who says the website and app aren’t just for visitors to the cemetery. “For relatives who live far from D.C. and can’t visit ANC in person, this technology allows them to visit us virtually.”
The app is available on the cemetery’s website, on kiosks located at the cemetery, and through Google Play and the Apple App store. To learn more, visit www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/ancexplorer. 
ANC’s website (www.arlingtoncemetery.mil) will also be new and improved in time for the 150th anniversary. It will feature a cleaner layout and design, simplified navigation and quick links to highly visited sections of the site, like funeral information and exploring the cemetery.  
To commemorate its 150th anniversary, ANC’s historic landscape has also been established as the Arlington National Cemetery Memorial Arboretum. Like the cemetery itself, the Arboretum serves as a living memorial to those who have served our nation and connects visitors to the rich tapestry of the cemetery’s living history and natural beauty. 
Some of the 300 species of trees living on the ANC grounds date back more than 200 years and 297 of the trees have been labeled for visitors. Information on these labels and their locations is available at www.arlingtoncemetary.mil/VisitorInformation/grounds.aspx.
Expanding to Meet Future Needs
Two major expansions are planned for ANC, which are expected to provide enough additional interment space to meet the cemetery’s needs for the next 35 years or more. 
The first is the Millennium Project, a 27-acre parcel of undeveloped land secured from Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, the National Park Service, and existing ANC land. 
The Millennium Project was born in the late 1990s when Congress realized that Arlington National Cemetery was near capacity. Since then, several expansion designs have been considered to incorporate the area’s natural beauty and historic nature, while expanding ANC in an environmentally friendly manner. The final Millennium Project design includes the restoration of a previously degraded stream; preserving the entire project site as a “green space,” serving as one of the few areas in Arlington County that will remain indefinitely vegetated with a mix of natural open areas and forested areas; implementing a multi-year invasive species control plan to improve the existing conditions of the property; and making improvements to stormwater management. Construction on the project began in early 2014 and, when complete in 2016, it will add more than 27,000 burial and niche spaces for first interments and inurnments.
“Because of its location on our overall site, the Millennium expansion will allow us to disperse our operations, which is a critical element in making sure services and operations don’t overlap,” explains Yates. “We expect the Millennium Project to meet our interment needs through 2026.” 
The Southern Expansion Project will utilize the 37 acres formerly occupied by the Navy Annex. Planning and design efforts for this property are expected to begin later this year and, according to Yates, the project “is really a blank slate right now, but we anticipate this expansion will meet our interment needs through the mid-2050s.” 
Columbia Pike, a major traffic thoroughfare, runs directly through the property, and efforts to reroute that traffic flow will require negotiations and agreement among a variety of agencies. “We’re currently working with the Commonwealth of Virginia and Arlington County, the Pentagon and other stakeholders to make the area conducive to our needs. We’re also sensitive to the access requirements related to the Air Force and Pentagon Memorials, and the potential for an Arlington County Heritage and Freedman’s Village Museum at some point in the future,” where fugitive and liberated slaves lived during and after the Civil War. 
“Honor — Remember — Explore”
Working at Arlington National Cemetery is a unique privilege and provides a great deal of personal satisfaction. 
“It’s truly an honor and privilege to serve here,” says Lechner. “It’s wonderful to see the sense of passion and pride demonstrated by the staff. Every employee respects this national shrine and takes great pride in his or her work. 
“I genuinely look forward to coming to work every day, knowing I’ll have the opportunity to help families,” he continues. “It’s gratifying to be able to solve problems for a family, no matter how minor they might seem to me. It means a great deal to know we’ve satisfied a family at a very difficult time in their lives. They’ve turned over their loved one for us to care for. We become their caretakers for the rest of time.”
“It’s gratifying to be able to support and provide a safe place for families to mourn, and also celebrate the military service of their loved ones. ANC is a place where the nation honors the lives given for our freedom,” adds Yates, with sincerity. “We provide ceremonies that speak when words simply cannot.” 
Eligibility
As a general rule, military personnel who have served in the active duty military and been honorably discharged are eligible for interment at ANC. The veteran’s surviving spouse and minor children are also eligible to be interred with the service member in the same grave or niche. The requirements, however, vary for those wishing in-ground burial versus inurnment in a niche wall or columbarium. 
In-ground burial is available for active duty service members (except those serving for training purposes only), retired service members (who are entitled to military retired pay), former prisoners of war and those who’ve been awarded the Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star or Purple Heart. Both casketed and cremated remains may be buried at ANC. 
Above-ground inurnment (cremated remains placed in a niche or columbarium) is available to those eligible for in-ground burial, as well as former service members who served on active duty (for other than training) whose last service terminated honorably, and members of the Reserves and National Guard who die while on active duty for training or full-time service.
This is not an exhaustive list. More information is available online at 
www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/FuneralInformation/EstablishServices.aspx or by calling 877-907-8585. It is important to note that eligibility must be established at the time of need and proof of service is required.

Lauren Armstrong is the Contributing Editor and Member of the FRA Auxiliary. She can be reached at lauren@fra.org.

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CHANGE OF WATCH
FRA bids a fond farewell to Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard (MCPOCG) Michael Leavitt and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Reserve Force (MCPOCGRF) Mark Allen as they complete their respective watches. Both have contributed greatly to improving and maintaining the quality of life for USCG personnel and their families. FRA wishes them fair winds and following seas as they begin the next chapters in their professional lives. FRA also welcomes and looks forward to working with MCPOCG Steven Cantrell and MCPOCGRF Eric Johnson, who will relieve Leavitt and Allen this month. 
An Honor to Serve
By MCPOCG Michael Leavitt
It has truly been an honor to serve the men and women of the United States Coast Guard and their families as the eleventh Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard (MCPOCG). Working with Admiral Bob Papp, Vice Admiral John Currier and other senior leaders within the Coast Guard has been a very rewarding experience. I have also had the privilege of working with leadership within the White House, Congress, Department of Homeland Security and Department of Defense, as well as other government and non-government organizations, on issues impacting our Coast Guardsmen and their families.
Almost four years ago, the Coast Guard Commandant, Admiral Bob Papp, told us the Coast Guard would face significant challenges and uncertainties, and that has certainly been true. Admiral Papp laid out a course for our way ahead, focusing primarily on building well-trained, equipped and proficient crews and enhancing the quality of life for Coast Guardsmen and their families.
Despite constant challenges, Coast Guardsmen accomplished so much during this watch. We continued to focus on training our people, ensuring they are proficient in craft and leadership. We continued to recapitalize our cutter fleet, aviation assets, and small boats. We significantly enhanced our Child Care and Ombudsman programs, and created personnel resource tools like CG SUPRT to better meet the needs of Coast Guard families. We improved our housing program, determined how much we need, where we need it and how we can better manage it, and so much more.
We also experienced record high retention, which resulted in slow recruiting and advancements, and long A-School waits for some of our Coast Guardsmen. To help alleviate this problem, we implemented the Career Retention Screening Panel and reinstituted a High-Year Tenure program using a slightly different approach from lessons learned in the ‘90s. These programs and others are helping us better manage the flow of our workforce.
In the future, the Coast Guard will continue to face challenges, but that’s nothing new in our 223-year history. When times become challenging, it is vitally important that we continue to strive for mission excellence and continue to balance our people’s needs. It is our people’s resiliency, commitment to the mission and positive attitude that makes us who we are, Coast Guardsmen.
Our country sees us every day, saving lives, setting buoys, conducting law enforcement missions, meeting humanitarian service needs, responding to natural disasters like Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy, and responding to manmade disasters like Deepwater Horizon. That’s what we do: we prevent and respond to our nation’s needs. That is our legacy and that is a legacy that I am very proud to be a part of. Thank you for your continued support. It has been an honor and privilege to serve with you.
Semper Paratus.
Opportunities
By MCPOCGRF Mark H. Allen 
My fellow FRA shipmates; before us we find unique opportunities to take care of our families, achieve our missions, and leave things better for those who follow. To do so, we must overcome obstacles. We must engage, collaborate, and focus.
I am grateful to all military and veteran service organizations, especially those like FRA who make up The Military Coalition. Your mission of taking care of our troops and their families is both noble and just. You work with Congress to overcome budget obstacles and take advantage of opportunities to improve the lives of those who serve. The future of organizations such as yours will depend on overcoming obstacles such as membership. Like your efforts on Capitol Hill, building membership will require being open to new and sometimes radical ideas. It will require dialoguing with young service members in the manners they engage with each other. Organizations that succeed will be those which first seek to understand before seeking to be understood.
I wish to thank current and former Sailors and Marines for engaging your Coast Guard shipmates in your training, operations, and care for troops and families. We Coast Guardsmen could not achieve our missions, especially in today’s budget environment, without your help. Your collaboration has facilitated our success despite the obstacle of budget challenges. We Coasties have seized opportunities to become more proficient through joint Reserve mobilization exercises. We have saved resources by operating jointly with you in places such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait, and Cuba. Our troops and families have benefitted during deployments from joint support such as the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program and Military OneSource.
We Coasties, both Active Component and Reserve Component, must expand our engagement and collaboration to seize and create opportunities to take care of our families, achieve our missions, and leave things better for those who follow. As Revolutionary War era statesman Patrick Henry expressed in 1799, “United we stand, divided we fall.” Together we will continue to overcome obstacles while focusing on opportunities such as the continuum of service concept, the blurring of the separation between the Active and Reserve Components. We have proven during the last several years that we can work together to achieve historically high mobilization readiness even with fewer resources. As Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Mike Leavitt succinctly notes in this issue of FRA Today, “Despite constant challenges, Coast Guardsmen accomplished so much.”
Finally, as Colleen and I stand relieved by Master Chief Eric Johnson and his wife Valerie, we reflect on how grateful we are: grateful for your support and perseverance, and grateful for the opportunity to serve alongside countless dedicated shipmates in the FRA, the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, and your families for the past 37 years. And while our status has changed, rest assured our interest in and support of your efforts will not wane.
Lauren Armstrong is the Contributing Editor and Member of the FRA Auxiliary. She can be reached at lauren@fra.org.

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REUNIONS
American Association of Navy Hospital Corpsmen (AAoNHC)
September 25–28, 2014, Warwick, Rhode Island. Contact Charles Kraut, 817-229-5194, chuckkat@swbell.net
Naval Air Station Atlanta (Chamblee and Marietta):
May 19–20, 2014, Dillard, Georgia. Contact Al Nordin, 678-581-9594, anordin912@aol.com
Navy Lithographers Association
September 17–20, 2014, Glen Burnie, Maryland. Contact John Belrose, 540-785-8250, navylithographers@gmail.com
US Navy Band Alumni Association
August 3–4, 2014, Washington, DC. Contact Don Stratton, MUCM (Ret.), 3 Cambridge Drive, Hershey, PA 17033, 717-533-2501, donstratton@comcast.net
USS Alabama (BB-60)
April 9–12, 2015, Mobile, Alabama. Contact Bill Tunnell, PO Box 65, Mobile, AL 36601-0065, 251-433-2703, btunnell@ussalabama.com
USS Arnold J. Isbell (DD-869)
September 26–29, 2014, St. Louis, Missouri. Contact Barry Dahiberg, 11267 Red Bud Trl, Berrien Springs, MN 49103, 708-203-1445, evba@ameritech.net
USS Beale (DD/DDE-471)
September 15–17, 2014, Branson, Missouri. Contact Bill Brings, 8826 Thoreau Pl Hudson, FL 34667, 727-868-4453, btcmusnret@msn.com
USS Bexar (APA-237)/USS Pickaway (APA-222)
September 18–21, 2014, Pensacola, Florida. Contact Steve Malloy, 1542 10th St., Bremerton, WA 98337, 360-373-1093, ussbexar@comcast.net
USS Casimir Pulaski (SSBN-633)
October 8–11, 2014, N. Charleston, South Carolina. Contact Bill Roup, PO Box 815, Ladson SC 29456, 843-553-9895, sechf2@aol.com
USS Charles F. Adams (DDG-2)
April 19–24, 2015, Branson, Missouri. Contact Richard Harmon, 386-235-8723, dharmonlpga1@aol.com
USS Cowell (DD-547)
October 6–9, 2014, Jacksonville, Florida. Contact Vincent Kraus, 248 Johnston Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32211, 904-721-8009, volga36@aol.com
USS Current
September 11–14, 2014, Branson, Missouri. Contact Jerry Spickler, 317-996-2759, usscurrent@aol.com
USS England (CG/DLG-22)
October 9–11, 2014, Mobile, Alabama. Contact Mal D.e. Hayden, 13058 Kiwi Lane, Garden Grove, CA 92844, 562-254-5802, dh13030@sbcglobal.net
USS English (DD-696)
September 11–14, 2014, Albany, New York. Contact Ed Condon, 1902 N Gordon St., Plant City, FL 33563, 419-625-5066, ussenglish@aol.com
USS Everett F. Larson (DD/DDR-830)
September 18–22, 2014, San Francisco, California. Contact Clyde Bingham, 28 Via Mesa, San Jose, CA 95139-1146, 408-360-8816.
USS Finch (DE-328/WDE-428/
DER-328)
October 5–8, 2014, Reno, Nevada. Contact Robert G. Cragg, PO Box 353, Emigrant, MT 59027, 847-658-2676, rgcragg@yahoo.com
USS Fiske (DD/DDR-842)
September 24–26, 2015, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Contact Jeff Davis, PO Box 3214, Gettysburg, PA 17325, 717-752-2842, fiskereunion@vetsnet.us
USS Forrestal (CVA/CV/AVT 59)
September 23–27, 2014, Branson, Missouri. Contact Jim Brussell, PO Box 225, Ft Loramie, OH 45845, 935-295-2863, cva59@roadrunner.com
USS Frontier (AD-25)
September 15–18, 2014, Portland, Maine. Contact Smitty, 732-251-1773, ussfrontierad25@yahoo.com
USS Guam (LPH 9)
September 14–20, 2014, San Angelo, Thexas. Contact Russell Williams, 10330 Twin Lakes Ln, San Angelo, TX 76904, 325-656-0093, willie57chevy@gmail.com
USS Higbee (DD/DDR-806)
September 17–21, 2014, Denver, Colorado. Contact Gil “Rod” Rodello, 829 S. 43rd St. Springfield, OR 97478, 541-747-1408, gilrodhigbee@comcast.net
USS Holder (DD/DDE 819 and DE 401)
September 21–25, 2014, Chattanooga, Tennessee. Contact James De Barrios, 831-458-9062, ussholder_dde819@
hotmail.com
USS Hollister (DD-788)
September 24–28, 2014, Davenport, Iowa. Contact Ed Gundersen, 2176 County Highway 107, Amsterdam, NY 12010, 518-842-7126, gunder788@verizon.net
USS Ingersoll (DD-652/990)
September 5–7, 2014, Houston, Texas. Contact Dennis Harris, 6581 CR108, Iola, TX 77861, 979-676-0612, oldsailor62@gmail.com
USS Joseph Strauss (DDG-16)
September 4–7, 2014, San Francisco, California. Contact Jim Hansen, 719-488-4443, jazhansen@msn.com
USS Leyte (CV-32)
October 8–12, 2014, Mobile, Alabama. Contact Le Grande Van Wagenen, 43 Frederick Pl, Parlin, NJ 08859, 732-727-5993, leyte1956@aol.com
USS Little Rock (CL-4/CLG-4/CG-4)
July 9–13, 2014, Norfolk, VA. Contact Ray Cutter, 631-286-2923, raycutter1@aol.com
USS NITRO (AE-2/AE-23)
June 19–22, 2014, Norfolk, Virginia. Contact Jim Timmons, S37 W27575 Windsong Ridge, Waukesha, WI 53189, 262-547-3726, navy65-69@sbcglobal.net
USS Observation Island (EAG-154)
January 21–23, 2015, Cocoa Beach, Florida. Contact Dave Campbell, 415 E Drahner, Oxford, MI 48371, 248-464-1597, obisland154@outlookmail.com
USS Oklahoma City Association’s Annual Naval Reunion
September 23–28, 2014, Warwick, Rhode Island. Contact John F. Baker, 620-399-3999.
USS Proteus (AS-19)
October 20–23, 2014, Charleston, South Carolina. Contact Paul Castle, 619-237-1314, subdiver5311@earthlink.net
USS Remora (SS-487)
September 4-6, 2014, San Francisco, California. Contact Phillip R. Schwartze, 31103 Rancho Viejo Road, Suite D-2260, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675, 949-300-8619, Phillip@PRSGRP.BIZ
USS Rupertus (DD-851)
October 14-16, 2014, New Orleans, Louisiana. Contact Pete Spoonhower, 54512 Seeley Ln, Center, MO 63436-2330, 573-267-3510, pspoonhower@gmail.com
USS Sea Cat (SS-399)
September 22–26, 2014, Branson, Missouri. Contact Edwin Hymer, 515-981-3006, ednmeg@mchsi.com
USS Seadragon (SSN-584)
September 3–5, 2014, San Francisco, California. Contact Jerry Gruenhagen, jgruenhagen@new.rr.com
USS Thomas Jefferson (SSBN/
SSN-618)
September 21–24, 2014, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. Contact Jim Beauchamp, 962 Ewell Rd. Virginia Beach, VA 23455, 757-464-6198, hobeau1@cox.net
USS Trumpetfish (SS-425)
October 22–27, 2014, North Charleston, South Carolina. Contact Terry Trump, 404 Pinehurst Ave., Summerville, SC 29483, 843-873-9563, ss425tfish@gmail.com
USS Truxtun (DLG(N)/CG(N)-35)
October 9–12, 2014, Jacksonville, Florida. Contact Charles Bethea/Dave Holland, TRUXTUN Association, 3605 Sweet Bay Drive, Pace, FL 32571-8001, 856-795-0720, cbethea1@sc.rr.com
USS Twining (DD-540)
September 15–19, 2014, San Diego, California. Contact Joe Ed Jones, 7500 Swinford Place, Charlotte, NC 28270, 704-807-0716, jeddjones@aol.com
USS Voge (DE/FF-1047)
October 8–12, 2014, Norfolk, Virginia. Contact Tom Anderson, PO Box 406, Carlisle, AR 72024, 501-259-1369, ussvogegroup@gmail.com
USS Von Steuben (SSBN-632)
September 25–28, 2014, Newport News, Virginia. Contact Rick Wise, 111 Pinewood Drive, Summerville, SC 29483, 843-875-5559, ssbn632reunion@sc.rr.com
VAP-61/VAP-62
October 22–25, 2014, Pensacola, Florida. Contact Donna Sims, 660-259-4546 or 573-345-3105, donna.sims.1969@gmail.com
VP-28 Hawaiian Warriors
October 7–11, 2014, St Augustine, Florida. Contact Michael Chalut, 6401 Jack Wright Island Rd., St Augustine, FL 32092, 904-607-6063, chalut@bellsouth.net
VR-22 25th Annual Reunion
October 1–5, 2014, Virginia Beach, Virginia. Contact Gene Shonkwiler, 1801 Columbia Dr, Winter Haven, FL 33881-2723, 863-969-3850, geneshonkwiler@gmail.com

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

Reunions are a Great Recruiting Opportunity!
If you’re hosting or attending a reunion, please consider how many prospective FRA members will also be there! FRA has published a prospective member brochure with an information request form and a “thank you for your service” reference card included. You can easily talk through benefits of membership with the prospect using this card and offer NewsBytes or one of the FRA guides, provided by filling out the information card. For their convenience, they can keep the list of benefits on one side and a handy list of information sources on the other. 
These work great for one-to-one conversations with someone you know is eligible for membership (at least one day of enlisted service in the Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard). You can request these brochures or other items for your reunion from FRA Member Services, at 1-800-372-1924, or mmserfra@fra.org. Reunions are great places to recruit — if you’d like additional information or ideas for your reunion, please contact us!

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NEW FRA LIFE MEMBERS 
Congratulations to the following shipmates who chose to become Life Members during the first quarter of 2014. If you’d like to become a Life Member, call 1-800-FRA-1924 and speak with one of our Member Services representatives.  
January	
Francis Gorman	061
Sandra Lillo Jolly	132
John W Weise	050
Darrell F McKinley, Jr.	293
Stanley Svensen	289
August G Foreman, Jr.	049
Richard P Hall	MAL
Santiago Y Cobar	MAL
Charles W Owens	091
Kenneth E McKenzie	MAL
Everett S Wallace	278
Samantha Slightom	281
Ben F. Ignacio	099
George L Johnson	175
James D. Cates	126
Dennis R Higerd	MAL
Robert E Hoffman	MAL
Charles Gates	MAL
Ray E Rexford, Jr.	026
Harry Brogan	MAL
Marvin E Miller	MAL
Ken A. Stephenson	061
Kenneth Tate	MAL
Dana W Roach	147
Floyd G Hunt	214
Robert H Wilson	090
Marion Dubrin	281
David Hyde	015
Donald A May	MAL
Nicholas A Zingaro	285
Howard F Heid	070
Leonard J Kruski	MAL
Robert A Grogan	047
David L Hancock	161
Thomas Kalus	046
Gary D. Sanders	161
James E Derocher	156
E L Cardenis	061
Robert W King, Jr.	014
Ralph R Bulmer	MAL
Andrew E Horvath	027
Merril W Cronce	210
John W Monroe	006
Ernest C. Woods	275
George D Bess	MAL
Scott A Declemente	024
Jerry W Stewart	181
Joseph R Cudmore	011
Blackledge E Harper	208
Frederick G. Siler	057

February	
Dan Bauer	289
John M Orkish	175
Gary D Wright	063
Darrell E. Severns	046
Steve Smith	090
George W Sprinkles	327
Robert F Mandaglio, Jr.	MAL
Robert E Stanley	094
Robert F Zipp	238
Paul A Yackey	MAL
Raymond J Torrez	087
Wallace F Goss	022
Michael Andrew 
Gallegos, Sr.	MAL
Larry L Pugh	MAL
George Sanchez	203
David Neiman	MAL
John E Cirullo	MAL
Frank J Masanz	371
Edward Delagarza, Jr.	MAL
John L. Raiter	145
John W Best	MAL
Nemecio Romero	043
Alfred W Baumann, Sr.	MAL
Thomas B. Blizard, Jr.	269
Richard Vian	163
Michael J. Paridon	103
David Foster	024
Bruce A Bigler	MAL
John Thomas	029
Roger L Hall	MAL
Leonard G Gray	047
Byron D Bradley	053
Peter J Beckley	MAL
Dan Becker	175
Gary Phillips	MAL
James E Ashworth, Jr.	MAL
Robert E Hammell	210
Laurie A Bailey	269
Gilbert D. De La Pena	249
William E Blevins	089
William K Miller	290
Francis R Roberts	126
Edmond L. Melton	249
Joseph J Pierce	307
William S Huebner	248
Mackey B. Adams	MAL
Stephen F Versaggi	210
Charles D Wetzel	MAL
William A Ball	MAL
William A Durboraw	MAL
Florencio R. Aguilar	154
Richard Lovitt	MAL
Dennis Brayton	MAL
Michael E Kandik	MAL
Richard K Spore	MAL
Thomas F Eichler	293
James Hindel	254
March	
William E Billman Jr	MAL
Richard A. Fitzpatrick	MAL
James D Roper	MAL
Paul F Fullbright	201
Willard Ventro	024
Phil Bettisworth	162
Walter J Simmons	162
Charles J Millard	141
John T Dube	156
Guy W Wilcox	365
Frank B Kennedy, III	024
Vincent B Tamulaites	289
Burl Lyons	268
Charles D Decourley	032
Clyde E Baker	261
Richard A Newton	MAL
Kenneth E Walling	104
Lemuel P Becker	053
Steve S Dudley	166
Tommy R James	MAL
Gerald E Dubois	042
Albert A Dewald	141
Kenneth E Studt	093
George R Smith	MAL
Randall Fornecker	MAL
Earl T Lamb, Jr.	020
Robert W Welch, Sr.	MAL
Joseph Joseph	289
Richard D Carkhuff	334
John A Stanko	MAL
Michael Castro	103
Charles A Walter	166
Kenneth B Finlay	MAL
Robert A Parham	MAL
Victor A White	024
Gerard Kosciuk	090
James V Guadagnolo	208
Stephanie L. Smith	024
Charles L Blanchard	175
Harvey E Clayton	055
Charles V Long	124
Thomas George Goldader	029
Michael W. McCarthy	367
James T. Brady	212
Gerald D Jeffers	099
James R Bennett	290
Maynard M Howard	MAL
Joseph Van Pamel	256
D P Scroggins	086
Herbert P Martello, Jr.	162
Sheldon Y McClaflin	046
Richard H Malone, Jr.	043
Daniel L. Stripes	MAL
Phillip W Marable	084
Terry Randolph	136
Crisanto B Pagtakhan	010
Mark Dernovsek	222
James V Harper, II	313
Judy Pickell	061
Gary W. Poplin	011
Robert E Griffith	MAL
Roland L Thomas	059
Leslie P Leblanc, Jr.	MAL
Duane Mullen	MAL
Robert H Bakker	MAL 
Michael Gookin	MAL

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TAPS
Atkinson, Walter I, ABF1, USN	376
Ault, Gene E, HMC, USN	309

Babcock, John, SKC, USN	161
Badejo, George R, BMC, USN	MAL
Baeder, Robert, CDR, USN	024
Barham, Macon, PC1, USN	204
Barrett, James T, USN	MAL
Barrett, Ronald R, ADR1, USN	MAL
Barton, Frank A, CTC, USN	175
Benedetto, Victor, ADRC, USN	022
Benson, Frederick R, CTRCM, USN	067
Bertrand, Horace A, MAJ, USMC	208
Bober, John T, LT, USN	011
Bodenstab, Orin R, MM1, USN	MAL
Bohm, Gerald P, AMSC, USN	147
Bond, George J, AD1, USN	089
Bradshaw, Robert F, LCDR (LDO), USN	070
Brooner, Otis E, CPO, USN	MAL
Buckingham, Bruce A, SKC, USN	008
Burtscher, Johnnie D, MAJ, USMC	141
Byrd, Johnnie L, POCS, USN	194

Corcoran, William M, ATCS, USN	MAL
Couch, Myrl L, SMC, USN	099
Cowen, Donald M, ETC, USN	060

Dake, William R, AMH1, USN	177
Dudderar, John W, BM1, USN	006

Ellis, Donald W, TM1(SS), USN	117
Ewer, Kenneth, MMC, USN	MAL

Faherty, Francis X, LCDR, USN	MAL
Fillmore, Robert E, ADRC, USN	005
Fohey, William L, ABEC, USN	290
Freemer, Raymond J, FTCS, USN	MAL
Friederich, Edward J, LT, USN	267
Fulkerson, Clyde M, ETC, USN	046

Geiken, Roger W, PNC, USN	145
Gilbert, Othello, RMCM, USN	MAL
Glenn, Clifford, USN	046
Goodale, Kenneth V, HMC, USN	067
Grealish, James V, RADM, USNR	048

Haley, Allan T, ENC, USN	067
Harcus, James D, GMG2, USN	MAL
Hardy, Harold J, SD2, USN	018
Hedlund, William H, ADRC, USN	011
Hendelman, Irwin V, AMSC, USN	299
Hicks, James (Bob) R, ADRC, USN	026
Hinkle, Robert F, MUC, USN	289
Holdren, Franklin D, BTCM, USN	194
Huff, Robert E, ADC, USN	MAL

Jenkins, Charles R, STSC, USN	023
Joyner, James, EMC, USCG	276

Kenney, John M, RM1, USN	MAL
Keyser, Ronald H, GYSGT, USMC	338
Kinnison, William J, PNC, USN	MAL
Kirchner, A G, ATC, USN	274
Knudson, Jack, DT1, USN	MAL
Kretz, Terry C, RMCM, USN	166

Lacuesta, Candido C, CS2, USN	074
Lahay, Gerald O, ADJC, USN	001
Lauderdale, Leslie L, HMCM, USN	264
Lee, Royal D, BMCS, USN	281
Lemesevski, Alexander, CPO, USN	124
Littlejohn, Fred W, CPO, USN	166
Louth, Thomas J, ADJC, USN	MAL
Lynch, David E, MRCS, USN	MAL

Madsen, Roy, ADC, USN	MAL
Martinez, Claudio R, MMC, USN	077
Mason, Norman L, RM3, USN	MAL
McAfee, Gifford S, AFCM, USN	089
McDonald, Benjamin, MSC(SS), USN	269
McKinlay, Brent H, AE1, USN	MAL
McNally, Robert E, BMC, USN	071
Morey, William, YNC, USN	MAL

Odey, David F, YN1, USN	163
Ordway, Harold F, SKC, USN	MAL
Owen, Tommie J, LT, USN	022

Palmer, Lionel W, SGTMAJ, USMC	041
Patterson, William F, BT1, USN	282
Pike, Otis G, HON Member, USN	226
Publicover, Edward A, GYSGT, USMC	MAL

Rand, Ramon L, TMCS, USN	MAL
Rasmussen, W R, ADC, USN	136
Rice, James J, BMC, USN	MAL
Robinson, William, BM1, USN	MAL
Rogers, Leonard, RMC, USN	020
Rowe, Kenneth G, PN1, USN	061
Rowell, Thomas W, CTTC, USN	MAL

Saylor, Samuel L, GMCS, USN	MAL
Seidel, Francis P, AEC, USN	011
Shumaker, Floyd E, DKCS, USN	MAL
Sirios, Sotero S, EMCS(SS), USN	MAL
Skiffen, Ronald G, AD3, USN	MAL
Smith, William W, ADJC, USN	307
Smith, Carl R, AKC, USN	089
Spoerer, John E, GYSGT, USMC	208
Stelting, Art, SGT, USMC	245
Stokas, James, CMC, USN	MAL
Stuart, William E, BM3, USN	175
Swayne, Robert E, CDR, USN	014

Tefelski, Arthur, ETCM, USN	MAL
Tornquist, Wendell E, ENC, USN	281

Wasem, Fredrick J, RMCM, USN	024
Webb, Lyman W, EOC, USN	382
West, C H, MSGT, USMC	043
Wheeler, Duane R, AMCS, USN	068
Wilks, Herman R, ADRC, USN	126
Wilson, Frank L, ENC, USN	047
Winkley, Willard R, BTC, USN	053

Names in red indicate 50 year continuous members. Names in bold indicate Past National Officers.

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NEWS FROM THE BRANCHES

BRANCH 338 Nashua, NEW HAMPSHIRE and BRANCH 22 Pensacola, FlORIDa
FRA National President Virgil Courneya (far right) and Penny Collins, director of Membership Development (far left), visited the Washington, D.C., Armed Forces Retirement Home to present longevity pins and certificates to two loyal shipmates. Shipmate Donald Kirouac (Branch 338) celebrated 60 years of continuous FRA membership, while Helen Sadowski (Branch 22) marked her 40th anniversary with the Association. Congratulations, shipmates!

BRANCH 94 Corpus Christi, Texas
FRA Branch and Unit 94 teamed with Corpus Christi Navy League to ensure E-6 examinees had breakfast, coffee & juice prior to and after their examination. Pictured (L to R) are PRPSC Don Larson, Branch Vice-President Wayne Bortner, Unit President Pauline Wampler, Sandra Tice, Auxiliary PNP Gini Larson, and the NAS Corpus Christi FCPOA.

BRANCH 72 Fall River, MassACHUSSETTS
Branch President Edward Bailey Sr. proudly accepts his five-year membership pin from his wife, Sarah. Shipmate Ed served 16 years in the Marine Corps Record Battalion and is currently in his third term as Branch president.

BRANCH 104 PUyallup, WashINGTON
Shipmates gather prior to participating in the Auburn Regional Veterans Day Parade.

BRANCH 182 Bethesda, MARYLANd
Branch President Keith Kaider congratulates Shipmate William “Bill” Harmon on his 60 years of continuous FRA membership!

BRANCH 293 Elizabeth City, NORTH CAROLINA
Branch Recruiting and Retention Chairman Franklin Gates congratulates AMT1 Tiffany Vansicklen on her selection as USCG Air Station Elizabeth City Enlisted Person of the Quarter. Approximately 100 active-duty Coast Guard members were in attendance at the event, where Vansicklen received a Certificate of Recognition and one-year membership in the FRA.

BRANCH 14 Milwaukee, WiscONSIN
PRPNC Leon Zalewski (left) and Shipmate Robert Reilly participated in an Honor Flight to Washington, DC.

BRANCH MAL Kerrville, Texas
FRA congratulates Shipmate Robert “Bud” Tagge on his 65 years of continuous FRA membership. Shipmate Bud thanked FRA for this honor, saying, “Over the years, FRA has always fought for my benefits … with positive results in our favor. Who could ask for more of any organization?”

BRANCH 296 Auburn, CalifORNIA
Branch President “Mac” McKown (right) presents a 40-year Continuous Membership pin and certificate to Branch Vice President “Red” Maurath.

BRANCH 217 Winston-Salem, NORTH CAROLINA
Shipmate Robert Fulmer presents a $1,000 donation from the branch to the recently opened Zachary & Elizabeth Fisher House at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

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 Street, 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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NEWS FROM THE AUXILIARY OF THE FRA
Message from the East Coast Regional President
By the time you read this we will almost be through the administrative year. We completed our East Coast Region Mid-Year Meeting in late March, and a wonderful one it was. The social time was just wonderful. The Welcome Aboard event included a wonderful showcase of Pacific Rim dancing by two young daughters of a Branch 4 member. They did a really outstanding job, as did our karaoke singers. The banquet was even more special with a fashion show by the Philippine Nurses Association, showcasing how gown styles evolved as the culture changed.
The units of the East Coast have been providing many services in their communities. Several attend to various services for seniors, such as shopping, transportation, meals, and companionship. Many units also provide meals and gifts at the holidays. Members also spend time at veterans’ hospitals and homes, providing both supplies and support. Often it is the time spent that makes such a difference in the lives of those who have defended our freedoms. I am proud of all members of the Region for all that you do to help, not only our own, but also the larger community.
We have had both promise and disappointment across our Region with respect to membership. The promise is the new generation of young people joining our ranks. One of our newest members, Katrina Pappa of Unit 259, received an essay award from PRPEC Joe Palmer. I had the privilege of meeting her and two other young and enthusiastic members, who represent a promising future for our organization. The disappointing aspect comes with the loss of members due to non-payment and the sorrow for those that have gone on. During our Mid-Year Meeting we held a workshop for developing Mentor Programs within our units. I believe that a strong Mentor Program will contribute greatly to retention by focusing on our new members to let them know that we value them and their input.
Across the Auxiliary, we honor our Sea Service men and women by participating in numerous Memorial Day and Veterans Day commemorations and parades. Our signature commemoration is the National Pilgrimage at Arlington National Cemetery in April. It is a very moving ceremony — paying our respects to those who died for our freedoms. It was a treat to see so many members attending this important event. 

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