Newsbytes January 10, 2025 

In this Issue: 
Funeral Ceremony of Jimmy Carter
Passing of PNP Thomas "Tom" L. Leisher
Election Certification 
Social Security Fairness Act Signed into Law 
Help Us Preserve Military History 
 

Funeral Ceremony of Jimmy Carter 
Yesterday, the nation gathered to honor the 39th President of the United States, former President Jimmy Carter, at his state funeral held at the Washington National Cathedral. The ceremony was a profound tribute, attended by all living U.S. presidents, including President Joe Biden, who delivered a heartfelt eulogy celebrating Carter's character and his legacy of service. Former Presidents Donald Trump, Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton were also present, each reflecting on Carter's influence and the respect he garnered across political divides. The service was a poignant reflection on Carter's life, which began with his notable service in the U.S. Navy. After graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1946, Carter served on submarines and was part of the team working on the early development of nuclear propulsion for submarines, highlighting his commitment to duty and innovation even before entering politics.

The funeral service not only honored Carter's time in office but also his life's work after leaving the White House, highlighted by his work with The Carter Center and Habitat for Humanity. After the service in Washington, Carter's casket was returned to his hometown of Plains, Georgia, for a private ceremony at Maranatha Baptist Church, where he taught Sunday school for many years. The day concluded with Carter being laid to rest next to his beloved wife, Rosalynn, in a simple burial at their family plot, symbolizing a return to his humble beginnings. 

NED note on the death of FRA PNP ('98-99) Thomas "Tom" L.  Leisher (December 14, 1938–September 27, 2024)

During FRA's National Convention in early November 2024,  I learned of the death of PNP Thomas L. Leisher.   My apologies to family and friends for only now informing the membership of his passing.  It has always been the tradition of FRA to honor the memory and service to our country, and to FRA, of our leaders who are called upon to "serve on the Staff of the Supreme Commander".  What follows is the obituary that was prepared by PNP Leisher's family.  

Tom Leisher was born and raised in Chambersburg, PA, the third son of Lester and Gladys Leisher. His parents and two brothers predeceased him. He died on September 27, 2024 and is survived by his wife, Myriam, of 65 years and two daughters, Diann and Christine, along with two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Tom retired after 22 years of service in the U.S. Navy as a Master Chief Personnelman. He was a survivor of the fire on the USS FORRESTAL and also served a year in Vietnam. While serving his country, he earned the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat “V”, the Navy Achievement Medal and many others. Tom joined the Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) and in 15 years became the National President. Tom was approached by the President, Navy Memorial Foundation, Washington, D.C. to help place a Homecoming Statue in Norfolk. He and C. Lloyd Johnson raised funds, and the statue was dedicated in Town Point Park in October 2000. He was designated a “Trustee” of the Navy Memorial Foundation because of the work placing this statue in Norfolk. Two years later he coordinated between the Navy Memorial Foundation and the City of Norfolk to place the Lone Sailor Statue along with its memorials in Wisconsin Square. Tom presented the idea of a Mayor’s Advisory Commission on Veterans Affairs. He did the research and worked with the City Clerk to have a city ordinance written and passed. Tom served as its chairman of the commission for two years. He set the standard for future Memorial and Veterans Day ceremonies in Norfolk. Tom researched, designed, solicited the money, supervised the installation and named the “Trail of Honor” in Wisconsin Square to educate the public about the recipients of the Medal of Honor connected to the city of Norfolk.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks to please consider a donation to remember fallen service members at HonorandRemember.org. Please visit his webpage at www.woodlawnnorfolk.com to leave a note of condolence to the family.

A Smooth Transition to the 2024 President-Elect 
On January 6, 2025, Congress officially certified former President Donald Trump as the President-Elect following the 2024 election, confirming his victory over Kamala Harris. In her role as President of the Senate, Vice President Kamala Harris presided over the joint session, marking a pivotal moment in the electoral process. 

The certification proceeded without objections from lawmakers, presenting a stark contrast to the more contentious sessions of recent history. Enhanced security measures ensured the safety of the proceedings, and despite the snowy weather in Washington, D.C., the session concluded efficiently and without incident. 

With this certification complete, the nation now looks ahead to the presidential inauguration on January 20, 2025, when President-Elect Donald Trump will take the oath of office and begin his new term. 

Notably, the Electoral Count Reform Act, passed in 2022, was in effect during this session. This legislation clarified the vice president's role as ceremonial, contributing to a seamless certification. 

Social Security Fairness Act Signed into Law 
President Biden has signed the Social Security Fairness Act into law, repealing the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). These provisions had previously reduced or eliminated Social Security benefits for certain retirees with government pensions, including federal employees under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS), teachers, firefighters, police officers, and other public sector workers. 

The repeal of WEP and GPO restores full Social Security benefits for those affected, ensuring retirees receive the payments they earned. For many, this change will result in a significant increase in monthly benefits, ranging from $360 to over $1,190, depending on individual circumstances. Additionally, the law includes retroactive payments for benefits lost since January 2024, providing eligible recipients with a lump sum to make up for previous reductions. 

The removal of these offsets represents a meaningful improvement in retirement security, offering greater financial stability and fairness for public sector retirees. 

Next Steps for Members impacted: 

Review Your Benefits: Check your Social Security statements to understand how this change impacts your retirement income. 

Contact the SSA: Reach out to the Social Security Administration to inquire about updates to your benefits and when to expect retroactive payments. 

Consult a Financial Advisor: Consider seeking advice to incorporate these changes into your broader retirement plan. 

This legislation marks a significant step forward in recognizing the contributions of public servants, ensuring they receive the benefits they have earned.  

Help Us Preserve Military History 
The NED needs your support! With the sale of the FRA Headquarters building, we face the task of finding new homes for over 500 military-related books from our former library. These books are a treasure trove of history, tradition, and service, and we want to ensure they continue to inspire and educate future generations. 

So far, we’ve reached out to Virginia State Veterans homes, the US Navy Memorial, and Navy Commands connected with museums and artifacts. However, the journey isn’t over, and we need your help to identify organizations or FRA Branches that might welcome these publications—either in total or partially. 

This is a unique opportunity to help preserve and share military heritage within your communities and beyond. If you know of a library, museum, or organization that could benefit from these books, please send your leads to NED@fra.org. 

Together, we can ensure these valuable resources find the perfect new home. Thank you for helping to honor and safeguard our shared history!