5 Understanding FRA's Principle Program 13 Reserve Sailor of The

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5 Understanding FRA’s 13 Reserve Sailor of the 29 Memorial Day Principle Program Year Continues Navy Observances & FRA Tradition MESOTHELIOMA

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Volume 88 Number 7 1 Featured 12 FRA Tod a y July 2009 18 out of Sync Traumatic brain injury, or TBI, has become the signature “wound” of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Learn how DoD is diagnosing and treating this debilitating injury. Departments 2 communications

5 nED Perspective Understanding FRA’s principle program 8 6 SHIPMATE FORUM

8 on & OFF CAPITOL HILL Legislative Surge Needs Grassroots Surge

16 mEMBERSHIP MATTERS Outreach and awareness 29 26 nEws from the Branches

28 ESSAY CONTEST What Memorial Day Means to Me

29 mEMORIAL DAY OBSERVANCES Honoring those who died in service to the Nation

31 Looking for…

33 Taps

35 Reunions

36 LA FRA NEWS Message from RPSC Larson

Loyalty, Protection and service FRA is a congressionally chartered, non-profit organization On the cover advocating for current and former enlisted members of the Traumatic brain injury (TBI) inhibits normal brain U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard on Capitol Hill. For function, making it difficult for TBI victims to pay more information on the benefits of membership, please visit attention and creating a sense they are “out of www.fra.org or call 800-FRA-1924. sync” with the world around them. Communications

2 National Officers/Board Of Directors National President Donald Mucheck, L. Mendel Rivers Branch 50 National Vice President Gary C. Blackburn, Vallejo Branch 8 National Executive Joseph L. Barnes, Navy Department Branch 181

July 2009 y July finance Officer Paul Rigby Truth or Consequences Eileen Murphy Junior PNP Lawrence J. Boudreaux, Hangtown Branch 275 FRA Tod a News travels quickly. We have cable news stations dedicated to noth- Regional Presidents ing but headlines rather than in-depth reporting. In a second one can New England Paul F. Loveless, Jr., Pinetree Branch 156 post an update on Facebook and have it read by their entire network of Northeast James E. Brown, Staten Island Branch 226 friends. Twitter is dedicated to providing news updates to individuals’ east Coast Ray E. Santee, Virginia Beach Branch 166 followers in 140 characters or less – directly to a cell phone and in an southeast John E. Sutton, Mayport Branch 290 instant. It only takes a second to send an e-mail to everyone in your North Central Robert A. Melson, USS Indianapolis Memorial e-mail address book. Branch 130 There are some advantages to these instant communications tech- south Central Donald Larson, Corpus Christi Branch 94 southwest Charles F. Tompkins, James Hunter Branch 47 nologies. Interested in FRA News? Subscribe to NewsBytes by e-mail- West Coast Nathan “Joe” Nash, Silver Dollar Branch 192 ing [email protected] and get a news summary every Friday. Want Northwest Donald L. Bordwell, Dungeness Branch 174 instant updates? Follow FRA on www.twitter.com/frahq. Interested Nat’l. Parliamentarian PNP Robert G. Beese, Orange County Branch 175 in communicating with your elected officials about vital issues? Go to Nat’l Chaplain Tom Whitaker, B. Duke Woody Branch 147 www.fra.org and visit the Action Center. There are also some serious disadvantages to online news sources. Active Duty Advisory Council For instance, with an increase in satirical websites that post made-up Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Rick West news to be humorous, hundreds of false stories are making their way Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Carlton Kent around the Internet. Those who appreciate the humor of satire often Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Charles Bowen will e-mail articles from those sites to friends with outrageous headlines and joke copy. But if people receive these e-mails and believe them Reserve Advisory Council to be true, it can cause problems. I receive hundreds of e-mails for- Force Master Chief of the Naval Reserve Ronney A. Wright warded to me from concerned shipmates who are furious about an e- USMC Reserve Force Sergeant Major Kim E. Davis mail reporting a push by the administration to change a policy like the Master Chief Petty Officer of theC oast Guard Reserve Force oath taken by military personnel, a move to alter a monument or even Jeffrey Smith restricting free speech. Some of these e-mails were originally started in jest, others were started to be inflammatory and defame. FRA TODAY Magazine Because of the incredible rise in false information being cited as Publisher FRA truth, websites are available to help people discern fact from fiction, Managing Editor Eileen Murphy like www.snopes.com. They handle fact-checking and post the truth Contributing Editor Lauren Armstrong Contributing Photographers PRPEC Paul Gunther, about stories. To use the site, enter a phrase from the e-mail in the NVSO Christopher Slawinski search box and look up the facts. Design and Art Direction Last week alone I received over fifty e-mails claiming things that FIREBRAND, Alexandria, VA www.firebrandstudios.com were simply not true. One in particular was forwarded to me from Design Director Scott Rodgerson twelve different people who were all urging their friends and family to Production Manager Sandy Jones join them in trying to stop a new policy from being enacted. Although fra today (ISSN 0028-1409) is published monthly by FRA, 125 N. West St., their information was false, their passion and intentions were true and Alexandria, Va 22314-2754. A member’s subscription is covered by the member’s strong. This left me wondering about how effective an e-mail campaign annual dues. Periodicals postage paid at Alexandria, VA and additional offices. Publication of non-sponsored advertising in fra today does not could be if it was based on fact and focused at a positive outcome. We constitute an endorsement by the FRA or its representatives. Postmaster: Send address changes to: Member Services, FRA, 125 N. West St., Alexandria, must utilize new technology to advance serious legislative issues based VA 22314-2754. fra today is published in the interests of all current and on positive, informed and clear communication. FRA needs support former enlisted personnel of the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. Eligible non-members are not entitled to subscription rates. Established from shipmates by way of e-mail campaigns to encourage people to 1 November 1923. Title registered with U.S. Patent Office.

join and maintain membership in the Association. FRA Administrative Headquarters: 125 N. West St., Alexandria, VA 22314-2754 Please join in FRA’s grassroots campaign and increase and retain Phone: 703-683-1400, 800-FRA-1924 • Fax: 703-549-6610 • E-Mail: [email protected] www . fra . org membership by making sure everyone in your e-mail address book is up on a most important (and serious) news flash — FRA must main- Volume 88 Number 7 tain a strong membership base.

Eileen Murphy is the Director of Marketing and Communications and serves as the Managing Editor of FRA Today. Please contact her at [email protected]. BRSRIN_NA0709:BSRRIN 5/15/09 3:37 PM Page 1

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5 FRA Tod a

Non-Renewing Members Don’t Understand y July 2009

FRA’s Principle Program Joe Barnes As FRA approaches its 85th anniver- significantly impacted by the retention was authorized by the 109th or 110th sary in November, a brief historical of current members. Congresses. review of the Association’s founding Over the past seven months 4,434 For those who don’t think their in- purpose is in order. The past often members have not renewed their FRA dividual membership matters, stress provides a compass for the future and memberships. Two-thirds of these that renewing helps strengthen FRA’s may help address one of our major shipmates are affiliated with individual legislative advocacy work, which is challenges — the large number of cur- branches, and all branches are urged to benefiting them in many ways. Despite rent members who fail to renew their take action to address this challenge. lots of talk about the importance of membership each month. National Headquarters (NHQ) pro- personnel program, high-priced, First and foremost, FRA’s principle vides many tools to help. One fast, easy high-profile K Street lobbying firms program is our legislative advocacy, and free option is an e-mail function in downtown Washington are not fo- which was the basis for officially estab- available to branch secretaries for com- cused on FRA’s mission. They work on lishing the Association in 1924. As refer- municating with members. Scripts are lucrative, big-ticket weapons, equip- enced by Arizona Senator John McCain also available for branches who wish ment and procurement programs and on the occasion of our 80th anniversary, to call members whose memberships wield significant power over defense “From its inception, FRA’s purpose was are about to lapse. Both these tools spending programs. By contrast, en- to advocate for sailors’ rights. The asso- are producing effective results for the hancing quality of life programs for ciation started with the efforts of a few branches that use them, however these service members and their families enlisted men in 1919, who pooled their tools are severely underutilized. These falls to FRA and other similar organi- money to send two Navy chief petty and other initiatives are directly related zations with different constituencies. officers (Navy Chief Yeoman Robert to National President Don Mucheck’s We also need members’ support White and Chief Gunner’s Mate Carl H. Strategic Action Plan featured in last and endorsement for our other im- McDonald) to testify before Congress month’s issue of FRA Today. portant programs, which include on pay reform. Since that time, FRA As was the case 85 years ago, there our soon-to-be-announced Education has established an enviable track record are continuing threats to shipmates’ Foundation in conjunction with our of promoting favorable legislation for hard-earned benefits, particularly scholarship program, relief programs members of the Naval Service.” with regard to health care, a benefit and numerous outreach initiatives Eighty-five years later, our focus that impacts all shipmates, regardless that encompass our 263 Branches. remains on pay, health care, benefits of their status, plus their families and As a non-profit, individual mem- and quality-of-life programs for cur- survivors. This is why fully funding ber organization, FRA must rely on a rent and former enlisted Navy, Marine TRICARE and VA health care pro- strong membership base to sustain its Corps and Coast Guard personnel. grams are our top legislative priori- legislative advocacy work and other This differentiates FRA for the grow- ties. We’ve had consecutive successes important programs. Please remain ing number of other military and vet- since 2006 in halting proposals to focused on the importance of retain- erans organizations who are vying for drastically increase health care fees for ing our current members – something support. It’s important to reference younger military retirees, thanks in that will help stabilize our member- this information in interactions with large part to strong support from our ship and ensure the continuation of potential new members, but it’s also membership base. The effect of this our highly effective and valuable work important to remind current ship- success alone is considerable savings on Capitol Hill. mates whose memberships are about over this period to sea services retir- to lapse of our purpose and success. ees participating in TRICARE Prime

Recruiting new members is unde- and Standard, who depending upon Joe Barnes is FRA’s National Executive Director and niably important, but maintaining a their particular circumstances, have Chairman of the National Committee on Legislative strong membership base is not limited saved literally thousands of dollars Service. A member of Navy Department Branch 181, solely to signing up new shipmates. compared to what they would be pay- he is also an advisor to the National Committees on Our membership numbers are also ing if DoD’s extreme fee restructuring Budget and Finance and Membership and Retention. Shipmate forum

6 Inspiring Flag and Anthem respect? Is there anything the FRA could initiate to address Thanks for the wonderful “The Star- this problem, not just for now but for the future? Bangled Banner” article (FRA Today, We wrote Congresswoman Ginny Brown-Waite and also June 2009)! It brought a moment of joy meeting with Senator Bill Nelson and will give him a letter July 2009 y July to this old sailor! stating this issue. Maybe we can get something done. I was born in Baltimore, Md., the Bob Huscher

FRA Tod a year before President Herbert Hoover signed the congressional resolution of- FRA Response: FRA is awaiting a response from the ficially designating The Star Spangled Department of Veterans’ Affairs National Cemetery Banner as our national anthem. I visited Administration on this issue and will provide information Fort McHenry many times in my youth. I’m not ashamed when received. to say that even today, at the ripe old age of 79, I still am brought to tears when our national anthem is played. History Lesson Connor Corkran You published a spread on Virginia Beach in the May issue which was I had hoped you would have included the words, all four good, except for one gross misconcep- verses, to our national anthem. It is especially to be noted tion. In the Cape Henry section Lauren in the fourth verse, the author says, “And this be our motto: Armstrong writes that “America’s first ‘in God we trust!’” European settlers landed at Cape Henry Tony Buday in 1607, before moving up the coast to establish Jamestown...” She wrongly FRA Response: Space limitations prevented us from publish- asserted that the first Europeans in ing The Star-Spangled Banner lyrics in the article. However, the New World mainland were English. That is grossly in- they are posted in the FRA Today Readers Community in the correct because the first Europeans to establish a colony/ History and Heritage Forum on FRA’s website (www.fra.org/ town in the U.S. were Spanish. The Spanish established St. communities). Augustine in Florida in 1565, which is the oldest continu- ously occupied European-established city and the oldest We at Branch/Unit 186 have a flag program where we report in the continental U.S. Does the author not consider place worn and tattered flags throughout Citrus County. We Spain a part of Europe? I believe an apology should be is- received four 20 x 30-foot polyester flags from a local auto sued to Hispanics for wrongly neglecting them. dealership that were in disrepair and needed to be disposed Randolfo Aragon of. Polyester does not burn like cotton or nylon flags and puts a toxin in the air. When you burn them you get a glob, FRA Response: We absolutely stand corrected and apologize not ashes. for the unintentional oversight. We checked with the U.S. History Organization and learned the only proper disposal other than burning was to bury the flag. So we checked with the local National Submissions: Send Shipmate Forum letters to: Editor, FRA Today, 125 N. West Cemetery at Brooksville, Fla., and were told they wouldn’t St. Alexandria, VA 22314. E-mail submissions may be sent to [email protected]. bury the flags. Please include “Shipmate Forum” in the subject line. FRA reserves the right to This is something that needs attention. The men and select and edit letters for publication. Letters published in Shipmate Forum reflect women buried at that National Cemetery died serving the opinions and views of FRA members. They do not necessarily reflect the official that flag and their country. Why can’t the flag get the same position of FRA as a whole. FRA is not responsible for the accuracy of letter content.

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01_B_I = 7x10 Master_Installment 7 5 3 1 7 RIP & SHIP 8 8 7 7 7 8 8 7 Bradford Exchange Ad Process Page 1 BRADFORD #US01-03713-001-BIR YMCK PRINTER: On & off capitol hill

8 July 2009 y July

Legislative Surge Needs Grassroots Surge John Davis FRA Tod a FRA is closely monitoring an expected “surge” of legis- • Advanced two-year funding for VA health care; lative activity as lawmakers begin in earnest to finalize • Increased dwell time between deployments for active spending bills and authorization legislation, pass these duty and Reserve personnel; and forward each to the White House before the start • More funding for active duty child care programs; of the new fiscal year (FY2010) that begins October 1, • Increased funding for mental health counseling; 2009. As this issue of FRA Today goes to print, House • Streamlining the overseas voting process for service and Senate subcommittees are just beginning their members and their families; mark-ups on a variety of measures, such as next year’s • Allow retention of the full final month’s retired pay by defense authorization bill and others that address FRA’s the surviving spouse (or other designated survivor) of legislative agenda. Here are some of the issues FRA is a military retiree; and working on: • Coast Guard funding parity with DoD personnel • Preventing increases to TRICARE fees; programs. • Adequate funding for the Defense Health Program Many of these and other issues are addressed in re- (DHP); cently introduced legislation and listed on the FRA Action • Substantial improvements in concurrent receipt of Center (www.fra.org), where shipmates can actively par- military retired pay and VA disability compensation; ticipate in advancing FRA’s legislative agenda. When • Authorizing VA medical care for veterans and retirees members contact their elected officials and share their who served off the coast of Vietnam and were exposed views on important issues, it strengthens our collective to toxins; voice, complements our Legislative Team’s efforts and has • Establishing a single electronic health care record for a direct influence on the Association’s ability to effectively use by DoD and VA; represent your concerns before Congress and appropriate • Adequate end strengths to support OIF/OEF and other federal agencies. operational commitments; Using the Action Center is easy. Prewritten letters are • Larger-than-requested annual active duty pay increases; available on specific legislation or individuals can com- • Retroactive early retirement for frequently deployed pose their own e-mail messages. Shipmates are urged to Reservists; visit the Association’s website often for regular updates.

FRA Participates in Women Veterans’ Forum

Rep. Bob Filner (Calif.), chair- intended to lead to bi-partisan legis- man of the House Veterans’ Affairs lation that will effectively address the Committee, invited women veterans needs of women veterans. to participate in a roundtable discus- Collins also referenced FRA’s sup- sion on specific issues impacting the port for “The Women Veterans Health country’s 1.8 million female veter- Care Improvement Act” (H.R. 1211), ans. FRA’s Penny Collins, director of legislation that would direct the VA to Membership Development, partici- study barriers encountered by women pated in the event, highlighting the veterans, assess all health care services need for increased training for VA and programs provided by the VA for staff, some of whom have miscon- women veterans, and provide graduate ceptions about the needs and con- education, training and certification for tributions of women vets or fail to mental health professionals who pro- acknowledge that some issues impact vide counseling, care and services to female veterans differently than their women veterans suffering from sexual male counterparts. The discussion was trauma and PTSD, among other things. On & off capitol hill

9 FRA Hosts Coast Guard Caucus FRA Submits USCG Statement, Hosts Retiree FRA Tod a FRA hosted its 11th annual Congressional Coast Guard Caucus Breakfast in Council

early June, an event sponsored by the Association to spotlight the Coast Guard’s y July 2009 tremendous service to our nation and promote dialogue between members of The Coast Guard and Maritime Congress, staff personnel, and key Coast Guard leaders. The event is sponsored Transportation Subcommittee held in conjunction with the Coast Guard’s House Liaison Office and its governmen- a hearing recently on the FY2010 tal affairs staff. budget request for the U.S. Coast The Caucus is a 92-member, bipartisan group that shares a common inter- Guard. Hearing witnesses included est in the varied missions of the Coast Guard and is co-chaired by the three Commandant of the Coast Guard members of Congress who served in the Coast Guard – Representatives Howard Admiral Thad Allen and Master Chief Coble (N.C.), Gene Taylor (Miss.), and William Delahunt (Mass.). The chairmen Petty Officer of the Coast Guard cohosted the breakfast, which was attended by Representatives Coble, Taylor, (MCPOCG) Charles “Skip” Bowen. Joseph Courtney (Conn.), Robert Latta (Ohio), Mike Thompson (Calif.) and FRA submitted a written statement Kathy Dahlkemper (Pa.) — all of whom represent districts with strong Coast for the hearing in conjunction with Guard presence. MCPOCG’s testimony, stressing that Coast Guard leadership was represented by Commandant of the Coast Guard Coast Guard funding parity with DoD Adm. Thad Allen, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard (MCPOCG) personnel programs remains a high Charles “Skip” Bowen, and numerous senior enlisted leaders. Admiral Allen priority for FRA. The Association also thanked FRA and members of Congress for their unwavering support of the noted continuing challenges within Coast Guard and its members, specifically referencing FRA’s work to support the Coast Guard to adequately fund Coast Guard personnel and their families. “I appreciate FRA’s continuing efforts previously authorized people pro- to raise awareness of Coast Guard issues. We’ve never had more questions about grams, and urged the passage of the personnel and family issues as we did this year when I testified before Congress,” Coast Guard authorization legislation said Allen in reference to FRA’s recent statement submitted to the House Coast that stalled last year. FRA’s statement is Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee (see story at right). posted at www.fra.org. In related Coast Guard news, FRA’s Director of Legislative Programs John Davis and a representative from the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) provided a legislative update to members of the National Coast Guard Retiree Council. Presented on behalf of The Military Coalition (TMC), the briefing was part of the council’s annual meeting and addressed possible TRICARE fee CG Commandant Adm. Thad Allen and increases, concurrent receipt improve- FRA NED Joe Barnes ments, USFSPA reform, and other mil- pose during the 2009 itary retiree benefit issues. In addition,

Photo by Chris Slawinski USCG Caucus breakfast. FRA hosted the council for a luncheon at NHQ during which NED Joe Barnes thanked council members for their service and presented each with a FRA National President’s Challenge Coin. The Coast Guard Retiree Council, co-chaired by former MCPOCG/former FRA National Chaplain Vince Patton (Ret.) and RADM Fred L. Congressmen Joe Ames, USCG (Ret.), ensures that re- Courtney (Conn.) tirees’ concerns are brought to the at- and Howard Coble (N.C.) discuss Coast tention of USCG leadership and that Guard issues with members of the retired community Commandant Thad are kept informed on key legislative

Photo by Chris Slawinski Allen. initiatives. On & off capitol hill

10 DFAS Suspends Recoupment FRA Testifies on Personnel Issues Variable Separation Incentive (VSI), FRA testified before the Senate Armed Services Personnel Subcommittee recent- Special Separation Benefit (SSB) and ly on a broad range of active duty, Reserve, and retired benefit issues. During the

July 2009 y July certain other separation payments hearing NED Joe Barnes, who spoke on behalf of FRA and The Military Coalition were offered to active duty military (TMC), and the other panel witnesses addressed a variety of personnel issues members in an effort to reduce man- including halting TRICARE fee increases, concurrent receipt of military retired FRA Tod a power in certain career fields, pri- pay and VA disability benefits, reform of the Uniformed Services Former Spouse marily during the 1990s. When these Protection Act (USFSPA), a 3.4-percent pay increase for service personnel, mili- former service members return to ac- tary end strengths, housing standards, streamlining military overseas voting, and tive duty or join the Reserve compo- caring for wounded warriors. The FRA testimony, available on the website (www. nent, they are required to repay these fra.org), addresses issues of particular importance to the Association’s membership and the Sea Services’ enlisted communities. The complete TMC statement is separation benefits, regardless of the posted on www.themilitarycoalition.com. financial hardships it might cause. FRA strongly opposes this policy and applauds the Defense Finance SASC Subcommittee Hearing on Military Families and Accounting Service (DFAS) for temporarily suspending the recoup- The Senate Armed Services’ Personnel Subcommittee held a hearing in early ment of VSI, SSB and other separa- June on issues impacting military families. FRA submitted written testimony for tion payments until the Department the record that included data from a recent FRA survey on military child care. of Defense (DoD) can conduct formal Access to military child care facilities was judged to be “very difficult” by 39 policy and legal reviews. The suspen- percent of respondents and 27 percent found access to be “somewhat difficult.” sion policy affects military retirees in Additionally the survey found that 26 percent of respondents were either “very an active pay status and became effec- or somewhat dissatisfied with care.” The survey was based on responses from tive for May 2009 retired pay entitle- 107 military families with children. The availability of child care remains a top concern among dual-income families and single parents, and was referenced by ments. Military retired pay for these Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Rick West and Sergeant Major members (received on June 1, 2009) of the Marine Corps Carlton Kent at a quality-of-life hearing on Capitol Hill ear- was not reduced by any recoupment lier this year. The FRA testimony also addressed length and frequency of deploy- amounts. ments, adequate Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates, and more support for Retirees in a recoupment status family care-givers for wounded warriors. should have received a letter from DFAS advising them of the temporary halt to their recoupment payments. These retirees will later receive letters reporting the outcome of the reviews and advising them if and when repay- ment may resume. FRA is working to ensure those who were separated from military service due to budget cuts are not forced to repay these separation benefits. The Association strongly supports “The Military Retired Pay Fairness Act” (S. 1008 and HR 2302) sponsored by Senator Jeanne Shaheen (N.H.) and Representative Carol Shea-Porter respectively, that limits recoupment of separation pay from service members

who subsequently receive retired pay. Class Sara Bohannan. Mate 3rd U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s The legislation limits recoupment to no more than 25 percent of the retire- Electrician’s Mate 3rd Class Joy Carlos, assigned to Naval Station Everett, visits with her five ment payment. month old daughter during her lunch break at the Child Development Center (CDC). CDC provides military families with local and affordable childcare during normal working hours. On & off capitol hill

11 Concurrent Receipt for Chapter 61 Retirees Military Voting Hearing and Legislation FRA Tod a FRA strongly supports the Administration’s recent proposal to expand

Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay (CRDP) payments to include service The Senate Committee on Rules and y July 2009 members who were medically retired with less than 20 years of service (Chapter Administration held a hearing on the 61 retirees). The plan would be phased-in over five years starting January 1, 2010, overseas military voting process, re- and does not include traditional (non-Chapter 61) retirees. If enacted, CRDP vealing troubling new data that sug- payments are expected to be available to the most severely disabled Chapter 61 retirees first, based on the following schedule: gests more than a quarter of the ballots • January 2010: Chapter 61 retirees with VA ratings of 90% or 100%; requested by U.S. military personnel • January 2011: Chapter 61 retirees with 70% or 80% VA ratings; deployed overseas were either uncol- • January 2012: Chapter 61 retirees with 50% or 60% VA ratings; lected or uncounted during the 2008 • January 2013: Chapter 61 retirees with VA ratings of 30% or 40%; and presidential election. Committee • January 2014: all Chapter 61 retirees with any VA rating become eligible. Chairman Senator Chuck Schumer This proposal advances FRA’s goal to provide concurrent receipt of full military retired pay and veterans’ disability compensation for all disabled retirees, (N.Y.) urged the Pentagon’s Acting and is outlined in detail in Tom Philpott’s syndicated “Military Update” column Undersecretary for Personnel and of May 21, 2009, that is available on the FRA website (www.fra.org). Readiness to quickly select a quali- fied individual to lead DoD’s Federal FRA advocates full concurrent receipt of military retired pay and veterans’ dis- Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) ability benefits for all disabled retirees, regardless of status. How does current or pending concurrent receipt legislation affect you? Share your views, concerns and that handles the election process for questions at www.fra.org/discuss. military personnel and other overseas voters. Schumer also noted that a chronic problem at FVAP was sending Tax Credit military voters a ballot without suffi- cient lead-time to complete and return it. Since then, DVAP has announced plans to allow military and other overseas voters to cast absentee ballots online. FRA supports legislation to improve military voter participation in federal elections and expedite delivery of military overseas ballots. In related news, FRA is supporting “The Military Voter Protection Act,” which was introduced in the House (H.R. 2393) and Senate (S.1026). Sponsored by Rep. Kevin McCarthy (Calif.) and Senator John Cornyn (Texas), respectively, the measures are designed to protect the voting rights of The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-05) authorizes a our troops serving abroad by ensuring tax credit for most workers including recipients of retired and annuity pay. This their absentee ballots can be delivered tax credit takes the form of a reduction in federal withholding tax rates. These back home in time to be counted. new federal tax rates began April 1 for retired and annuity payments that were payable on May 1. The impact of this legislation varies by individual and new How do you feel about the absentee tables can be found on the Internal Revenue Service’s website: http://www.irs. voting process? Do you believe mili- gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=204521,00.html tary absentee votes are treated equally Military retirees wishing to adjust their federal tax withholding must submit a when ballots are counted? Visit www. new W-4 form and mail it to: U. S. Military Retired Pay, P.O. Box 7130, London, fra.org/discuss to share your thoughts KY 40742-7130 or fax it to 800-469-6559. and absentee voting experiences. On & off capitol hill

12 VETERANS’ AFFAIRS TRICARE Reserve Select VA Retro Pay Correction Numbers Increase The Defense Finance and Accounting System (DFAS) estimates that as many as 39,000 TRICARE Management Activity

July 2009 y July disabled military retirees are still owed VA Retro Pay. Lump-sum payments began in (TMA) reports the number of Reserve September 2006 to retirees who were eligible for Combat-Related Special Compensation Component personnel purchasing TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) cov-

FRA Tod a (CRSC, which began in 2003) or Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay (CRDP, which erage is growing. The premium-based started in 2004), but some were overlooked and didn’t receive the proper payments. healthcare plan is available for purchase DFAS is working with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) to identify and pay all by eligible members of the Selected eligible retirees, most of whom are likely to be veterans who have had little interaction Reserves. FRA successfully supported with the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) in the past five years. All payments are a provision in the FY2008 National expected to be dispersed by July 15, 2009. Defense Authorization Act that dramat- Read Tom Philpott’s syndicated “Military Update” column of May 28, 2009, at www. ically reduced monthly premiums for fra.org for more details. member coverage from $81 to $47.51 on January 1, 2009. Member-and- family coverage dropped from $253 to Advanced Funding for VA Health Care $180.17. These price reductions reflect Advanced funding for the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) health care budget took a the actual cost of the program and make step forward when the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee recently approved The Veterans’ it more affordable. According to TMA Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act (S.423). The measure, sponsored by the biggest increase in member cover- Committee Chairman Daniel Akaka (Hawaii), is now being considered by the full Senate. age is among personnel ages 18 to 34. FRA strongly supports establishing a funding system in which the health care portion More than 9,000 additional Selected Reserve members have purchased TRS of the VA budget is created two years in advance to minimize funding delays and allow plans since the premiums dropped, re- the VA flexibility in making strategic long-term decisions. If enacted, appropriators would sulting in an increase of total covered set the VA health care portion of the budget for FY2011 and FY2012 during the upcom- beneficiaries of more than 22,000. This ing legislative cycle. Shipmates are encouraged to visit the Action Center (www.fra.org) means that nearly 105,000 Reserve to urge their elected officials to support this initiative (S. 423) and its House companion members and their family members cur- bill (H.R. 1016). rently have TRS coverage. Affordability is the most important reason Reserve House Passes Bill to Defend Vets’ Job Rights Component members, who may lack civilian health insurance options, are The House passed “The Veterans Employment Rights Realignment Act” (H.R. 1089) in late increasingly purchasing TRS coverage. May, which would authorize veterans to report employment and unemployment rights vio- The latest information on TRS is lations to the Office of Special Counsel (OSC). Currently, such complaints are lodged with available at www.tricare.mil/trs. the Department of Labor, but a pilot program conducted from 2004 to 2007 showed that OSC produced faster and more reliable results. House Pays Tribute to D-Day The bill, sponsored by Rep. Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin (S.D.), is being considered by Veterans on 65th Anniversary the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee and shipmates are urged to use the FRA Action House Armed Services Committee Center (www.fra.org) to contact their senators to ask their support. Chairman Ike Skelton (Mo.) paid tribute to D-Day veterans during con- VA Bills Approved by Senate Panel sideration of H. Res. 259, expressing the gratitude and appreciation of the The Senate Veterans’ Affairs (VA) Committee approved “The Caregiver and Veterans Health House of Representatives for the acts Services Act” (S. 801) that creates a VA program to train and support family caregivers of of heroism and military achievement severely disabled veterans and improve services for rural veterans. The Committee also ap- by the members of the United States proved the Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act of 2009 (S. 728) that would make traumatic Armed Forces who participated in injury insurance (TSGLI) coverage retroactive to October 7, 2001, for severe service-caused the June 6, 1944, amphibious land- disabilities, regardless of where the injury occurred. Retroactive coverage now applies only ing at Normandy, France. FRA echoes to injuries incurred in a combat zone. Other injuries are covered only if they occurred on or Skelton’s sentiments and salutes these after December 1, 2006. The bill also increases funeral and burial allowances for veterans, veterans for their leadership and valor and raises VA mortgage insurance limits. in an operation that helped bring an end to World War II.

On & off capitol hill

Reserve Sailor of the Year Continues Navy & FRA Tradition FRA Tod a

FRA has been a strong supporter of After completing recruit train- the Navy’s Sailor of the Year (SOY) ing and other specialized schools, y July 2009 program since its inception in the Frost earned the distinction of Naval early 1970s. Individual branches, na- Aircrewman and was assigned to HS- tional and regional officers and FRA’s 4, the Black Knights. During his tour National Headquarters (NHQ) staff as HS-4’s Combat Search and Rescue participate in a variety of events that Instructor, he completed two deploy- recognize Sailors from around the ments aboard the USS Kitty Hawk country as they advance through the (CV-63), traveling to Somalia, the SOY selection process. FRA is partic- Persian Gulf and the Korean Peninsula ularly proud to honor one of its own in support of Operations Restore Hope as Shipmate Aircrewman First Class and Southern Watch. He returned to (ASW1) William J. Frost was named civilian life in 1996, where he worked the Navy’s 2009 Reserve Force Sailor as the sales director of Siesta Music of the Year. and pursued a degree at City College Frost, a member of Branch 67 in of San Diego. Petty Officer Frost re- Suitland, Md., joined the Navy and turned to the Navy in July of 2003, US Naval photograph FRA in 1991, following in the foot- joining the Naval Reserves. William J. Frost, a member of the FRA and steps of his late grandfather, PRPEC “It was important to my grand- grandson of the late PRPEC Bill O’Donnell, Bill O’Donnell. “My first memories father that I remain a member of was named the Navy’s 2009 Reserve Force of my grandfather and the FRA were FRA when I left the Navy in 1996,” Sailor of the Year. his FRA garrison cap. I always wanted says Frost. “When I joined the Naval to wear it when I was a kid,” explains Reserves in 2003, I realized just how Frost was inspired by his Frost. “My grandfather retired from smart my grandfather was.” grandfather, the late Bill the Navy in 1967, before I was born, so Upon his return to Naval service, O’Donnell, who was a Navy chief, president of FRA Branch the connection of my grandfather and Frost volunteered to affiliate with 67 and president of the Navy came from the FRA. I joined the Helicopter Combat Support Special Association’s East Coast Region. Navy and FRA in 1991 and have been Squadron 4 (HCS-4), which deployed an FRA member ever since.” to Balad Airbase Iraq supporting Special Operation Forces. A veteran of two combat deployments with HCS- 4 in support of Iraqi Freedom, Frost is currently assigned to Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 85 (HSC- 85), where he volunteered to complete his third combat tour in Iraq in 2008. During the Reserve SOY compe- tition, Frost and four other finalists visited Washington, D.C., where FRA

hosted briefings, coordinated tours of Phots courtesy of Shipmate Frost the U.S. Capitol and sponsored social Shipmate Frost visits the grave of his events designed to educate and en- grandfather, FRA PRPEC Bill O’Donnell. tertain these outstanding Navy per- formers. Frost will return to D.C. this month to be meritoriously promoted History and Heritage to chief petty officer. It’s a point of pride when a child or grandchild carries on a family tradition. The FRA Legislative team is Joe Barnes, National US Naval photograph by Mass Communication Specialist First Class Michael Moriatis It’s especially meaningful when that Executive Director; John Davis, Director of Legislative William J. Frost (center), a member of the tradition extends a legacy of military FRA and grandson of the late PRPEC Bill Programs and Branch 181 President; Bob Washington, service and FRA involvement. O’Donnell, was selected from a group of Health Care Advisor and Outreach Manager; Chris Share your family’s military and FRA five finalists to be named the Navy’s 2009 Slawinski, National Veterans Service Officer and Ed traditions at www.fra.org/history. Reserve Force Sailor of the Year. Dockery, Assistant Director of Legislative Programs. (*1B[T[G/D\RXW303DJH

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20 carats of genuine mined emeralds. Enlarged to show details

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5 25 50 75 95 100 5 25 50 75 95 100 5 25 50 75 95 100 5 25 50 75 95 100 Membership matters

16 July 2009 y July

Outreach and Awareness Penny Collins FRA Tod a Showing your FRA pride is an ex- produce care packages for Sailors and on a program to raise funds for a local cellent way to raise awareness of our Marines serving in the Middle East, food bank. In Orange County, Calif., organization, start discussions and greet troops returning from overseas, Branch 175 participated in a veterans communicate all the great work our and co-sponsor a POW/MIA pro- job fair and played part in the Medal Association is doing on behalf of our gram to ensure these heroes are not of Honor ceremony for Navy Seal PO2 members. Whether you’re simply go- forgotten. They conduct programs for Michael Monsoor, who graduated ing about your daily business or par- the Boy Scouts and peewee football from a local community high school. ticipating in an organized outreach teams, set up blood drives and spon- Members of Branch 171 in Laguna, event, it’s helpful to identify yourself sor JROTC units in the annual Fort Philippines (below), conducted a as a proud FRA shipmate. Wearing an Worth Trinity Trot Run. Branch 11 medical and dental outreach mission FRA ball cap or t-shirt can be a great members proudly wear their FRA caps this past March at Barangay Malinta conversation starter, particularly at and display FRA banners and signage Los Banos. Shipmates periodically as- events that attract current and former to raise awareness of the Association. sist doctors and dentists as they cared military personnel. Several branches Several branches in the Southwest for more than 160 residents of the are raising awareness by participating Region also show their FRA pride at community, including the distribution in a variety of community service and community activities. Branch 9 in San of cold and flu medications to over 75 outreach projects. Take a look and Diego, Calif., participates in Sailor families. consider how your branch might get of the Quarter and Sailor of the Year During the 2009 Memorial similarly involved to make a difference programs at the Naval Medical Center, Day weekend, members of Rolling in your community and promote the provides stuffed toys to a pediatric Thunder®, Inc. arrived in Washington, FRA at the same time. sub-specialty unit, supplies books and D.C., to remember and honor POWs Branch 11 in Fort Worth, Texas, magazines to the medical clinics and and MIAs of all wars. Members of participates in a whole host of outreach recreation facilities, and recognizes branches 24 (Annapolis, Md.), 181 activities. They conduct workshops on the top three students at the MCRD (Arlington, Va.), 182 (Bethesda, Md.), resume-writing and applying for gov- Drill Instructor School. Branch 77 207 (Dale City, Va.) and members of ernment jobs to more than 300 veter- in Green Valley, Ariz., awards a $500 FRA’s National Headquarters’ staff ans and retirees, provide clothes and scholarship to a student at Sauharita participated in a joint outreach ini- food for needy veterans, co-sponsor a High School who enrolled in a uni- tiative on the National Mall to raise Family Readiness Day for NMCB-22, versity ROTC program and is working awareness of the FRA. FRA Headquarters offers a variety of signs, handouts and other marketing materials for branches to use at outreach events. Branch officers can order such supplies via the FRA website (www. fra.org) in the Branch and Regional Officer section under the My FRA tab. Materials can also be requested through Outreach Manager Bob Washington by email ([email protected]) or by phone (1- 800-FRA-1924, ext. 113). We’re proud to highlight branches and shipmates who are demonstrat- ing Shipmate Pride. Let us know what your branch is doing to make a positive impact in your community.

Penny Collins is a member of FRA Branch 24 in Branch 171, Laguna, Philippines Annapolis, Md. and can be reached at [email protected]. 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 ⁄ ⁄ ⁄ ⁄ ⁄ ⁄ ⁄ ⁄ 5 1 1 3 3 5 7 7 7 8 8 8 8 7 7 7 4 4 4 4 ⁄ ⁄ ⁄ ⁄ 1 1 3 3 8 8 8 8 7 7

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01_B_I_V = Live Area: 7 x 10, 7x10 Magazine Master, 1 Page, Installment, Verticle 4 4 4 4 ⁄ ⁄ ⁄ ⁄ 8 8 1 3 1 3 8 7 8 7 8 8 8 8 ⁄ ⁄ ⁄ 8 ⁄ 8 8 8 ⁄ ⁄ ⁄ ⁄ 1 3 5 7 5 3 1 7 8 8 7 7 7 8 8 7

01_08703_001_BI.indd 1 5/14/09 11:23:31 AM 18 FRA Today July 2009 19 FRA Today July 2009 - - that that sucked the

ed ed a concussion t rmstrong A auren auren L

to recovery. y The effects of B (TBI) and the battle Traumatic Brain Injury Traumatic was deafening and crea t oxygen from the air. The roadside bomb lifted the armored Humvee off the ground the Humvee off bomb ground lifted the The armored roadside the oxygen air. from in like but and rag one its All dolls. tossed survived, had occupants life-threatening suffered crew the of rest The Europe. in center trauma a to evacuated was and juries scrapes, bruises, and a few broken bones, but felt well enough to return to duty shortly after the attack. Although their visible injuries had healed, the military is in (TBI). injury brain traumatic as known wound physical unseen the of aware creasingly The The blas 20 Symptoms aren’t always immediately visible and other physical injuries that is caused by are more apparent take precedence a blow or jolt July 2009 y July to the head or and delay a TBI diagnosis. a penetrating

FRA Tod a TBI head injury that disrupts the normal function of the brain. Brain tissue can a coma and ‘mild’ is classified as a con- severe neurological disabilities or in be damaged when bullets, shrapnel cussion,” explains Dr. Jamshid Ghajar, a vegetative state. But nearly half of or other foreign objects pierce the president and founder of the Brain those who survive experience posi- skull or, in the case of a fall or blow Trauma Foundation (BTF), a nonprofit tive outcomes and are able to live to the head, the brain can impact the organization dedicated to improving independently. skull with enough force to bruise or the outcome for TBI patients. tear the brain tissue. TBIs can range This success, according to Ghajar, is in severity from a mild concussion Severe brain injuries are relatively directly related to the prompt and that may often heal without medical easy to identify, says Ghajar. “There’s appropriate attention provided by treatment to severe injuries a head wound; the patient is in a front-line medical personnel who are that may require surgery and years of coma. It’s pretty obvious. And we’ve well trained in best treatment practi rehabilitation. made remarkable strides in treating ces. “DoD is doing a good job of severe TBIs. The mortality rate was 55 handling severe TBI cases. Patients, Closed head trauma — brain injury percent 20 years ago, but thanks to who often have other life-threatening where the skull is not fractured — is the development of treatment proto- injuries in addition to TBI, are quickly the signature injury in our nation’s cols, the mortality rate has dropped transferred to trauma centers that also current military conflicts. One in to 20 percent. That’s dramatic.” employ the latest technology and tech- five Iraq and Afghanistan veterans niques to facilitate positive outcomes.” have experienced a traumatic brain The effects of severe brain trauma injury, according to a recent Rand can be devastating, with approximate Concussions account for about 90 study (April 2008). This is a marked 30 percent of survivors left with percent of all TBIs, but the term “mild increase from documented TBI cases in the Vietnam War and is attributed to more powerful munitions and improved body armor and protective gear. Service members are now surviving injuries that would have been fatal before the development of today’s force-protection materials and equipment.

Because of the growing incidence, the Departments of Defense (DoD) and Veterans’ Affairs (VA) are under- taking several initiatives to identify and assist TBI victims. Working in conjunction with private and govern- mental agencies, progress is being made in diagnosing, treating and rehabilitating those affected by TBI.

Severe versus Mild TBI

“On the clinical spectrum, traumatic brain injuries range from severe to mild; ‘severe’ meaning the patient is in Photo by U.S Marine Corps Photographer Staff Sgt. Jim Goodwin Photo by U.S Marine Corps Photographer Staff Even when symptoms like slow speech, balance problems, difficulty in communicating or lack of attention are present, they are often mistaken for indicators of a stroke or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

TBI” doesn’t mean the consequences always immediately visible and other serious personal complications that aren’t serious. Seizures, slurred physical injuries that are more ap- can put the service member and his speech, loss of memory, headaches, parent take precedence and delay a unit in harm’s way. “It’s important to dizziness, vision problems, lack of TBI diagnosis. Even when symptoms identify and treat TBI victims as early attention and personality changes can like slow speech, balance problems, as possible, particularly in a combat all result from a concussion and the difficulty in communicating or lack of situation” explains Ghajar. “We’ve symptoms can last for years. attention are present, they are often learned that TBI creates a lack of mistaken for indicators of a stroke or attention, which can put a soldier “The concussions are difficult to deal Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). and the whole unit at risk. TBI often with,” says Ghajar, “because they Combined with the chaos and lack of disrupts sleep patterns, another are hard to identify. The victims may diagnostic equipment on the battle- contributing factor in lack of attention, look normal, be coherent, walking, field, it’s not surprising that combat and can compound the problem. We talking, telling everyone they’re fine TBI often goes undiagnosed. want to limit any activity that would and ready to get back into the action, put the patient or his buddies at when in fact, they’ve experienced a further risk.” traumatic brain injury.” Diagnostic Technology Research has also shown that the Symptoms of TBI, such as headache, The impact of undiagnosed TBI can results of TBI are cumulative and, of fatigue and irritability, are not unique also be devastating. Delayed treat- those diagnosed with a concussion, to brain injury and therefore are ment time often results in prolonged many had previous brain injuries. A often overlooked. Symptoms aren’t recovery, which in turn can cause brain-injured soldier who is continu- ally exposed to bombs, grenades, and other artillery is at higher risk for additional brain trauma, and as a result, combat veterans often take longer to recover from concussions. TBI symptoms can worsen over time if not treated, which can delay reinte- gration to their military unit or civilian community. And because of social stigma or simple lack of understanding about the dangers, it’s estimated that more than half of the 320,000 service members who’ve suffered TBIs in Iraq and Afghanistan have not sought diagnosis or treatment.

Technological advances are making the job of diagnosing TBI a little easier. Dr. Ghajar and the Brain Trauma Foundation have been study- ing concussions for the past eight years, and recognized a trend among TBI victims.

“Many said they ‘felt out of sync’ with the outside world,” recalls Ghajar. “We 22 believe the brain is predictive; it an- accurately predict the pattern and are ticipates what’s going to happen and able to track the dot with ease. The then processes information accord- task is much more difficult for those ingly. It’s like a tennis player who sees with TBI. July 2009 y July the ball coming at him. He anticipates where the ball will be a few seconds “Patients with TBI don’t track the

FRA Tod a in the future and swings so that his dot in a circle. Their eyes track in an racket will intersect that point at the erratic, wobbly pattern. The amount appropriate instant. Our brains are of ‘wobble’ is proportional to the se- about two-and-a-half seconds in the verity of the injury; the more wobble future. We make these types of predic- in their tracking, the more difficulty tions all the time in our daily lives and they have in paying attention. We’ve this timing allows us to anticipate and been developing this technology respond. It allows us to pay attention. over the past six years and have a players often suffer blows to the head, If our timing is off, the brain can’t desktop tracking device that requires and also has great potential for future process information in a normal way.” manual analysis. Thanks to a $4.6 diagnostic uses, such as for patients million grant from the Department with Attention Deficit Disorder [ADD] Ghajar has invented several neurosur- of Defense, we’re working to create or diagnosing pre-dementia in aging gical devices that have been adopted a fully automated system that is por- patients. We believe this device could worldwide, but his latest project is a table for use on the battlefield. We’re make a huge difference.” quick and relatively simple diagnostic funded to have a goggle-style proto- test that is yielding promising results. type by 2012, but we’re hoping to get Eye-tracking can be the first step Patients are asked to watch a small accelerated funding so that we can in diagnosing brain injury, followed dot of light as it travels in a predict- have something in the field by next by advanced imaging tools. When able circular pattern while their eye year. It’s a 30-second test that can there is a sheering of the brain, there movements are monitored. Patients provide immediate assessment, and is often tearing of the connections with normal brain function can can be used at sporting events, where that help the regions of the brain Photos courtesy of the Brain Trauma Foundation Photos courtesy of the Brain Trauma Dr. Jamshid Ghajar (upper left) and the Brain Trauma Foundation are developing an eye-tracking devise to quickly diagnose TBI. 23 communicate with one force-protection equipment and director of the DCoE. “DoD medicine FRA Tod a another. Microscopic techniques, and also assist military has focused on saving lives for a long tears to these con- and civilian physicians as they refine time, but we’re new to the rehabilita- nections, called axons, treatment protocols. tion piece. DCoE is part of a cultural y July 2009 can disrupt brain function. transformation that’s very exciting.” Traditional magnetic resonance In November 2007, DoD created the images (MRI) don’t show damage Defense Centers of Excellence for The DCoE website (www.dcoe.health. to axons and, as a result, about 70 Psychological Health and Traumatic mil) offers a wealth of information percent of TBIs aren’t visible on an Brain Injury (DCoE). In partnership aimed at connecting service mem- MRI. New high-definition neuroimag- with the Departments of Defense and bers, veterans and their families ing technology, like diffusion tensor Veterans’ Affairs and a national net- with the resources they need to imaging (DTI), allows doctors to as- work of military and civilian resource recover and reintegrate, as well as sess the integrity of the brain’s axons. agencies and clinical experts, DCoE assist them as they navigate the Magnetoencephalography (MEG), is working to establish best practices health care system. The DCoE also another advanced imaging technique, and quality standards of treatment provides an Outreach Center that is helps identify areas of the brain that of TBI. Their work focuses on clinical an authoritative source of informa- have slower-than-normal brain waves. care, education and training, preven- tion and resources on TBI concerns. tion, research, and outreach efforts to Military personnel, veterans, family “There’s no single diagnostic tech- ensure the medical needs of military members, health care providers, nique for identifying TBI,” says Ghajar, personnel and their families are being military and congressional leaders, who is chief of neurosurgery at The met through a variety of channels. researchers and educators are invited Jamaica Hospital-Cornell Trauma to contact the center 24/7 at 866- Center and a clinical professor of “We have a community that really 966-1020 or by e-mail at Resources@ neurological surgery at Weill Cornell understands the needs of service DCoEOutreach.org. Outreach is a Medical College. “We’re working to members and their families,” explains critical component of the DCoE’s find ways to achieve a more specific Army Brig. Gen. Loree K. Sutton, work, says Sutton. “We’re working diagnosis, and I believe it will require special assistant to the assistant sec- to reach nearly half of the 18 mil- a combination of assessing behavior retary of defense for health affairs and lion service members who are no and other symptoms, eye-tracking, and advanced imaging techniques.”

Raising Awareness and Making Progress TBI Treatment Options

In addition to diagnostic tools, prog- Once diagnosed, treatment and rehabilitation for a TBI can be- ress is also being made in tracking gin. A TBI may involve physical, cognitive and emotional injuries, and treating TBI patients. In an effort so a multidisciplinary treatment program is often employed. Each to identify military head trauma cases, brain injury is unique so each treatment plan varies by the site and Congress mandated that service severity of the trauma. In the most serious cases, surgery may be members be evaluated for brain injury required to minimize damage or alleviate the pressure inside the when they return from combat tours. skull. For milder TBIs, the first course of treatment is rest. These tests are repeated periodically for those who suffer a concussion or About 80 percent of concussion patients recover within three head injury to more accurately gauge months with minimal treatment. Patients are advised to avoid the long-term affects of brain trauma. mental strain or physical activities that might put them at risk And more than 100,000 service for another head trauma. They are often counseled to take time members have undergone neuro- off from their job and ease back into their regular routine over cognitive tests prior to deployments, a period of time. The remaining 20 percent of concussion cases establishing a baseline that will make have persistent symptoms, which may require medications to dull it easier to evaluate them for brain headache pain, cognitive therapy to help with memory problems, injury when they return from combat. or coping mechanisms that help TBI victims compensate for at- Data collected from these studies tention deficits. will help DoD develop more effective 24 “[TBI is] the leading cause of death effort by DoD and VA. DVBIC’s ef- and disability in young people, forts to define the treatment process from the point of injury to resolution and for every severe TBI, there include the development of a TBI July 2009 y July are 10 concussions...” registry. This registry allows DoD and VA to identify patients who’ve

FRA Tod a experienced brain trauma, track their medical and psychological history to ensure they receive needed treatment, facilitate communication among longer wearing the uniform. Their and we’re developing virtual coaches health care providers, and track their health concerns don’t end when they and leveraging other technologies to recovery over the long term. separate from service. Even if the war make it less intimidating for service ends tomorrow, we have decades members to seek the help they need. of work to do to care for those with We’re also very pleased with the Not Just a Military Issue existing injuries.” progress on the National Intrepid Center of Excellence. This new facility Traumatic brain injury is not limited to Sutton enthusiastically lists the high- is scheduled to open in 2010 and those serving on the battlefield. Auto and low-tech mechanisms being will offer holistic treatment and rehab accidents are the leading cause of developed to assist TBI patients. services for psychological health and TBI, but sporting injuries, accidental “Our AfterDeployment.org website TBI patients just as the Center for the falls and a myriad of other accidents offers a self-assessment tool and Intrepid is doing for amputees. From a contribute to the high incidence of provides useful information about less-technical perspective, we’re also brain injury. specific concerns, such as overcom- exploring alternative medical treating anger or sleep disruptions. The ments like yoga and acupuncture.” “TBI is a big problem because the site is a work in progress, but we’re incidence rate is so high,” explains already getting 4,000 hits a month. The primary operational component Ghajar. “It’s the leading cause of death We’re using today’s social networking of the DCoE is the Defense and and disability in young people, and for sites, like Twitter and Flicker, to help Veterans Brain Injury Center (DVBIC), every severe TBI, there are 10 concus- TBI victims connect with one another, a collaborative research and training sions. There are approximately three to four million concussions each year.”

The cost of treating a mild TBI for a year is estimated at $32,000. Treating a severe brain injury can range from $268,000 to $408,000 per injury per year. These estimates include treatment costs, loss of income and the value of caregivers. “By implementing BTF treatment guidelines for severe TBI, we’ve been able to reduce the mortality rate by 50 percent, double positive outcomes and save an estimated $3.8 billion,” says Ghajar. “Getting a handle on preventing, diagnosing and treating TBI will save lives and money.”

Lauren Armstrong is the Contributing Editor and an LA FRA Member at Large. She can be reached at lauren@ fra.org. 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 ⁄ ⁄ ⁄ ⁄ ⁄ ⁄ ⁄ ⁄ 5 1 1 3 3 5 7 7 7 8 8 8 8 7 7 7 4 4 4 4 ⁄ ⁄ ⁄ ⁄ 1 1 3 3 8 8 8 8 7 7

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01_07230_001_BI.indd 1 11/10/08 12:17:23 PM News from the branches

26 July 2009 y July FRA Tod a

BRANCH 126 Jacksonville, Fla. BRANCH 89 Atlanta, Ga. Branch President Bill Kulier, Americanism Branch President Steven Fitton Committee Chairman David Pippin and and LA FRA Unit President Reta Treasurer Clinton Attebery congratulate lo- Fitton present a wreath during re- cal winners of the FRA Americanism Essay cent Memorial Day services at the Contest following an Awards Ceremony at Marietta (Ga.) Veterans’ Cemetery. the Branch Home.

BRANCH 208 Jacksonville, N.C. Branch and Unit representatives presented Coastal Carolina Community College’s (CCCC) Foundation a check for $10,000 to establish an endowed scholarship for the benefit students enrolled in the college’s Industrial Technology Division. Shown (left to right) are PNT Bill Hemmingway, LA FRA PNP Arlene Hemmingway, Branch President Earl Harper, and CCCC President Dr. Ronald Lingle. (Photo provided by CCCC.)

BRANCH 210 Milton, Fla. BRANCH 43 Long Beach, Calif. Branch President Rob Hayes Shipmate Richard Law (left) of presents 40-Year Membership Pin Branch 90 installed active-duty to Shipmate Ralph Nesenson as Marine Sgt. Brady Jensen (third from Branch Secretary Ron Williams and right) as branch president. Vice-President Art Sobilo offer him congratulations. News from the branches

27 FRA Tod a

BRANCH 226 Staten Island, N.Y. y July 2009 RPNE and Branch President Jim Brown joins Chaplain LTJG David A. Daigle as he gives the in- vocation during a wreath laying ceremony honoring veterans in Staten Island during New York Fleet Week. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Victoria A. Tullock)

BRANCH 335 Port Orange, Fla. BRANCH 22 Pensacola, Fla. Southeast Regional President John Sutton poses with PNChaplain Les Campbell (right) branch essay contest winners Maryann Khazraee (12th and Geegee Childers attended grader at Spruce Creek HS) Sarah Lurie (8th Grader the Coast Guard Cosmic Air 50th at Creekside Middle School) and Austin Wilson (8th Reunion in Reno, where they Grader at Silver Sands Middle School). conducted a Two-Bell Ceremony.

BRANCH 402 Rocky Mount, N.C. BRANCH 281 Redding, Calif. Shipmate Tom Taylor (center) accepts the President’s Volunteer Service Gold Award Members of the local Navy Junior ROTC from then-Secretary of the Department unit from Enterprise High School were of Veterans Affairs James B. Peake guests at the branch’s annual picnic. (right) and the director of the Volunteer Transportation Network at the Durham, To submit a photo for News From the Branches, please e-mail a photo as an N.C., VA hospital. Taylor has been trans- attachment in jpeg format to [email protected] or mail a high-quality photograph to FRA porting veterans to their medical appoint- Today, 125 N. West Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. Please include a brief description of the ments at the hospital for several years. photograph and include the names of those pictured. Laser prints and scanned copies of photographs cannot be accepted. Essay Contest

28 The FRA National Committee on Americanism-Patriotism first, second and third place winners in each grade category. is pleased to announce the Americanism Essay Contest All regional winners are judged at the national level and re- theme for 2009–2010 is What Memorial Day Means to Me. ceive a certificate of recognition. Other prizes are awarded FRA’s Essay Contest is open to all students grades 7 through at the branch and regional levels. The awards are presented

July 2009 y July 12 (including those who are home schooled). Each entrant by the end of May. must be sponsored by an FRA member in good standing or If you are interested in sponsoring a student or promot-

FRA Tod a by a currently chartered branch or unit. The contest includes ing this contest in schools near you to raise awareness of a Grand National Prize of a $10,000 U.S. Savings Bond, with FRA locally, please contact FRA Headquarters for posters $5,000, $3,000 and $2,000 Savings Bonds awarded to the and rules or visit www.fra.org/essay.

2009-2010 Essay Contest What Memorial Day Means to Me

Proudly Sponsored by: Memorial Day Observances

29 FRA’s National President Donald Mucheck represented Thunder, an annual motorcycle tribute in the nation’s capi- the Association at Memorial Day ceremonies at Arlington tal to show the country and the world that Vietnam POWs FRA Tod a National Cemetery and laid a wreath at the Tomb of the and MIAs are not forgotten. Branches from the East Coast

Unknowns on Monday, May 25, in honor of the men and Region’s Central Liaison Committee also sponsored a cer- y July 2009 women who have died in service to their nation. On Saturday emony at the U.S. Navy Memorial on May 25 that included and Sunday (May 23 and 24) shipmates and members of remarks from Academy Award-winning actor, WWII Navy the FRA NHQ team staffed an information booth at Rolling veteran and FRA Shipmate Ernest Borgnine. Photo provided by Branch 178 Photo provided Photo by PRPEC Paul Gunther Photo by Chris Slawinski

FRA National President Don Mucheck (right) Branch 178 President Abel Quinones (left) FRA Shipmate and WWII Navy veteran and National Executive Director Joe Barnes and Secretary Michael Levine performed Ernest Borgnine speaks during the East presented a wreath at the Tomb of the a Two-Bell ceremony at Monterey Bay in Coast Region’s Central Liaison Committee Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery California. ceremony at the U.S. Navy Memorial in on Memorial Day 2009. Washington, D.C. FRA Shipmate Mark Allen looks on. Photo by PRPEC Paul Gunther Photo by PRPEC Paul Gunther

FRA HQ staff member Jimmy Short passes A group of Marines gathered at FRA’s booth on the National Mall during Rolling Thunder®. out information to a prospective member FRA’s Outreach Director Bob Washington and Director of Legislative Programs John Davis (2nd at Rolling Thunder on the National Mall on and 3rd from the left) were among several shipmates and NHQ staff members who manned May 24. the booth during the Memorial Day weekend. -%8*BBB[-%8*B[303DJH

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31 Shipmates of AMH3 Darwin R. Wogan Anyone who served in VA-164, sta- I’m looking for anyone who was tioned at NAS Lemoore, Calif., 1967- FRA Tod a stationed with me at NPF El Centro 1970, assigned to CVA Hancock between July 1962 and October 1963 I’m looking for someone who can con- y July 2009 and remembers my back injury. I am firm I was sent TAD from CVA Hancock specifically looking for AMH1 French, to Da Nang to inspect one of VA-164’s AM2 Burlingame, AM2 Champlain, damaged aircraft. Contact Kenneth AMAN Whitson, Shipmates Schmidt, L. Moore, PO Box 665, Hanford, CA Wilson or Behrens. Please contact 93232, 559-584-6810 or Darwin R. Wogan, 1500 E. College Way [email protected]. Ste. A PMB476, Mount Vernon, WA 98273, 360-840-9347, LCDR E. D. Hansen, LCDR W. J. [email protected]. Alford, LCDR J. H. Songster, LTJG R.T. Barnette, YN2 Tex Crocker, Anyone from Co 76, April to July, 1950 SD2 Bobby Suniega, or anyone else Shipmates who served with GMT1 Great Lakes Training Center Camp who can attest to my presence in Da Robert (Bob) Landon Moffit. Contact William H. Roberts, Nang/Mekong Delta while accompa- He served as Boatswain Main on USS 757-545-2980. nying Commodore Redgrave as we transferred from USS Epperson to our Cadmus (AR-14) and USS Seneca Janet (Lassle) Wesman, Kenneth flagship COMDESRON 25 (homeport- (ATF-91), and was a GMT on USS Manke, Jackie Robinson ed in Pearl Harbor), 1968 –1970 Yosemite (AD-19) and USS Simon Lake All Corpsman stationed at Naval Contact SKC Armando E. Gerilla (Ret.), (AS-33). It is important that I reach his Hospital Annapolis, Md. between Oct. 87– 818 Kulauku Street, Waianae, HI old shipmates. Please contact Linda 1965 to May 1968. Please contact 96792, 808-668-4509 (home) or Landon (Bob’s wife) at 708 Park Ave., George Durity at 843-538-1122 or 808-927-5541 (cell). Attica, IN 47918, 765-764-4102 or [email protected]. [email protected]. Shipmates aboard USS Bache (DDE- DTC David Walker 470), homeported in Norfolk, Va., Crew of the USS Carter Hall and USS Last know duty station was Naval Dental 1956-1958 Bellgrove, 1953 – 1957 School, Bethesda, Md. Please contact Contact SKC James “Hank” Henry I served aboard USS Carter Hall, and DTCS Martin L. Kennison, USN Retired, (Ret.), 5253 Buchanan Rd., Waverly, during Light Line Operations with 7094 Treasure Way, Sacramento, CA OH 45690, 740-947-5625, USS Bellgrove, there were collisions 95831 or 916-395-9595. two days in a row. The first time, the [email protected]. Need command shoulder patches for Bellgrove came up our port side, the Members of Aviation Repair and the following: VT-27, NAS, Corpus collision alarm went off and, from Overhaul Unit #2 Christi, Tx., VX-6 or VXE-6, USS my desk in the supply office, one of I’m trying to find anyone who was in PRESERVER (ARS-8), USS SHAKORI Bellgrove’s 20mm gun barrels came Aviation Repair and Overhaul Unit #2 (ATF162),USS SHASTA(AE6),USS through the porthole. The next day, on Samar Island, Philippines. Contact MANITOWOC(LST1180). the same thing happened, except no Edmund (Ed) Corvi at 1221 E. Rice I was robbed. Please e-mail gun barrel through the porthole. Any Ranch Rd., Santa Maria, CA 93455- [email protected]. shipmates who may have information 5678, 805-937-4086. on this, please contact Andrew Lavin, HMC Louis Schneider (wife Betty) BMC Theodore (Ted) L. Lindsay, USN 311 NW 16th Avenue, Battle Ground, He was stationed at NAMRU-4, Great (Ret.) WA 98604, 360-687-0652. Lakes, Ill., in 1968. We served together I’m trying to locate my step-dad who is/ at several duty stations. Please contact Members of Company 783, U.S. Naval was a member of the Virginia Beach or Richard Ault at [email protected] or Training Center, July 1945 Oceana FRA branch. I have not seen I have a photograph of Company 783, 570-888-5764. him in 10 years. Please contact SHC U.S. Naval Training Center, Ill., taken Anyone who served aboard USS Bon Charles T. Matthews, USN (Ret.) at July 3, 1945. E. K. Warren, Sp(A) 1/C, Homme Richard (CV-31), 1952– 1610 Tulane St., Orlando, FL 32804, was company commander. I’ll give it 1953, Korean Cruise, Task Force 77 407-488-5555, [email protected]. to the first person who requests it. Contact SKC(SS) Carl D. Jay (Ret.), Please contact Mildred Grissom, MM2 Ralph Stevens (wife Michelle) PO Box 704, Meadview, AZ 86444, 662-547-5158, [email protected]. Stationed at NASD Bermuda in 1967. 928-564-2803. Contact MRCM Don M. Dell, USN (Ret.) Anyone who was at Nagasaki, Japan, Anyone stationed at NAVFAC at [email protected] or 360-981- September 6, 1945 Eleuthera, 1951-1980 0601. In all the years since, I have never met Contact Charles Sitzlar, anyone else who was there. There was 194 CR 369, Water Valley, MO 38965, an APA, an AKA, and several support- 662-234-7843 or Harold Myers at These notices are published on a space available ing destroyers. I was aboard the USS [email protected]. basis. Notices must be submitted in writing. Gleaves (DD-423). Please contact E-mail [email protected] or mail your request to: FRA, Samuel J. Blandford, 3011 St. Johns Looking for…, 125 N. West St., Alexandria, VA, 22314. Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32205. %/)7BBB[%/)7B[303DJH

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Davis, George, AEC MAL Jackson, David R., USMC 061

Davis, Walter L., EQCM MAL Jackson, Johnnie E., EN1 004 y July 2009 Dawkins, Jim, PNCM(SW) 248 JPRPNEng Jahns, William H., Delfield, John E., SGTMAJ 136 ICC(SS) 020 Dellangelo, Albert N., YNCS 117 Johnson, Charles R., HM1 MAL Dillard, William L., SWC 041 Johnson, Howard D., EMCM 315 Dirsa, Vladyslovas G., ADC MAL Johnson, Lonnie L., ABFC MAL Dizney, Thad M., Jr., MU2 MAL Jordan, Victor L., QMC 159 Dodds, Francis J., YNC 001 Julian, Carl F., Sr., UTC 086 Dorton, Ernest, RMCS MAL Dotson, Richard A., AT1 174 Kahre, Edward M., PO1 USN 091 NAME BRANCH Dugroo, Herbert E., MMC 166 Kalen, Robert T., BMSN MAL Duke, Lewis A., ENC 219 Keding, Gene, SSGT 238 Adams, Paul N., CSC 186 Dull, Norman G., STCM(SS) 020 Kneebone, Franklin D., SKCM 061 Adamson, Henry, MMCS MAL Dunn, David J., ADJC 040 Knight, Kenneth L., BRCM 281 Adamson, Raymond M., HMCM 162 Koontz, James A., AG1 MAL Adduci, Vincent J., MGYSGT 066 Eaton, Kenneth, SKC 091 Krone, Herbert C., BMC 161 Anchors, Francis, LCDR USN 022 Elias, James M., CWO4 USN 091 Anderson, James W., ADCS 261 Ellis, Richard F., SKC MAL Lacy, Warren N., OSCS 276 Aronson, Donald E., PO USN 170 Emery, Richard F., 1STSGT MAL La Gassie, William F., ETC MAL Asker, Robert E., BM1 MAL Enis, Alex L., CPO USN MAL Larrieu, James A., II, 1STSGT 098 Evarts, William R., Jr., ATCS MAL Larrivee, Edward F., CPO USN 004 Bair, Lloyd R., FN1 MAL Lawwill, Harry L., MMCM 283 Baker, Bruce E., PNC(SS) 161 Fegreus, Robert G., HM1 MAL Lewis, William R., II, MM1 MAL Baker, Richard J., MS1(SS) 382 Figgins, Walter D., ETCS MAL Lippincott, Charles R., HMC 089 Baughman, Loren K., YNC 093 Flambures, Nick A., CSC 249 Beaven, Joseph W., SN USN 365 Fletcher, Rodrick E., CTC 119 Mackesy, Thomas J., PHC 263 Beggs, Gerald A., YNC MAL Firnstahl, Ramon S., AFCM 136 Maisano, Joseph B., SCPO USN MAL Berrier, James R., DTC 060 Forge, Milton, SSGT 094 Malloy, Edwin T., DPCM MAL Bishop, Bert O., BT1 365 Foster, George, TMCM(SS) MAL Malone, Patrick J., MAC 067 Bjorken, Eric A., ADRC 060 Frederick, Jack Lee, MMC 028 Mancini, Alfred, ADC MAL Bonnette, Jean A., YN1 267 Fuller, Richard R., HMC 181 Marino, Ellis, AMH1 091 Boutwell, Carleton, LCDR USN MAL Mathis, Curry J., CS1 112 Braun, Robert B., CTC 202 Gaeta, John, Jr., MMC 175 Mayer, Robert A., CSC MAL Broders, Edwin A., CMC 371 Genest, Walter C., YNC(SS) MAL Mayer, William S., CAPT USN MAL Bullman, Glenn, BT1 MAL George, William L., ADJ1 MAL McLaughlin, Bernard F., CPO USN 057 Gerdes, Donald W., ETC 028 Menendez, Elwood C., AECS MAL Callaway, Dale R., MR1 018 Gibson, David T., RMC 364 Meredith, Charles H., HM1 024 Calvo, Vicente B., SDCS 073 Gill, Emmett C., ADRC MAL Miller, Earl S., ADC 104 Campbell, John A., BMC 053 Gillies, Gaylord C., CSC 268 Miller, Glenn E., YNCS MAL Cary, Forrest A., CSC MAL Gladen, Orville J., SH1 060 Miller, Kenneth T., AMH1 175 Chapman, William R., ENC 110 Godin, Robert L., AOC 006 Mills, James A., CSC MAL Chancellor, Carl, MM2 334 Minton, Richard J., PNCS MAL Cohen, Wm. S., DKC 017 Hamm, Clyde C., Jr., PHC 024 Moon, Henry L., CTOCM 089 Coker, Warren E., AFCM 094 Hansen, Leo R., SKC 040 Moore, George A., ABCS MAL Coll, Joseph N., CPO USN MAL Harris, James M., EM1 MAL Moore, Harry W., CDR USN 273 Condran, Benjamin C., CPO USN 007 Harris, Lee R., TMC 310 Morton, Samuel M., RMCM 117 Conley, Arthur J., QMC 261 Hart, Edward Charles, EMCM 089 Conn, John M., Jr., SGTMAJ 175 Hartshorn, Charles, MN1 077 Nelson, Robert L., Jr., BMC 117 Conneilly, John L., YN1 MAL Hayes, Ernie, PN2 061 Niehaus, Harold P., HM1 089 Costello, John A., SKC 090 Heitzman, Dwayne J., LT USN MAL Niess, Martin H., ETCM 053 Cowan, Claud M., MCPO USN MAL Holman, William C., DT1 MAL Nuzum, Donald L., MMCS 050 Crandall, James W., HMCS 335 Horan, John D., ENC 020 Cristobal, Jorge E., SDC 073 Horner, Charles W., ADJC MAL Oates, John M., HMC MAL Crosby, Thomas A., 1STSGT 022 Hughes, Robert R., ENC(SS) MAL Olienyk, Michael D., CTICM 024 Culver, Edwin, ABFC MAL Hutchinson, John V., EOCS 042 continued on page 35 ):3B[T[G/D\RXW303DJH

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35 USS Dayton (CL-105) Gunstock Dr., Stone Mtn, GA 30087, Sept. 20–26, 2009, Chattanooga, Tenn. 770-934-5542, [email protected]. FRA Tod a Contact Robert B. Macdonald, 69 USS Keppler (DD/DDE-765) Ferndale Lane, Palm Coast, FL 32137, Sept. 10 –13, 2009, Myrtle Beach, S.C. y July 2009 386-246-3224, [email protected]. Contact Will Darrell, 631-586-4565. USS Sierra (AD-18) USS Merrick (AKA-97) Sept. 17–20, 2009, Branson, Mo. Oct. 25 –28, 2009, Santa Maria, Calif. Contact Dan Romando, 8 Tisdal Road, Contact Bill Reynolds, 418 Playa Whiting, NJ 08759, 732-849-4657, Blanca St., Santa Maria, CA 93455, [email protected]. 805-937-3273, [email protected]. USS Haynsworth (DD-700) USS Monrovia (APA–31) Oct. 15–19, 2009, Independence, Mo. Oct. 30 –Nov. 4, 2009, Branson, Mo. Contact Jack Gross, 816-690-8778. Contact Ion Tharp, 13916 Elm Dr., National Chief Petty Officers’ Assoc. USS Hoel (DDG-13) Plato, MO 65552, 417-458-4481. Oct. 9 –12, 2009, Branson, Mo. Contact Oct. 21–25, 2009, San Diego, Calif. West Coast Drill Instructor Assoc. Thomas Frederick, 785-379-5752, Contact Marjorie Hays, 1014 Ronald Sept. 10 –13 2009, San Diego, Calif. [email protected]. Drive, Corpus Christi, TX 78412-3548, Contact Gregg Stoner, MCRD San 361-991-2383, [email protected]. USS Juneau (CLAA-119) Diego, San Diego, CA 92140, 619-884- Aug. 31– Sept. 4, 2009, Reno, Nev. 9047, [email protected]. U.S. Naval Hospital – Philadelphia, Pa. November 7, 2009, Essinton, Pa. Contact Edwin Cox, 310 Mimosa Dr., Contact Nelson Vecchione 610-789- Cheraw, SC 29520, 843-537-5848, 9300 (work) or 484-889-6174 (cell). [email protected]. Alternate contact is Ms. Terry Puskar, USS Jupiter (AVS-8) Members can post reunions online at www.fra.org, 610-337-1560 or 215-443-6356, Oct. 8 –11, 2009, Valley Forge, Pa. submit to [email protected] or mail to: FRA Reunions, [email protected], Contact AKCM Gary Scheidt, 1991 125 N. West St., Alexandria, VA 22314. 610-626-8183, [email protected].

TAPS... continued from page 33 NAME BRANCH NAME BRANCH NAME BRANCH Olup, Rudolph W., POC USN 024 Ruble, Leonard A., Jr., ATC 091 Turner, R. G., USN RET MAL Orchard, Larry L., RMC 029 Ruddell, George R., CWO2 USN MAL Ornelles, Edward L., CTC 008 Rusk, William, AMH1 MAL Vaccaro, Robert F., YN2 237 Orr, Wallace, MCPO USN MAL Van Divner, Clifford L., LCDR USN 261 Owens, Basil L., FTGC 060 Schoonderwoerd, Martin C., AFCM MAL Vizena, Nicholas, AKC MAL Schultz, Eddie A., AE1 276 Parry, Henry R., MRCM 290 Seibert, John W., Jr., ADC 091 Waddell, Jeder P-Jay, CWO2 USN 346 Pastore, Michele, MRC 009 Shacklett, Francis, ATC 101 Waggoner, Jack, EMCM 290 Patrick, Charles R., MS1 290 Sharp, Roland L., ENCS 017 Wagstaff, Edwin D., CPL 015 Paulson, George C., SCMM 057 Shealy, Grover C., QMCM 061 Walker, Duane L., AMS1 241 Pedrazzini, Wallace J., SKC 279 Shelton, Joseph, CPO USN MAL Walls, Kenneth L., DTCS MAL Pegram, Raymond C., EN1 MAL Shepardson, Ray, AG3 MAL Walsh, Robert G., RMC 147 Penrod, Paul T., CPO USN 093 Sides, Jerry L., PO1 USN MAL Walters, James, AFCM 022 Pensak, Emery, HMCM MAL Skallet, Winfield S., MMC 050 Weaver, William R., MMCS 288 Pfister, Albert, Jr., BM2 MAL Smith, Earl L., Jr., LCDR USN 261 Wesley, Ronald, EQCM MAL Pipkin, Robert Z., YNC 317 Smith, Robert, TM USN MAL West, Robert L., POC USN 008 Potter, Leonard R., Jr., AQCS MAL Smith, William A., MSGT 175 Whitlow, Norman E., SKC MAL Pratt, Melvin, PO1 USN MAL Spence, William C., Sr., HMCS 091 Wilbur, Robert B., UTCM 038 Pribbenow, Merle L., ADJC 029 Stansberry, Wilfred, Jr., CS1 043 Wright, Howard E., TMC(SS) MAL JPRPSC Prindible, Jack D., Starling, Jimmie, RMC MAL Sr., PH1 203 Swanson, Robert R., BMC 175 Youmans, Richard, MAL Pysz, Joseph J., YN1 MAL Swindler, Merle A., MRCS 234 Younginer, Murray J., SKC 086 Switzer, Phillip E., GM1 363 Rae, Kenneth A., BUCS 192 Zarzycki, Walter L., GMCS 057 Ragsdale, George L., AM1 126 Taland, Albert T., USN MAL Zebrowski, Pete, USN VET 254 Restivo, Salvatore J., HMC 175 Taylor, Frederick E., HMC 090 Zelek, Donald T., AE3 091 Rogers, Glenn A., CAM 089 Therrel, Kenneth W., HMCS 096 Ross, Witt C., DCC 105 Thomas, George R., SKC MAL Names in red indicate 50 year continuous members. Roy, Francis J., AMM2 061 Tilden, Wesley, LT SC USN MAL J indicate a Past National Officer. LA FRA news

36 Message from the South Central Regional President

I Would like to state what a pleasure it is to serve as the Regional President of the South Central Region. The South Central has 15 great units working to raise July 2009 y July money to purchase phone cards for “Operation Phone Home” and “Help our Troops Call Home.” The units make lap blankets for Veteran’s Nursing Homes,

FRA Tod a afghans and beanies for premature babies. They assisted the Women’s Shelter to build a playground and donated Christmas stockings and Easter baskets for the children and mothers. Coffee is also provided at the VA hospitals and outpatient clinics. All year they work hard to support the “Toys for Tots” program. Many of Gini Larson the units attend Veterans’ Day observances and parades to honor the veterans. South Central Regional President To promote patriotism in their communities, they purchase flags for schools and local families. At the South Central Mid-Year meeting in Shreveport, Louisiana, I had the honor of initiating Laura Jimenez, daughter of Carol McAtee, into Unit 201. While I was visiting Unit 371 in Baton Rouge, they celebrated their 30th anniversary. It was an honor to present PRPSC Bobbie Pugh with her 30-year membership pin. Congratulations! In April it was an extreme privilege to attend the National Pilgrimage in Washington, D.C. The South Central Regional Convention will be held at the Holiday Inn, 5555 Financial Plaza, Shreveport, LA on August 12-16, 2009. I look forward to seeing the delegates, guests and friends at the convention. Remember to support our military troops who have and are serving for our freedom.

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

Unit 94 Corpus Christi, Texas Easter Baskets being presented by RPSC Members in picture from left to right: Glenda Gini Larson to a representative at the Grasz, Carla Middleton, Gloria Bauer, Bea Jordan, Corpus Christi Women’s Shelter. Vicki Nutick, RPSC Gini Larson, Paula Warren and the children with the Easter Bunny (Buddy Seeds).

Unit 162 Nola, New Orleans, Louisiana Unit 371, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Front row left to right: Gloria Pickett, Dottie 30th Anniversary Party Neal, Dee Caso, Floyd Martinez, Doris Hirnyck, Front row left to right: Theresa Harrington, Lillian Ryan, Libby DeLeo. Crystal Yantis, Elaine Cruyn, Back row: Back row: Joe Neal, Kate Kelsey, RPSC Gini Bobbie Pugh, PRPSC, Chad Yantis, PRSC Larson, RSSC John Neal, Vickie Martello, Ms Gini Larson, Debbie Richards, Barbara Forrestal, and Bobbie Pugh, PRPSC. Reynolds. C4-Davidlaw ad n5297.qxd-AP 12/8/04 7:57 AM Page 1

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