16 a Shipmate Survives the Sinking of the USS Yorktown, Part 3 29 FRA's

A TALE OF TWO NDAAS 8 AUGUST 2015

GUARDIANS OF THE

PAGE 18

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Volume 94 Number 8 1 Featured 18 FRA TODAY

18 GUARDIANS OF THE COAST AUGUST 2015 The romantic image of a lighthouse on a windswept cliff, overlooking turbulent seas below and calling seafarers home, is Americana at its best. But have lighthouses outlived their purpose? And if so, what’s to happen to them? Departments 2 COMMUNICATIONS

4 FROM THE FANTAIL Keepers of the Light

6 SHIPMATE FORUM

8 ON & OFF CAPITOL HILL A Tale of Two NDAAs 23 16 HISTORY & HERITAGE A Shipmate Survives the Sinking of the USS Yorktown (Part 3)

28 MEMBERSHIP MATTERS Youth Activities

29 FRA NEW LIFE MEMBERS 28 30 TAPS

31 LEGACY GIFTS TO THE FRA

32 LOOKING FOR… / REUNIONS

34 NEWS FROM THE BRANCHES

36 NEWS FROM THE AUXILIARY OF THE FRA Message from North Central Regional President Chris Drew

LOYALTY, PROTECTION AND SERVICE FRA IS A CONGRESSIONALLY CHARTERED, NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION ON THE COVER ADVOCATING FOR CURRENT AND FORMER ENLISTED MEMBERS OF THE Castle Hill Lighthouse was built in 1890. The granite U.S. NAVY, MARINE CORPS AND COAST GUARD ON CAPITOL HILL. FOR tower stands thirty-four feet tall and has in the past MORE INFORMATION ON THE BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP, PLEASE VISIT featured a 1,300-pound fog bell. It was automated WWW.FRA.ORG OR CALL 800-FRA-1924. in 1957. Photo by mcdonojj/Shutterstock. COMMUNICATIONS

2 NATIONAL OFFICERS/BOARD OF DIRECTORS National President John D. Ippert, Honolulu Branch 46 National Vice President Virgil P. Courneya, High Sierra Branch 274 National Executive Dir. Thomas J. Snee, Navy Department Branch 181

AUGUST 2015 Finance Ofﬁcer Stephen R. Cox

Surprising Connections Lauren Armstrong Junior PNP Mark Kilgore, Pensacola Branch 22 National Parliamentarian PNP J. C. “Jim” Eblen, Imperial Beach ON JANUARY 28, 1915, our nation’s Revenue Cutter Service combined Branch 289 FRA TODAY with the U.S. Lifesaving Service to become the United States Coast Guard. National Chaplain William H. Hall, GEM State Branch 382 Over the past 100 years, the service has protected our shorelines and the REGIONAL PRESIDENTS men and women who navigate them. !is month’s feature story highlights our nation’s most picturesque aid to navigation — the lighthouse — and Northeast / New England Floyd G. Hunt, Iroquois Branch 214 those who devoted their lives to ensuring the lights were always lit. East Coast John J. Willis, Ocean View Branch 60 Southeast Larry L. Cox, Low Country Branch 269 In researching this month’s feature, I stumbled across the story of North Central Curry Sanders, Mo Kan Branch 161 Idawalley Lewis, the daughter of Hosea Lewis, the keeper of Lime Rock South Central Michael D. Oliver, Old Naval Home Light in Newport, Rhode Island. In the early years, women were pro- Branch 307 hibited from direct assignment as lighthouse keepers, but like many Southwest Agustive A. Hermes, Jr., Chula Vista Branch 61 others, Ida and her mother accepted the responsibilities a"er Hosea West Coast Larry S. Briggs, Jr., Silver Dollar Branch 192 su#ered a stroke. Growing up on the tiny island in Newport Harbor, Northwest Michael H. Archer, Cheyenne Branch 59 Ida became an accomplished swimmer and, by the age of 15, was well known for her rowing skills, strength and courage. During her lifetime ACTIVE DUTY ADVISORY COUNCIL on Lime Rock, she tended the light religiously and is also credited with Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Michael Stevens saving at least 18 lives. (Uno$cial reports suggest she may have rescued Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Ronald Green as many as 36 mariners.) Ida Lewis was called the “Bravest Woman in Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Steven Cantrell America” and, a"er reading her story, I can understand why. RESERVE ADVISORY COUNCIL Force Master Chief of the Navy Reserve Clarence “CJ” Mitchell USMC Reserve Force Sergeant Major Anthony Spadaro Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Reserve Force Eric Johnson

FRA TODAY MAGAZINE The monthly membership publication of the Fleet Reserve Association Publisher Fleet Reserve Association National Executive Director Thomas J. Snee Communications Director Lauren Armstrong Oil painting by Lizzie McKennan Rice at age 18 (circa 1882) and an illustration of Managing Editor William Kohudic Ida Lewis (origins unknown). Contributing Photographer Paul Gunther What I didn’t realize is that Ida has been living in my home since I Design and Art Direction was a young girl. My great-grandmother was an amateur artist and, like FIREBRAND, Alexandria, VA www.ﬁrebrandstudios.com Design Director Scott Rodgerson many of her contemporaries in the late 1800s, she painted images copied Production Manager Sandy Jones from other artists. Her small painting of this brave young girl, rowing

against raging seas, is one of the %rst things I see every morning and is a FRA TODAY (ISSN 1935-7192) IS PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY FRA, 125 N. WEST ST., constant reminder that, no matter what challenges I face during the com- ALEXANDRIA, VA 22314-2754. A MEMBER’S SUBSCRIPTION IS COVERED BY THE MEMBER’S ANNUAL DUES. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT ALEXANDRIA, VA AND ADDITIONAL ing day, I’ve got to “row hard and strong” to overcome them. Imagine my OFFICES. PUBLICATION OF NON-SPONSORED ADVERTISING IN FRA TODAY DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN ENDORSEMENT BY THE FRA OR ITS REPRESENTATIVES. POSTMASTER: surprise to discover the illustration of Ida Lewis that no doubt inspired SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO: MEMBER SERVICES, FRA, 125 N. WEST ST., ALEXANDRIA, Great-Grandma Lizzie when she herself was only 18 years old. VA 22314-2754. FRA TODAY IS PUBLISHED IN THE INTERESTS OF ALL CURRENT AND FORMER ENLISTED PERSONNEL OF THE U.S. NAVY, MARINE CORPS, AND COAST GUARD. Writing the feature articles for FRA Today is always an education for ELIGIBLE NON-MEMBERS ARE NOT ENTITLED TO SUBSCRIPTION RATES. ESTABLISHED me. I always learn something new and interesting, and it’s always my 1 NOVEMBER 1923. TITLE REGISTERED WITH U.S. PATENT OFFICE. goal to share that new-found knowledge with our readers. !is month, FRA ADMINISTRATIVE HEADQUARTERS: 125 N. WEST ST., ALEXANDRIA, I learned how very connected we are to our ancestors … and to one VA 22314-2754 • PHONE: 703-683-1400, 800-FRA-1924 • FAX: 703-549-6610 • E-MAIL: [email protected] • WWW.FRA.ORG another … even if it isn’t obvious at %rst blush. Our past is absolutely relevant to our present and our future. VOLUME 94 NUMBER 8

Lauren Armstrong is FRA’s Director of Communications and serves as the Managing Editor of FRA Today. Please contact her at [email protected]. Not getting the sleep you need? Is your pillow the problem?

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® MyPillow to the Rescue “Until I was diagnosed with Flash forward ten years and MyPillow, Mike Lindell’s revolutionary pillow design, has various sleep issues, I had helped 5 million people improve the quality of their sleep. MyPillow has received no idea why my sleep was thousands of testimonials about the relief MyPillow has brought to people who su! ered so interrupted throughout from migraines, snoring, ﬁ bromyalgia, neck pain and many other common issues. the night. I watch Imus each Lindell has been featured on numerous talk shows, including Fox morning and heard endless Business News and Imus in the Morning. Lindell and MyPillow have testimonials about MyPillow. also appeared in feature stories in The New York Times and the I took his advice and ordered Minneapolis Star Tribune. MyPillow has received the coveted “Q Star a MyPillow. Now I wake up Award” for Product Concept of the Year from QVC, and has been rested and ready to conquer selected as the O" cial Pillow of the National Sleep Foundation. the day ahead. Thank you for helping me remember what MyPillow’s patented technology can help with all of the most common causes of sleep loss and allows you to adjust it to any sleeping position. it’s like to sleep like a baby!” You can even wash and dry MyPillow as easily as your favorite pair of blue jeans! - Jacqueline H.

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4 AUGUST 2015

Keepers of the Light Tom Snee THE STORY OF AMERICAN LIGHTHOUSES keep our members apprised of these bill and get thousands of ailing ship- FRA TODAY and their keepers is fascinating. !ere legislative “hazards” and we sound the mates the medical assistance and dis- are many books devoted to the best- alert when the way ahead is obscured. ability bene%ts they’ve earned through known and -loved lighthouses, pre- Like the lighthouse keepers, we their service in Vietnam. serving their stories just as private have to keep our lenses clear and Shipmates, your “lighthouse keep- organizations are working to preserve our light bright in order to be a bea- ers” here at NHQ are vigilant, and it’s the lights themselves. !ese beauti- con to all those who will bene%t from important to remember that you are ful structures grace postcards and “clear passages.” !e Blue Water Navy also keepers of the light in your re- calendars from Maine to Florida and Vietnam Veterans Act is where my spective ports. We need you to keep us around the Gulf of Mexico and the personal light currently shines. I en- informed about whatever lurking dan- Great Lakes. For over two hundred courage you to pause in your read- gers your lenses expose. We also need years, they were operated by individu- your active involvement in order to als and families who called the light- keep the lights on, shining bright and house home. pristine over the dark waters. !e primary mission of these Like the lighthouse FRA also needs all shipmates to lighthouse keepers was to keep these keepers, we have seek out and mentor the next genera- coastal structures up and running at tion of “keepers.” Always keep a sharp all times. In the centuries before radar to keep our lenses lookout for new shipmates, particu- and GPS, lighthouses (and in many larly those who are in need and can cases, their accompanying fog horns clear and our light bene%t from FRA’s e#orts on their and bells) warned ships of dangers, behalf. Tell them of the advantages served as navigational guides to ship- bright in order to be our bright light has already brought ping lanes, and ensured that vessels them and keep the focus on our mis- could %nd themselves safely into port. a beacon to all those sion. Without your help, our FRA Keeper duty was a 24/7/365 occupa- Lighthouse is nothing more than a tion and all facets of the mission cen- who will beneﬁt from structure of brick and mortar or a tered on steering mariners away from pretty post card. the rocky shoals. “clear passages.” It is up to today’s FRA family to I’m taking some literary license make our home in this lighthouse so here, but I like to think of our opera- that we can keep our shipmates safe. tions at FRA National Headquarters Let us shine a new light on our own (NHQ) in a similar fashion. Our team ing right now and go online to FRA’s cardinal virtues as well: of professional sta# members works to Action Center (action.fra.org/action- Loyalty, FIRST….Protection, guide shipmates through the “rocky center) and use it to contact your ASSURED….Service, ALWAYS! shoals” of congressional initiatives senators and representative about this Press On! Shine those lenses, keep that pose a threat to earned military critical issue. Together, we can light a sharp watch, and be ready to listen and veterans’ bene%ts. We work to the way for Congress to approve this and act!

Tom Snee is FRA’s National Executive Director 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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6 Congress Uncaring for Navy Vietnam Veterans mention concerning this issue, either from the press or !e opinion has become common among Vietnam War vet- other sources, the Coast Guard is not mentioned. For ev- erans that Congress tends to exclude “Blue Water” Vietnam eryone’s interest, the Coast Guard was active in Vietnam veterans from VA bene%ts. !is group of veterans never had (boots and blue water). !e Coast Guard constructed and AUGUST 2015 manned LORAN stations and sailed 82" patrol boats in

boots on the ground in Vietnam, yet just the same they are sick due to Agent Orange exposure. It seems that Congress Vietnam waters because the Navy did not have the resourc- and the VA consider these veterans not worthy. es to patrol and intercept vessels carrying food and weap-

FRA TODAY !ere are limited bene%ts available to those who served ons to the enemy in shallow waters. !erefore, Rep. Gibson in-country, but those who served at sea are excluded, even should amend his bill to include the Coast Guard. If this though Agent Orange was in the drinking water onboard is not done, the Coasties who develop illnesses caused by Navy ships and is causing sickness years later. How many Agent Orange will probably have a hard time getting the more of us have to die in agony until there are so few of us treatment and compensation they deserve from the VA! On le" that the amount of dollars to care for those le" won’t another note, there are service personnel who were exposed matter much? Is this what America is about? An uncar- to Agent Orange stateside, including myself. Part of my du- ing attitude by our legislators? Where does it say in our ties as a Preventative Medicine Technician was the handling Constitution and Bill of Rights that our veterans need NOT and spraying of pesticides and herbicides (including Agent be cared for when in need? “A man who is good enough to Orange). shed his blood for the country is good enough to be given a John Davidowski square deal a"erwards,” as !eodore Roosevelt said. Over 175,000 Navy veterans are unsung casualties of the FRA Response: "e language of the articles, press releases, Vietnam War. It is not about Democrats and Republicans, and other media that cover this issue does seem to reference it is about Americans who fought a thankless war. Maybe only Navy Vietnam veterans who were exposed to Agent this is why Congress is reluctant to provide VA bene%ts, a Orange during their service. However, that does not mean thankless war. that Coast Guard veterans who served in Vietnam have been Several years past, legislative bills were introduced for le# out. Because Coast Guard personnel served under Navy this group of sailors only to fail in committee. Presently, command in support of combat operations, they are consid- there are two new bills, House Bill HR-969 and Senate ered “Navy” personnel for the purposes of determining pre- Bill S.681, both of which are titled the Blue Water Navy sumption for Agent Orange exposure and will be eligible to Vietnam Veterans Agent Orange Act. If either of these bills $le VA claims under that presumption. are passed, Navy veterans will receive their VA bene%ts. !e American people can help by calling and writing to their I Don’t Consider Myself Petty members of Congress and senators to support these bills. !is has been eating at me for a long time! John J. Bury Why do the navy and Coast Guard choose to call their noncommissioned enlisted ratings “Petty O$cers?” FRA Response: Shipmate, we hear you loud and clear, and Who decided we are “petty” in the chain of command? we’re publishing your letter because we want the voices of It’s humiliating! Webster’s dictionary de%nes “petty” as our Blue Water veterans to be heard. We hope everyone who “small, minor, of little importance.” reads this and our other stories about these important bills I retired in 1966 as a Master Chief a"er almost 22 years will contact his or her elected o!cials directly to support these of honorable service. All the while, from 3rd Class to Master neglected veterans. You can do so right now by going to the Chief I, I was tagged as “Petty.” FRA Action Center at action.fra.org/action-center, clicking !e Army, Marine Corps and Air Force recognize their on the line that reads “Support Agent Orange/Blue Water ratings from Corporal through Sergeant Major as noncom- Navy Legislation (H.R. 969/S. 681),” and sending the pre- missioned o$cers, which maintains dignity and recognizes written letter (or writing your own letter) to your representa- the importance of those positions in the chain of command. tive and senators simultaneously. How about polling Navy and Coast Guard “petty” of%cers to see what they think? … and Coast Guard Vietnam Veterans! Richard Petrillo I read with interest [in the June 2015 issue of FRA Today] concerning the introduction of the Agent Orange/Blue Submissions Send Shipmate Forum letters to Editor, FRA Today, 125 N. West St. Water Bill (H.R. 969) by Rep. Chris Gibson (N.Y.). !e Alexandria, VA 22314. E-mail submissions may be sent to [email protected]. Please article only mentions the Navy and neglected to mention include “Shipmate Forum” in the subject line. FRA reserves the right to select and edit the Coast Guard. I am sure a thorough investigation was letters for publication. Letters published in Shipmate Forum reflect the opinions and performed prior to Mr. Gibson’s release of the bill, but it views of FRA members. They do not necessarily reflect the official position of FRA as was apparently not thorough enough. In practically every a whole. FRA is not responsible for the accuracy of letter content. minutes400 monthlyfor the “My friends all hate their price of 200 withGet WE M T cell phones… I love mine!” ALK. Here’s why. Say good-bye to everything you hate about cell phones. Say hello to Jitterbug. Not Monthly Plan $14.99 $19.99 Jitterbug®, it features a larger keypad Monthly Minutes 50 was 200 NOW 400 for easier dialing. 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8 AUGUST 2015

A Tale of Two NDAAs John Davis

FRA TODAY AS THIS ISSUE OF FRA Today goes to press, both the House In contrast to the House and Senate plans, the and Senate have passed their respective versions of the Department of Defense (DoD) blended retirement pro- National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). As Charles posal suggests repealing current law that will set retir- Dickens states in the opening sentence of his classic A Tale ees’ cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) at one percent of Two Cities, “It was the best of times, it was the worst below the rate of in'ation for personnel who begin their of times” — a phrase that aptly summarizes the FY 2016 military service a"er January 1, 2016. Both the House and Defense Authorization bills (H.R. 1735/S. 1376). Senate proposals allow for a lump sum payment to a ser- Both versions of the measure have passed their respec- vice member a"er 12 years of service if he or she signs up tive chambers and both provide a new “blended de%ned for four more years. DoD wants greater 'exibility to o#er bene%t and de%ned contribution” retirement bene%t for lump sum payments anytime between eight and 16 years career service members. Both proposals reduce retainer of service, and wants more 'exibility in determining the pay by 20 percent (2.0% of base pay/year of service ver- size of the payment and the length of the service obliga- sus the current calculation of 2.5%/year), and provide a tion. !e Pentagon also wants a mandate for new service one-percent employer contribution to the !ri" Savings members to contribute three percent of their pay to TSP Plan (TSP), the federal employee equivalent to a 401(k) accounts, which will be matched by an employer contribu- account. !is contribution would be made even if the ser- tion and may not be opted out of until the service member vice member declines to participate. DoD will also match completes %nancial literacy training. For more details on service members’ contributions up to four (Senate plan) or the Pentagon’s changes to the military retirement system, %ve percent (House proposal). While this might sound like see Tom Philpott’s June 11 2015 Military Update column at a “best of times” proposal, FRA opposes these retirement www.fra.org/MilUpdate061115 proposals as they reduce bene%ts for retirees with 20 or Please refer to the Blended Retirement Proposals more years of service in order to provide retirement ben- chart, which compares the retirement plans proposed by e%ts to those who serve as little as two years. FRA believes the House, Senate and the Pentagon. this reduction could be “the worst of times” if it proves to Although both versions of the bill include this new re- be a disincentive for future career military personnel. tirement construct, there are other signi%cant di#erences

FRA Weighs In on NDAA Provisions

In addition to expressing its concerns shared its opposition to the Senate spoke out against the Senate propos- regarding the proposals to reform proposal to increase pharmacy copays als to reduce Basic Allowances for the military retirement structure for military retirees under the age of Housing (BAH, from 99 to 95 percent (see above), FRA stated its position 65. In other TRICARE-related refer- of average housing costs) and further on a variety of proposals outlined in ences, FRA supports the Senate provi- reduce BAH for service members who the House and Senate versions of the sion that would allow bene%ciaries up are married to other military person- National Defense Authorization Act to four visits for urgent care without nel. Additionally, FRA expressed its (NDAA, H.R. 1735 and S. 1376) in a referral and a House proposal that support for a section of the Senate letters to key members of the NDAA would allow certain military retir- measure that would allow military conference committee. !e commit- ees a one-time opportunity to regain retirees to designate a new SBP ben- tee will resolve di#erences between TRICARE Prime coverage and anoth- e%ciary a"er the death of a former the two versions of the bill and create er House provision that would create spouse and a provision in the House a report that must then be approved by a uni%ed military medical command. bill that would create “veteran status” both chambers. !e Association stands in support at no cost to certain members of the FRA thanked House and Senate of the House plan to provide service Reserve Component. FRA opposes a lawmakers for resisting the call to in- members’ pay raises that are equal to Senate proposal to reduce funding for crease TRICARE enrollment fees, but those o#ered in the private sector and stateside commissaries. ON & OFF CAPITOL HILL

9 between the House (H.R. 1735) and Senate (S. 1376) ver- “Blue Water,” a larger (2.3-percent vs. 1.3-percent) annual FRA TODAY sions of the FY 2016 NDAA. pay increase for active duty service members, and veteran Among these many di#erences, the Senate bill imposes status for 20-year reservists who are not mobilized were additional pharmacy co-pay increases on retirees under not included in the %nal measure. age 65, while the House does not. !e Senate bill also A conference committee will be appointed to resolve the AUGUST 2015 provides a smaller active duty annual pay increase (1.3 di#erences between the two bills and, once the di#erences percent) than the House bill (2.3 percent). !e Senate ap- are resolved, both chambers must approve the conference proved an FRA-supported amendment to halt the priva- report. It will then be sent to the President to be signed into tization of %ve stateside commissaries, but deferred other law or vetoed. FRA continues its %ght for provisions that amendments that would advance FRA’s legislative agenda. protect and enhance our shipmates’ earned bene%ts. As a result, concurrent receipt expansion, elimination Members are urged to use the FRA Action Center (ac- of pharmacy co-pay increases, presumption of Agent tion.fra.org/action-center) to weigh in on these and other Orange exposure for Vietnam veterans who served in issues that impact FRA members.

BLENDED RETIREMENT PROPOSALS

PROPOSAL HOUSE SENATE PENTAGON FRA

Retainer Pay Multiplier 2 2 2 Oppose Government Contribution 1% salary 1% salary 1% salary Support Government Match Up to 5% Up to 4% Up to 5% Support 5% Match begins 5% > 2 YOS 4% > 2 YOS 5% > 5 YOS Support 2 YOS Match ends No end 20 YOS No end Support No end Continuation pay (12 YOS) Yes Yes 8-16 YOS Support H & S Provisions Lump sum at retirement option No Yes No Oppose COLA -1% Remain Remain Repeal Support Repeal Disability Multiplier 2 2 2.5 Support 2.5% Grandfather current force Yes Yes Yes Support

RETIREE ISSUES

SBP/DIC Offset Repeal Introduced in the Senate Sen. Bill Nelson (Fla.) has introduced FRA-supported legislation (S. 979) that repeals the requirement that forces surviving spouses of military personnel to forfeit portions of their Survivor Beneﬁt Plan (SBP) annuities to offset dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) they receive. This is the Senate companion bill to legislation introduced by Rep. Joe Wilson (S.C.) in the House (H.R. 1594). SBP and DIC payments are paid for different reasons. SBP is purchased by the retiree and is intended to provide a portion of retired pay to the survivor. DIC is a special indemnity compensation paid to the survivor when a military member’s service causes his or her premature death. In such cases, the VA indemnity compensation should be added to the SBP annuity, not substituted for it. It should be noted as a matter of equity that surviving spouses of federal civilian retirees who are disabled veterans and die of military-service-connected causes can receive DIC without losing any of their federal civilian SBP beneﬁts. Members are strongly urged to use the FRA Action Center (action.fra.org/action-center) to ask their U.S. representative and senators to support these proposals. ON & OFF CAPITOL HILL

COMPARISON OF HOUSE AND SENATE DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BILLS

AUGUST 2015 ISSUE H.R. 1735* S. 1376* FRA POSITION

Benefit Changes to Creates a “blended” military retirement Creates a “blended” military retirement FRA opposes these provisions because Retirement system with smaller 20 years defined system with smaller 20 year defined they reduce overall benefits and provide FRA TODAY benefit plan, new portable plan with benefit plan, new portable defined too much incentive to leave the military matching contribution and bonus at 12 contribution plan with matching before completing a 20 or more year years of service if the service member contribution and bonus at 12 years of career. signs up for four more years. service if the service member signs up (Sections 631–634) for four more years. (Sections 631–636) Please see chart on retirement plans for more specific differences between the two bills.

TRICARE Enrollment Does not increase TRICARE enrollment Does not increase TRICARE enrollment FRA opposes Administration’s proposed Fee Increases fees requested in the Administration’s fees requested in the Administration’s TRICARE enrollment fee increases . FY 2016 budget. FY 2016 budget.

Pharmacy co-pay No similar provision. Creates additional pharmacy co-pays FRA opposes Senate provision. increase for retirees under age 65. (Section 702)

PSA One-time Offer Allows a one-time offer to certain Senate bill has no similar provision. FRA supports efforts to provide for a one- military retirees to regain TRICARE time election for military retirees to regain Prime after DoD changed eligibility access to TRICARE Prime. for living more than 100 miles from a military treatment facility (MTF). (Section 705)

Uniﬁed Medical Creates a uniﬁed medical command Senate bill has no similar provision. FRA supports House provision and other Command to provide health care savings by efforts to reduce health care cost and eliminating duplicate efforts by each duplication BEFORE increasing TRICARE service branch. (Section 711) fees.

Pay Increase Increases pay 2.3% on Jan. 1, 2016 Authorizes a 1.3% increase on Jan. FRA supports the House provision. FRA and one-year extension for various pay 1, 2016 and one-year extension for wants an annual pay increase that at & bonus programs (Sec. 611 & 612) various pay and bonus programs. least keeps pace with pay increases in (Section 601) the civilian sector (2.3%).

BAH Rate Reduction Prohibits additional cuts to Basic Reduces BAH from 99% to 95%. FRA supports the House provision. Allowance for Housing. (Sections 601 (Section 603) & 602)

BAH Reduction for House has no similar provision A married couple living together that FRA opposes Senate provision. Married Couple are both entitled to BAH shall be paid only to the member having the higher pay grade. (Section 604)

Commissary Rejects Administration’s request to cut Reduces Commissary funding. FRA opposes Senate provision that Funding Commissary subsidy. (Section 651) reduces funding for commissary beneﬁt.

Veterans Status Authorizes “veteran status” for Senate bill has no similar provision FRA supports Reservists who have members of the Reserve Component served 20 or more years be recognized who served 20 or more years. as “veterans.” (Section 592)

SBP for 2nd Spouse House has no similar provision. Allows for the election of a new spouse FRA supports Senate provision. beneﬁciary after the death of a former spouse beneﬁciary. (Section 641)

* Provisions reported are based on House bill (H.R. 1735) that passed the House and on Senate legislation (S. 1376) that was approved by the Senate. ESN-01_7.75x10_Layout 1 /15 9:47 AM Page 1

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12 VETERANS ISSUES

VA Drops Net Worth in Agent Orange Presumption Expanded, but Not for Blue Water Navy Determining Eligibility Veterans

AUGUST 2015 FRA applauds the Department of Veterans Despite the VA’s irrational opposition to helping Blue Water veterans who served offshore dur- Affairs (VA) for eliminating the use of a vet- ing the Vietnam conﬂict, the agency has expanded presumption for exposure to Agent Orange eran’s net worth when determining eligibility for a select group of Air Force and Air Force Reserve veterans who served in Vietnam. It is now

FRA TODAY for health care benefits and co-payments. Co- presumed that these service members were exposed to the herbicide through regular and payments for veterans in the lowest Priority repeated contact with contaminated C-123 aircraft. As a result, the VA can immediately begin Groups (7 and 8) are higher than those for providing benefits to members of this veteran population who submit a disability compensa- any other group. Dropping net worth will tion claim for any of the 14 medical conditions that have been determined to be related to make some veterans in these categories eli- exposure to Agent Orange. gible for higher-priority groups. “I am pleased the VA has finally ended the wait and will now provide disability benefits for the Air Force veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange,” said Senator Kirstin Gillibrand (N.Y.). FRA believes that veterans have earned “However, there are still hundreds of thousands of Blue Water Navy veterans who are being health care benefits through their demand- denied benefits they need and deserve because of a technicality in the law. Congress owes ing service to their country, regardless of it to the Blue Water Navy veterans who bravely served our country and have fallen victim to their personal financial situation. Our nation Agent Orange-related diseases to finish the job by passing legislation that would finally solve made a commitment to all veterans in return this problem and provide access to the benefits they deserve.” for their service, and actions such as limit- FRA supports Senator Gillibrand’s “Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act” (S. 681) and its ing eligibility for health care and raising co- House companion bill (H.R. 969, sponsored by N.Y. Rep. Chris Gibson) – measures that would payments convey the wrong message to our clarify a presumption for exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War for veterans who personnel currently serving and those who served off the coast of Vietnam — the so-called Blue Water veterans. Senate VA Committee have served in the past. Chairman Johnny Isakson (Ga.) has indicated that S. 681 will be marked up, approved and sent to the full Senate for consideration. FRA National Executive Director (NED) Tom Snee and FRA Hearing on VA Budget Shortfall NHQ staffers Stephen Tassin and Ben Young also met with Rep. Chris Gibson (N.Y.) concerning The House Veterans Affairs Committee H.R. 969, offering the Association’s effort to advance the bill. (HVAC) held a hearing to review how the NED Snee also brings attention to the Agent Orange issue when he attends the quarterly Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) could Veterans Service and Military Service Organization (VSO/MSO) roundtable discussion, spon- have a $2.6 billion budget shortfall for the sored by Senate Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and the House Democratic Caucus. current fiscal year (FY 2015). The VA claimed Members are urged to use the FRA Action Center (action.fra.org/action-center) to ask their that the shortfall is mainly because of in- legislators to support this Senate measure (S. 681) and its House companion bill (HR 969).

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14 ACTIVE DUTY/RESERVE ISSUES

Dual BAH on the Chopping FRA Hosts 17th Annual Coast Guard Caucus Breakfast

Block FRA hosted its 17th annual Coast FRA photo by Chris Slawinski

AUGUST 2015 In other NDAA news, the Senate version of Guard Caucus Breakfast, an event the 2016 National Defense Authorization held to expand awareness of the Act includes a provision that will dramati- Coast Guard’s varied missions cally change how dual-service couples’ Basic

FRA TODAY and remarkable service to our na- Allowance for Housing (BAH) will be calcu- tion, and to promote dialogue be- lated. The Senate is proposing to only autho- tween members of Congress and rize BAH for the higher-ranking member of a key Coast Guard leaders. FRA’s dual-service couple. Under current policy, ser- National Vice President Virgil vice members who are married to one another, Courneya, National Executive have no children and are assigned to the Director (NED) Tom Snee, Coast same location can each draw BAH at a lower Guard Commandant Admiral Paul “without dependents” rate. If the couple has Zukunft, former Commandant Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Paul Zukunft (left) a child, the more senior ranking member can discusses USCG policy with former Commandant Bob Admiral Robert Papp (Ret.), Papp at FRA’s annual Coast Guard Caucus Breakfast. draw BAH at a higher “with dependents” rate, Master Chief Petty Officer of the while the other member continues to draw Coast Guard (MCPOCG) Steven BAH at the lower “without” rate. Cantrell, and a number of Coast To put this matter in perspective, an E-6 liv- Guard officers and senior enlisted leaders participated in discussions about the needs of U.S. ing in the Washington, D.C., metro area re- Coast Guard (USCG) personnel. ceives BAH of $2,016 per month as a single The Coast Guard Caucus is a bipartisan group of 73 lawmakers who share a common interest service member, and a single E-7 gets $2,148 in the Coast Guard. Caucus members in attendance included Representatives Frank LoBiondo per month. Under current regulations, a mar- (N.J.), Joe Courtney (Conn.) and Duncan Hunter (Calif.). ried couple with these ranks would jointly receive $4,164 per month in BAH. If the NED Tom Snee and National Vice President Virgil Courneya thanked the assembled Coast proposed change takes effect, the E-7 would Guard personnel and caucus members in their opening remarks, and then introduced MCPOCG be eligible to receive $2,553 in BAH and the Steven Cantrell. Cantrell commended FRA’s advocacy for the Coast Guard family and shared E-6 would get $0. Marriage would effectively the success stories of noteworthy Coast Guardsmen who mentor others and volunteer their reduce their collective housing allowance by time with a willingness to serve that exemplifies today’s Coast Guard. $1,611 a month — or $19,332 — over the Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Paul Zukunft outlined the Coast Guard’s integral role in course of a year. our nation’s arctic, western hemisphere, and cyber defense strategies. He reminded the Caucus If the same two single service members mar- that the Coast Guard continues to execute today’s missions with yesterday’s ships and stressed ried civilians, their BAH would both be at the the need for modern vessels to replace ships that have seen over 50 years of service. “with dependents” rate of $2,463 for an E-6 Rep. Courtney (Conn.) is sponsoring the FRA-supported “United States Coast Guard and $2,553 for an E-7, which is much more Commemorative Coin Act” (HR 1683), which would honor the men and women of the Coast than if they married each other. Guard by minting a special commemorative coin, the sales of which would be used to support FRA opposes this provision and President the development and operation of the National Coast Guard Museum Association, a nonprofit Obama has also voiced strong opposition, organization dedicated to creating the National Coast Guard Museum, due to open in New saying the targeted cuts to BAH would “im- London, Conn., in 2018. Despite its significant role in our national defense, the U.S. Coast pose a marriage penalty.” An online petition Guard is the only uniformed service without a national museum to showcase its 224-year his- is aimed at stopping this proposal (available tory. FRA members can weigh in on the Coast Guard coin legislation by sending messages to at https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/ their elected officials through the FRA Action Center (action.fra.org/action-center). stop-senate-proposed-bill-specifically-un- FRA’s work to ensure Coast Guard pay and benefits remain on par with those enjoyed by fairly-targets-and-limits-bah-benefits-dual- Department of Defense (DoD) personnel was also acknowledged during the event, as were the military-spouses). If it garners 100,000 Association’s efforts to ensure adequate funding is available to support USCG programs. FRA signatures, the White House will review the is committed to educating members of Congress, their staff and the public about the Coast matter and provide an official response. Guard’s critical mission as a part of the Department of Homeland Security. We strongly encourage all shipmates to use the FRA Action Center (action.fra.org/action- The FRA Legislative Team is National Executive Director Tom Snee, Director of Legislative Programs John Davis, center) to let your representative know that Assistant Director of Legislative Programs Stephen Tassin, Assistant Director of Veterans’ Programs Ben Young you oppose this provision, too. and National Veterans Service Director Chris Slawinski. 10 10 13/16 13/16

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THE BATTLE OF MIDWAY A Shipmate Survives the Sinking of the USS Yorktown: Part 3

FRA TODAY By Keith Kaider

JUNE 4, 1942. Duane recounts his experience in the I took mine o#, rolled it up and put my arm across Battle of Midway: “…I was a Seaman 2C (Radio it. !is way I had good 'otation and had an arm Striker). My battle station was in Radio Central free to paddle about. I had no idea of whether the and generally I manned the 500KCS circuit. From ship was sinking or not. I had always been told that, my perspective, being closed up inside, the Battle of if something happened like this to get as far away as Midway mirrored the Battle of the Coral Sea. !at possible so that you wouldn’t get sucked under in was, up to the point that the torpedoes struck. Each the event it did sink. !is is what I did to the best of hit caused a sudden lurch of the ship and soon we my ability. Going was very slow and tiring. At one had a large list to the port side. We had also lost point I was ready to be picked up by a destroyer power, which had us depending on emergency when I heard General Quarters sounded. !e de- lighting for what light we had. No communications stroyer immediately pulled away and one sailor were available at this time that I am aware of. Being yelled, ‘Don’t worry, we will be back.’” One might, cooped up made the battle seem much longer than at this point think that Duane would be concerned it actually was. Most were saying silent prayers that for his safety, but he relates, “!ere was no panic it would soon be over. !e bomb that hit the gun and you had time to look around and take stock of mount just a" of the superstructure gave us quite your situation. I concluded that it wasn’t good but a jolt. When the word was given to abandon ship could be worse. !e thought of a shark did not en- we found that the main hatch to Radio Central was ter my mind. My thoughts were mainly of my fam- jammed and could not be opened as hard as we tried. ily. I knew that they would soon learn that the ship In single %le we made our way from Radio Central had been sunk and be worried sick.” through the Communications O$ce and into the True to its word, the USS Benham (DD-397) re- Crypto Room. In the overhead of the Crypto Room turned to pick up several hundred survivors of the was a scuttle. We crawled up on a desk and were Yorktown. Duane estimates he was in the water 45 able to pull ourselves up through the scuttle. I can’t minutes to an hour. A"er being picked up he says, remember if we went up another deck or not but we “If you have never tried to get fuel oil o# your body ended up on the Bridge. From the Bridge we had with saltwater soap, in a salt water shower, you no trouble getting back to the 'ight deck. It was a haven’t lived.” sickening sight to see all the dead shipmates from Duane was assigned to the gun mount and all of the destruction that had CINCPACFLT, advancing rap- been done to our beloved ship. Everyone I saw had idly up the ranks. Duane E. a life preserver. When the order was given to aban- Robertson, now a#ectionately don ship there was no panic or %ghting for lines. known as “Robbie”, was ad- Several lines had been lowered over the starboard vanced to Chief Radioman (AA) side, mostly a" of the superstructure, to the water. in September 1945, two months I don’t think that a conscious e#ort was made by a"er reporting to Main Navy anyone to line their shoes up. I took mine o# and Communications, Washington, set them together with those already there. It seems D.C. for duty. A"er his retirement from the Navy to me that sailors of that time were neat by nature. in 1960, Robbie was a NASA Communication I experienced no problem in going down the line. Specialist at the Goddard Space Flight Center in !e water had quite a bit of debris and a lot of oil. Greenbelt, Md. He is a 57-year member of the Fleet !e life preservers were large and made of kapok. Reserve Association, and served as president of the !ey tended to ride up and choke you in the water. East Coast Region from July 1981 to June 1982. SWS-01_7.75x10_Layout 1 3:42 PM Page 1 This Is How To Walk the Walk The must-have men’s accessory once carried by kings, presidents, barons and billionaires is back—and can be yours for ONLY $49!

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FRA TODAY GUARDIANS OF THE

American lighthouses are probably the most romantic and picturesque of all navigational aids. !ese beacons of light have welcomed seafarers home from their voyages for more than 235 years and have become icons of safety, strength and stability. Both the structures and the men and women who operated them have become part of our national fabric.

Virtually all of today’s lighthouses are automated, requiring a minimum of maintenance and upkeep, but that wasn’t always the case. Up until 1998, the Coast Guard still had billets for lighthouse keepers, who maintained the properties and ensured the lights were operating properly. And long before that, lighthouse keepers led a solitary life in some of the most picturesque, but remote, locations. !eir day-to-day regimen of lighting and extinguishing the beacon required absolute devotion. 20 KEEPERS OF OLD plantation.” But he’s quick to point out that his family’s loyalties have been with the United States ever since. “My !e life of yesterday’s lighthouse keepers required physical grandparents’ sons both fought in World War I, side-by-side strength and endurance, a keen wit, courage, the ability to with American troops. My brothers and cousins fought for AUGUST 2015 maintain a constant and unbending routine, and the willing- the Allies in World War II and I joined them in the Korean ness to spend a great deal of time alone. war, as an Army infantryman.”

“Lights must be exhibited punctually at sunset and kept Torres had $ve years of Army service under his belt when he FRA TODAY lighted at full intensity until sunrise, when the lights will be voluntarily transferred to the U.S. Coast Guard in August extinguished and the apparatus put in order without delay of 1955. When asked why he transferred, he o%ered another for relighting,” mandated the Instructions to Employees of the chuckle. “Do you know what it’s like in the Army? You sleep United States Lighthouse Service (1927 edition). Compliance on the ground! I wanted to do something di%erent. I wanted was no small matter. Lighthouses of the past were illuminated to save lives and protect my country, which is what the Coast by oil lanterns, which required the keeper to haul heavy Guard is all about.” oilcans up to the lantern, sometimes as often as every two to three hours to ensure the "ame never went out. Many light- After boot camp, he was assigned to a buoy tender for a four houses used counterweights and a pulley system, similar to year tour and then did his $rst tour as a lighthouse keeper clockworks, to keep the lens revolving. Physical strength was in 1959. “One month after I got married, I was assigned to also needed to manually crank these weights back to the top Punta Borinquen Light in Puerto Rico. My wife and I spent of the tower every few hours. Before the advent of electric- our honeymoon at the lighthouse, and she is still my light- ity, many lighthouses had manual fog bells that required the house princess at 56 years! At that time, the lighthouse was keeper to ring the bell in a designated pattern for as long as located inside Ramey Field Air Force Base. It was a romantic the fog persisted. Imagine ringing the bell every 15 seconds spot, but our windows would rattle when the B-52s and for days and nights on end! C-130s would take o% and land!”

Keepers were also required to keep meticulous records of daily Many of his responsibilities echoed those of his keeper events, including entries on weather conditions, shipping predecessors, including having to maintain the tower and tra#c and maintenance work that was done or needed to be keeper’s quarters. Like the keepers of the past, Torres’ duties done on the property. !e daily logbooks from many keepers also included conducting surveillance of the coastline and included entries about dusting and scrubbing, trimming monitoring and reporting weather conditions. And even wicks and keeping the lens and windows free from soot. though he didn’t have to lug oil to the top of the tower, he was responsible for ensuring the stand-by generator was in When weather conditions were violent, passing ships were working order for emergencies when the power failed. in the greatest danger and the need for the keepers to be at the top of their game was even more important. Inclement Torres experienced his share of excitement during his years as weather created a hazard to the lighthouses themselves and a Coast Guard lighthouse keeper, including strong storms and keepers often had to brave $erce winds and driving rain or international incidents. hail to protect the structure and the navigational aids they “During a hurricane in Puerto Rico, we had to tie a line contained. Despite their best e%orts to prevent maritime around the lighthouse and into the passageway of our quarters. mishaps, sometimes keepers were also called upon to rescue During the storm, we had to make our way out to the $rst crew and passengers from ships in distress near their lights. "oor of the lighthouse, where the communications equipment was, so we could transmit the weather status. We had to hold on for dear life due to the strong winds,” recalls Torres. “!ere ELECTRICITY CHANGED SOME THINGS was a 200-foot drop about 100 feet from the lighthouse, so we !e advent of electric lights in lighthouses changed many obviously didn’t want to get blown over the edge.” of the keeper’s duties, but many of the same challenges Another exciting experience involved some Cuban mutineers. remained. Just ask Shipmate Ismael Torres, Jr., (Branch 24, “I got a call from Headquarters in Norfolk, saying that Annapolis, Md.), who served as a lighthouse keeper for most crewmembers of a Cuban ship had mutinied and were trying of his 20-year Coast Guard career. Born and raised in Puerto to get to the U.S. !e crew all spoke Spanish and they needed Rico, Torres comes from a long line of military servicemem- me to translate. We told them we’d meet them in U.S. terri- bers and understand devotion to duty. tory, but they never made it. !ey got close, but none made “My grandparents on both sides of my family fought in the it to the United States. !e mutineers had to jump overboard Spanish-American War,” says Torres, with a chuckle, “against and many were shot. I felt badly, but there was nothing we the enemy … the Americans … who invaded Puerto Rico. could do. We couldn’t interfere because they were in interna- !ey were $ghting to protect their tobacco farm and co%ee tional waters.” “To you, it’s the perfect lift chair. To me, it’s the best sleep chair I’ve ever had.” — J. Fitzgerald, VA Easy-to-use remotes for massage/heat and recline/lift

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experiences a 46383 minimum of internal Tan Chocolate Burgundy and external stresses. Long Lasting You’ll love the other DuraLux Leather benefits, too: It helps with correct spinal Burgundy Cashmere Fern Chocolate Indigo alignment, promotes DuraLux II This lift chair back pressure relief, and puts you safely encourages better posture to Microﬁ ber on your feet! prevent back and muscle pain. © 2015 ﬁ rst STREET for Boomers and Beyond, Inc. 22 By contrast, he also experienced many serene years in a variety of picturesque waterfront locations. A romantic at heart, Torres speaks wistfully about the peace and tranquility of his keeper assignments, recalling beautiful sunsets and

AUGUST 2015 quiet evenings.

“Our quarters at Punta Borinquen Light had two bedrooms, which was $ne for a family with one child,” remembers FRA TODAY Torres, who just celebrated his 83rd birthday. “I made an innocent mistake and had three! It was beautiful there, with the most beautiful sunsets … which explains the three kids! When my daughter was born, I got transferred.”

He served three sea duty tours before being stationed at Cape Henry Light in Virginia Beach, Va. “I was the O#cer in Charge there from 1968 to 1971 and I loved it. We were a weather station and we were also responsible for keeping the lighthouse in top shape – light and bright all the time. We did weekly cleanings of the lenses and checked the bulbs. We lived right on the beach and my whole family loved it there, too. Virginia Beach was a very beautiful place. I wanted to stay there for the rest of my life, even though I was only a young petty o#cer.”

LIGHTHOUSE EVOLUTION Lighthouses predate our nation and their construction has evolved over the centuries, taking into account the construction and lighting technology of the day. No two lighthouses were built from the same set of plans and all incorporated local materials in their construction, so it’s not surprising that each one is unique. But each was designed and built for a similar purpose and, therefore, share commonalities.

Early lighthouse towers were made of indigenous wood or stone. Fire was a constant threat to lighthouses and many of the wooden ones were consumed by "ames, but remnants of the stone ones provide clues to their construction. !e earli- est were built by simply piling one course of stone on top of another, starting at a wide base and tapering in toward the top. !is technique required that the thickness of the base be proportional to the height of towers and limited the overall height to about 90 feet in the late 1700s.

As our nation grew, there was a "urry of lighthouse construction. Between 1801 and 1814, one or two lighthouses were funded almost every year. Cut stones began to be used for construction, allowing the weight to be more uniformly distributed, and taller, stronger towers emerged. Despite this progress, few of the 40 light towers built between 1789 and 1820 remained standing at the end of the Civil War.

Stephen Pleasonton became the Fifth Auditor of the Treasury in 1820 and was charged with oversight of operating the Treasury’s Lighthouse Establishment. His tight hold on 23 federal purse strings during his 32-year tenure in the post had a signi$cant impact on the nation’s lighthouses. He FRA TODAY knew little about them and made little e%ort to learn about

the evolving technologies of the day. Further, he was the ultimate $scal conservative and consistently approved the AUGUST 2015 purchase of substandard, but less expensive, lighting and construction systems. His lowest-bidder philosophy led him to appropriate funds for the construction of inferior structures that were in constant need of maintenance and replacement. To demonstrate, of the 40 or so brick towers built in the South during Pleasonton’s time as Auditor, at least 25 sunk into the soft, sandy ground on which they were built or simply blew over in strong winds. Not surprisingly, few lighthouses built between 1820 and 1852 remain.

One positive development during this period was the use of cast iron in building lighthouses. It was lighter and less expensive than brick and stone, and it was strong, watertight and was slow to deteriorate. Some cast iron towers were lined with brick for additional stability. !e tallest cast iron tower was Cape Henry Light – 165 feet tall – and remains standing after 134 years! (See sidebar on page 24 for more information on this historic lighthouse.)

A new era of lighthouse construction began in 1852, when a special committee was appointed by Congress to address the nation’s inadequate lighthouse situation. !is Lighthouse Board established 12 districts and provided for the administration and inspection of the country’s lighthouses. !e Board also instituted improvements in equipment and fos- tered experimentation with new devices that would aid mariners in navigating the coast. By 1959 brick towers of more than 160 feet were dotting the eastern seaboard, increasing the height of former towers by more than 60 feet.

!e development of the Fresnel lens was a breakthrough in lighthouse illumination and were considered state-of-the-art in the late 1800s through the middle of the 1900s. Named for French physicist Augustin-Jean

Main image: !e lighthouse at Coast Guard Sector Bu%alo is no longer in use, but maintained by the Bu%alo Lighthouse Association. (U.S. Coast Guard Photo by Petty O#cer 3rd Class Brandon Blackwell)

Inset image: !e Pensacola Lighthouse was built in 1859 and boasted a $rst-order Fresnel lens, the largest and most powerful lens of the day. !is photo (circa 1960) shows the enormous size and multiple facets of the lens. !e lighthouse is now operated by the Pensacola Lighthouse Association and is open for public tours. Visit www. pensacolalighthouse.org for more information. (Photo by Department of Commerce) 24 Fresnel, the lenses were a collection of multiple prismatic System was created in the mid-1800s and consisted mainly elements arranged in faceted domes in order to capture more of lighthouses. !e navigational requirements for this system, oblique light from a light source. !is allowed the light to as designed, have been replaced with modern electronics. be visible over a greater distance. !e design also allowed It is becoming more di#cult for the Coast Guard to justify AUGUST 2015 for much thinner materials, which reduced the volume the operational and maintenance costs when the need for a and weight of the lens. Even though $rst order (the largest) ‘landfall’ light to guide mariners is no longer there.” Fresnel lenses used in lighthouse are large enough for a man According to Lewald, the U.S. Coast Guard currently oper-

FRA TODAY to stand inside, this new technology made such lenses smaller ates 361 lights classi$ed as “major lights,” which means their and more manageable than conventional lenses. light can be seen under normal atmospheric conditions from In 1910, the Bureau of Lighthouses (or Lighthouse distances greater than 10 miles. Many of these major lights Service) was formed and began operating the “don’t have the traditional ‘lighthouse look’ and are often country’s lighthouses under the oversight of skeleton towers or other utilitarian structures that lack the the Commerce Department. In 1915, the romance of a brick and mortar tower with a quaint keeper’s nation’s Life-Saving Service was combined quarters located nearby. !ere are a handful of ‘traditional with the Revenue Cutter Service to create the lighthouses’ that are used as a range light and therefore aren’t United States Coast Guard (USCG). It wasn’t listed as major lights.” until 1939 that the Bureau of Lighthouses was Many lighthouses have been abandoned or divested, and transferred to the Coast Guard, bringing the the Coast Guard has been handing over ownership, and in service’s aids-to-navigation mission full circle. some cases responsibility for running them, to other parties, chief among them is the National Park Service. !e National LIGHTHOUSES TODAY … AND TOMORROW Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act (NHLPA) provides for the disposal of federally owned historic light stations that With Global Positioning Systems (GPS), are lighthouses even exceed the needs of the Coast Guard (or other responsible needed anymore? agency). According to the National Park Service website, “!e advent of GPS, radar and other modern navigation “!e NHLPA recognizes the cultural, recreational and tools has rendered lighthouses functionally obsolete,” says educational value associated with historic light station proper- Shipmate Dave Lewald (Branch 24, Annapolis, Md.), a navi- ties by allowing them to be transferred at no cost to federal gation specialist and retired USCG Master Cutterman with agencies, state and local governments, nonpro$t corporations, Navigation Technologies and Systems Division (CG-NAV-3). educational agencies and community development organiza- “Simply stated, the Seacoast Aids to Navigation (ATON) tions.” !ese entities must be $nancially able to maintain the

Cape Henry Lighthouse Cape Henry was the ﬁrst lighthouse to be federally funded and has kept watch at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay since 1792. George Washington authorized its construction and Alexander Hamilton oversaw the building of this historic tower, at a cost of $17,700. It is the only lighthouse of steel-plate construction still standing in the U.S. The old Cape Henry Lighthouse is owned by Preservation Virginia and is open to the public on a sea- sonal schedule. Visitors are invited to climb to the top of the tower to enjoy spectacular views of the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean. For more information days and hours, restrictions to climb the lighthouse and fees, visit www.apva.org/CapeHenryLighthouse or call 757-422-9421. The original lighthouse was damaged by Confederate forces during the Civil War and re- paired by Union troops, and concerns about its stability caused the government to build a second lighthouse in 1881. This second light is made of cast iron, sits approximately 350 feet from the original and is maintained and operated by the U.S. Coast Guard. It is not open to the public. The two lighthouses have been designated as a National Historic Landmark and are listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. They are located at 583 Atlantic Ave, Fort Story, Virginia 23459. Fort Story, a military base operated by the U.S. Navy, lies within the city of Virginia Beach. Visitors should be aware that you must enter through Fort Story’s security gates. All visitors over the age of 16 will be required to present valid identiﬁcation and vehicles may be subject to search.

26 lighthouses and make the properties available to the general the historic site of Japan’s surrender and $red missiles during public for education, park, recreation, cultural or historic the $rst Gulf War. It was modernized to continue its produc- preservation purposes. To learn more about the NHLPA and tive service for 50 or 60 years. In contrast, the Coast Guard which historic lighthouses are available, visit www.nps.gov/ wasn’t allowed to modernize lighthouse lenses,” says Lewald. AUGUST 2015 maritime/nhlpa/intro.htm “We were forced to continue operating the old Fresnel lenses until automated lights were mandated by Congress in the As a result, many lighthouses are now in the hands of dedicated 1970s as a cost-saving measure. Now the skill to maintain private or public owners and have been restored to their origi-

FRA TODAY them is gone.” nal glory. Some of these lighthouses remain an active federal Aid to Navigation (ATON), while others have been discontin- Even e%orts to preserve lighthouses and their lights are ued and are now operated as a Private ATON (PATON). di#cult. “!ese Fresnel lenses are stunning works of art, but they’re also delicate mechanisms that aren’t meant to be “It’s important to understand that turning a lighthouse ‘o%’ dismantled and reassembled. !e old keepers kept the lenses as an ATON is not necessarily a bad thing,” explains Lewald, polished and closed drapes around them to protect them from “especially if the Coast Guard can turn it over to a person or damaging sunlight. !is type of meticulous care and upkeep organization who is in a better position to maintain it. Many of isn’t being done and it’s resulted in what we call ‘consumptive these private groups’ ability to maintain major lights far exceeds use of artifacts’ – the degrading of historic items that need that of the Coast Guard, and they’re able to turn the light back preservation,” explains Lewald. “Replacement parts are no lon- on as a cultural/historical exhibit. Everyone bene$ts!” ger available and the skill sets to work on these gems no longer A historian and self-proclaimed lover of the lights, Lewald exist in the Coast Guard. And even if they did, the old lights understands the emotional appeal of lighthouses. “We all used to rotate in a bath of mercury. We can’t start reinstalling have an a#nity for that beautiful light on the windswept cli%, tubs of hazardous material in these old structures!” but the simple truth is that our desire to keep lighthouses !e USCG is currently studying the navigational requirement lit is less about analysis and more about anecdotes. !ere’s our Seacoast ATON system and the public is invited to comment great lore to these lights,” he muses. “I know my love of lights through an anonymous survey located at www.NAVCEN.gov. stems from being on the water with my grandfather, who was !e survey will be posted on or about 15 July. Information an oysterman on the Chesapeake Bay. He’d point to the lights collected during this study will help the USCG determine the and explain to me how to use them to get home. !ese lights best course of action to best serve the Marine Transportation were incredible engineering achievements in their day. Each System (MTS) and meet the historic preservation needs of one had a unique environment and was a unique engineer- these national treasures. ing solution. !ey were positioned in prime locations, on unsheltered blu%s, with a picturesque keepers cottage to the !e Coast Guard is equally committed to preserving these side. I’ve heard them called ‘America’s castles,’ and I think treasures, according to Lewald, but there is little money to do that’s a very apt description.” it. “It’s important to keep that heritage alive and the Coast Guard doesn’t want to turn the lights o%, but it’s our job People get very passionate about these old lights and discus- to e#ciently use taxpayer resources. And it’s hard to justify sions can generate some real animosity. While attending a spending money on 1840s technology when there are groups community meeting about removing the light from an old and volunteers who are better suited to manage and maintain tower, Lewald recalls “a surgeon in the crowd who tried these treasures. We’ve got people lining up to take care of to compare removing the light to removing an eye from a them, people who are eager to get the lights back on and keep patient. He went on to say it was ‘un-American’ to do so. I them on as cultural and historical points of interest.” have to tell you, I’m well-versed in the maintenance of Fresnel lenses, I’m a historian and, at that point, I had 29 years of Technology evolves and Aids to Navigation systems have service in the Coast Guard,” he chuckles, “and I’d certainly changed dramatically, just in Lewald’s lifetime. “During my never had anyone question my patriotism!” Coast Guard career, I set buoys by sextant. And that lighthouse beacon was a very reassuring indicator that I’d made It might be di%erent if the lights had been modernized along landfall after a transoceanic voyage,” he recalls. “But I have the way, but that simply didn’t happen. Lewald was struck by to tell you, I’m really glad I’m not relying on that technology the di%erence when he visited other historic military sites. anymore.” “Fort Moultrie (S.C.) was an active U.S. fort from the War of 1812 through the end of World War II. !e fort had been modernized throughout its history and is now a museum that depicts the weaponry and defensive technologies from the different eras during which the fort served. !e USS Missouri is Lauren Armstrong is the Contributing Editor and Member another example. It was launched during World War II, was of the FRA Auxiliary. She can be reached at [email protected]. 1-800-MILITARY (1-800-645-4827) AUTO HOME RENTERS MOTORCYCLE BOAT

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28 AUGUST 2015

Youth Activities Penny Collins THE FRA YOUTH ACTIVITIES program cadets who have achieved greatness. American Soap Box Derby in Akron, FRA TODAY is an excellent opportunity for ship- If you would like more information Ohio. Here’s hoping they win %rst mates to focus on our future leaders. about the Young Marines, go to www. place in their respective car classes! !e purpose of the program is to serve youngmarines.com. Scouting for both girls and boys the youth in local communities and Sponsoring sporting events for is always a sure winner for our ship- guide the young generation in their youth participation is another won- mates to support young people in their endeavors to become better and more derful opportunity to create a spirit local communities, but there are other, productive citizens. To make this pro- of competitiveness and camaraderie non-traditional ways to be involved gram work, it is up to our shipmates among future leaders. Many of our with youth activities. Participating in to become involved in programs branches support Little League, youth a Youth ID program in conjunction such as scouting, athletic teams, sci- football, basketball and soccer, Soap with your local police department is ence and technology clubs and youth Box Derby, martial arts teams, and one such program, o#ering parents a military programs, as well as tutoring more. Shipmate Anthony Jackson, way to document their children’s per- and mentoring. Here are some recent secretary of Branch 6 (Baltimore, sonal information for use if a child highlights of FRA’s involvement in Md.) was presented the 2014 Shipmate should be lost or missing. youth activities. of the Year award in Youth Activities Speaking of unique ways to par- Several branches support youth for his support of the Riley Hawkins ticipate, how about volunteering to military programs, which help to Avengers Karate Club. He volunteered mentor a high school robotics team? build character and promote mental, over 1,000 hours of his time and do- Shipmate Michael Hurst (Branch 24, moral, and physical development. !e nated $1,300 to purchase uniforms Annapolis, Md.) is an engineering most notable youth military programs and other supplies for the participants. mentor for the Wheaton High School are high school Navy Junior Reserve More than 45 students (age seven and First Robotics Competition (FRC) O$cer Training Corps (NJROTC), above) learn martial arts skills, includ- Team 5115. !e team has only been Sea Cadets and Young Marines. !e ing team building and self-discipline, in existence for two years, but made a Young Marines, for example, is open that apply throughout their lives. good showing in the 2015 Chesapeake to all youth ages 8 through completion !e Soap Box Derby team spon- Regional FIRST Robotics Competition of high school. Membership requires sored by Branch 24 in Annapolis has in April, competing against larger and the student to be in good standing in been competing in the District of more experienced teams to design and school. !ere are currently 300 units Columbia competition for more than build a robot. Shipmate Hurst vol- with 10,000 youth and 3,000 adult 15 years. PRPEC Don Hoover, along unteered more than 100 hours to as- volunteers in 40 states, the District with branch and unit members and sist the team and he is seeking other of Columbia, and Japan. Many of other volunteers, assists the youth volunteers in the local community our shipmates volunteer hours, give in preparing the cars and themselves to work with the team for the 2016 donations and present awards to for the competition. Two participants competition. will represent the FRA at the 2015 All FRA’s annual Americanism Essay Contest is another way to support area youth, as is involvement with area Toys 4 Tots toy drives in local communities. Support your youth programs to the max because the growth of our future leaders depends on your mentoring, tutoring, expertise and knowledge of life. Make it count!

Branch 6 Secretary (Baltimore, Md.) Anthony Jackson (not pictured) is an instructor at the Branch 24 (Annapolis, Md.) sponsored Penny Collins is FRA’s Director of Membership Riley Hawkins Avengers Karate Club, where several participants in the 2015 Soap Box Development and a member of FRA Branch 24 in he interacts with and mentors youngsters. Derby in Washington, DC. Annapolis, Md. She can be reached at [email protected]. FRA NEW LIFE MEMBERS

29 FRA CONGRATULATES THE FOLLOWING shipmates who have become Life Members during the second quarter of 2015, including their branch number or their designation as a Member-at-Large (MAL). Call 1-800-FRA-1924 to learn how you can FRA TODAY become a Life Member of FRA.

APRIL 2015 AUGUST 2015 Wilbert Jones 292 Allen L. Blue MAL Rolan C. Harroun 022 John R. Meyers MAL Ronald D. Keenan 060 William R. Phillips 005 Allen C. Berryhill MAL Larry Alan Gray 367 Rocky Clark 061 Robert P. Johnson 093 Richard L. Gardner 192 George F. Marshall 367 Bruce S. Hill 093 Merritt G. Ervin MAL Evelyn S. Eyster 053 Sterling D. Smith 008 Tim French 166 Wayne L. Koser 040 Gary T. Sellers 281 Robert K. Simons MAL Omar L. Meyer 110 Robert J. Campbell 013 Karene Pouesi 302 James R. Patten 290 George W. Livendale MAL Jackie L. Smith MAL Walfrido Tobias Napiza 171 Robert C. Tinsley MAL Odean D. Miller 260 Arthur M. Evans 188 Arturo M. Mendoza 171 Sanford H. Russell MAL Ralph J. Thummel 022 Edwin S. Ward 061 James G. Larson MAL Jon .D Aussey 099 Raymond O. Culpepper 264 James A. Johnson, Jr 091 Phillip C. Simmons MAL Jerry A. Singer 161 David D. Diamond MAL Bruce C. Carawon 126 Larry E. Hyche 001 Joseph K .Fryar 046 David Feller 162 Chris Lindemann MAL Gaylord McKoy 067 Eric L. Hann MAL Raymond .J Hart 060 William J. Landsittel 091

MAY 2015 Jeffery M. Fuller 367 John F. Bird 077 Timothy G. Seipp 046 George F. Meyer 208 Thomas E. Hunter MAL David J. Nelson 061 Kevin J. Bradley 046 Darrell L. Cole 099 John Worsley MAL Alberto D. Espiritu 008 Reid D. Morris 046 James A. Sagerholm 024 Robert H. Clark MAL David A. Wheeler 298 Ron Ramsey 061 Voytle V. Shackelford 210 Barry L. Chase MAL John S. Purdy 024 Emory T. Fraker, Jr. 261 Antonio Dominquez 094 Jorge L. Cuadrado 051 Charles E. Frederick MAL Darryl B. Pittman 103 Hubert E. Lorance 175 Primitivo A. Dequilla 029 Edward A. Ford 208 John L. Thornton MAL William H. Janzen 175 Jeffrey C .Myers MAL J. C. Price 011 Tom Wilbur 024 Thomas T. Thaggard 289 Betty R. Myers MAL Roger M. Leach 022 Robert R. Price MAL Roy D. Armentrout 101 Michael C. Cormican MAL James A. Covas, Jr. MAL Donald C. Edwards 011 Raymond E. Hamaker 227 Bruce Burnett 170 James D. Beattie, Jr. 057 Milton Hnyla 091 Lawrence W. Severin 001 John M. Broughton 290 Robert Gokey MAL Floyd J. Smith 059 Alexander Newkirk 005 William F. Ryals 024 Juan Quidachay MAL James R. Scott 207 Jerry D. Toney 290 Russell .A Farnsworth MAL C. E. Van Ness MAL Howard Lang MAL Robert W. McQuaid MAL Robert E. French 170 David J. Morgan MAL Jerry Tipton 334 Samuel A. Bates, Jr. 166 Roy C. Miller 059 Kenneth J. Davenport MAL Remo Dela Pena 115 Thomas C. Templeton MAL Kenneth J. Szczublewski 024 Dickie D. Dunn MAL

JUNE 2015 Danny J. Gray MAL Lawrence Fletes 269 Phillip R. Legan MAL Kenneth W. Murray MAL Jerome P. Lickteig 161 Mark R. Melton 090 Patrick J. McIntyre, Jr. 086 John .H Plourde 261 William H. Rowe 185 John W. Thiel 077 Ralph E. Turnbull 042 Thomas .J Snee 181 Allen F. Bell 156 John R. Miller MAL John A. Mueller MAL Robert J. Gillett MAL John E. Strattard MAL James E. Swann, Jr. 024 Wayne J. Oliveira 127 Kenneth R. Rember MAL James Pierce MAL Richard Lovas 310 Robert P. Brillante 024 Richard L. Mays 194 William C. Oberg 136 Leon C. Haddock 250 Dale E. Ebersold 130 Anita L. Brt MAL James A. Collins 042 Douglas E. Schafer 024 Donald Mayo 086 Jose R. Brambila 166 Benjamin D. Casuga, Jr. 154 Charles R. Pinney 307 James L. Gore 120 Michael J. Mrsny MAL David L. Kolonko 201 Jerry D. Montanya MAL Robert W. Atchison 060 Amber Rechsteiner 103 Felipe C. Diaz 166 Douglas S. Borrebach 024 Steven Delancy MAL Joseph V. Neureiter MAL William C. Therrell 126 Paul O. Milton 008 Keith D. Surface MAL Anthony J. Rendine MAL Leonard F. Liebe MAL Richard C. Heuer MAL Timothy Ciciora 290 W. Paul Carver MAL Victor N. Gage 136 Edward Zeman 216 James E. Hutson MAL Matthew G. Mainwaring MAL Lloyd H. Traaen MAL Thomas D. Gelwicks MAL Jose Y. Basco, Jr. MAL William E.Schultz 275 Joseph A. Moledo 175 Frank S Brunt 091 TAPS In Memoriam

30 NAME BRANCH NAME BRANCH

Aragon, Remiglo B., USN 084 Grant, Daniel R, MMCS, USN 091 Ardo, Julius A, CPO, USN 175 Green, John B, CPO, USN 219 AUGUST 2015

Baron, William M, RMC, USN 202 Hamilton, James L, CTACM, USN 182 Beattie, James W, EMCM(SS), USN 309 Harris, Harold E, CEC, USN 234

FRA TODAY Bellock, James R, CWO4, USN 264 Harris, Julius C, USN MAL Bence, Robert D, MMCS, USN 067 Holliday, Gene C, AZ1, USN 041 Bernier, Arthur G, GYSGT, USMC 208 Hord, Cheryl A, PNCM, USN 251 Best, Orlan G, PO1, USN MAL Houston, William B, LCDR, USN 061 Blouse, John G, MMCM, USN 106 Boggs, Clarence C, QMCS(SS), USN 099 Jenkins, Arden K, BTC, USN MAL NAME BRANCH Braden, Raymond L, PNC, USN 094 Jessup, John M, FT1, USN 055 Petricone, Salvatore P, EM2, USNR 147 Bunker, William S, YNCS, USN 085 Jocson, Dominador A., CPO, USCG 004 Pitchord, Tom, QM3, USN 371 Johnson, Roger D, USN 338 Pool, Henry F., EAC, USN MAL Calk, Dolon L, AO1, USN 098 Jolley, Richard W, SSGT, USMC 060 Price, Fred R, CAPT, USMC 194 Carriker, Floyd A, SK1, USN 175 Jones, Paul C, ADR2, USN 124 Price, Vernell, GYSGT, USMC 159 Carter, David L, MSGT, USMC MAL Jones, Needham B, AKCM, USN MAL Pruitt, Burl, PO1, MAL Caulder, William E, CPO, USN 259 Julian, Edward J, GYSGT, USMC 071 Clarke, Arthur L, HMC, USN 178 Rask, Ralph E, USN 018 Cline, Larry L, BTC, USN 259 Kovrig, Joseph P, YNC, USN MAL Rattigan, Benjamin, AOC, USN 091 Cloutier, Leo R, ADR2, USN 124 Krueger, David L, HMCM(SW) Rich, Ronald L, CTMCM, USN 175 Coady, James P, RM1, USN MAL Retired, USN MAL Rojem, Arthur L, AMS1, USN 289 Coons, Raymond E, EMCS(SS), USN 263 Rudd, Charles E., USN 183 Core, Walter L, PNC, USN 099 Lemons, Chester F, MGYSGT, USMC 208 Ryan, James D, MMCM, USN MAL Crabtree, Duane M, AZC, USN 021 Lindquist, John A, FTCM(SS/DV), Crelencia, Augusto B, SK1, USN 111 USN MAL Scheidegger, John H, CTAC, USN 162 Crockett, John R, YNCS(SS), USN 008 Lombardo, Michael, FTGC, USN 005 Smith, James A, AMSC, USN 287 Lozinak, John J, CPO, USN MAL Stansbury, Ronald W, PNC, USN 197 Denham, Euel E, OMC, USN 022 Luzzi, Edward, PFC, USMC 124 Stouder, Floyd W, DKC, USN 276 Dennis, James A, HT1, USN MAL Destefano, Ralph J, ENC, USN 046 Madenford, Eugene C, 1STLT, USMC 106 Travelbee, Ophelia F, YN1, USN 021 Dietz, Donald A, ATCS, USN MAL Mahan, Lee G, ADJ1, USN 126 Tuders, William A, BMC, USN MAL Donohue, Austin J, EM1, USN 005 Marson, Joseph L, ADRC, USN 022 Tuxhorn, Willis H, DCCS, USN MAL Draper, Michael J., 358 Martin, James J, USN 226 Dreher, Leonard A., USN 289 Martinez, Joseph, AMS1, USN MAL Weaver, Fred L, HMC, USN 022 Mathis, Charles S, ENC, USN 042 Whelpley, Larry Michael, OM1, USN 289 Eaton, Marshall J, CPO, USN 026 May, Robert F, BTCM, USN MAL Wilson, Thomas G, CTOC, USN 022 Ervin, Donald J, RM1, USN 136 McKean, James W, FTGC, USN MAL Wilson, Harry S, HMC, USN 060 McKinley, Robert B, ADRC, USN 094 Winsett, Russel T, GMC, USN 109 Farnsworth, Russell A, AK1, USN MAL McManness, Gene V, AMHC, USN 267 Wittenauer, Raymond A, AFCM, USN 091 Finch, Dan D, CWO3, USN 093 McMonagle, Francis X., MM2, USN 012 Watts, Algie A, IMC, USN 202 Follero, Jose T, DK1, USN 127 Moschella, Frank J, AD3, USN 091 Ward, Raleigh C, SWC, USN 215 Foster, Robert R, AKC, USN 289 Moschner, Gerald R, CE2, USN 365 Wallace, Alvin G, ADR1, USN 339 Frank, Louis C, MSGT, USMC 067 Woody, Robert F, ACCM, USN MAL Franson, Richard V, USN 136 Mowry, Lewis W, ETCM, USN 087 Wright, Cary F, LCDR, USN 047 Froitzheim, Norman P, RM1, USN MAL Fulmer, Samuel J, MSGT, USMC 358 O’Neill, Linda H., PN3, USN 024 Zwatschka, John R, ADJC, USN 022 Olsen, Ralph W, CPO, USN MAL Gascon, Ronald J, RMCM, USN MAL Gill, James L, HMCM(SW), USN 020 Payner, Charles J, DCC, USN 327 Gipson, Charles R, ATCS, USN 011 Peterman, Silas E, GMGC, USN 018 Names in indicate 50 year continuous members. red Educating our service members, veterans and their families. LEGACY GIFTS TO THE FRA

Investing in FRA’s Future FRA TODAY

YOUR INVOLVEMENT IN FRA demon- Donations and Bequests %nancial information. For your copy, strates extraordinary commitment to FRA gratefully accepts donations from please contact Member Services at AUGUST 2015 improving the quality of life for cur- our members and others who wish to [email protected] or 1-800-FRA-1924. rent and former service personnel. support the Association’s important Contributions may be made in a Many shipmates choose to leave a leg- work. Some shipmates elect to donate variety of ways. acy of Loyalty, Protection and Service directly or make bequests as part of By phone: Please call FRA’s Finance by contributing to the FRA or remem- their estate plan, while others ask fam- O$cer at 1-800-672-1924 or 703-683- bering the Association in their wills or ily and friends to make donations and 1400, extension 102, and explain that living trusts. Creating such a lasting bequests in their name. you would like to make a memorial tribute is a simple way to perpetuate As you consider your contribu- donation. your commitment to the guiding prin- tion, know that FRA’s management Online: Visit our secure website at ciples of our organization. of %nancial resources far exceeds the www.fra.org, and click the “Support In recent years, many shipmates Better Business Bureau’s standards FRA” tab near the top of the screen. have elected to include FRA in their for charity organizations. FRA spends wills. By providing for FRA in your 85 cents of every dollar to provide By mail: If you prefer to make your estate plan, you are investing in a last- direct service to its members, with a donation by check, you may mail it to: ing bene%t for your family, your ship- minimum spent on fundraising and FRA mates, and all those who will follow overhead. Donors can be assured their 125 N. West Street a"er. Gi"s like these help to ensure legacy donations are handled with the Alexandria, VA 22314 the continued success of our work on same good stewardship and respect. Capitol Hill, our scholarship program Shipmates are encouraged to re- for deserving students and the other quest a copy of our free publication, programs that make being an FRA My Personal A%airs, designed to help Shipmate so special. you organize all of your important

Who needs money for college?

FRA’s Education Foundation awards over $100,000 in scholarship funds each year to recipients based on ﬁnancial need, academic standing, character and leadership qualities. Our scholarship program is open to anyone who has an afﬁliation with the USN, USMC or USCG, through their own service or that of a spouse, parent or grandparent.

125 N. West Street Educating our service members, Alexandria, VA 22314 veterans and their families. EDUCATION FOUNDATION 800-FRA-1924 • 703-683-1400 [email protected] LOOKING FOR…

32 Admiral George E. R. Kinnear II HMC Samuel Pack I was his ﬂag writer from 1972 to 1980. Last seen on the USS Midway. Please Please contact Floyd S. Hawkins Jr. at contact HMC (Ret.) Roger Moor at PO Box 705, Oak Harbor, WA 98277, 1211 Severns Lane, Paradise, CA ﬂ[email protected] or 95969, 530-872-5042 or AUGUST 2015

360-675-6809. [email protected]

FRA TODAY All Looking For … notices must be submitted in writing. Members can submit requests via e-mail to [email protected] or in writing to FRA Looking For, 125 N. West St., Alexandria, VA 22314. Questions regarding reunion submissions should be directed to 1-800-FRA-1924, ext. 126.

REUNIONS

USS Hamner (DD-718) USS Rushmore Association September 17–21, 2015, San Diego, September 16–20, 2015, San Antonio, CA. Contact Pattie Keys, 4419 Texas. Contact Richard C. Phillips, Olando Lane, Bowie, MD 20715, 19147 Grenelefe Ct., North Fort Myers, 714-401-7791. FL 33903, 239-599-2450. USS Columbus (CA-74, CG12, USS Stribling (DD-867) SSN762) September 17–20, 2015, Mayport, FL. September 22–27, 2015, San Diego, Contact HMCS (SW) Tom Miller, USN CA. Contact Al Hope, 260-486-2221, (Ret.), 304 Thornhill Drive Braselton, [email protected]. GA 30517, 706-824-0166, [email protected]. USS Arnold J Isbell (DD-869) September 10–13, 2015, Philadelphia, USS Towers (DDG-9) PA. Contact Barry Dahlberg, Berrien September 15–20, 2015, Pittsburgh, Springs, MI 49103, 708-203-1445, PA. Contact Raymond Wong, 1634 38th [email protected]. Avenue San Francisco, CA 94122, 415- 566-7285, [email protected]. USS Eldorado September 22–25, 2015, Baltimore, MD. Contact Stan Davis, 114 N. Meadow Drive, Glen Burnie, MD, All reunion notices must be submitted in writing. Members can post reunions online at www.fra.org, submitted 410-768-8408, 410-903-6494, sda- via e-mail to [email protected] or in writing to FRA Reunions, 125 N. West St., Alexandria, VA 22314. Questions [email protected]. regarding reunion submissions should be directed to 1-800-FRA-1924, ext. 108.

Reunions are a Great Recruiting Opportunity! IF YOU’RE HOSTING OR attending a reunion, please consider !ese work great for one-to-one conversations with how many prospective FRA members will also be there! someone who you know is eligible for membership (at least FRA has published a prospective member brochure with an one day of enlisted service in the Navy, Marine Corps or information request form. You can easily talk through ben- Coast Guard). You can request these brochures or other e%ts of membership with the prospect using this brochure items for your reunion from Penny Collins at 1-800-372- and o#er NewsBytes or one of the FRA guides, provided by 1924 (ext. 123) or [email protected]. Reunions are great places %lling out the information card. to recruit. If you’d like additional information or ideas for your reunion, please contact Penny! MOVING FORWARD 2015 – 2016

Continuing Programs New Recruiting Initiatives (2015)

Recruit 3 Program Recruit 5 Initiative Any FRA or Auxiliary member who recruits/sponsors three (3) Any FRA member who recruits/sponsors five (5) new or new or reinstated FRA members will be eligible to receive reinstated members will receive a “Recruit 5” collectible the red/white/blue collectible pin. pin and a one-year extension of his/her existing membership, valued at $30. If the recruiter is already a Life Recruit 32 Program Member, a special gift valued at $30 will be awarded in Any FRA member who recruits/sponsors 32 new or re- lieu of paying for one year of membership dues. The instated members will be eligible to receive a life member- recruiter is eligible to recruit only one set of five new or ship or $200 cash award if already a life member. For reinstated members during the recruiting year and receive each subsequent 32 members recruited, a shipmate will the special incentive awards. be eligible to receive an additional award of $200. Retain 10 Initiative As a new incentive to strengthen retention, we will ran- Submit completed applications to: domly draw 10 names of new or reinstated FRA members FRA, 125 N. West St., Alexandria, VA 22314 - 2754. with one or two years of membership who are eligible for Remember to include payment and your full name and renewal. This drawing will be held quarterly in July, membership number in the “Sponsored by” section of October, December, and April. Winners’ memberships the application. will be extended for one year, valued at $30.00. Artist’s rendering of the Moving Forward Pins. Actual pin design may vary and is smaller than shown. Join FRA: Membership Application SPONSORED BY: Membership is open to all current or former enlisted members of the Navy, Marine Corps Name: ______or Coast Guard. I certify that I fulfill the eligibility requirements and want to join FRA. Member No: ______Branch No.: ______Annual dues include a subscription to FRA Today magazine. 125 N. West Street Alexandria, VA 22314-2754 Name: ______Rate/Rank: ______Phone: 703-683-1400 Toll-Free: 1-800-FRA-1924 Address: ______www.fra.org Street Lot/Space City State Zip Code

Date of Birth: ______SSN (optional): ______Phone: ( ) ______

SPECIAL Service: ______Status: ______Membership Preference: Branch No. ______Nearest to Home Member-at-Large OFFER FOR Previous FRA Member: No Yes (If yes, previous Member No.: ______) *NEW MEMBERS $48 for 2 years Spouse’s Name: ______Your E-mail Address: ______Applicant’s Signature: ______Date: ______

DUES: PAYMENT OPTIONS: 1 Yr. $30.00 MC Visa Discover AMEX Check-enclosed 2 Yrs. $48.00 First time members 2 Yrs. $57.00 Renewing or reinstating* FRA members Credit Card No. ______3 Yrs. $85.50 5 Yrs. $135.00 Exp. Date: ______NEWS FROM THE BRANCHES

BRANCH 8 VALLEJO, CALIF., BRANCH 101 SANTA CLARA, CALIF., BRANCH 230 ROSEVILLE, CALIF., AUGUST 2015

BRANCH 275 PLACERVILLE, CALIF., BRANCH 296 AUBURN, CALIF.

FRA TODAY FRA shipmates and Auxiliary members from around California participated in dedicating a monument at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery.

BRANCH 136 MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. Branch Vice President Gene Jarnigan (right) presented a 40-year continuous membership pin and certiﬁcate to Shipmate Edward Kruse. Ed was one of the original members of the “Chuting Stars” from 1961–64, part of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels.

BRANCH 251 MOUNTAIN HOME, ARK. Presentation of 2014–15 Americanism essay contest awards to junior high students from Gainesville, Missouri. Pictured (l to r) are Mrs. Barnett, English teacher and counselor; 7th grade ﬁrst place local winner and second place in the FRA SC Region winner Danielle Cummings; Jaxon Britt, third place local winner; Matt Dunn, 8th grade third place local winner; Eli James Amyx, 8th grade ﬁrst place local winner; and branch Essay Chairman Dave Waggoner.

BRANCH 89 ATLANTA, GA. 2015 Americanism essay contest winners receiving their certiﬁcates and awards: pictured (l to r) are Branch President Wayne Barron; Nadia Hopkins, local and regional winner, 10th grade; Casey Burdett, local winner, 9th grade; Madison Macaulay, local and regional winner, and 2nd place Nationally, 12th grade; Ellie Montgomery, local winner and 2nd place region, 7th grade; Mac Bloodworth, local winner, 8th grade; Timothy Dzimianski, local winner, 11th grade; and Ernie Rose, Branch 89 Essay Contest Chairman.

BRANCH 156 BRUNSWICK, MAINE Branch President Read Rich drove his 1960 MGA in the Topsham-Brunswick, Maine 2015 Memorial Day parade. Branch Chaplain Armand Larochelle rode along. NEWS FROM THE BRANCHES

35 FRA TODAY

BRANCH 276 OMAHA, NEB.

Memorial Day Services were held at the Louis & Clark AUGUST 2015 Landing May 25, 2015. Representing the USAF: MSGT Dan Shelby, USAF (Ret.); USN: S/M PO1 Earl Jones, USN (Ret.); USCG: PO1 Dan Wolterman, USCG; guest speaker CDR Butch Kirkland, USN (Ret.); USMC: CAPT Sean Wolterman, USMC; USA: Harvey Funk, USA; S/M Larry Poffenbarger (Chaplain); S/M Jim Black (Chairman); S/M President Carl Burnham; S/M Past Secretary Francis A. Schrotberger

BRANCH 294 CROSSVILLE, TENN. Branch President Jack Fogel was presented with a Quilt of Valor (www.qovf.org) to honor his 26 years of military service, including 4 ½ years in Vietnam. Fogel served as a Navy Seal Team member and as a Boat Captain on the U.S. Navy small river patrol boats (PBRs) and River Assault Craft. Shipmate Fogel’s medals and awards are too numerous to list — he exempli- ﬁes the true values of an American Soldier, Sailor, Marine and Aviator.

BRANCH 295 SAN ANGELO, TEXAS Presentation of the 2014–15 FRA National Essay BRANCH 93 PATUXENT RIVER, MD. Contest Awards to Ruth Mitchell, 8th Grader at Branch and Unit present a $500 check to Crockett Middle School in Pecos, Texas. Ruth won the LAFRA for the NP 2015 Project Branch 201 8th Grade First Place, South Central “Building Homes for Heroes.” Pictured are Regional 8th Grade First Place, and FRA National 2nd (front, l to r) Unit President Shirley Vatter, Place. Pictured (l to r) are Branch 295 President Ralph Secretary-Treasurer Karen Brobst, Unit Board Mathews, Alicia Mitchell (mother of Ruth & Assistant member Marylou Siebenkas, Bonnie Wood, Principal at Austin Elementary School in Pecos, TX), (back, l to r) Branch Treasurer Otis DeLoach, Ruth Mitchell, Kevin Mitchell (father of Ruth & Pastor Branch Secretary Dale Sparkman, Branch at the First Baptist Church of Pecos, Texas), and President Tom Vatter, and Unit BOD member former Branch 295 Secretary Terry Cook, USN (Ret.). Jeani Carberry. “Building Homes For Heroes” is a nationwide program for the construction BRANCH 296 of mortgage-free customized homes for AUBURN, CALIF. wounded veterans and their families. PNP Gary Blackburn (l) presents a pin and certiﬁcate To submit a photo for News From the Branches, please e-mail a photo to Howard “Hap” Arnold, as an attachment in jpeg format to [email protected] or mail a Past Branch President, for high-quality photograph to FRA Today, 125 N. West Street, Alexandria, 40 years of continuous FRA VA 22314. Please include a brief description of the photograph and membership. include the names of those pictured. Laser prints and scanned copies of photographs cannot be accepted. NEWS FROM THE AUXILIARY OF THE FRA

36 Message from the North Central Regional President Chris Drew

GREETINGS TO YOU FROM the North Central Region (NCR) of the Ladies Auxiliary AUGUST 2015

of the Fleet Reserve Association (LA FRA), also known as the Auxiliary of the Fleet Reserve Association (AFRA). As of the May 2015 membership report, we in the NCR are a membership of

FRA TODAY 400 important people. !is is a number that, if we are fortunate, remains stable; if we are incredibly fortunate, rises slightly; and if we are “normal,” drops more than we like. CHRIS DREW Why are these people important in your and my life? !ey understand what North Central Regional President we live. !ese are (mostly) sisters in a family of choice. !ese are people who have lived lives similar to yours and mine, who know what it’s like to pack up and move frequently, who change schools mid-year or have that happen to their children, who know what it’s like when a spouse or father is gone for periods of time, sometimes on short notice, to God knows where. People who love their country. People who look out for each other. !ese important people don’t only live in the North Central Region. !ey are scattered all over this great land, in seven other regions of the LA FRA. And there is room for you! Why would you want to join this group? You will make friends like you’ve never known before. !e connections are special, and social connections are important for good mental health. Being a member a#ords you an opportunity to be a local, regional, or national o$cer, allowing you room for personal growth in the areas of administration, public speaking, and educational (on-the-job) experiences you’d not have otherwise. Membership in the LA FRA is taken into consideration when the Fleet Reserve Association lobbies Congress on behalf of military bene%ts. YOU COUNT. So it’s good to be a member, even if “just” a card-carrying member, because these bene%ts matter to you. Statistically wives outlive husbands, and if you are widowed, you don’t matter to Congress if you’re not a member of LA FRA. Membership in the LA FRA is farther reaching, however. Who can join? Spouses, parents, grandparents, sisters, brothers, children, stepchildren and grandchildren not less than 16 years of age of members of the Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) and widows, widowers, parents, grandparents, sisters, brothers, children, stepchildren and grandchildren not less than 16 years of age of persons who were members at the time of death or eligible to be members of the Fleet Reserve Association at the time of death. !ese members may not be directly a#ected by Congressional actions, but their memberships support and in a very real way say “thank you for your service” to the special FRA shipmate. Years ago the Village People told us “It’s fun to stay at the Y M C A.” As a member of this organization, I can say with all my heart that “It’s fun to be in the A F R A.”* Please join me.

*Attributed to Doris Fri, National President, 2014–2015 Photo taken by NP Doris Fri Viking Branch and Unit 136 2nd Annual Pilgrimage, at the memorial stone at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery, June 12, 2015. Pictured (l to r) are shipmates Ron Jones, Gene Jarnagin, Daryl Kuyper, Roger Graham, Tom Dooley (Branch President, Tom Steele, Ruth Klatte, Nancy Stein, Back row: NP Doris Fri, Pat Steele, Barbara Chris Drew (RP), and Pat Steele. Lovo, Marilyn Krick, President Nancy Stein; front row: Chaplain Ruth Klatte, Secretary- Inset: Image that appears on the memorial Treasurer Chris Drew. Absent: Vice President stone Shirley Bergslien. Taken June 11 following installation of ofﬁcers.

POSTMASTER: SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO:

MEMBER SERVICES FRA 125 N. WEST STREET ALEXANDRIA, VA 22314-2754