NOVEMBER 2 0 0 6 Big News from FRA Today! In this issue, FRA unveils: New National Offi cers New USMC Museum New Name for Magazine20 FRA delegates elect New National Offi cers 22 Convention News HELP FRA salutE AND SUPPORT THE NAVY, MARINE CORPS AND COAST Guard! Show your pride in your service — and for all those who have served! FRA is proud to serve current Your donation goes a long way for FRA! and former Navy, Marine Corps 76 cents out of every dollar of the FRA budget and Coast Guard personnel. supports services for our members such as: Through a very special arrangement, we have • Naval Affairs & OnWatch made it possible for you to show your pride with • phone support for concerns or legislative a high-quality hat — made in USA — showing updates the service of your choice. This hat is yours FREE • e-mail news alerts when you donate $35 or more to FRA. • use of the Action Center on www.fra.org • scholarships for members and their families Your donation goes immediately to supporting • disaster relief grants for Shipmates FRA’s efforts on Capitol Hill, fighting for • and so much more! legislation that affects you, your family and all those who serve and have served as enlisted Give today and help FRA on its mission to salute personnel of the Navy, Marine Corps and and support current and former members of Coast Guard! the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard! You will receive a free hat with each donation of $35 or more.* Wear the hat with pride or Logon to www.fra.org/support to make consider giving as thoughtful gifts for friends your donation or call 800-FRA-1924 and family. (ask for Member Services) and let us know which made in the USA hat to send you! *Donations of $70 or more are eligible for two hats, etc. Your made in the USA hat is FREE with a donation of $35 or more. Donations of any size are accepted with gratitude. D E TA I L S on T H E F Y 2 0 0 7 N D AA 8 NOVEMBER 2 0 0 6 14 The Marine Experience The National Museum of the Marine Corps opens as the USMC celebrates its 231st birthday 20 FRA delegates elect New National Officers 22 Convention News C4-Davidlaw ad n5297.qxd-AP 12/8/04 7:57 AM Page 1 Asbestos Cancer Hits Former Sailors Many sailors who served their country proudly aboard ships in the World War II, Korean, and Vietnam War eras, are now being diagnosed with asbestos-related cancers. FOR COMPENSATION INFORMATION: FOR MEDICAL INFORMATION: FREE PACKET for mesothelioma FREE PACKET for mesothelioma or lung cancer, diagnosis/death, patients, please contact: please contact: The David Law Firm Mesothelioma Web “Defeating Today’s Goliaths” Hope * Support * Help Toll Free 1-800-998-9729 Toll Free 1-877-367-6376 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] www.asbestos-attorney.com/n5297 www.mesotheliomaweb.org/n5297 The David Law Firm, P.C. Jonathan David* 10655 Six Pines Drive, #260 The Woodlands, TX 77380 The most comprehensive (Greater Houston Area) resource for Mesothelioma Handling cases nationwide with patients and their families. local co-counsel in state of filing. * Licensed by the Supreme Court of Texas. Not Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. BUF134-02_7x9.25.qxd 9/18/06 1:10 PM Page 1 Released to the Public: Bags of Vintage Buffalo Nickels Historic 1920-1938 “Buffalos” by the Pound only those saved in private hoards and estate Order More and SAVE! collections. These coins are becoming more QUARTER TROY POUND Buffalo Nickels sought-after each day. In fact, the market price Plus FREE New 2005 Buffalo Nickel for Buffalo Nickels has risen 186% in the last Plus FREE Magnifying Glass The First Federal Coin Corp. is releasing to the five years alone! The design is so popular that $45.95 + S&H public bags of original U.S. government Buffalo the U.S. now has released a brand new coin HALF TROY POUND Bag Nickels not seen in circulation for decades. featuring the magnificent American Buffalo, a Plus FREE P&D set New 2005 Buffalo Nickels Now they can be acquired for a limited time symbol of of our nation’s heritage. You’ll get a Plus FREE Magnifying Glass only — not as individual collector coins, but complete set of these new coins FREE with each $79 + S&H half troy-pound bag you order. Call today! by troy weight — just $45.95 for a full Troy SAVE $12.90 Quarter-Pound Bag. Supplies Limited — Order Now! ONE FULL TROY POUND Bag 100% Valuable Collector Supplies of vintage Buffalo Nickels are limited Plus FREE 1883-1912 Liberty Head Nickel Coins — GUARANTEED! as the availability continues to shrink. They Plus FREE P&D set New 2005 Buffalo Nickels Every bag will be filled with collectible vintage are sure to make a precious gift for your Plus FREE Magnifying Glass Buffalos from over 65 years ago, GUARANTEED: children, family and friends that will be $149 + S&H appreciated for a lifetime. SAVE $34.80 • 1920-1929 — “Roaring ’20s” Buffalo • 1930-1938 • Mint Marks (P,D, or S) NOTICE: Due to recent changes in the prices TOLL-FREE 24 HOURS A DAY • ALL Collector Grade Very Good Condition for vintage U.S. coins, this advertised price • FREE Magnifying Glass may change without notice. Call today to 1-800-895-7267 Promotional Code BUF134-02 • FREE New 2005 Buffalo Nickel avoid disappointment. Please mention Promotional Code when you call. Every vintage Buffalo Nickel you receive will 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee be a coveted collector coin — GUARANTEED! You must be 100% satisfied with your bag of Plus, order a half troy-pound or more and We can also accept your check by phone. Buffalo Nickels or return it via insured mail To order by mail call for details. receive a P & D Mintmark set of the new within 30 days of receipt for a prompt refund. 2005 U.S. Buffalo Nickels. Order a gigantic full troy-pound Bag and you’ll also receive a vintage Liberty Head Nickel (1883-1912), a valuable collector classic! 14101 Southcross Drive W., Dept. BUF134-02 Long-Vanished Buffalos Burnsville, Minnesota 55337 Highly Coveted by Collectors Yours FREE Note: First Federal Coin Corp. is a private distributor of The government officially melted millions of with Full government and private coin and medallic issues and is not affiliated with the United States Government. Past performance these vintage Buffalo Nickels, leaving behind Pound Order! is not an indicator of future performance. www.FirstFederalCoinCorp.com 1-800-895-7267 I will never forget that I am an American, fighting for freedom, responsible for my actions, and dedicated k the principles which made my country free. More than a code of conduct, this is at the heart of every Marine. FRA thanks you for your dedication, bravery and strength. Semper Fidelis! NOVEMBER 2006 Volume 85 Number 11 3 Featured FRA TOD A Y NOVEMBER 2006 14 THE MARINE EXPERIENCE In addition to the parades and galas honoring the U.S. Marine Corps 231st birthday, 10 November 2006 will mark the opening of the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico, Virginia. Departments 4 frOM The EDITOR Welcome to FRA Today! 5 ShipmaTE FORUM 14 6 np PERSPECTIVE NP Sweeney’s vision for 2006-2007 20 8 On & Off CapiTOL HILL 20 FRA ELECTS AND INSTALLS NEW NATIONAL OFFICERS 22 CONVENTION NEWS What a week in Oconomowoc! 28 FRA BENEFITS 22 30 REUniOns 31 LOOKinG FOR… 35 Taps 36 LA FRA News NP Robbins salutes USO On The COver Jerry L. Sweeney, FRA’s National President and Sandra L. Robbins, LA FRA National President in front of the newly-built National Museum of the Marine Corps, Quantico, Virginia. (Photo by Lauren Armstrong) FROM THE EDITOR 4 WELCOME TO THE INAUGURAL edition NATIONAL OFFICERS/BOARD OF DIRECTORS of FRA Today, formerly known as Nat’l President Jerry L. Sweeney, Navy Dept. Branch 181 Naval Affairs — the same magazine Nat’l Vice President Lawrence J. Boudreaux, Hangtown Branch 275 with a brand new name! Nat’l Executive Sec. Joseph L. Barnes, Navy Dept. Branch 181 At FRA’s National Convention Finance Officer Paul Rigby Junior PNP Edgar M. Zerr, Poway Valley Branch 70 NOVEMBER 2006 in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin in Y A September, delegates approved this name change to help broaden the ap- REGIONAL PRESIDENTS FRA TOD peal of the publication. Research has New England Paul F. Loveless, Jr., Pine Tree Branch 156 shown that there is a perception in Northeast Francis D. Tyson, Anthracite Branch 288 some quarters that Naval Affairs pro- East Coast Delbert L. Herrmann, Wilmington Branch 299 Tony Cassata, The Delbert D. Black Branch 117 vides disproportionate coverage of Southeast North Central Leon J. Zalewski, Milwaukee Branch 14 Navy issues, largely due to the name SAN REDDY South Central Leo V. Vance, Space City Branch 159 of the publication. Editor Southwest Charles F. Smedley, Poway Valley Branch 70 I was pleased to meet many West Coast Charles R. McIntyre, San Jose Branch 140 members personally in Wisconsin and hear first hand about numer- Northwest John Ippert, Pearl Harbor-Honolulu Branch 46 ous outreach initiatives, special events and projects in your region or Nat’l. Parliamentarian PNP J.C. Jim Eblen, San Diego Branch 9 branch, and what issues you would like us to tackle in future editions of Nat’l Chaplain Vincent W. Patton, III, Navy Dept. Branch 181 this magazine.