Your Mission, Your Voice todayON & OFF CAPITOL HILL The magazineFRA of the Fleet Reserve Association JANUARY 2018 USS PUEBLO North Korea’s War Museum INSIDE: 8 On & Off the Hill 26 Maintaining Flexibility and Balance 32 Shipmate News FRATODAY /// January 2018 1 _Asbestos_Lunchbox_FleetReserveAssociation.qxp_W&L 12/1/17 2:53 PM Page 1 Did your job give you Lung Cancer? If you suffer from Lung Cancer or Mesothelioma, and were exposed to Asbestos on the job – even decades ago – you may be entitled to substantial compensation (even if you’ve been a smoker)! It costs you nothing to find out. And, until you win, it costs you nothing up front if we take on your case. Weitz & Luxenberg is acknowledged as a national leader among law firms experienced in litigating Asbestos- related claims. We have already won over $17 Billion in verdicts and settlements for working people just like you. For a free consultation please call us today at 888-411-LAWS or visit us at www.LungCancerTrusts.com WEITZ LUXENBERG PC A S B E S T O S | D R U G S / M E D I C A L D E V I C E S | E N V I R O N M E N TA L | N E G L I G E N C E 700 BROADWAY | NEW YORK, NY 10003 BRANCH OFFICES IN NEW JERSEY, CALIFORNIA & MICHIGAN 888-411-LAWS WWW.LungCancerTrusts.COM LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR MASS TORT LITIGATION / CLASS ACTIONS — PLAINTIFFS 2017 ATTORNEY ADVERTISING. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. We may associate with local firms in states wherein we do not maintain an office. If no recovery, no fees or costs are charged, unless prohibited by State Law or Rule. Weitz & Luxenberg, PC is licensed by, and a member of good standing of the New York State Bar. Lawrence Goldhirsch, Esq., member, FL Bar. contents January 2018 volume 97 number 1 USS PUEBLO (AGER-2) sits moored at her current berth on the Botong River, Pyongyang, North Korea. features USS PUEBLO (AGER-2) The North Korean Navy hijacked a U.S. Navy ship on January 23, 1968. The USS PUEBLO was in international waters when a North Korean SO-1 class sub chaser opened fire and seized 18 her. The ship has been moored along the Botong River in Pyongyang since 2013 and is used as a Victorious War Museum for North Korea. Maintaining Flexibility and Balance Flexibility gives you immediate and long-term benefits with fewer injuries and less pain. 26 Stretching helps to relieve tension in your body and does help you feel good. departments 2 Communications 30 Auxiliary of the FRA News 4 From the Fantail NVP Christina Murray's Challenge LOYALTY, 6 Shipmate Forum 32 Shipmate News PROTECTION 34 TAPS AND SERVICE 8 ON & OFF Capitol Hill 36 Reunions/Looking For… Legislative updates FRA is a congres- sionally chartered, 16 FRA Calendar 38 Finance Matters nonprofit organiza- 29 Membership Matters Flexible Spending Accounts tion advocating 40 FRA Profile on Capitol Hill for Branch 101 Profile current and former enlisted members of the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. FRATODAY /// January 2018 1 today COMMUNICATIONS FRA National Officers/Board Of Directors TRICARE for LIFE National President William E. Starkey Jr., South Jersey Branch 57 National Vice President Robert Washington, Navy Department Branch 181 National Executive Dir. Thomas J. Snee, Navy Department Branch 181 Finance Officer Bryan Proctor Junior PNP Donald E. Larson, Corpus Christi Branch 94 he lead story in the December 2017 FRAtoday, “Milestone National Parliamentarian George P. Hyland, Groton Branch 20 National Chaplain John W. Davis, Tennessee Valley Branch 44 Changes Coming to TRICARE” did not address a major con- cern for our members: TRICARE FOR LIFE. However, we’d Regional Presidents like to clarify that TRICARE FOR LIFE will not be impacted by any Northeast/New England Albert Davenport, Atlantic City Branch 013 T East Coast Paul A. Phelps, Chesapeake Branch 40 of the changes. The impacts will be only on those who are age 65 and younger. Southeast James J. Thomas, West Jacksonville Branch 126 North Central Rosemary Posekany, Wolverine Branch 298 South Central Bruce R. Talbot Jr., Space City Branch 159 NVP Southwest Bruce H. Davis II, Poway Valley Branch 70 Washington West Coast Maria A. Behm, Stockton California Branch 113 Northwest Roger L. Christopher, Gem State Branch 382 FRA’s Legislative Program Healthcare Active Duty Advisory Council Advisor and long-time Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Steven S. Giordano staffer, Robert (Bob) Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Ronald Green Washington, retired Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Steven Cantrell from the Fleet Reserve Reserve Advisory Council Association as of Force Master Chief of the Navy Reserve Christopher D. Kotz December 1st. Bob is USMC Reserve Force Sergeant Major Anthony Spadaro a loyal Shipmate who Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard has helped navigate other Shipmates through the myriad changes to vet- Reserve Force Eric Johnson eran health care throughout the years. Bob’s tenure spanned two decades FRAtoday Magazine providing constant interaction with Shipmates at the Branch, Regional The monthly membership publication of the Fleet Reserve Association and National levels. Washington is currently serving as National Vice Publisher Fleet Reserve Association President of the Fleet Reserve Association. National Executive Director Thomas J. Snee, M.Ed. Bob and I got to know each other when I started working at FRA Communications Director William D. Stevenson Managing Editor Victoria Duran in July 2016. He is a great source of knowledge and an avid sports fan. Contributing Writer Denny Marshall If I ever had a question, Bob had some advice. I recall once asking him, Design and Art Direction Touch Three LLC www.touch3.com “Why are their covers red?” Shipmate Washington, I hope to see you in a FRAtoday (ISSN 1935-7192) is published monthly by FRA, 125 N. West St., Alexandria, red hat one day in the very near future! Fair winds and smooth waters to Va 22314-2754. A member’s subscription is covered by the member’s annual dues. Periodicals postage paid at Alexandria, VA and additional offices. Publication of non- you and your lovely bride, Deborah! sponsored advertising in FRAtoday does not constitute an endorsement by the FRA or its representatives. Postmaster: Send address changes to Member Services, FRA, 125 N. West St., Alexandria, VA 22314-2754. FRAtoday is published in Attention All Retirees and Annuitants the interests of all current and former enlisted personnel of the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. Eligible nonmembers are not entitled to subscription rates. DFAS addresses changed effective May 1, 2017. Established 1 November 1923. Retired & Annuitant Pay: Title registered with U.S. Patent Office. Defense Finance and Accounting Service FRA Administrative Headquarters: 125 N. West St., Alexandria, VA U.S. Military (Retired Pay or Annuitant Pay) 22314-2754 • Phone: 703-683-1400, 800-FRA-1924 8899 E 56th Street Fax: 703-549-6610 • E-Mail: [email protected] • www.fra.org Indianapolis, IN 46249-1200 Volume 97 Number 1 The old Kentucky PO Boxes will remain open and mail will be for- warded for one year. However, sending mail to the old address will add Find us on Facebook: www.fra.org/fb three to five days to the normal processing time. The telephone and fax FRA Follow us on Twitter: numbers are not changing. www.twitter.com/FRAHQ Follow us on Instagram: In Loyalty, Protection and Service, Bill Stevenson www.instagram.com/FRA_HQ Communications Director , [email protected] 2 FRATODAY /// January 2018 MA1JKT-NA-0118_Layout 1 11/21/17 10:44 AM Page 1 FROM THE MAKER OF T O H O N O R Y O U R S E R V I C E T O C O U N T R Y AVAILABLE WITH NASA'S MA-1 JACKET CONCEAL CARRY FOR KENNEDY SPACE TWIN HOLSTER CENTER GIFT SHOP UNITED STATES MILITARY FEATURE! 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