FRA’S 2007 L E GIS laTIV E P R IO R ITI E S 6 FEBRUARY 2007 18 Remembering Iwo Jima Two combat veterans recall their role in the historic battle 11 NES Perspective A look at a WWII example of Loyalty, Protection and Service 14 Honoring those who serve today MESOTHELIOM A If you or a loved one has been diagnosed Please contact the law firm of: Bergman & Frockt with, or died from, mesothelioma, we may 614 First Avenue, Fourth Floor Seattle, WA 98104 be able to help get monetary compensation Toll Free: (888) 647-6007 from the asbestos manufacturers. www.bergmanlegal.com No charge for initial consultation. Please ask for Emily Murray. Bergman & Frockt OMEGA_10lib_FRAT:mon 12/18/06 7:07 AM Page 1 Order today and Save $100s! 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Boudreaux, Hangtown Branch 275 sue of FRA Today. Of course, this Nat’l Executive Sec. Joseph L. Barnes, Navy Dept. Branch 181 month we salute those who fought Finance Officer Paul Rigby FEBRUARY 2007 FEBRUARY Edgar M. Zerr, Poway Valley Branch 70 Junior PNP Y valiantly at Iwo Jima, 62 years ago A (see feature article page 18). In doing so, we also remember and REGIONAL PRESIDENTS FRA TOD honor all who have served or serve New England Paul F. Loveless, Jr., Pine Tree Branch 156 today. On page 14, you will read of Northeast Francis D. Tyson, Anthracite Branch 288 the Sailors and Marines FRA has East Coast Delbert L. Herrmann, Wilmington Branch 299 Tony Cassata, The Delbert D. Black Branch 117 recently recognized for their out- Southeast North Central Leon J. Zalewski, Milwaukee Branch 14 standing performance. In his NES EILEEN MURPHY South Central Leo V. Vance, Space City Branch 159 Perspective (page 11), Joe Barnes Director of Marketing and Southwest Charles F. Smedley, Poway Valley Branch 70 recalls the dedication of shipmates Communications West Coast Charles R. McIntyre, San Jose Branch 140 to each other during wartime, as- Northwest John Ippert, Pearl Harbor-Honolulu Branch 46 suring clothing and needed supplies reached those in need. News From Nat’l. Parliamentarian PNP J.C. Jim Eblen, San Diego Branch 9 the Branches (page 26) has many other examples of shipmates remem- Nat’l Chaplain Vincent W. Patton, III, Navy Dept. Branch 181 bering those who have gone before, and bringing donations to those serving today. It is also the dedication to loyalty, protection and service ACTIVE DUTY ADVISORY COUNCIL that shapes the legislative priorities which you will read in On & Off Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Joe Campa Capitol Hill (pages 6–9). Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps John Estrada The FRA commitment to service to others is also exemplified in Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Charles Bowen the FRA Scholarship Program. This program not only helps shipmates and their families achieve educational goals, it shows the difference a RESERVE ADVISORY COUNCIL group of people can make in the life of an individual. The letters of Force Master Chief of the Naval Reserve David Pennington appreciation we receive from scholarship recipients are testimonials to USMC Reserve Force Sergeant Major Jimmy D. Cummings that. If you are interested in learning more about the FRA Scholarship Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Reserve Force Jeffrey Smith Program, please join Vince Cuthie on Wednesday, 14 February at 1200 EST by calling (toll-free) 1-877-746-9514 and entering the code 1924 when prompted. You will be able to hear about the process, ask ques- tions and get great guidance on the process of applying. If you would FRA TODAY MAGAZINE just like to listen in, call the same number and enter code 1400. Space is limited to 25 speaking participants and 75 listeners. Publisher FRA Managing Editor Eileen Murphy The FRA tele-conferences are held on the second Wednesday Contributing Editor Lauren Armstrong monthly to update shipmates on a topic of interest. Invite prospective Design and Art Direction shipmates to the 14 March call, when we will discuss the importance FIREBRAND, Alexandria, VA www.firebrandstudios.com of membership in FRA. A special personal thank you to PRPSC Don Design Director Scott Rodgerson Larson for getting the word out each month (see page 15). Production Manager Sandy Jones On a final personal note, it has been two years since I joined the FRA Headquarters staff. It continues to be one of the greatest hon- ors of my life to serve in the capacity of Director of Marketing and FRA TODAY (ISSN 0028-1409) IS PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY FRA, 125 N. WEST ST., Communications. Next month, FRA Today celebrates the 65th anniver- AleXandria, VA 22314-2754. A member’S SUbscriptiON is COvered BY the member’S sary of the Seabees — an issue that will be near and dear to my heart, annUal DUes. PeriOdicals POstaGE paid at AleXandria, VA and additiOnal OFFICES. PUblicatiON OF NON-SPONSORED advertisinG IN FRA TODAY DOES NOT as my Dad, Jack Kinney, was a Seabee in the Pacific Theater in World CONSTITUTE AN ENDORSEMENT BY THE FRA OR ITS representatives. POSTMASTER: SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO: MEMBER Services, FRA, 125 N. WEST ST., ALEXANDRIA, War II. We look forward to the communications from shipmates who VA 22314-2754. FRA TODAY IS PUBLISHED IN THE INTERESTS OF ALL CURRENT AND were Seabees about their experiences — and of course, if you knew my FORMER ENLISTED PERSONNEL OF THE U.S. NavY, MARINE CORPS, AND COAST GUARD. ELIGIBLE NON-MEMBERS ARE NOT ENTITLED TO SUBSCRIPTION rates. Established Dad, let me know! 1 NOVEMBER 1923. TITLE REGISTERED WITH U.S. Patent OFFICE. FRA Administrative HEADQUarters: 125 N. WEST ST., ALEXANDRIA, VA 22314-2754 PHOne: 703-683-1400, 800-FRA-1924 • FAX: 703-549-6610 • E-Mail: [email protected] www . fra .O R G Eileen Murphy is the Director of Marketing and Communications and serves as the Managing Editor of FRA Today. Please contact her at [email protected]. FEBRUARY 007 Volume 86 Number 2 Featured 18 FRA TOD A Y FEBRUARY 2007 FEBRUARY 18 REMEMBERING IWO JIMA This month marks the 62nd anniversary of the battle of Iwo Jima, one of the bloodiest battles of World War II. Two combat veterans recall their roles in the historic battle. Departments COMMUNICATIONS 5 SHIPMatE FORUM 6 ON & Off CAPITOL HILL FRA’s legislative priorities, and an overview of the 110th Congress 14 11 NES PERSPECTIVE A look at a WWII example of Loyalty, Protection and Service 1 ONWATCH Professional development from a historical perspective 15 MEMBERSHIP MattERS An increase in active duty members during 2006 26 6 NEWS FROM THE BRANCHES 9 REUNIONS 1 LOOKING FOR… 33 TAPS 6 LA FRA NEWS ON THE COVER This dramatic photo and several others throughout this issue are from Leatherneck Magazine and were provided to FRA by Ron Lunn at the Marine Corps Association.