NDAA ADDRESSES MANY FRA PRIORITIES 6 NOVEMBER 2007 18 Family Readiness Issues for Active and Reserve Marines Happy Birthday USMC MESOTHELIOMA 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 6110 FRA Today 1_07 v2.indd C2 12/11/06 2:00:46 PM MESOTHELIOMA Family COMMUNIcatIONS 1 NATIONAL OFFICERS/BOARD OF DIRECTORS IN LIFE, THERE IS one obvious constant — the power of the love of fam- FRA TOD Nat’l President Jerry L. Sweeney, Navy Dept. Branch 181 ily. In this month’s feature article, SgtMaj of the Marine Corps Carlton Nat’l Vice President Lawrence J. Boudreaux, Hangtown Branch 275 Kent writes, “I think you’d be hard-pressed to find me a Marine that A Y Nat’l Executive Sec. Joseph L. Barnes, Navy Dept. Branch 181 doesn’t have a great family supporting with pride and prayer.” Family NOVEMBER 2007 Finance Officer Paul Rigby support is the number one asset of any individual — and it is what gets Junior PNP Edgar M. Zerr, Omaha Council Bluffs us through the toughest of times. Branch 276 During WWII, one would wait weeks (even months) for a letter from home. Today opportunities exist for phone, e-mail and video REGIONAL PRESIDENTS conferences (see top page 21). The desired outcome — connecting with New England Paul F. Loveless, Jr., Pine Tree Branch 156 those who are so very important — stays the same. Northeast Francis D. Tyson, Anthracite Branch 288 It also has remained important for those on the home front to give Delbert L. Herrmann, Wilmington Branch 299 East Coast support in some way to those serving, including volunteering time, Southeast Tony Cassata, The Delbert D. Black Branch 117 energy and talents. The 24 November 1941 issue of the magazine Life North Central Leon J. Zalewski, Milwaukee Branch 14 South Central Leo V. Vance, Space City Branch 159 encouraged knitting as a way to help the British in their war effort. A Southwest Charles F. Smedley, Poway Valley Branch 70 few weeks later, on 7 December, with the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the West Coast Charles R. McIntyre, San Jose Branch 140 focus of many of these avid knitters changed to supporting U.S. troops. Northwest John Ippert, Pearl Harbor-Honolulu Branch 46 An article in The New York Times (22 January 1942) said knitted gar- Nat’l. Parliamentarian PNP J.C. Jim Eblen, San Diego Branch 9 ments helped “American soldiers and sailors assigned to posts where Nat’l Chaplain Vincent W. Patton, III, Navy Dept. Branch 181 General Winter is an added enemy.” The Red Cross and the Navy- Marine Corps Relief Society (as well as others) promoted knitting to ACTIVE DUTY ADVISORY COUNCIL not only keep the troops warm, but also remind those fortunate enough Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Joe Campa to receive a hand-knit sweater or vest of the support back home. Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Carlton Kent Today, the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society continues their Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Charles Bowen 50-year tradition with volunteer knitters — although now they are knitting for the babies of Sailors and Marines. The Society offers a fi- RESERVE ADVISORY COUNCIL nance class called “Budget for Baby” as a part of their way to support Force Master Chief of the Naval Reserve David Pennington family readiness. Attendees receive training on how to manage their fi- USMC Reserve Force Sergeant Major Jimmy D. Cummings nances, recognize debt concerns and save money, and receive a “Baby’s Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Reserve Force First Seabag” which includes, among other things, knitted gifts, made Jeffrey Smith by a group of volunteers called the “Layette Ladies.” My Mother, Kathleen Norton Kinney, was one of those who knit for FRA TODAY MAGAZINE victory during WWII. She was also the Chairman of the Manhattanville College War Committee, and served on the Defense Stamp Committee Publisher FRA Managing Editor Eileen Murphy and the Defense Council. She, like many women, wanted to show sup- Contributing Editor Lauren Armstrong port for the man she loved who was serving in harm’s way, and found Design and Art Direction many avenues to do what she could to help end the War. My Father FIREBRAND, Alexandria, VA www.firebrandstudios.com often said that her love and support was what brought him home safely. Design Director Scott Rodgerson After the war, her knitting for charity never stopped, including baby Production Manager Sandy Jones blankets, hats and booties for those in need. On 20 September, my Mother passed away with all seven of her chil- Please contact the law firm of: dren at her side. This incredibly sad experience was eased, however, by If you or a loved one has been diagnosed FRA TODAY (ISSN 0028-1409) IS PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY FRA, 125 N. WEST ST., the overwhelming support we received. “Family” is a word much larger Bergman & Frockt AleXandria, VA 22314-2754. A member’S SUbscriptiON is COvered BY the member’S annUal DUes. PeriOdicals POstaGE paid at AleXandria, VA and additiOnal than the ties of biology. A card from OFFICES. PUblicatiON OF NON-SPONSORED advertisinG IN FRA TODAY DOES NOT with, or died from, mesothelioma, we may 614 First Avenue, Fourth Floor CONSTITUTE AN ENDORSEMENT BY THE FRA OR ITS representatives. POSTMASTER: PRPNCs Paul and Jane Holtman SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO: MEMBER Services, FRA, 125 N. WEST ST., ALEXANDRIA, perhaps said it best: “You shall see Seattle, WA 98104 VA 22314-2754. FRA TODAY IS PUBLISHED IN THE INTERESTS OF ALL CURRENT AND be able to help get monetary compensation FORMER ENLISTED PERSONNEL OF THE U.S. NavY, MARINE CORPS, AND COAST GUARD. how much we care…at FRA, we are Toll Free: (888) 647-6007 ELIGIBLE NON-MEMBERS ARE NOT ENTITLED TO SUBSCRIPTION rates. Established 1 NOVEMBER 1923. TITLE REGISTERED WITH U.S. Patent OFFICE. all family.” I certainly have seen it! www.bergmanlegal.com The phone calls, e-mails, visits and from the asbestos manufacturers. 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] the countless cards and prayers of- No charge for initial consultation. www . fra .O R G fered have reminded me even more Please ask for Emily Murray. how lucky I am to play a part of this Association. Thank you to all. Eileen Murphy is the Director of Marketing and Communications and serves as the Managing Editor of FRA Today. Please contact her at [email protected]. Bergman & Frockt 6110 FRA Today 1_07 v2.indd C2 12/11/06 2:00:46 PM For VIDEOS More Info About These THAT Titles, Call 1-800-277- HONOR 1977 or go to: THEIR www. MILITARY SACRIFICES A VIDEO Aircraft Carrier Action: .com .• USS Wasp (CVA-18) 1944-1972, 60 min. • USS Hancock (CV-19) 1940-50s, 60 min. PERFECT • Underway Replenishment 1940s- •USS Essex (CV-9) 1940-1960s, 70 min 1960s, 100 min. • USS America (CVA-66) 1965-68, 60 min. 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