5 Understanding FRA’s Principle Program

13 Reserve Sailor of the Year Continues Navy & FRA Tradition

29 Memorial Day Observances

L e g i s L at i v e s u r g e N e e d s g r a s s r o o t s s u r g e 8

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Volume 88 Number 7

Featured18 ouT oF Sync

Traumatic brain injury, or TBI, has become the signature “wound” of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Learn how DoD is diagnosing and treating this debilitating injury.

Departments 2 communicATionS

5 nEd PERSPEcTivE Understanding FRA’s principle program

6 SHiPmATE FoRum

8 on & oFF cAPiToL HiLLLegislative Surge Needs Grassroots Surge

16 mEmBERSHiP mATTERSOutreach and awareness

26 nEwS FRom THE BRAncHES

28 ESSAy conTESTWhat Memorial Day Means to Me

29 mEmoRiAL dAy oBSERvAncESHonoring those who died in service to the Nation

31 Looking FoR…

33 TAPS

35 REunionS

36 LA FRA nEwSMessage from RPSC Larson

on THE covERTraumatic brain injury (TBI) inhibits normal brain function, making it difficult for TBI victims to pay attention and creating a sense they are “out of sync” with the world around them.

FRA iS A congRESSionALLy cHARTEREd, non-PRoFiT oRgAnizATion AdvocATing FoR cuRREnT And FoRmER EnLiSTEd mEmBERS oF THE u.S. nAvy, mARinE coRPS And coAST guARd on cAPiToL HiLL. FoR moRE inFoRmATion on THE BEnEFiTS oF mEmBERSHiP, PLEASE viSiT www.FRA.oRg oR cALL 800-FRA-1924.

LoyALTy, PRoTEcTion And SERvicE

July 2009

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communicATionS

NatioNal officers/Board of directors

National President Donald Mucheck, L. Mendel Rivers Branch 50

National Vice President Gary C. Blackburn, Vallejo Branch 8

National executive Joseph L. Barnes, Navy Department Branch 181

finance officer Paul Rigby

Junior PNP Lawrence J. Boudreaux, Hangtown Branch 275

regioNal PresideNts

New england Paul F. Loveless, Jr., Pinetree Branch 156

Northeast James E. Brown, Staten Island Branch 226

east coast Ray E. Santee, Virginia Beach Branch 166

southeast John E. Sutton, Mayport Branch 290

North central Robert A. Melson, USS Indianapolis Memorial

Branch 130

south central Donald Larson, Corpus Christi Branch 94

southwest Charles F. Tompkins, James Hunter Branch 47

West coast Nathan “Joe” Nash, Silver Dollar Branch 192

Northwest Donald L. Bordwell, Dungeness Branch 174

Nat’l. Parliamentarian PNP Robert G. Beese, Orange County Branch 175

Nat’l chaplain Tom Whitaker, B. Duke Woody Branch 147

actiVe duty adVisory couNcil

Master chief Petty officer of the Navy Rick West

sergeant Major of the Marine corps Carlton Kent

Master chief Petty officer of the coast guard Charles Bowen

reserVe adVisory couNcil

force Master chief of the Naval reserve Ronney A. Wright

usMc reserve force sergeant Major Kim E. Davis

Master chief Petty officer of the coast guard reserve force

Jeffrey Smith

fra today MagaziNe

Publisher FRAManaging editor Eileen Murphy

contributing editor Lauren Armstrongcontributing Photographers PRPEC Paul Gunther,

NVSO Christopher Slawinskidesign and art direction

FIREBRAND, Alexandria, VA www.firebrandstudios.comdesign director Scott RodgersonProduction Manager Sandy Jones

fra today (ISSN 0028-1409) IS PuBLIShED MONThLy By FRA, 125 N. WEST ST., ALExANDRIA, 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-SPONSORED ADVERTISING IN fRa tODay 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. fRa tODay IS PuBLIShED IN ThE INTERESTS OF ALL CuRRENT AND FORMER ENLISTED PERSONNEL OF ThE u.S. NAVy, MARINE CORPS, AND COAST GuARD. ELIGIBLE NON-MEMBERS ARE NOT ENTITLED TO SuBSCRIPTION RATES. ESTABLIShED 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: FRATODAy@FRA.ORG

W W W . F R A . O R G

VOLuME 88 NuMBER 7

Eileen Murphy is the Director of Marketing and Communications and serves as the Managing Editor of fRa today. Please contact her at eileen@fra.org.

Eileen MurphyTruth or ConsequencesNEws travEls quickly. We have cable news stations dedicated to noth-ing but headlines rather than in-depth reporting. In a second one can post an update on Facebook and have it read by their entire network of friends. Twitter is dedicated to providing news updates to individuals’ followers in 140 characters or less – directly to a cell phone and in an instant. It only takes a second to send an e-mail to everyone in your e-mail address book.

There are some advantages to these instant communications tech-nologies. Interested in FRA News? Subscribe to NewsBytes by e-mail-ing newsbytes@fra.org and get a news summary every Friday. Want instant updates? Follow FRA on www.twitter.com/frahq. Interested in communicating with your elected officials about vital issues? Go to www.fra.org and visit the Action Center.

There are also some serious disadvantages to online news sources. For instance, with an increase in satirical websites that post made-up news to be humorous, hundreds of false stories are making their way around the Internet. Those who appreciate the humor of satire often will e-mail articles from those sites to friends with outrageous head-lines and joke copy. But if people receive these e-mails and believe them to be true, it can cause problems. I receive hundreds of e-mails for-warded to me from concerned shipmates who are furious about an e-mail reporting a push by the administration to change a policy like the oath taken by military personnel, a move to alter a monument or even restricting free speech. Some of these e-mails were originally started in jest, others were started to be inflammatory and defame.

Because of the incredible rise in false information being cited as truth, websites are available to help people discern fact from fiction, like www.snopes.com. They handle fact-checking and post the truth about stories. To use the site, enter a phrase from the e-mail in the search box and look up the facts.

Last week alone I received over fifty e-mails claiming things that were simply not true. One in particular was forwarded to me from twelve different people who were all urging their friends and family to join them in trying to stop a new policy from being enacted. Although their information was false, their passion and intentions were true and strong. This left me wondering about how effective an e-mail campaign could be if it was based on fact and focused at a positive outcome. We must utilize new technology to advance serious legislative issues based on positive, informed and clear communication. FRA needs support from shipmates by way of e-mail campaigns to encourage people to join and maintain membership in the Association.

Please join in FRA’s grassroots campaign and increase and retain membership by making sure everyone in your e-mail address book is up on a most important (and serious) news flash — FRA must main-tain a strong membership base.

TO HONOR SERVICE VETERANS AND PURPLE HEART RECIPIENTSU N I T E D S TAT E S N AV Y, M A R I N E C O R P S & C O A S T G UA R D

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Non-Renewing Members Don’t understand FRA’s Principle Programas Fra approachEs its 85th anniver-sary in November, a brief historical review of the Association’s founding purpose is in order. The past often provides a compass for the future and may help address one of our major challenges — the large number of cur-rent members who fail to renew their membership each month.

First and foremost, FRA’s principle program is our legislative advocacy, which was the basis for officially estab-lishing the Association in 1924. As refer-enced by Arizona Senator John McCain on the occasion of our 80th anniversary, “From its inception, FRA’s purpose was to advocate for sailors’ rights. The asso-ciation started with the efforts of a few enlisted men in 1919, who pooled their money to send two Navy chief petty officers (Navy Chief Yeoman Robert White and Chief Gunner’s Mate Carl H. McDonald) to testify before Congress on pay reform. Since that time, FRA has established an enviable track record of promoting favorable legislation for members of the Naval Service.”

Eighty-five years later, our focus remains on pay, health care, benefits and quality-of-life programs for cur-rent and former enlisted Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard personnel. This differentiates FRA for the grow-ing number of other military and vet-erans organizations who are vying for support. It’s important to reference this information in interactions with potential new members, but it’s also important to remind current ship-mates whose memberships are about to lapse of our purpose and success.

Recruiting new members is unde-niably important, but maintaining a strong membership base is not limited solely to signing up new shipmates. Our membership numbers are also

significantly impacted by the retention of current members.

Over the past seven months 4,434 members have not renewed their FRA memberships. Two-thirds of these shipmates are affiliated with individual branches, and all branches are urged to take action to address this challenge. National Headquarters (NHQ) pro-vides many tools to help. One fast, easy and free option is an e-mail function available to branch secretaries for com-municating with members. Scripts are also available for branches who wish to call members whose memberships are about to lapse. Both these tools are producing effective results for the branches that use them, however these tools are severely underutilized. These and other initiatives are directly related to National President Don Mucheck’s Strategic Action Plan featured in last month’s issue of FRA Today.

As was the case 85 years ago, there are continuing threats to shipmates’ hard-earned benefits, particularly with regard to health care, a benefit that impacts all shipmates, regardless of their status, plus their families and survivors. This is why fully funding TRICARE and VA health care pro-grams are our top legislative priori-ties. We’ve had consecutive successes since 2006 in halting proposals to drastically increase health care fees for younger military retirees, thanks in large part to strong support from our membership base. The effect of this success alone is considerable savings over this period to sea services retir-ees participating in TRICARE Prime and Standard, who depending upon their particular circumstances, have saved literally thousands of dollars compared to what they would be pay-ing if DoD’s extreme fee restructuring

was authorized by the 109th or 110th Congresses.

For those who don’t think their in-dividual membership matters, stress that renewing helps strengthen FRA’s legislative advocacy work, which is benefiting them in many ways. Despite lots of talk about the importance of personnel program, high-priced, high-profile K Street lobbying firms in downtown Washington are not fo-cused on FRA’s mission. They work on lucrative, big-ticket weapons, equip-ment and procurement programs and wield significant power over defense spending programs. By contrast, en-hancing quality of life programs for service members and their families falls to FRA and other similar organi-zations with different constituencies.

We also need members’ support and endorsement for our other im-portant programs, which include our soon-to-be-announced Education Foundation in conjunction with our scholarship program, relief programs and numerous outreach initiatives that encompass our 263 Branches.

As a non-profit, individual mem-ber organization, FRA must rely on a strong membership base to sustain its legislative advocacy work and other important programs. Please remain focused on the importance of retain-ing our current members – something that will help stabilize our member-ship and ensure the continuation of our highly effective and valuable work on Capitol Hill.

nEd PERSPEcTivE

Joe Barnes

Joe Barnes is FRA’s National Executive Director and Chairman of the National Committee on Legislative Service. A member of Navy Department Branch 181, he is also an advisor to the National Committees on Budget and Finance and Membership and Retention.

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inspiring Flag and anthemThanks for the wonderful “The Star-Bangled Banner” article (FRA Today, June 2009)! It brought a moment of joy to this old sailor!

I was born in Baltimore, Md., the year before President Herbert Hoover signed the congressional resolution of-ficially designating The Star Spangled Banner as our national anthem. I visited Fort McHenry many times in my youth. I’m not ashamed to say that even today, at the ripe old age of 79, I still am brought to tears when our national anthem is played.

Connor Corkran

I had hoped you would have included the words, all four verses, to our national anthem. It is especially to be noted in the fourth verse, the author says, “And this be our motto: ‘in God we trust!’”

Tony Buday

FRA Response: Space limitations prevented us from publish-ing The Star-Spangled Banner lyrics in the article. However, they are posted in the FRA Today Readers Community in the History and Heritage Forum on FRA’s website (www.fra.org/communities).

We at Branch/Unit 186 have a flag program where we re-place worn and tattered flags throughout Citrus County. We received four 20 x 30-foot polyester flags from a local auto dealership that were in disrepair and needed to be disposed of. Polyester does not burn like cotton or nylon flags and puts a toxin in the air. When you burn them you get a glob, not ashes.

We checked with the U.S. History Organization and learned the only proper disposal other than burning was to bury the flag. So we checked with the local National Cemetery at Brooksville, Fla., and were told they wouldn’t bury the flags.

This is something that needs attention. The men and women buried at that National Cemetery died serving that flag and their country. Why can’t the flag get the same

respect? Is there anything the FRA could initiate to address this problem, not just for now but for the future?

We wrote Congresswoman Ginny Brown-Waite and also meeting with Senator Bill Nelson and will give him a letter stating this issue. Maybe we can get something done. 

Bob Huscher

FRA Response: FRA is awaiting a response from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs National Cemetery Administration on this issue and will provide information when received.

history lessonYou published a spread on Virginia Beach in the May issue which was good, except for one gross misconcep-tion. In the Cape Henry section Lauren Armstrong writes that “America’s first European settlers landed at Cape Henry in 1607, before moving up the coast to establish Jamestown...” She wrongly asserted that the first Europeans in the New World mainland were English. That is grossly in-correct because the first Europeans to establish a colony/town in the U.S. were Spanish. The Spanish established St. Augustine in Florida in 1565, which is the oldest continu-ously occupied European-established city and the oldest port in the continental U.S. Does the author not consider Spain a part of Europe? I believe an apology should be is-sued to Hispanics for wrongly neglecting them.

Randolfo Aragon

FRA Response: We absolutely stand corrected and apologize for the unintentional oversight.

SHiPmATE FoRum

submissions: send Shipmate forum letters to: Editor, fRa today, 125 N. West St. Alexandria, VA 22314. E-mail submissions may be sent to fratoday@fra.org. Please include “Shipmate Forum” in the subject line. FRA reserves the right to select and edit letters for publication. Letters published in Shipmate forum reflect the opinions and views of FRA members. They do not necessarily reflect the official position of FRA as a whole. FRA is not responsible for the accuracy of letter content.

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on & oFF cAPiToL HiLL

John Davislegislative Surge Needs Grassroots SurgeFra is closEly MoNitoriNg an expected “surge” of legis-lative activity as lawmakers begin in earnest to finalize spending bills and authorization legislation, pass these and forward each to the White House before the start of the new fiscal year (FY2010) that begins October 1, 2009. As this issue of FRA Today goes to print, House and Senate subcommittees are just beginning their mark-ups on a variety of measures, such as next year’s defense authorization bill and others that address FRA’s legislative agenda. Here are some of the issues FRA is working on:• Preventing increases to TRICARE fees;• Adequate funding for the Defense Health Program

(DHP); • Substantial improvements in concurrent receipt of

military retired pay and VA disability compensation;• Authorizing VA medical care for veterans and retirees

who served off the coast of Vietnam and were exposed to toxins;

• Establishing a single electronic health care record for use by DoD and VA;

• Adequate end strengths to support OIF/OEF and other operational commitments;

• Larger-than-requested annual active duty pay increases;• Retroactive early retirement for frequently deployed

Reservists;

• Advanced two-year funding for VA health care;• Increased dwell time between deployments for active

duty and Reserve personnel; • More funding for active duty child care programs;• Increased funding for mental health counseling;• Streamlining the overseas voting process for service

members and their families;• Allow retention of the full final month’s retired pay by

the surviving spouse (or other designated survivor) of a military retiree; and

• Coast Guard funding parity with DoD personnel programs.Many of these and other issues are addressed in re-

cently introduced legislation and listed on the FRA Action Center (www.fra.org), where shipmates can actively par-ticipate in advancing FRA’s legislative agenda. When members contact their elected officials and share their views on important issues, it strengthens our collective voice, complements our Legislative Team’s efforts and has a direct influence on the Association’s ability to effectively represent your concerns before Congress and appropriate federal agencies.

Using the Action Center is easy. Prewritten letters are available on specific legislation or individuals can com-pose their own e-mail messages. Shipmates are urged to visit the Association’s website often for regular updates.

Rep. Bob Filner (Calif.), chair-man of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, invited women veterans to participate in a roundtable discus-sion on specific issues impacting the country’s 1.8 million female veter-ans. FRA’s Penny Collins, director of Membership Development, partici-pated in the event, highlighting the need for increased training for VA staff, some of whom have miscon-ceptions about the needs and con-tributions of women vets or fail to acknowledge that some issues impact female veterans differently than their male counterparts. The discussion was

intended to lead to bi-partisan legis-lation that will effectively address the needs of women veterans.

Collins also referenced FRA’s sup-port for “The Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act” (H.R. 1211), legislation that would direct the VA to study barriers encountered by women veterans, assess all health care services and programs provided by the VA for women veterans, and provide graduate education, training and certification for mental health professionals who pro-vide counseling, care and services to women veterans suffering from sexual trauma and PTSD, among other things.

FRA Participates in women veterans’ Forum

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FRA Hosts coast guard caucus

FRA hosted its 11th annual Congressional Coast Guard Caucus Breakfast in early June, an event sponsored by the Association to spotlight the Coast Guard’s tremendous service to our nation and promote dialogue between members of Congress, staff personnel, and key Coast Guard leaders. The event is sponsored in conjunction with the Coast Guard’s House Liaison Office and its governmen-tal affairs staff.

The Caucus is a 92-member, bipartisan group that shares a common inter-est in the varied missions of the Coast Guard and is co-chaired by the three members of Congress who served in the Coast Guard – Representatives Howard Coble (N.C.), Gene Taylor (Miss.), and William Delahunt (Mass.). The chairmen cohosted the breakfast, which was attended by Representatives Coble, Taylor, Joseph Courtney (Conn.), Robert Latta (Ohio), Mike Thompson (Calif.) and Kathy Dahlkemper (Pa.) — all of whom represent districts with strong Coast Guard presence.

Coast Guard leadership was represented by Commandant of the Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard (MCPOCG) Charles “Skip” Bowen, and numerous senior enlisted leaders. Admiral Allen thanked FRA and members of Congress for their unwavering support of the Coast Guard and its members, specifically referencing FRA’s work to support Coast Guard personnel and their families. “I appreciate FRA’s continuing efforts to raise awareness of Coast Guard issues. We’ve never had more questions about personnel and family issues as we did this year when I testified before Congress,” said Allen in reference to FRA’s recent statement submitted to the House Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee (see story at right).

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FRA Submits uScg Statement, Hosts Retiree councilThe Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee held a hearing recently on the FY2010 budget request for the U.S. Coast Guard. Hearing witnesses included Commandant of the Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard (MCPOCG) Charles “Skip” Bowen. FRA submitted a written statement for the hearing in conjunction with MCPOCG’s testimony, stressing that Coast Guard funding parity with DoD personnel programs remains a high priority for FRA. The Association also noted continuing challenges within the Coast Guard to adequately fund previously authorized people pro-grams, and urged the passage of the Coast Guard authorization legislation that stalled last year. FRA’s statement is posted at www.fra.org.

In related Coast Guard news, FRA’s Director of Legislative Programs John Davis and a representative from the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) provided a leg-islative update to members of the National Coast Guard Retiree Council. Presented on behalf of The Military Coalition (TMC), the briefing was part of the council’s annual meeting and addressed possible TRICARE fee increases, concurrent receipt improve-ments, USFSPA reform, and other mil-itary retiree benefit issues. In addition, FRA hosted the council for a luncheon at NHQ during which NED Joe Barnes thanked council members for their service and presented each with a FRA National President’s Challenge Coin.

The Coast Guard Retiree Council, co-chaired by former MCPOCG/for-mer FRA National Chaplain Vince Patton (Ret.) and RADM Fred L. Ames, USCG (Ret.), ensures that re-tirees’ concerns are brought to the at-tention of USCG leadership and that members of the retired community are kept informed on key legislative initiatives.

Congressmen Joe Courtney (Conn.) and Howard Coble (N.C.) discuss Coast Guard issues with Commandant Thad Allen.

CG Commandant Adm. Thad Allen and FRA NED Joe Barnes pose during the 2009 USCG Caucus breakfast.

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FRA Testifies on Personnel issuesFRA testified before the Senate Armed Services Personnel Subcommittee recent-ly on a broad range of active duty, Reserve, and retired benefit issues. During the hearing NED Joe Barnes, who spoke on behalf of FRA and The Military Coalition (TMC), and the other panel witnesses addressed a variety of personnel issues including halting TRICARE fee increases, concurrent receipt of military retired pay and VA disability benefits, reform of the Uniformed Services Former Spouse Protection Act (USFSPA), a 3.4-percent pay increase for service personnel, mili-tary end strengths, housing standards, streamlining military overseas voting, and caring for wounded warriors. The FRA testimony, available on the website (www.fra.org), addresses issues of particular importance to the Association’s member-ship and the Sea Services’ enlisted communities. The complete TMC statement is posted on www.themilitarycoalition.com.

SASc Subcommittee Hearing on military FamiliesThe Senate Armed Services’ Personnel Subcommittee held a hearing in early June on issues impacting military families. FRA submitted written testimony for the record that included data from a recent FRA survey on military child care. Access to military child care facilities was judged to be “very difficult” by 39 percent of respondents and 27 percent found access to be “somewhat difficult.” Additionally the survey found that 26 percent of respondents were either “very or somewhat dissatisfied with care.” The survey was based on responses from 107 military families with children. The availability of child care remains a top concern among dual-income families and single parents, and was referenced by Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Rick West and Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Carlton Kent at a quality-of-life hearing on Capitol Hill ear-lier this year. The FRA testimony also addressed length and frequency of deploy-ments, adequate Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates, and more support for family care-givers for wounded warriors.

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dFAS Suspends RecoupmentVariable Separation Incentive (VSI), Special Separation Benefit (SSB) and certain other separation payments were offered to active duty military members in an effort to reduce man-power in certain career fields, pri-marily during the 1990s. When these former service members return to ac-tive duty or join the Reserve compo-nent, they are required to repay these separation benefits, regardless of the financial hardships it might cause.

FRA strongly opposes this policy and applauds the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) for temporarily suspending the recoup-ment of VSI, SSB and other separa-tion payments until the Department of Defense (DoD) can conduct formal policy and legal reviews. The suspen-sion policy affects military retirees in an active pay status and became effec-tive for May 2009 retired pay entitle-ments. Military retired pay for these members (received on June 1, 2009) was not reduced by any recoupment amounts.

Retirees in a recoupment status should have received a letter from DFAS advising them of the temporary halt to their recoupment payments. These retirees will later receive letters reporting the outcome of the reviews and advising them if and when repay-ment may resume.

FRA is working to ensure those who were separated from military ser-vice due to budget cuts are not forced to repay these separation benefits. The Association strongly supports “The Military Retired Pay Fairness Act” (S. 1008 and HR 2302) sponsored by Senator Jeanne Shaheen (N.H.) and Representative Carol Shea-Porter re-spectively, that limits recoupment of separation pay from service members who subsequently receive retired pay. The legislation limits recoupment to no more than 25 percent of the retire-ment payment.

Electrician’s Mate 3rd Class Joy Carlos, assigned to Naval Station Everett, visits with her five month old daughter during her lunch break at the Child Development Center (CDC). CDC provides military families with local and affordable childcare during normal working hours.

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concurrent Receipt for chapter 61 RetireesFRA strongly supports the Administration’s recent proposal to expand Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay (CRDP) payments to include service members who were medically retired with less than 20 years of service (Chapter 61 retirees). The plan would be phased-in over five years starting January 1, 2010, and does not include traditional (non-Chapter 61) retirees. If enacted, CRDP payments are expected to be available to the most severely disabled Chapter 61 retirees first, based on the following schedule:• January 2010: Chapter 61 retirees with VA ratings of 90% or 100%; • January 2011: Chapter 61 retirees with 70% or 80% VA ratings; • January 2012: Chapter 61 retirees with 50% or 60% VA ratings; • January 2013: Chapter 61 retirees with VA ratings of 30% or 40%; and • January 2014: all Chapter 61 retirees with any VA rating become eligible.

This proposal advances FRA’s goal to provide concurrent receipt of full mili-tary retired pay and veterans’ disability compensation for all disabled retirees, and is outlined in detail in Tom Philpott’s syndicated “Military Update” column of May 21, 2009, that is available on the FRA website (www.fra.org).

FRA advocates full concurrent receipt of military retired pay and veterans’ dis-ability benefits for all disabled retirees, regardless of status. How does current or pending concurrent receipt legislation affect you? Share your views, concerns and questions at www.fra.org/discuss.

Tax credit

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-05) authorizes a tax credit for most workers including recipients of retired and annuity pay. This tax credit takes the form of a reduction in federal withholding tax rates. These new federal tax rates began April 1 for retired and annuity payments that were payable on May 1. The impact of this legislation varies by individual and new tables can be found on the Internal Revenue Service’s website: http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=204521,00.html

Military retirees wishing to adjust their federal tax withholding must submit a new W-4 form and mail it to: U. S. Military Retired Pay, P.O. Box 7130, London, KY 40742-7130 or fax it to 800-469-6559.

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military voting Hearing and Legislation

The Senate Committee on Rules and Administration held a hearing on the overseas military voting process, re-vealing troubling new data that sug-gests more than a quarter of the ballots requested by U.S. military personnel deployed overseas were either uncol-lected or uncounted during the 2008 presidential election. Committee Chairman Senator Chuck Schumer (N.Y.) urged the Pentagon’s Acting Undersecretary for Personnel and Readiness to quickly select a quali-fied individual to lead DoD’s Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) that handles the election process for military personnel and other over-seas voters. Schumer also noted that a chronic problem at FVAP was sending military voters a ballot without suffi-cient lead-time to complete and return it. Since then, DVAP has announced plans to allow military and other over-seas voters to cast absentee ballots online. FRA supports legislation to improve military voter participation in federal elections and expedite delivery of military overseas ballots.

In related news, FRA is supporting “The Military Voter Protection Act,” which was introduced in the House (H.R. 2393) and Senate (S.1026). Sponsored by Rep. Kevin McCarthy (Calif.) and Senator John Cornyn (Texas), respectively, the measures are designed to protect the voting rights of our troops serving abroad by ensuring their absentee ballots can be delivered back home in time to be counted.

How do you feel about the absentee voting process? Do you believe mili-tary absentee votes are treated equally when ballots are counted? Visit www.fra.org/discuss to share your thoughts and absentee voting experiences.

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VA Retro Pay Correction

The Defense Finance and Accounting System (DFAS) estimates that as many as 39,000 disabled military retirees are still owed VA Retro Pay. Lump-sum payments began in September 2006 to retirees who were eligible for Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC, which began in 2003) or Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay (CRDP, which started in 2004), but some were overlooked and didn’t receive the proper payments.

DFAS is working with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) to identify and pay all eligible retirees, most of whom are likely to be veterans who have had little interaction with the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) in the past five years. All payments are expected to be dispersed by July 15, 2009.

Read Tom Philpott’s syndicated “Military Update” column of May 28, 2009, at www.fra.org for more details.

Advanced Funding for VA Health Care

Advanced funding for the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) health care budget took a step forward when the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee recently approved The Veterans’ Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act (S.423). The measure, sponsored by Committee Chairman Daniel Akaka (Hawaii), is now being considered by the full Senate.

FRA strongly supports establishing a funding system in which the health care portion of the VA budget is created two years in advance to minimize funding delays and allow the VA flexibility in making strategic long-term decisions. If enacted, appropriators would set the VA health care portion of the budget for FY2011 and FY2012 during the upcom-ing legislative cycle. Shipmates are encouraged to visit the Action Center (www.fra.org) to urge their elected officials to support this initiative (S. 423) and its House companion bill (H.R. 1016).

House Passes Bill to Defend Vets’ Job Rights

The House passed “The Veterans Employment Rights Realignment Act” (H.R. 1089) in late May, which would authorize veterans to report employment and unemployment rights vio-lations to the Office of Special Counsel (OSC). Currently, such complaints are lodged with the Department of Labor, but a pilot program conducted from 2004 to 2007 showed that OSC produced faster and more reliable results.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin (S.D.), is being considered by the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee and shipmates are urged to use the FRA Action Center (www.fra.org) to contact their senators to ask their support.

VA Bills Approved by Senate Panel

The Senate Veterans’ Affairs (VA) Committee approved “The Caregiver and Veterans Health Services Act” (S. 801) that creates a VA program to train and support family caregivers of severely disabled veterans and improve services for rural veterans. The Committee also ap-proved the Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act of 2009 (S. 728) that would make traumatic injury insurance (TSGLI) coverage retroactive to October 7, 2001, for severe service-caused disabilities, regardless of where the injury occurred. Retroactive coverage now applies only to injuries incurred in a combat zone. Other injuries are covered only if they occurred on or after December 1, 2006. The bill also increases funeral and burial allowances for veterans, and raises VA mortgage insurance limits.

vETERAnS’ AFFAiRS TRicARE Reserve Select numbers increaseTRICARE Management Activity (TMA) reports the number of Reserve Component personnel purchasing TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) cov-erage is growing. The premium-based healthcare plan is available for purchase by eligible members of the Selected Reserves. FRA successfully supported a provision in the FY2008 National Defense Authorization Act that dramat-ically reduced monthly premiums for member coverage from $81 to $47.51 on January 1, 2009. Member-and-family coverage dropped from $253 to $180.17. These price reductions reflect the actual cost of the program and make it more affordable. According to TMA the biggest increase in member cover-age is among personnel ages 18 to 34.

More than 9,000 additional Selected Reserve members have purchased TRS plans since the premiums dropped, re-sulting in an increase of total covered beneficiaries of more than 22,000. This means that nearly 105,000 Reserve members and their family members cur-rently have TRS coverage. Affordability is the most important reason Reserve Component members, who may lack civilian health insurance options, are increasingly purchasing TRS coverage.

The latest information on TRS is available at www.tricare.mil/trs.

House Pays Tribute to d-day veterans on 65th AnniversaryHouse Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton (Mo.) paid tribute to D-Day veterans during con-sideration of H. Res. 259, expressing the gratitude and appreciation of the House of Representatives for the acts of heroism and military achievement by the members of the United States Armed Forces who participated in the June 6, 1944, amphibious land-ing at Normandy, France. FRA echoes Skelton’s sentiments and salutes these veterans for their leadership and valor in an operation that helped bring an end to World War II.

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Fra has BEEN a strong supporter of the Navy’s Sailor of the Year (SOY) program since its inception in the early 1970s. Individual branches, na-tional and regional officers and FRA’s National Headquarters (NHQ) staff participate in a variety of events that recognize Sailors from around the country as they advance through the SOY selection process. FRA is partic-ularly proud to honor one of its own as Shipmate Aircrewman First Class (ASW1) William J. Frost was named the Navy’s 2009 Reserve Force Sailor of the Year.

Frost, a member of Branch 67 in Suitland, Md., joined the Navy and FRA in 1991, following in the foot-steps of his late grandfather, PRPEC Bill O’Donnell. “My first memories of my grandfather and the FRA were his FRA garrison cap. I always wanted to wear it when I was a kid,” explains Frost. “My grandfather retired from the Navy in 1967, before I was born, so the connection of my grandfather and Navy came from the FRA. I joined the Navy and FRA in 1991 and have been an FRA member ever since.”

After completing recruit train-ing and other specialized schools, Frost earned the distinction of Naval Aircrewman and was assigned to HS-4, the Black Knights. During his tour as HS-4’s Combat Search and Rescue Instructor, he completed two deploy-ments aboard the USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63), traveling to Somalia, the Persian Gulf and the Korean Peninsula in support of Operations Restore Hope and Southern Watch. He returned to civilian life in 1996, where he worked as the sales director of Siesta Music and pursued a degree at City College of San Diego. Petty Officer Frost re-turned to the Navy in July of 2003, joining the Naval Reserves.

“It was important to my grand-father that I remain a member of FRA when I left the Navy in 1996,” says Frost. “When I joined the Naval Reserves in 2003, I realized just how smart my grandfather was.”

Upon his return to Naval service, Frost volunteered to affiliate with Helicopter Combat Support Special Squadron 4 (HCS-4), which deployed to Balad Airbase Iraq supporting Special Operation Forces. A veteran of two combat deployments with HCS-4 in support of Iraqi Freedom, Frost is currently assigned to Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 85 (HSC-85), where he volunteered to complete his third combat tour in Iraq in 2008.

During the Reserve SOY compe-tition, Frost and four other finalists visited Washington, D.C., where FRA hosted briefings, coordinated tours of the U.S. Capitol and sponsored social events designed to educate and en-tertain these outstanding Navy per-formers. Frost will return to D.C. this month to be meritoriously promoted to chief petty officer.

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The FRA Legislative team is Joe Barnes, National Executive Director; John Davis, Director of Legislative Programs and Branch 181 President; Bob Washington, health Care Advisor and Outreach Manager; Chris Slawinski, National Veterans Service Officer and Ed Dockery, Assistant Director of Legislative Programs.

Reserve Sailor of the year Continues Navy & FRA Tradition

William J. Frost (center), a member of the FRA and grandson of the late PRPEC Bill O’Donnell, was selected from a group of five finalists to be named the Navy’s 2009 Reserve Force Sailor of the Year.

Shipmate Frost visits the grave of his grandfather, FRA PRPEC Bill O’Donnell.

William J. Frost, a member of the FRA and grandson of the late PRPEC Bill O’Donnell, was named the Navy’s 2009 Reserve Force Sailor of the Year.

Frost was inspired by his grandfather, the late Bill O’Donnell, who was a Navy chief, president of FRA Branch 67 and president of the Association’s East Coast Region.

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History and HeritageIt’s a point of pride when a child or grandchild carries on a family tradition. It’s especially meaningful when that tradition extends a legacy of military service and FRA involvement.

Share your family’s military and FRA traditions at www.fra.org/history.

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Outreach and AwarenessshowiNg your Fra pridE is an ex-cellent way to raise awareness of our organization, start discussions and communicate all the great work our Association is doing on behalf of our members. Whether you’re simply go-ing about your daily business or par-ticipating in an organized outreach event, it’s helpful to identify yourself as a proud FRA shipmate. Wearing an FRA ball cap or t-shirt can be a great conversation starter, particularly at events that attract current and former military personnel. Several branches are raising awareness by participating in a variety of community service and outreach projects. Take a look and consider how your branch might get similarly involved to make a difference in your community and promote the FRA at the same time.

Branch 11 in Fort Worth, Texas, participates in a whole host of outreach activities. They conduct workshops on resume-writing and applying for gov-ernment jobs to more than 300 veter-ans and retirees, provide clothes and food for needy veterans, co-sponsor a Family Readiness Day for NMCB-22,

produce care packages for Sailors and Marines serving in the Middle East, greet troops returning from overseas, and co-sponsor a POW/MIA pro-gram to ensure these heroes are not forgotten. They conduct programs for the Boy Scouts and peewee football teams, set up blood drives and spon-sor JROTC units in the annual Fort Worth Trinity Trot Run. Branch 11 members proudly wear their FRA caps and display FRA banners and signage to raise awareness of the Association.

Several branches in the Southwest Region also show their FRA pride at community activities. Branch 9 in San Diego, Calif., participates in Sailor of the Quarter and Sailor of the Year programs at the Naval Medical Center, provides stuffed toys to a pediatric sub-specialty unit, supplies books and magazines to the medical clinics and recreation facilities, and recognizes the top three students at the MCRD Drill Instructor School. Branch 77 in Green Valley, Ariz., awards a $500 scholarship to a student at Sauharita High School who enrolled in a uni-versity ROTC program and is working

on a program to raise funds for a local food bank. In Orange County, Calif., Branch 175 participated in a veterans job fair and played part in the Medal of Honor ceremony for Navy Seal PO2 Michael Monsoor, who graduated from a local community high school.

Members of Branch 171 in Laguna, Philippines (below), conducted a medical and dental outreach mission this past March at Barangay Malinta Los Banos. Shipmates periodically as-sist doctors and dentists as they cared for more than 160 residents of the community, including the distribution of cold and flu medications to over 75 families.

During the 2009 Memorial Day weekend, members of Rolling Thunder®, Inc. arrived in Washington, D.C., to remember and honor POWs and MIAs of all wars. Members of branches 24 (Annapolis, Md.), 181 (Arlington, Va.), 182 (Bethesda, Md.), 207 (Dale City, Va.) and members of FRA’s National Headquarters’ staff participated in a joint outreach ini-tiative on the National Mall to raise awareness of the FRA.

FRA Headquarters offers a variety of signs, handouts and other marketing materials for branches to use at outreach events. Branch officers can order such supplies via the FRA website (www.fra.org) in the Branch and Regional Officer section under the My FRA tab. Materials can also be requested through Outreach Manager Bob Washington by email (bobw@fra.org) or by phone (1-800-FRA-1924, ext. 113).

We’re proud to highlight branches and shipmates who are demonstrat-ing Shipmate Pride. Let us know what your branch is doing to make a posi-tive impact in your community.

mEmBERSHiP mATTERS

Penny Collins

penny collins is a member of FRA Branch 24 in Annapolis, Md. and can be reached at penny@fra.org.Branch 171, Laguna, Philippines

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The blasT was deafening and creaTed a concussion that sucked the

oxygen from the air. The roadside bomb lifted the armored Humvee off the ground

and tossed its occupants like rag dolls. All survived, but one had life-threatening in-

juries and was evacuated to a trauma center in Europe. The rest of the crew suffered

scrapes, bruises, and a few broken bones, but felt well enough to return to duty

shortly after the attack. Although their visible injuries had healed, the military is in-

creasingly aware of the unseen physical wound known as traumatic brain injury (TBI).

The effects of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and the battle

to recovery.

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TBI is caused by a blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating

head injury that disrupts the normal function of the brain. Brain tissue can be damaged when bullets, shrapnel or other foreign objects pierce the skull or, in the case of a fall or blow to the head, the brain can impact the skull with enough force to bruise or tear the brain tissue. TBIs can range in severity from a mild concussion that may often heal without medical treatment to severe injuries that may require surgery and years of rehabilitation.

Closed head trauma — brain injury where the skull is not fractured — is the signature injury in our nation’s current military conflicts. One in five Iraq and Afghanistan veterans have experienced a traumatic brain injury, according to a recent Rand study (April 2008). This is a marked increase from documented TBI cases in the Vietnam War and is attributed to more powerful munitions and improved body armor and protective gear. Service members are now surviving injuries that would have been fatal before the development of today’s force-protection materials and equipment.

Because of the growing incidence, the Departments of Defense (DoD) and Veterans’ Affairs (VA) are under-taking several initiatives to identify and assist TBI victims. Working in conjunction with private and govern-mental agencies, progress is being made in diagnosing, treating and rehabilitating those affected by TBI.

severe versus Mild Tbi

“On the clinical spectrum, traumatic brain injuries range from severe to mild; ‘severe’ meaning the patient is in

a coma and ‘mild’ is classified as a con-cussion,” explains Dr. Jamshid Ghajar, president and founder of the Brain Trauma Foundation (BTF), a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the outcome for TBI patients.

Severe brain injuries are relatively easy to identify, says Ghajar. “There’s a head wound; the patient is in a coma. It’s pretty obvious. And we’ve made remarkable strides in treating severe TBIs. The mortality rate was 55 percent 20 years ago, but thanks to the development of treatment proto-cols, the mortality rate has dropped to 20 percent. That’s dramatic.”

The effects of severe brain trauma can be devastating, with approximate 30 percent of survivors left with

severe neurological disabilities or in a vegetative state. But nearly half of those who survive experience posi-tive outcomes and are able to live independently.

This success, according to Ghajar, is directly related to the prompt and appropriate attention provided by front-line medical personnel who are well trained in best treatment practi-ces. “DoD is doing a good job of handling severe TBI cases. Patients, who often have other life-threatening injuries in addition to TBI, are quickly transferred to trauma centers that also employ the latest technology and tech-niques to facilitate positive outcomes.”

Concussions account for about 90 percent of all TBIs, but the term “mild

Symptoms aren’t always immediately visible and other physical injuries that

are more apparent take precedence and delay a TBI diagnosis.

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TBI” doesn’t mean the consequences aren’t serious. Seizures, slurred speech, loss of memory, headaches, dizziness, vision problems, lack of attention and personality changes can all result from a concussion and the symptoms can last for years.

“The concussions are difficult to deal with,” says Ghajar, “because they are hard to identify. The victims may look normal, be coherent, walking, talking, telling everyone they’re fine and ready to get back into the action, when in fact, they’ve experienced a traumatic brain injury.”

Symptoms of TBI, such as headache, fatigue and irritability, are not unique to brain injury and therefore are often overlooked. Symptoms aren’t

always immediately visible and other physical injuries that are more ap-parent take precedence and delay a TBI diagnosis. Even when symptoms like slow speech, balance problems, difficulty in communicating or lack of attention are present, they are often mistaken for indicators of a stroke or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Combined with the chaos and lack of diagnostic equipment on the battle-field, it’s not surprising that combat TBI often goes undiagnosed.

diagnostic Technology

The impact of undiagnosed TBI can also be devastating. Delayed treat-ment time often results in prolonged recovery, which in turn can cause

serious personal complications that can put the service member and his unit in harm’s way. “It’s important to identify and treat TBI victims as early as possible, particularly in a combat situation” explains Ghajar. “We’ve learned that TBI creates a lack of attention, which can put a soldier and the whole unit at risk. TBI often disrupts sleep patterns, another contributing factor in lack of attention, and can compound the problem. We want to limit any activity that would put the patient or his buddies at further risk.”

Research has also shown that the results of TBI are cumulative and, of those diagnosed with a concussion, many had previous brain injuries. A brain-injured soldier who is continu-ally exposed to bombs, grenades, and other artillery is at higher risk for additional brain trauma, and as a result, combat veterans often take longer to recover from concussions. TBI symptoms can worsen over time if not treated, which can delay reinte-gration to their military unit or civilian community. And because of social stigma or simple lack of understand-ing about the dangers, it’s estimated that more than half of the 320,000 service members who’ve suffered TBIs in Iraq and Afghanistan have not sought diagnosis or treatment.

Technological advances are mak-ing the job of diagnosing TBI a little easier. Dr. Ghajar and the Brain Trauma Foundation have been study-ing concussions for the past eight years, and recognized a trend among TBI victims.

“Many said they ‘felt out of sync’ with the outside world,” recalls Ghajar. “We

Even when symptoms like slow speech, balance problems, difficulty in communicating or lack of attention are present, they are often mistaken for indicators of a stroke or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

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believe the brain is predictive; it an-ticipates what’s going to happen and then processes information accord-ingly. It’s like a tennis player who sees the ball coming at him. He anticipates where the ball will be a few seconds in the future and swings so that his racket will intersect that point at the appropriate instant. Our brains are about two-and-a-half seconds in the future. We make these types of predic-tions all the time in our daily lives and this timing allows us to anticipate and respond. It allows us to pay attention. If our timing is off, the brain can’t process information in a normal way.”

Ghajar has invented several neurosur-gical devices that have been adopted worldwide, but his latest project is a quick and relatively simple diagnostic test that is yielding promising results. Patients are asked to watch a small dot of light as it travels in a predict-able circular pattern while their eye movements are monitored. Patients with normal brain function can

accurately predict the pattern and are able to track the dot with ease. The task is much more difficult for those with TBI.

“Patients with TBI don’t track the dot in a circle. Their eyes track in an erratic, wobbly pattern. The amount of ‘wobble’ is proportional to the se-verity of the injury; the more wobble in their tracking, the more difficulty they have in paying attention. We’ve been developing this technology over the past six years and have a desktop tracking device that requires manual analysis. Thanks to a $4.6 million grant from the Department of Defense, we’re working to create a fully automated system that is por-table for use on the battlefield. We’re funded to have a goggle-style proto-type by 2012, but we’re hoping to get accelerated funding so that we can have something in the field by next year. It’s a 30-second test that can provide immediate assessment, and can be used at sporting events, where

players often suffer blows to the head, and also has great potential for future diagnostic uses, such as for patients with Attention Deficit Disorder [ADD] or diagnosing pre-dementia in aging patients. We believe this device could make a huge difference.”

Eye-tracking can be the first step in diagnosing brain injury, followed by advanced imaging tools. When there is a sheering of the brain, there is often tearing of the connections that help the regions of the brain

Dr. Jamshid Ghajar (upper left) and the Brain Trauma Foundation are developing an eye-tracking devise to quickly diagnose TBI.

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communicate with one another. Microscopic tears to these con-

nections, called axons, can disrupt brain function.

Traditional magnetic resonance images (MRI) don’t show damage to axons and, as a result, about 70 percent of TBIs aren’t visible on an MRI. New high-definition neuroimag-ing technology, like diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), allows doctors to as-sess the integrity of the brain’s axons. Magnetoencephalography (MEG), another advanced imaging technique, helps identify areas of the brain that have slower-than-normal brain waves.

“There’s no single diagnostic tech-nique for identifying TBI,” says Ghajar, who is chief of neurosurgery at The Jamaica Hospital-Cornell Trauma Center and a clinical professor of neurological surgery at Weill Cornell Medical College. “We’re working to find ways to achieve a more specific diagnosis, and I believe it will require a combination of assessing behavior and other symptoms, eye-tracking, and advanced imaging techniques.”

raising awareness and Making Progress

In addition to diagnostic tools, prog-ress is also being made in tracking and treating TBI patients. In an effort to identify military head trauma cases, Congress mandated that service members be evaluated for brain injury when they return from combat tours. These tests are repeated periodically for those who suffer a concussion or head injury to more accurately gauge the long-term affects of brain trauma. And more than 100,000 service members have undergone neuro-cognitive tests prior to deployments, establishing a baseline that will make it easier to evaluate them for brain injury when they return from combat. Data collected from these studies will help DoD develop more effective

force-protection equipment and techniques, and also assist military and civilian physicians as they refine treatment protocols.

In November 2007, DoD created the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE). In partnership with the Departments of Defense and Veterans’ Affairs and a national net-work of military and civilian resource agencies and clinical experts, DCoE is working to establish best practices and quality standards of treatment of TBI. Their work focuses on clinical care, education and training, preven-tion, research, and outreach efforts to ensure the medical needs of military personnel and their families are being met through a variety of channels.

“We have a community that really understands the needs of service members and their families,” explains Army Brig. Gen. Loree K. Sutton, special assistant to the assistant sec-retary of defense for health affairs and

director of the DCoE. “DoD medicine has focused on saving lives for a long time, but we’re new to the rehabilita-tion piece. DCoE is part of a cultural transformation that’s very exciting.”

The DCoE website (www.dcoe.health.mil) offers a wealth of information aimed at connecting service mem-bers, veterans and their families with the resources they need to recover and reintegrate, as well as assist them as they navigate the health care system. The DCoE also provides an Outreach Center that is an authoritative source of informa-tion and resources on TBI concerns. Military personnel, veterans, family members, health care providers, military and congressional leaders, researchers and educators are invited to contact the center 24/7 at 866-966-1020 or by e-mail at Resources@DCoEOutreach.org. Outreach is a critical component of the DCoE’s work, says Sutton. “We’re working to reach nearly half of the 18 mil-lion service members who are no

Tbi Treatment options

Once diagnosed, treatment and rehabilitation for a TBI can be-gin. A TBI may involve physical, cognitive and emotional injuries, so a multidisciplinary treatment program is often employed. Each brain injury is unique so each treatment plan varies by the site and severity of the trauma. In the most serious cases, surgery may be required to minimize damage or alleviate the pressure inside the skull. For milder TBIs, the first course of treatment is rest.

About 80 percent of concussion patients recover within three months with minimal treatment. Patients are advised to avoid mental strain or physical activities that might put them at risk for another head trauma. They are often counseled to take time off from their job and ease back into their regular routine over a period of time. The remaining 20 percent of concussion cases have persistent symptoms, which may require medications to dull headache pain, cognitive therapy to help with memory problems, or coping mechanisms that help TBI victims compensate for at-tention deficits.

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longer wearing the uniform. Their health concerns don’t end when they separate from service. Even if the war ends tomorrow, we have decades of work to do to care for those with existing injuries.”

Sutton enthusiastically lists the high- and low-tech mechanisms being developed to assist TBI patients. “Our AfterDeployment.org website offers a self-assessment tool and provides useful information about specific concerns, such as overcom-ing anger or sleep disruptions. The site is a work in progress, but we’re already getting 4,000 hits a month. We’re using today’s social networking sites, like Twitter and Flicker, to help TBI victims connect with one another,

and we’re developing virtual coaches and leveraging other technologies to make it less intimidating for service members to seek the help they need. We’re also very pleased with the progress on the National Intrepid Center of Excellence. This new facility is scheduled to open in 2010 and will offer holistic treatment and rehab services for psychological health and TBI patients just as the Center for the Intrepid is doing for amputees. From a less-technical perspective, we’re also exploring alternative medical treat-ments like yoga and acupuncture.”

The primary operational component of the DCoE is the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center (DVBIC), a collaborative research and training

effort by DoD and VA. DVBIC’s ef-forts to define the treatment process from the point of injury to resolution include the development of a TBI registry. This registry allows DoD and VA to identify patients who’ve experienced brain trauma, track their medical and psychological history to ensure they receive needed treat-ment, facilitate communication among health care providers, and track their recovery over the long term.

not Just a Military issue

Traumatic brain injury is not limited to those serving on the battlefield. Auto accidents are the leading cause of TBI, but sporting injuries, accidental falls and a myriad of other accidents contribute to the high incidence of brain injury.

“TBI is a big problem because the incidence rate is so high,” explains Ghajar. “It’s the leading cause of death and disability in young people, and for every severe TBI, there are 10 concus-sions. There are approximately three to four million concussions each year.”

The cost of treating a mild TBI for a year is estimated at $32,000. Treating a severe brain injury can range from $268,000 to $408,000 per injury per year. These estimates include treat-ment costs, loss of income and the value of caregivers. “By implementing BTF treatment guidelines for severe TBI, we’ve been able to reduce the mortality rate by 50 percent, double positive outcomes and save an estimated $3.8 billion,” says Ghajar. “Getting a handle on preventing, diagnosing and treating TBI will save lives and money.”

“[TBI is] the leading cause of death and disability in young people, and for every severe TBI, there are 10 concussions...”

lauren armstrong is the Contributing Editor and an LA FRA Member at Large. She can be reached at lauren@fra.org.

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nEwS FRom THE BRAncHES

BRAncH 43 Long BEAcH, cALiF.

Shipmate Richard Law (left) of Branch 90 installed active-duty Marine Sgt. Brady Jensen (third from right) as branch president.

BRAncH 89 ATLAnTA, gA.

Branch President Steven Fitton and LA FRA Unit President Reta Fitton present a wreath during re-cent Memorial Day services at the Marietta (Ga.) Veterans’ Cemetery.

BRAncH 210 miLTon, FLA.

Branch President Rob Hayes presents 40-Year Membership Pin to Shipmate Ralph Nesenson as Branch Secretary Ron Williams and Vice-President Art Sobilo offer him congratulations.

BRAncH 126 JAckSonviLLE, FLA.

Branch President Bill Kulier, Americanism Committee Chairman David Pippin and Treasurer Clinton Attebery congratulate lo-cal winners of the FRA Americanism Essay Contest following an Awards Ceremony at the Branch Home.

BRAncH 208 JAckSonviLLE, n.c.

Branch and Unit representatives presented Coastal Carolina Community College’s (CCCC) Foundation a check for $10,000 to establish an endowed scholarship for the benefit students enrolled in the college’s Industrial Technology Division. Shown (left to right) are PNT Bill Hemmingway, LA FRA PNP Arlene Hemmingway, Branch President Earl Harper, and CCCC President Dr. Ronald Lingle. (Photo provided by CCCC.)

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nEwS FRom THE BRAncHES

to submit a photo for News From the Branches, please e-mail a photo as an attachment in jpeg format to FRAToday@fra.org or mail a high-quality photograph to fRa today, 125 N. West Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. Please include a brief description of the photograph and include the names of those pictured. Laser prints and scanned copies of photographs cannot be accepted.

BRAncH 335 PoRT oRAngE, FLA.

Southeast Regional President John Sutton poses with branch essay contest winners Maryann Khazraee (12th grader at Spruce Creek HS) Sarah Lurie (8th Grader at Creekside Middle School) and Austin Wilson (8th Grader at Silver Sands Middle School).

BRAncH 402 Rocky mounT, n.c.

Shipmate Tom Taylor (center) accepts the President’s Volunteer Service Gold Award from then-Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs James B. Peake (right) and the director of the Volunteer Transportation Network at the Durham, N.C., VA hospital. Taylor has been trans-porting veterans to their medical appoint-ments at the hospital for several years.

BRAncH 22 PEnSAcoLA, FLA.

PNChaplain Les Campbell (right) and Geegee Childers attended the Coast Guard Cosmic Air 50th Reunion in Reno, where they conducted a Two-Bell Ceremony.

BRAncH 281 REdding, cALiF.

Members of the local Navy Junior ROTC unit from Enterprise High School were guests at the branch’s annual picnic.

BRAncH 226 STATEn iSLAnd, n.y.

RPNE and Branch President Jim Brown joins Chaplain LTJG David A. Daigle as he gives the in-vocation during a wreath laying ceremony honoring veterans in Staten Island during New York Fleet Week. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Victoria A. Tullock)

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thE Fra NatioNal coMMittEE on Americanism-Patriotism is pleased to announce the Americanism Essay Contest theme for 2009–2010 is What Memorial Day Means to Me. FRA’s Essay Contest is open to all students grades 7 through 12 (including those who are home schooled). Each entrant must be sponsored by an FRA member in good standing or by a currently chartered branch or unit. The contest includes a Grand National Prize of a $10,000 U.S. Savings Bond, with $5,000, $3,000 and $2,000 Savings Bonds awarded to the

first, second and third place winners in each grade category. All regional winners are judged at the national level and re-ceive a certificate of recognition. Other prizes are awarded at the branch and regional levels. The awards are presented by the end of May.

If you are interested in sponsoring a student or promot-ing this contest in schools near you to raise awareness of FRA locally, please contact FRA Headquarters for posters and rules or visit www.fra.org/essay.

ESSAy conTEST

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mEmoRiAL dAy oBSERvAncES

Fra’s NatioNal prEsidENt doNald Mucheck represented the Association at Memorial Day ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery and laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns on Monday, May 25, in honor of the men and women who have died in service to their nation. On Saturday and Sunday (May 23 and 24) shipmates and members of the FRA NHQ team staffed an information booth at Rolling

Thunder, an annual motorcycle tribute in the nation’s capi-tal to show the country and the world that Vietnam POWs and MIAs are not forgotten. Branches from the East Coast Region’s Central Liaison Committee also sponsored a cer-emony at the U.S. Navy Memorial on May 25 that included remarks from Academy Award-winning actor, WWII Navy veteran and FRA Shipmate Ernest Borgnine.

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FRA National President Don Mucheck (right) and National Executive Director Joe Barnes presented a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day 2009.

A group of Marines gathered at FRA’s booth on the National Mall during Rolling Thunder®. FRA’s Outreach Director Bob Washington and Director of Legislative Programs John Davis (2nd and 3rd from the left) were among several shipmates and NHQ staff members who manned the booth during the Memorial Day weekend.

FRA HQ staff member Jimmy Short passes out information to a prospective member at Rolling Thunder on the National Mall on May 24.

FRA Shipmate and WWII Navy veteran Ernest Borgnine speaks during the East Coast Region’s Central Liaison Committee ceremony at the U.S. Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C. FRA Shipmate Mark Allen looks on.

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Branch 178 President Abel Quinones (left) and Secretary Michael Levine performed a Two-Bell ceremony at Monterey Bay in California.

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Shipmates who served with gmT1 Robert (Bob) Landon He served as Boatswain Main on uSS Cadmus (AR-14) and uSS Seneca (ATF-91), and was a GMT on uSS yosemite (AD-19) and uSS Simon lake (AS-33). It is important that I reach his old shipmates. Please contact linda landon (Bob’s wife) at 708 Park Ave., Attica, IN 47918, 765-764-4102 or lindalandon3@sbcglobal.net.

crew of the uSS carter Hall and uSS Bellgrove, 1953 – 1957 I served aboard uSS Carter Hall, and during light line Operations with uSS Bellgrove, there were collisions two days in a row. The first time, the Bellgrove came up our port side, the collision alarm went off and, from my desk in the supply office, one of Bellgrove’s 20mm gun barrels came through the porthole. The next day, the same thing happened, except no gun barrel through the porthole. Any shipmates who may have information on this, please contact Andrew lavin, 311 NW 16th Avenue, Battle Ground, WA 98604, 360-687-0652.

members of company 783, u.S. naval Training center, July 1945 I have a photograph of Company 783, u.S. Naval Training Center, Ill., taken July 3, 1945. E. K. Warren, Sp(A) 1/C, was company commander. I’ll give it to the first person who requests it. Please contact Mildred Grissom, 662-547-5158, choctaw16@aol.com.

Anyone who was at nagasaki, Japan, September 6, 1945 In all the years since, I have never met anyone else who was there. There was an APA, an AKA, and several support-ing destroyers. I was aboard the uSS Gleaves (DD-423). Please contact Samuel J. Blandford, 3011 St. Johns Ave, Jacksonville, Fl 32205.

Shipmates of AmH3 darwin R. wogan I’m looking for anyone who was stationed with me at NPF El Centro between July 1962 and October 1963 and remembers my back in jury. I am specifically looking for AMH1 French, AM2 Burlingame, AM2 Champlain, AMAN Whitson, Shipmates Schmidt, Wilson or Behrens. Please contact Darwin R. Wogan, 1500 E. College Way Ste. A PMB476, Mount Vernon, WA 98273, 360-840-9347, darshibe@earthlink.net.

Anyone from co 76, April to July, 1950 Great lakes Training Center Camp Moffit. Contact William H. Roberts, 757-545-2980.

Janet (Lassle) wesman, kenneth manke, Jackie Robinson All Corpsman stationed at Naval Hospital Annapolis, Md. between Oct. 1965 to May 1968. Please contact George Durity at 843-538-1122 or gdurity1492@yahoo.com.

dTc david walker last know duty station was Naval Dental School, Bethesda, Md. Please contact DTCS Martin l. Kennison, uSN Retired, 7094 Treasure Way, Sacramento, CA 95831 or 916-395-9595.

need command shoulder patches for the following: vT-27, nAS, corpus christi, Tx., vX-6 or vXE-6, uSS PRESERvER (ARS-8), uSS SHAkoRi (ATF162),uSS SHASTA(AE6),uSS mAniTowoc(LST1180). I was robbed. Please e-mail chiefbrown84@sbcglobal.net.

Hmc Louis Schneider (wife Betty) He was stationed at NAMRu-4, Great lakes, Ill., in 1968. We served together at several duty stations. Please contact Richard Ault at rbault@localnet.com or 570-888-5764.

Anyone who served aboard uSS Bon Homme Richard (cv-31), 1952–1953, korean cruise, Task Force 77 Contact SKC(SS) Carl D. Jay (Ret.), PO Box 704, Meadview, AZ 86444, 928-564-2803.

Anyone stationed at nAvFAc Eleuthera, 1951-1980 Contact Charles Sitzlar, 194 CR 369, Water Valley, MO 38965, 662-234-7843 or Harold Myers at hmyers_1@charter.net.

Anyone who served in vA-164, sta-tioned at nAS Lemoore, calif., 1967-1970, assigned to cvA Hancock I’m looking for someone who can con-firm I was sent TAD from CVA Hancock to Da Nang to inspect one of VA-164’s damaged aircraft. Contact Kenneth l. Moore, PO Box 665, Hanford, CA 93232, 559-584-6810 or klmbap@peoplepc.com.

LcdR E. d. Hansen, LcdR w. J. Alford, LcdR J. H. Songster, LTJg R.T. Barnette, yn2 Tex crocker, Sd2 Bobby Suniega, or anyone else who can attest to my presence in da nang/mekong delta while accompa-nying commodore Redgrave as we transferred from uSS Epperson to our flagship comdESRon 25 (homeport-ed in Pearl Harbor), 1968 –1970 Contact SKC Armando E. Gerilla (Ret.), 87– 818 Kulauku Street, Waianae, HI 96792, 808-668-4509 (home) or 808-927-5541 (cell).

Shipmates aboard uSS Bache (ddE-470), homeported in norfolk, va., 1956-1958 Contact SKC James “Hank” Henry (Ret.), 5253 Buchanan Rd., Waverly, OH 45690, 740-947-5625, markehenry@verizon.com.

members of Aviation Repair and overhaul unit #2 I’m trying to find anyone who was in Aviation Repair and Overhaul unit #2 on Samar Island, Philippines. Contact Edmund (Ed) Corvi at 1221 E. Rice Ranch Rd., Santa Maria, CA 93455-5678, 805-937-4086.

Bmc Theodore (Ted) L. Lindsay, uSn (Ret.) I’m trying to locate my step-dad who is/was a member of the Virginia Beach or Oceana FRA branch. I have not seen him in 10 years. Please contact SHC Charles T. Matthews, uSN (Ret.) at 1610 Tulane St., Orlando, Fl 32804, 407-488-5555, chiefcooldude@aol.com.

mm2 Ralph Stevens (wife michelle) Stationed at NASD Bermuda in 1967. Contact MRCM Don M. Dell, uSN (Ret.) at echo9@wavecable.com or 360-981-0601.

Looking FoR…

These notices are published on a space available basis. Notices must be submitted in writing. E-mail fratoday@fra.org or mail your request to: FRA, Looking for…, 125 N. West St., Alexandria, VA, 22314.

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In Memoriam TAPS

nAmE BRAncH nAmE BRAncH

nAmE BRAncH

Adams, Paul N., CSC 186Adamson, Henry, MMCS MAlAdamson, Raymond M., HMCM 162Adduci, Vincent J., MGySGT 066Anchors, Francis, lCDR uSN 022Anderson, James W., ADCS 261Aronson, Donald E., PO uSN 170Asker, Robert E., BM1 MAl

Bair, lloyd R., FN1 MAlBaker, Bruce E., PNC(SS) 161Baker, Richard J., MS1(SS) 382Baughman, loren K., yNC 093Beaven, Joseph W., SN uSN 365Beggs, Gerald A., yNC MAlBerrier, James R., DTC 060Bishop, Bert O., BT1 365Bjorken, Eric A., ADRC 060Bonnette, Jean A., yN1 267Boutwell, Carleton, lCDR uSN MAlBraun, Robert B., CTC 202Broders, Edwin A., CMC 371Bullman, Glenn, BT1 MAl

Callaway, Dale R., MR1 018Calvo, Vicente B., SDCS 073Campbell, John A., BMC 053Cary, Forrest A., CSC MAlChapman, William R., ENC 110Chancellor, Carl, MM2 334Cohen, Wm. S., DKC 017Coker, Warren E., AFCM 094Coll, Joseph N., CPO uSN MAlCondran, Benjamin C., CPO uSN 007Conley, Arthur J., QMC 261Conn, John M., Jr., SGTMAJ 175Conneilly, John l., yN1 MAlCostello, John A., SKC 090Cowan, Claud M., MCPO uSN MAlCrandall, James W., HMCS 335Cristobal, Jorge E., SDC 073Crosby, Thomas A., 1STSGT 022Culver, Edwin, ABFC MAl

Davis, George, AEC MAlDavis, Walter l., EQCM MAlDawkins, Jim, PNCM(SW) 248Delfield, John E., SGTMAJ 136Dellangelo, Albert N., YNCS 117Dillard, William l., SWC 041Dirsa, Vladyslovas G., ADC MAlDizney, Thad M., Jr., Mu2 MAlDodds, Francis J., yNC 001Dorton, Ernest, RMCS MAlDotson, Richard A., AT1 174Dugroo, Herbert E., MMC 166Duke, lewis A., ENC 219Dull, Norman G., STCM(SS) 020Dunn, David J., ADJC 040

Eaton, Kenneth, SKC 091Elias, James M., CWO4 uSN 091Ellis, Richard F., SKC MAlEmery, Richard F., 1STSGT MAlEnis, Alex l., CPO uSN MAlEvarts, William R., Jr., ATCS MAl

Fegreus, Robert G., HM1 MAlFiggins, Walter D., ETCS MAlFlambures, Nick A., CSC 249Fletcher, Rodrick E., CTC 119Firnstahl, Ramon S., AFCM 136Forge, Milton, SSGT 094Foster, George, TMCM(SS) MAlFrederick, Jack lee, MMC 028Fuller, Richard R., HMC 181

Gaeta, John, Jr., MMC 175Genest, Walter C., yNC(SS) MAlGeorge, William l., ADJ1 MAlGerdes, Donald W., ETC 028Gibson, David T., RMC 364Gill, Emmett C., ADRC MAlGillies, Gaylord C., CSC 268Gladen, Orville J., SH1 060Godin, Robert l., AOC 006

Hamm, Clyde C., Jr., PHC 024Hansen, leo R., SKC 040Harris, James M., EM1 MAlHarris, lee R., TMC 310Hart, Edward Charles, EMCM 089Hartshorn, Charles, MN1 077Hayes, Ernie, PN2 061Heitzman, Dwayne J., lT uSN MAlHolman, William C., DT1 MAlHoran, John D., ENC 020Horner, Charles W., ADJC MAlHughes, Robert R., ENC(SS) MAlHutchinson, John V., EOCS 042

Jackson, David R., uSMC 061Jackson, Johnnie E., EN1 004

JPRPNEng Jahns, William H., ICC(SS) 020

Johnson, Charles R., HM1 MAlJohnson, Howard D., EMCM 315Johnson, lonnie l., ABFC MAlJordan, Victor l., QMC 159Julian, Carl F., Sr., uTC 086

Kahre, Edward M., PO1 uSN 091Kalen, Robert T., BMSN MAlKeding, Gene, SSGT 238Kneebone, Franklin D., SKCM 061Knight, Kenneth l., BRCM 281Koontz, James A., AG1 MAlKrone, Herbert C., BMC 161

lacy, Warren N., OSCS 276la Gassie, William F., ETC MAllarrieu, James A., II, 1STSGT 098Larrivee, Edward F., CPO USN 004lawwill, Harry l., MMCM 283lewis, William R., II, MM1 MAllippincott, Charles R., HMC 089

Mackesy, Thomas J., PHC 263Maisano, Joseph B., SCPO uSN MAlMalloy, Edwin T., DPCM MAlMalone, Patrick J., MAC 067Mancini, Alfred, ADC MAlMarino, Ellis, AMH1 091Mathis, Curry J., CS1 112Mayer, Robert A., CSC MAlMayer, William S., CAPT uSN MAlMclaughlin, Bernard F., CPO uSN 057Menendez, Elwood C., AECS MAlMeredith, Charles H., HM1 024Miller, Earl S., ADC 104Miller, Glenn E., yNCS MAlMiller, Kenneth T., AMH1 175Mills, James A., CSC MAlMinton, Richard J., PNCS MAlMoon, Henry l., CTOCM 089Moore, George A., ABCS MAlMoore, Harry W., CDR uSN 273Morton, Samuel M., RMCM 117

Nelson, Robert l., Jr., BMC 117Niehaus, Harold P., HM1 089Niess, Martin H., ETCM 053Nuzum, Donald l., MMCS 050

Oates, John M., HMC MAlOlienyk, Michael D., CTICM 024

continued on page 35

You read that right. If you’d like theStauer genuine 18" cultured pearl

necklace absolutely FREE, all you need todo is call us today or log on to the websitewww.stauer.com. There is no catch. Ifyou’re wondering exactly how we canafford to do this... read on.

Despite tough economic times, Stauer hashad a very good year. It’s time for us to giveback. That’s why we’re offering this stunning, 18" strand of genuine culturedwhite pearls for FREE (you only pay thebasic shipping and processing). This is aclassically beautiful necklace of luminous,smooth cultured pearls that fastens with a.925 sterling silver clasp ($295 suggestedretail price). It is the necklace that nevergoes out of style. In a world where somecultured pearl necklaces can cost thou-sands, shop around and I doubt that youwill see any jewelry offer this compelling!

Why would we do this? Our real goal isto build a long term client relationshipwith you. We are sure that most of you willbecome loyal Stauer clients in the years tocome, but for now, in this lousy economy,we will give you these pearls to help withyour future gift giving ideas.

We did find a magnificent cache of cultured pearls at the best price that I haveever seen. Our pearl dealer was stuck. Alarge luxury department store in financial

trouble cancelled a large order at the lastminute so we grabbed all of them. He soldus an enormous cache of his roundest,whitest, most iridescent cultured 5 ½–6mmpearls for only pennies on the dollar.

But let me get to the point: his loss is your gain. Many of you may be wondering about your next gift for some-one special. In the past, Stauer has madegift giving easier with the absolute lowestprices on fine jewelry and luxury goods.This year, we’ve really come to the rescue.

For the next few days, I’m not offering thiscultured pearl necklace at $1,200. I’m notselling it for $300. That’s because I don'twant to SELL you these pearls at all... I wantto GIVE them to you. This cultured pearlnecklace is yours FREE. You pay nothingexcept basic shipping and processing costsof $25.95,, the normal shipping fee for a$200–$300 necklace.

It’s okay to be skeptical. But the truthis that Stauer doesn’t make money by selling one piece of jewelry to you on a single occasion. We stay in business byserving our long term clients. And as soonas you get a closer look at the exclusiveselection, you’re not going to want to buyyour jewelry anywhere else.

Stauer is a high end jeweler that stillunderstands value. As a matter of fact,

our average client spends more with usthan at Tiffany’s, but we still know some-thing about affordability. We believe Stauerwas the largest buyer of carat weight emeralds in the world last year and thisyear we are on track to be the largest buyer ofcarat weight sapphires, sowe know about volume buying discounts. We wereonly able to get so manypearls at this price. Thisoffer is very limited to one per shipping address.Please don’t wait.

JEWELRY SPECS:- Genuine 5 ½-6mm white cultured pearls - 18" strand - Sterling silver clasp

14101 Southcross Drive W.,Dept. FWP298-08Burnsville, Minnesota 55337

Cultured Pearl Necklace (18" strand)

Your Cost—FREE — pay shipping &

processing only.

Call now to take advantage of thisextremely limited offer.

1-800-806-1654Promotional Code FWP298-08Please mention this code when you call.

www.stauer.comSmart Luxur ies—Surpr i s ing Pr ices

How Do You Spell Pearl Necklace?F-R-E-E.

Stauer comes to the rescue! $295 necklace of genuine cultured pearls…FREE!

Ask about our satin and velvet

travel case.

Extremely

Limited Availability

35

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national chief Petty officers’ Assoc. Oct. 21–25, 2009, San Diego, Calif. Contact Marjorie Hays, 1014 Ronald Drive, Corpus Christi, TX 78412-3548, 361-991-2383, ncpoahays@aol.com.

u.S. naval Hospital – Philadelphia, Pa.November 7, 2009, Essinton, Pa. Contact Nelson Vecchione 610-789-9300 (work) or 484-889-6174 (cell). Alternate contact is Ms. Terry Puskar, 610-337-1560 or 215-443-6356, theresa.puskar@med.navy.mil, 610-626-8183, Ssrollie2@yahoo.com.

uSS dayton (cL-105) Sept. 20–26, 2009, Chattanooga, Tenn. Contact Robert B. Macdonald, 69 Ferndale lane, Palm Coast, Fl 32137, 386-246-3224, dunsailn1@aol.com.

uSS Sierra (Ad-18) Sept. 17–20, 2009, Branson, Mo. Contact Dan Romando, 8 Tisdal Road, Whiting, NJ 08759, 732-849-4657, drom1111@aol.com.

uSS Haynsworth (dd-700) Oct. 15–19, 2009, Independence, Mo. Contact Jack Gross, 816-690-8778.

uSS Hoel (ddg-13) Oct. 9 –12, 2009, Branson, Mo. Contact Thomas Frederick, 785-379-5752, tfrederick87@gmail.com.

uSS Juneau (cLAA-119) Aug. 31– Sept. 4, 2009, Reno, Nev. Contact Edwin Cox, 310 Mimosa Dr., Cheraw, SC 29520, 843-537-5848, edwincox@bellsouth.net.

uSS Jupiter (AvS-8) Oct. 8 –11, 2009, Valley Forge, Pa. Contact AKCM Gary Scheidt, 1991

Gunstock Dr., Stone Mtn, GA 30087, 770-934-5542, gschssss@aol.com.

uSS keppler (dd/ddE-765) Sept. 10 –13, 2009, Myrtle Beach, S.C. Contact Will Darrell, 631-586-4565.

uSS merrick (AkA-97) Oct. 25 –28, 2009, Santa Maria, Calif. Contact Bill Reynolds, 418 Playa Blanca St., Santa Maria, CA 93455, 805-937-3273, willbill05@msn.com.

uSS monrovia (APA–31) Oct. 30 –Nov. 4, 2009, Branson, Mo. Contact Ion Tharp, 13916 Elm Dr., Plato, MO 65552, 417-458-4481.

west coast drill instructor Assoc. Sept. 10 –13 2009, San Diego, Calif. Contact Gregg Stoner, MCRD San Diego, San Diego, CA 92140, 619-884-9047, greggstoner22@aol.com.

REunionS

Members can post reunions online at www.fra.org, submit to reunions@fra.org or mail to: FRA Reunions, 125 N. West St., Alexandria, VA 22314.

Olup, Rudolph W., POC uSN 024Orchard, larry l., RMC 029Ornelles, Edward l., CTC 008Orr, Wallace, MCPO uSN MAlOwens, Basil l., FTGC 060

Parry, Henry R., MRCM 290Pastore, Michele, MRC 009Patrick, Charles R., MS1 290Paulson, George C., SCMM 057Pedrazzini, Wallace J., SKC 279Pegram, Raymond C., EN1 MAlPenrod, Paul T., CPO uSN 093Pensak, Emery, HMCM MAlPfister, Albert, Jr., BM2 MAlPipkin, Robert Z., yNC 317Potter, leonard R., Jr., AQCS MAlPratt, Melvin, PO1 uSN MAlPribbenow, Merle l., ADJC 029

JPRPSC Prindible, Jack D., Sr., PH1 203

Pysz, Joseph J., yN1 MAl

Rae, Kenneth A., BuCS 192Ragsdale, George l., AM1 126Restivo, Salvatore J., HMC 175Rogers, Glenn A., CAM 089Ross, Witt C., DCC 105Roy, Francis J., AMM2 061

Ruble, leonard A., Jr., ATC 091Ruddell, George R., CWO2 uSN MAlRusk, William, AMH1 MAl

Schoonderwoerd, Martin C., AFCM MAlSchultz, Eddie A., AE1 276Seibert, John W., Jr., ADC 091Shacklett, Francis, ATC 101Sharp, Roland l., ENCS 017Shealy, Grover C., QMCM 061Shelton, Joseph, CPO uSN MAlShepardson, Ray, AG3 MAlSides, Jerry l., PO1 uSN MAlSkallet, Winfield S., MMC 050Smith, Earl l., Jr., lCDR uSN 261Smith, Robert, TM uSN MAlSmith, William A., MSGT 175Spence, William C., Sr., HMCS 091Stansberry, Wilfred, Jr., CS1 043Starling, Jimmie, RMC MAlSwanson, Robert R., BMC 175Swindler, Merle A., MRCS 234Switzer, Phillip E., GM1 363

Taland, Albert T., uSN MAlTaylor, Frederick E., HMC 090Therrel, Kenneth W., HMCS 096Thomas, George R., SKC MAlTilden, Wesley, lT SC uSN MAl

Turner, R. G., uSN RET MAl

Vaccaro, Robert F., yN2 237Van Divner, Clifford l., lCDR uSN 261Vizena, Nicholas, AKC MAl

Waddell, Jeder P-Jay, CWO2 uSN 346Waggoner, Jack, EMCM 290Wagstaff, Edwin D., CPl 015Walker, Duane l., AMS1 241Walls, Kenneth l., DTCS MAlWalsh, Robert G., RMC 147Walters, James, AFCM 022Weaver, William R., MMCS 288Wesley, Ronald, EQCM MAlWest, Robert l., POC uSN 008Whitlow, Norman E., SKC MAlWilbur, Robert B., uTCM 038Wright, Howard E., TMC(SS) MAl

youmans, Richard, MAlyounginer, Murray J., SKC 086

Zarzycki, Walter l., GMCS 057Zebrowski, Pete, uSN VET 254Zelek, Donald T., AE3 091

Names in red indicate 50 year continuous members. J indicate a Past National Officer.

TAPS... continued from page 33

nAmE BRAncH nAmE BRAncHnAmE BRAncH

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LA FRA nEwS

message from the South central Regional President

i would likE to state what a pleasure it is to serve as the Regional President of the South Central Region. The South Central has 15 great units working to raise money to purchase phone cards for “Operation Phone Home” and “Help our Troops Call Home.” The units make lap blankets for Veteran’s Nursing Homes, afghans and beanies for premature babies. They assisted the Women’s Shelter to build a playground and donated Christmas stockings and Easter baskets for the children and mothers. Coffee is also provided at the VA hospitals and outpatient clinics. All year they work hard to support the “Toys for Tots” program. Many of the units attend Veterans’ Day observances and parades to honor the veterans. To promote patriotism in their communities, they purchase flags for schools and local families.

At the South Central Mid-Year meeting in Shreveport, Louisiana, I had the honor of initiating Laura Jimenez, daughter of Carol McAtee, into Unit 201. While I was visiting Unit 371 in Baton Rouge, they celebrated their 30th anni-versary. It was an honor to present PRPSC Bobbie Pugh with her 30-year mem-bership pin. Congratulations! In April it was an extreme privilege to attend the National Pilgrimage in Washington, D.C.

The South Central Regional Convention will be held at the Holiday Inn, 5555 Financial Plaza, Shreveport, LA on August 12-16, 2009. I look forward to seeing the delegates, guests and friends at the convention.

Remember to support our military troops who have and are serving for our freedom.

Gini LarsonSouth Central Regional President

Fran hoadley is the editor of La fRa News and the fRa today Liaison.

Easter Baskets being presented by RPSC Gini Larson to a representative at the Corpus Christi Women’s Shelter.

unit 371, Baton rouge, Louisiana. 30th anniversary PartyFront row left to right: Theresa Harrington, Crystal Yantis, Elaine Cruyn, Back row: Bobbie Pugh, PRPSC, Chad Yantis, PRSC Gini Larson, Debbie Richards, Barbara Reynolds.

unit 94 Corpus Christi, texasMembers in picture from left to right: Glenda Grasz, Carla Middleton, Gloria Bauer, Bea Jordan, Vicki Nutick, RPSC Gini Larson, Paula Warren and the children with the Easter Bunny (Buddy Seeds).

unit 162 Nola, New orleans, LouisianaFront row left to right: Gloria Pickett, Dottie Neal, Dee Caso, Floyd Martinez, Doris Hirnyck, Lillian Ryan, Libby DeLeo.Back row: Joe Neal, Kate Kelsey, RPSC Gini Larson, RSSC John Neal, Vickie Martello, Ms Forrestal, and Bobbie Pugh, PRPSC.

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memBeR SeRViCeSFRA125 n. WeSt StReetAlexAnDRiA, VA 22314-2754