22 March 2005

The Honorable Harry Reid
Minority Leader
United States Senate
528 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D. C. 20510

Dear Senator Reid:

FRA expresses sincere appreciation for your untiring commitment to authorize full concurrent receipt for all retired military service members (S. 558) receiving payments for service-connected disabilities.

The issue of concurrent receipt has never been to provide military retirees with "new" benefits, but to allow them to be compensated for service to the nation concurrently with service connected disabilities.

The authorization of full concurrent receipt is, and has been, the mandate of FRA’s membership for 10 or more years. As part of your "attacking force," FRA’s membership numbering 120,000 active, reserve, and retired Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen stands at the ready.

Once again, the Association and its members salute you for your perseverance and devotion to our military retired veterans.

Sincerely,
JOSEPH L. BARNES
National Executive Secretary

JLB:mss:jhh