FRA Today – July 2018
COMMUNICATIONS
storming the hill
sHIPMATE FORUM
ON AND OFF CAPITOL HILL
feature  story
FRA 2018 REGIONAL CALENDAR
FEATURE 2
THE IMPORTANCE OF A CARDIO ROUTINE
AMERICANISM ESSAY
SHIPMATE NEWS
AUXILIARY OF THE FRA
TAPS
FINANCE MATTERS
FRA PROFILE

COMMUNICATIONS

Long-Term Care Options

M
any Shipmates probably have a good handle on their long-term care plans and needs. The people in my age bracket are just starting to think about what to do to insure their future of health care and also to not be a burden upon our children or spouses, when that time arrives.
Sure I have insurance, sure I will qualify for Medicare but what about the gaps between when one service starts and Medicare begins? Before I reach that time, rest assured I will have done my homework and will be able to make an educated decision about my long-term plans.
This issue of FRAtoday has two feature articles that are similar, but both contain some very valuable information as well as links to online resources that are very helpful in planning your future care. The lead feature was written by the Military Health System Communications team who also provided the December 2017 article on TRICARE Changes. This feature closes with two important resources, a link to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration on Aging’s website and the Military TRICARE website link.
The second feature was provided by our Affinity Partner, MERCER, who provides many types of insurance from several reputable insurance 
carriers such as Hartford and Nationwide (see page 26). The “Need Long-Term Care?” feature referenced 15 sources they used for information. 
Several of these links lead to some very informative websites.

Go Online
I realize reading these very long URLs and trying to type them into your keyboards can be a real hassle when you miss one little space or some silly punctuation. Did you know FRAtoday is available online? You can go to the FRA website and click on the FRAtoday icon, which leads to the current issue in two electronic formats: PDF and Microsoft WORD. Inside these electronic files you can very easily click directly on the links and your browser should open the pages without having to key in those long troublesome URLs.
Some other great functions of the online versions are the ability to magnify or enlarge the smaller type in both versions of the online files.  You can also search by word and copy and paste information you might want to send along to a Shipmate. 
I hope you are able to take advantage of the links online. FRA

In Loyalty, Protection and Service,
William Stevenson, Director of Marketing & Communications
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storming the hill

RIGHTS & ENTITLEMENTS

F
irst off, Happy Fourth of July! When growing up outside of Cleveland, this marked the half-way point before school would start in about two months. The Fourth, as it is known, brought out the best of all citizens, regardless of how they celebrated and embraced our nation. Today, we have the “Capitol Fourth” in Washington, DC, with its origins dating back to Philadelphia some 242 ago. Each year there is a concert on the front lawn of our Nation’s Capitol with many classic musical selections played before a magnificent backdrop of fireworks that we have all come to known and appreciate.
In those early days of our great nation, there was a movement to declare our rights from the oppressive actions of Britain. Perhaps a bit treasonous but a Declaration for us toward, “our pursuit of happiness and safety” as stated by George Mason—one of the writers and founders of the Declaration of Independence and author of the Virginia Bill of Rights.
With all of that history, what is the difference between rights and entitlements? Certainly when the Declaration captured the words of Thomas Jefferson, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness,” gave us a solid foundation.
Today, sometimes those rights and entitlements get pushed by a declared authority to their very limits. Rights can be claims to something or claims can be free from something, regardless, they are “natural” or “positive” toward a well-intended effort. Entitlements, on the other hand, are those ideals that must be respectively provided to others, to ensure their rights are maintained.
Respecting the rights of others should spearhead cooperation among all people. Is it possible to say what you like without being hurtful or rude? Everyone has a voice to their own opinion, but that does not mean you have the right to degrade another person or their spoken opinion. Consider the T.H.I.N.K. model when you express your views. Ask yourself, is my opinion True, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary or Kind? If your answer is no to any of these questions, than keep it to yourself. “But I have a right to express myself.” Yes you do, but at what cost or expense of hurting another person? The Declaration in itself gave yield to: The pursuit of happiness is the right that you have to live your life in a way that brings you joy; not to the discontent of others!
Our own actions should support the shared values that we want to pass along to our children, grandchildren and to society in general. The THINK model provides the way and guides us how to be that good citizen. Yes, we are not a perfect society but we can make better strides as that “developing country” now 242 years young. 
Within our own lives, communities, country and the FRA, let us all be more aware of the value of being considerate while serving others. I am not trying to lecture, this is just an observation made from a common set of social values that we all should embrace. We fought and declared our Independence from tyranny more than 240 years ago. Everyone has rights, but respecting the entitlements of everyone is a necessity. A quote I often hear goes like this: “After that stone has been thrown, it is too late to retrieve.” So, step back, show your pride as an American and make note of what our founding fathers wanted. Bring about what we responsibly take on as rights through entitlements. Remember, our kids watch and listen to how we behave! HAPPY Fourth of July! PRESS ON! FRA
Tom is FRA’s National Executive Director and can be reached at NEDFRA@fra.org

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sHIPMATE FORUM

TRICARE Co-pays for Medications
I find the new schedule of Co-pays for prescriptions purchased through the TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery unfortunate.  It not only breaks a promise, perhaps unwritten, of lifetime health care for retirees; but more importantly, it may put undue and unnecessary burden on some retirees. But what is most egregious is that in many cases the Co-pay exceeds the actual cost of the medication.
I hope FRA will keep up the good fight to repeal, or at least mitigate these Co-pays.
Richard Lewis, 
RMC, USN (Ret.) MAL

FRAtoday: FRA wants you to know your concerns are noted. Many retirees have recently experienced unexpected increases in their TRICARE fees. These increases result from the Defense Department’s decision to change its fee schedule from a percent-of-cost model to flat-rate fees. These fee changes disregard the intention of the FY2017 NDAA, which mandated current beneficiaries would be “grandfathered” from health care cost-share increases. Some copayments have doubled and tripled, and FRA strongly opposed these fee increases. The Association argued that the military health care benefit should reflect the sacrifices of military service as a partial prepaid premium for their earned benefits. FRA will continue to advocate that the Defense Department must sufficiently investigate and implement other options to make TRICARE more 
cost-efficient as alternatives to shifting costs to TRICARE beneficiaries. FRA

Great Memories 
“Recollections of a White Hat” reminded me of the Chiefs I worked for in the 1950s and 1960s when WWII veterans were still in the ranks. My first ship was USS RENSHAW (DDE-499), a well-worn veteran of WWII & Korea, and the only Fletcher Class DD to survive a Japanese Long Lance torpedo. I particularly and fondly remember two “Tojo” Chiefs who survived WWII as Japanese POWs.  One was in USS PERCH (SS-176), severely damaged by depth charges and scuttled under fire on 03 March 1942 and the other was captured on Guam, 10 December 1942.  The POW from Guam served the longest in captivity during WWII.
I took the Chief exam in 1967, in CONUS and made Chief on 18 November 1967 after I reported to COMNAVFOR VIETNAM, in Saigon.  Our CPO initiation was on a barge in the Saigon River. As a newly-minted Chief, I watched in wonder as the SEALs who were promoted to Chief were ceremoniously thrown into the Saigon River! 
When I retired in 1986, there were a few Vietnam era Chiefs still in the Fleet. However, I observed the quality of Chief Petty Officers was notably diluted. Many of the WWII CPOs were spinning in their graves over some of the E-7 “Technician Chiefs” at sea and ashore, who were unable or unwilling to mentor their Sailors.
Aloha,
Bruce De Wald AGCM/CWO-4/
LCDR(LDO) USN (Ret.)

USS Pueblo
Nobody was more disappointed and frankly angry that we didn’t retake her after the North Koreans seized the Pueblo. I was the OIC of a team of specialists who deployed to South Korea to gather as much info as we could in the event we were going to retake her. We did as much as we could in the few days we were there and then were called back without any word on why “command” decided to allow the Koreans to keep her. I suspect we were called back to allow the diplomats a chance to save the crew but I never found out why. It was a really dark day for us since, by the grace of God, it could have been us on the ship.
LCDR R. Driesbach, USN (Ret.) MAL
Submit Shipmate Forum letters to FRAtoday, 125 N. West Street Alexandria, Virginia 22314. 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 individual 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 AND OFF CAPITOL HILL

Pace of Legislation Increases

As this issue of FRAtoday goes to press, the House has passed its version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA-S.5515) and the Senate Armed Services Committee has approved its version of the FY 2019 NDAA. Also, FRA-supported legislation, VA MISSION Act (S. 2372), has passed both chambers of Congress and will soon be signed into law. In addition, the House Veterans Affairs Committee has amended and approved the House version of the “Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act” (H.R. 299). The House bill will now go to the full House for further consideration. That bill has been expanded to not only include the Blue Water Vietnam veterans but also veterans who served in Thailand and near the de-militarized zone in Korea. After the July recess (First session day in July is July 10), the pace of legislative activity should pick up. This is an election year and legislators are highly motivated to finish up their legislative work and get back home to campaign for re-election. Members should review Newsbytes and check FRA Action Center to keep up on legislative activity that can impact their pocketbooks. 

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VA MISSION Act Passes

The Senate approved the VA Mission Act (S.2372) by a vote of 92 to 5 and sent it to the President to be signed into law. The bill will:
•	Expand the VA Caregiver program to include all disabled veterans;
•	Consolidate seven VA community care programs into one to improve access to care;
•	Fund for the VA Choice program; and
•	Audit VA infrastructure.
The expansion of the VA Caregiver program to include all disabled veterans is a major victory for FRA. The current program is available only to veterans who were seriously disabled on or after September 11, 2001. The Association wants to thank all of the Shipmates who used the FRA Action Center to weigh in on this important legislation.

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Bill approved by HVAC Expands Agent Orange Reform

Lawmakers on the House Veterans Affairs Committee (HVAC) approved the “Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act” (H.R.299), sponsored by Rep. David Valadao (Calif.). This bill would clarify that service members serving off the coast of the Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam conflict, have a presumption for filing disability claims with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for ailments associated with exposure to the Agent Orange herbicide. The bill was amended to further provide presumption to certain veterans that served in Korea near the demilitarized zone and in Thailand. FRA believes Congress should recognize these veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange and authorize presumptive status for VA disability claims.
“Today is a great day for Blue Water Navy veterans,” HVAC Chairman Rep. Phil Roe, M.D. (Tenn.) said after the bill was approved by the committee. “We owe it to the brave veterans who served in the Vietnam War to provide benefits for conditions they may have developed because of exposure to Agent Orange. I’m also proud of our work today to send the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act to the full House, and I’m grateful for Rep. Valadao’s continued leadership on this important legislation.” The bill now goes to the full House for consideration. Members are strongly urged to go online and use the FRA Action Center to ask their Representative to support this important legislation.

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Trump Nominates Wilkie for VA Secretary

President Donald Trump recently nominated the current acting Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie to be the next Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, a position that requires Senate approval. The announcement was made during a White House summit on prison reform and caught many Washington observers by surprise. Wilkie has served as Acting Secretary since March, following the firing of David Shulkin amid a travel scandal. Trump’s first pick to replace Shulkin, former White House physician Navy Rear Adm. Ronny Jackson, withdrew his name from consideration after allegations emerged about unprofessional behavior and medication mismanagement while serving at the White House.
Before his appointment as VA Acting Secretary, Wilkie was the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. The son of an Army artillery commander, he spent his youth at Fort Bragg (N.C.). He has more than 20 years of experience at the national and international level. Wilkie served both Robert Gates and Donald Rumsfeld as Assistant Secretary of Defense from 2005 to 2009. Prior to his first Pentagon tour, he was Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs and a senior director of the National Security Council under Dr. Condoleezza Rice. Wilkie also has extensive experience in the United States Congress including recent service as Senior Advisor to Senator Thom Tillis (N.C.) as well as being Counsel to the former Majority Leader of the U.S. Senate, the Honorable Trent Lott (Miss.).
Wilkie is a reserve officer in the United States Air Force Reserve assigned to the Office of the Chief of Staff. Prior to joining the Air Force, he served in the United States Navy Reserve with the Joint Forces Intelligence Command, Naval Special Warfare Group Two and the Office of Naval Intelligence.
A graduate of the College of Naval Command and Staff, Air Command and Staff College, the United States Army War College and the Joint Forces Staff College.  He holds personal and unit decorations as well as the Defense Distinguished Public Service Medal, the highest civilian award of the Department.

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Press Conference on Military Pits

Director of Legislative Programs John Davis, participated in a Capitol Hill press conference pertaining to the FRA-supported legislation, Burn Pits Accountability Act (H.R.5671). It is sponsored by Reps. Tulsi Gabbard (Hawaii) and Brian Mast (Fla.), Iraq and Afghanistan veterans respectively. The bill seeks to address the widespread exposure of service members to airborne toxins from burn pits during post 9/11 deployments, a problem experienced by many veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. These toxic exposures could potentially impact millions, and many post 9/11 veterans believe this could be “the Agent Orange issue of their generation.”
The VA estimates 3.5 million veterans are eligible to register in the VA’s Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit registry, which tracks exposures to airborne toxins. The registry was established to address the concerns veterans have that these exposures could result in cancer, respiratory issues and birth defects. A definitive scientific link between exposure and specific illnesses has not yet been made—the same was said for many years about the Vietnam veterans exposed to the Agent Orange herbicide. Currently, the VA’s Burn Pit registry is not well-known and is underutilized. The result is that the data on these exposures is not being collected at the levels desired to determine causality. Presently, the Department of Defense (DoD) has not taken formal accountability of toxic exposures by theater locations for deployed service members. 
Specifically, the bill directs DoD to provide periodic health assessments during deployment and during military separations, an evaluation of whether or not a service member has been exposed to open burn pits or toxic airborne chemicals. If they report being exposed, they will be enrolled in the Burn Pit registry unless they opt out. Members are urged to use the FRA Action Center to weigh in on this issue.

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USCG Commemorative Coin Act Introduced

Rep. Joe Courtney (Conn.) introduced the “United States Coast Guard Commemorative Coin Act” (H.R. 2317) that would honor the men and women of the Coast Guard and support the establishment of the National Coast Guard Museum. Despite its significant role in our national defense, the U.S. Coast Guard is the only uniformed service without a national museum to showcase its 228 year history. 
In 2004, FRA-supported passed legislation authorizing the National Coast Guard Museum to be located in New London, Connecticut. This bill would honor all those who have served in the Coast Guard by the minting of a special commemorative coin and proceeds from sales would be used to support the development and operation of the museum via the National Coast Guard Museum Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the facility and to expanding awareness of the important history, service and missions of the Coast Guard.
Members can use the FRA Action Center located on the website (www.fra.org) to ask their Representative to support this legislation.

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President Trump Honors Military Spouses and Military Mothers

First Lady Melania Trump praised military mothers, and President Trump praised military spouses during a recent White House event. The President stated, “While our men and women in uniform serve our country on base or abroad, their spouses face many challenges to build families at home.”  At the event, President Trump issued an executive order “Enhancing Noncompetitive Civil Service Appointments of Military Spouses” to improve opportunities for military spouses looking for employment in the Federal Government. The order includes:
•	Requiring Federal agencies to promote the use of noncompetitive hiring authority, which currently exists for military spouses, to the greatest extent possible;
•	Directing the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to educate agencies regarding the use of the noncompetitive hiring authority and to increase awareness of the opportunities it creates among military spouses;
•	All agencies to report annually on their progress in advertising positions to, obtaining applications from, and hiring military spouses; and
•	Requesting federal agencies to recommend new ways to improve license portability. 
The President noted a higher unemployment rate persists notwithstanding that the military spouse population has a higher level of education than the population at large. In 2016, only 57 percent of military spouses participated in the labor force, compared to 76 percent of the population at large. The President added that only five percent of military spouses consider themselves financially well off. He would like to provide significantly greater opportunities for military spouses to be considered for Federal employment.

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NED Participates in White House Ceremony

National Executive Director (NED) Thomas J. Snee attended a White House ceremony honoring wounded warriors.  The program (Soldiers Ride D.C.) was sponsored by the Wounded Warrior Project. It’s a four-day event that provides a bike ride for injured veterans and wounded service members, and this year the final day included a White House ceremony. President Donald Trump spoke to program participants and told them that veterans come first in his administration. He stated that he wants to continue and expand the VA Choice Program as well as continue efforts to improve the quality of leadership and accountability at the Department of Veterans Affairs. The White House event was intended to bring together the military and veteran communities to highlight their shared commitment to empower injured service members.  

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Memorial Day Observances

FRA’s National President William Starkey represented the Association during the Memorial Day ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday, May 28. He joined other national leaders in honoring the men and women who have died in service to their nation by laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns. Branches from the East Coast Region’s Central Liaison Committee sponsored a ceremony at the U.S. Navy Memorial on May 26. Other FRA leaders participated in Memorial Day ceremonies across the country to pay tribute to America’s fallen heroes.
On Saturday and Sunday (May 26 and 27) Shipmates from around the D.C. area and members of the FRA National Headquarter (NHQ) team staffed an information booth at Rolling Thunder, an annual motorcycle tribute in the nation’s capital to show the country and the world that Vietnam POWs and MIAs are not forgotten.

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NDAA Moves Forward in the House and Senate

The Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) marked up the Senate version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in closed session. The day before, DLP John Davis attended the Personnel Subcommittee markup. FRA signed onto a The Military Coalition (TMC) statement provided to the Senate Subcommittee before the meeting that urged the Subcommittee to do the following:
•	Expand concurrent receipt;
•	Require the Defense Health Agency to review and report on the impact higher fees are having on beneficiaries;
•	Provide an annual active-duty pay increase (2.6 percent) that is at least equal to civilian pay increases (in the markup);
•	Continue to adequately fund Commissaries;
•	Increase the maximum employer contribution in the new Blended Retirement System from 4 percent to 5 percent of base pay; and
•	Eliminate the SBP/DIC offset.
The full committee (SASC) markup provided the full active-duty pay increase at 2.6 percent, and prohibits a scheduled one percent cut in Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH).  The SASC markup does not include any TRICARE fee increases or pharmacy co-pay increases. The bill also does not include any concurrent receipt reform and FRA is working to file a Senate floor amendment to the bill to expand concurrent receipt. 
The full House amended and passed (351 to 66) its version of the FY2019 Defense Authorization Act. The House approved bill (H.R. 5515) provided the full active-duty pay increase at 2.6 percent.  An FRA supported House floor amendment on concurrent receipt was blocked because it did not have a “pay for” to offset the cost of the amendment. More than 550 floor amendments where filed and most where blocked from being debated and voted by the full House.  The House did vote to include a two-year U.S. Coast Guard authorization bill into the House version of the NDAA (H.R.5515). The bill that passed the House (H.R.5515) provides:
•	No TRICARE fee increases or pharmacy co-pay increases;
•	Mandates Government Accountability Office (GAO) to report to HASC on the TRICARE structural 
changes impacting beneficiary access to health care services no later than March 29, 2019;
•	The full by-law and highest pay raise for the troops in 9 years (2.6 percent);
•	An increase in active duty end strength by 15,600 (Navy increased 7,500);
•	For the Secretary of the Army to take steps to extend the life of Arlington National Cemetery;
•	That DoD review mental health and wounded warrior programs for effectiveness; and
•	Reform the Transition Assistance Program (TAP).
Once both chambers of Congress approve their legislation a conference committee will be appointed to resolve the differences between the two bills. This final version will then be voted on by both chambers of Congress and if approved will be sent to President Trump to be signed into law or vetoed. 

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AFRH CEO Visits FRA NHQ

As a direct result of FRA’s members “Taking Action” about the pending fee increase at the Armed Forces Retirement Home (AFRH), the AFRH Chief Executive Officer, Army Major General (Ret.) Steven Rippe and his staff met with NED Thomas J. Snee and staff at FRA. They met to discuss the huge rent increase being imposed on elderly military retirees living at the AFRH. During the meeting, AFRH personnel explained that they are operating at a $22 million deficit and while the raising fee proposal alone will not cover this deficit it will significantly close that gap. There are other proposals and renovations planned that will generate revenue but still will not cover the full deficit. FRA expressed concern that these huge rent increases will have a devastating impact on individual residents.   
Assistant Director of Veterans Programs, Brian Condon meet with FRA Shipmates at the Armed Forces Retirement Home (AFRH) in Washington, DC in regard to huge rent increases scheduled to take effect on October 1, 2018. Shipmates in attendance thought the increase was a result of poor management and the cost to fix it should not be put on them. They entered the Home with the belief that they would stay there for the remainder of their life time. They are not against an increase but the sudden and substantial increase starting October 1, 2018 is viewed as excessive. After the member meeting, ADVP Brian Condon attended a meeting with senior officials of the Washington DC AFRH to discuss the pending implementation of significant fee increases for its residents. 
The AFRH has two locations: One in Gulfport, Mississippi and one in Washington, DC. Together they are capable of housing up to 1,133 residents. Fees for those in the independent living program (75 percent of residents) are based largely on income. Beginning October 1, 2018, these fees will increase from 40 percent of income to 60 percent of income. The current maximum rent is $1,458 per month. After October 1, the maximum rent will be $3,054 per month. Many of the residents who live there are elderly and on a fixed and limited income. This extraordinary raise in rent will put a financial burden on those who have served our country.
Members are urged to visit the Action Center on the FRA website and continue to contact Congress urging them to provide additional funding and stop this excessive increase.

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PDBR Review of Disability Claims Continues

The Physical Disability Board of Review (PDBR) was created by the FY2008 Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to reassess the accuracy and fairness of combined disability ratings of 20 percent or less for service members who were separated from service, rather than medically retired because of medical conditions. In order to be eligible for a PDBR review, service members must have been medically separated between September 11, 2001, and December 31, 2009, with a combined disability rating of 20 percent or less, and found ineligible for retirement. According to Military.com, only 19,000 of the more than 71,000 eligible have requested a review of their claim. The PDBR claims that more than half of reviewed claims have been upgraded to a disability rating of 30 percent or more. 
This review panel is authorized to recommend an increase in a disability rating, uphold the previous finding, or issue a disability rating when the previous board did not assign one. The board, however, is NOT able to recommend a lower rating. Eligible veterans can request a board review by submitting Department of Defense Form 294, Application for Review of Physical Disability Separation from the Armed Forces of the United States. Click here to view form online. 
Veterans requesting a review must mail their completed and signed DD Form 294 to:
SAF/MRBR
550 C St. W., Suite 41
Randolph Air Force Base, TX 78150-4743

Applicants may submit statements, briefs, medical records or affidavits supporting their application. 
More information about PDBR is available on their website (https://health.mil/) then search for: Physical Disability Board of Review.

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feature  story

TRICARE Options When Facing Long-Term Care Needs

By: Military Health System Communications Team

P
eople often use the term “long-term care” when talking about assistance for the aging, elderly or disabled. This type of care is not intended to cure you. It is chronic care that you might need for the rest of your life. You can receive long-term care in your own home, a nursing home or another long-term care facility such as an assisted living facility.
People often confuse long-term care with disability or short-term medical care. Long-term care is not:
•	care that you receive in the hospital or your doctor’s office;
•	care you need to get well from a sickness or an injury;
•	short-term rehabilitation from an accident and
•	recuperation from surgery.
A 2016 study by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimates that about one in two Americans turning age 65 will develop a disability serious enough to require long-term care. Most will require assistance for less than two years. Approximately one in seven adults will have a disability for more than five years.
“As you age, it is important to understand what your health plan covers and have long-term care insurance or a financial plan for long-term care, which is generally not covered by Medicare or TRICARE,” says Anne Breslin, senior health program analyst and TRICARE For Life program manager at the Defense Health Agency.
Long-term care, also known as custodial care, generally involves helping someone with activities of daily living, like walking, showering or dressing. It can also include supervision of someone who has problems with their memory, language, thinking and judgement.
Like most employer-based health insurance coverage in the U.S., TRICARE does not cover long-term care. Public programs like Medicare and Medicaid may help cover the costs for some long-term care services in certain circumstances. The patient generally has to pay for long-term care services themselves, unless they have long-term care insurance. 
To cover potential long-term care expenses, some TRICARE beneficiaries may qualify to purchase long-term care insurance through commercial insurance programs or through the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program. This type of insurance is a smart way to protect your income and assets and remain financially independent should you need long-term care services at home, in a nursing home or at another long-term care facility. Please visit their website (www.ltcfeds.com) for more information.

What TRICARE Covers
TRICARE covers long-term care hospitals, skilled nursing facility care, durable medical equipment, home health care and hospice care. To learn more about each one of these services, read the following descriptions.
Long-term care hospitals (LTCHs): LTCHs differ from long-term care. They provide care for patients with multiple serious medical conditions that require a longer stay than traditional hospitals. There must be a need for intensive medical care. Patients receive extended periods of care before they are well enough to return home or go to rehabilitation. The average length of stay is 25 days or more. 
Skilled nursing facility care: Skilled nursing facilities provide skilled nursing, rehabilitation and other care, including medications. Skilled nursing facilities are not nursing homes or intermediate facilities. TRICARE may cover your costs if you are treated in a hospital for at least three consecutive days, not including the day of discharge and you enter the skilled nursing facility within 30 days of the hospital discharge.
Durable medical equipment: TRICARE covers durable medical equipment when prescribed by a physician. However, certain limitations apply. Durable equipment are certain medically necessary items that can withstand repeated use and primarily and customarily serves a medical purpose. They are generally not useful to an individual who does not have an illness or injury. Wheelchairs and hospital beds are just two examples of durable equipment.
Home health care: TRICARE covers home health care for beneficiaries confined to the home. It includes part-time or intermittent skilled nursing services and home health care services. A participating home health care agency must provide all care and your regional or TRICARE for Life contractor must authorize all care in advance. Additional benefits may be available to injured homebound service members and their caregivers. 
The Extended Care Health Option (ECHO) provides financial assistance to eligible active duty family members with special needs. It also provides expanded in-home medical services through TRICARE ECHO Home Health Care (EHHC). EHHC is limited to the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Hospice care: If you or a TRICARE-eligible family member suffers from a terminal illness, TRICARE hospice care provides supportive services, such as pain management. With TRICARE hospice care, patients expected to live six months or less can get palliative care and home health-aide services. Otherwise, these services are limited under TRICARE’s basic program options. Your regional contractor can work with you to begin hospice care. 
To learn more about TRICARE covered services, visit their website (www.tricare.mil) and click on “What’s Covered.” For information about other long-term care resources, visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Aging’s website (longtermcare.acl.gov). FRA

What Does Medicare Pays For?

Healthcare for people age 65 years and older
Healthcare for people under age 65 with receiving Social Security Disability benefits
Healthcare for people of all ages diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease) or end-stage renal disease (permanent kidney failure that requires dialysis or a kidney transplant).

Medicare covers medically necessary care for acute care, such as doctor visits, drugs, and hospital stays.

Except for the specific circumstances described below, Medicare does not pay for most long-term care services or personal care, such as help with bathing or for supervision (often referred to as custodial care).

Following Hospitalization, Medicare will help pay for a short stay in a skilled nursing facility if you meet all of the following conditions:
You have had a hospital admission with an inpatient stay of at least three days
You are admitted to a Medicare-certified nursing facility within 30 days of that inpatient hospital stay
You need skilled care, such as skilled nursing services, physical therapy, or other types of therapy

If you meet all these conditions, Original Medicare will pay a portion of the costs for up to 100 days for each benefit period as follows:
For the first 20 days, Medicare pays 100 percent of the cost.
For days 21 through 100, you pay a daily copayment, which was $164.50 as of November 2017), and Medicare pays any balance.
Medicare does not pay costs for days you stay in a skilled nursing facility after day 100.

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FRA 2018 REGIONAL CALENDAR

July 20-21, 2018	
East Coast Regional Convention
Holliday Inn at Solomons 
Island, 155 Holiday Dr., 
Solomons, MD 20688    
410-326-6311
Contact: Brian J. Jones, 240-925-7818
email: papajones62@hotmail.com

July 29-August 1, 2018
West Coast Regional Convention
Sparks Nugget Hotel & Casino, 
1100 Nugget Avenue, 
Sparks, NV
800-648-1177    
Use code: GFRA, $49 + tax
Contact: Virgil Courneya, 
775-882-9201 or 
Tonya Reyes, 
775-461-0009
email: virgil_courneya@att.net

August 3-4, 2018	
Southwest Regional Convention
Riverside Resort, 
1650 S Casino Dr., 
Laughlin, NV 89029
800-227-3849 
Use code: Fleet Reserve Assoc. (Wed.-Thur. $39) 
(Fri.-Sat. $62) + 10% tax. 
RV parking available.
Contact: Alice Smith, 619-300-2384 or Aaron Jensen, 858-668-8715
email: blueitigger@yahoo.com	

August 9-12, 2018
North Central Regional Convention
Double Tree by Hilton 
Grand Rapids Airport 
4747 28th St SE, 
Grand Rapids, MI 49512   
616-957-0100
Contact: Marty Posekany, 
816-847-6562
email: posekany@chartermi.net

August 16-19, 2018
South Central Regional Convention
Wyndham Garden Shreveport, 
1419 E. 70th Street, 
Shreveport, LA 71105   
318-797-9900
Contact: Bruce Talbot, 
808-781-6542 or 
281-489-9322
email: brucetalbotfra@outlook.com	

August 17-18, 2018
Northwest Regional Convention
Riverside Hotel, 
2900 Chinden Blvd. 
Boise, ID 83714 
208-343-1871 
ask for FLEET RESERVE 
rate $102.00 + tax 
(4 days prior - 2 days after)
Contact: Tom Flanik, 
208-455-8100 or 
Bill Hall, 
208-695-1664	
email: gunny@sos.net	

August 23-26, 2018 
Southeast Regional Convention
Quality Inn & Suites, 
51 Gulf Breeze Parkway, 
Gulf Breeze, FL 32561
850-932-2214
Contact: JJ Thomas, 850-932-2214
email: aquaspaceventure@aol.com

September 5-7, 2018
Northeast/New England Regional Convention	
Days Hotel Egg Harbor, 
6708 Tilton Rd., 
Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234    609-641-4500
Contact: Al Davenport, 
609-415-5440
email: adavenport2@comcast.net 

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FEATURE 2

Need Long-Term Care? Solutions and Questions Abound

By: Military Health System Communications Team

S
ervice in the Navy, Marines or Coast Guard qualifies you for TRICARE, the military’s health insurance plan. TRICARE covers many conditions and eventualities but one it does not cover is long-term care. This is where you will need assistance with one or more essential activities of daily living such as dressing, eating, bathing and using the toilet.1  
As Americans live longer, the likelihood for needing long-term care—resulting from debilitating injury, dementia or the effects of aging—increases. In 2000, almost 10 million people in the U.S. needed long-term care,2  at home, in an assisted-living facility or a nursing home. Now, it’s projected that slightly more than half of Americans turning 65 today will need it.3  Services can range from skilled care, such as provided by a medical professional in a nursing home, to personal care, which can be administered at your residence.4  
Whatever form long-term care takes, its cost can put your retirement savings and investments at risk. Costs range from an average $26,000 a year for adult day health services at home to $97,000 a year for a private room in a nursing home.5  Costs continue to rise so if you project ahead to the year 2019, a person needing at-home care may have to spend an average $100,000 a year.6  
Since most long-term care is needed during post-working years, many people have to sacrifice their nest eggs. Others come up with the money by selling their homes or increasing their debt. Their loved ones may have to repay the loans if the person in care passes away. 
 
Medicare and Medicaid
Many people are surprised to learn that they cannot rely upon government programs to cover long-term care. For example, Medicare covers it but only under certain circumstances and only for 100 days.7  Medicaid, the combined federal-state health insurance program for the indigent, pays for long-term care but only for those with limited income and assets. These and other requirements vary from state to state and not all long-term care facilities will accept Medicaid.8  
If you cannot pay for long-term care on your own, many financial advisors recommend long-term care insurance to help you offset a portion of the costs. A long-term care policy pays a daily benefit that can be applied to the cost of care or used to reduce the amount you have to pay out of pocket. The cost for an insurance policy can be affected by several factors, including your age when you purchase, the dollar amount the policy pays, the maximum time you receive payments, and the deductible and waiting period you elect.9  The policy takes effect when you are diagnosed as needing care and after you satisfy any waiting period and deductible.

Federal Long-Term Care Insurance 
Although TRICARE does not cover long-term care, federal employees, including many active or retired service people, can apply for coverage through the Federal Long-Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP). Policies are administered by the private insurer John Hancock. Eligible members include active and retired military and full-time National Guard and Selected Reserve personnel. Individual Ready Reserve members are not eligible. Policies cover care both at home and in facilities and do not exclude needs based on war-related occurrences. Premiums range from $174 to $545 a month for persons age 65. Visit the Office of Personnel Management website (www.opm.gov/insure/ltc) to learn more.10  
One alternative to consider is a private policy, which is offered by about a dozen companies. If you are age 55 and in good health, you can expect to pay about $1,800 a year for a policy that has a 90-day waiting period, pays $150 per day for five years in a variety of care settings and adds an optional 5% inflation increase.11 A portion of premiums may be tax-deductible, if you can itemize medical expenses.12 
How likely are you to use the insurance? Remember, the projection is that slightly more than half of Americans turning 65 today will need it, and for less than five years, on average (3.2 years for men, 4.4 years for women13). In contrast, auto insurance experts say you will average three or four accidents over your driving lifetime.14 Homeowners average a claim every 10 years or so.15 
Obviously, long-term care insurance is complicated. Should you buy it? It depends—policies are not for everyone. Because of this, the Fleet Reserve Association has partnered with Mercer Consumer to offer advice for this type of insurance. By accessing the Long-Term Care Resources Network, you can schedule a one-on-one consultation with a licensed specialist who is not tied to one company. You will get answers to all your questions and never be under any obligation to purchase anything. The Long Term Care Resources Network works with top-rated providers such as Genworth, Mutual of Omaha, Transamerica, One America/State Life, Lincoln Financial and Nationwide.
If you would rather get this information and not have anyone call you, you can visit the website (FRAinsure.com), click on Long-Term Care Insurance from the drop-down menu and click on LTC Planning Tool. At the bottom of the page, you can download a Long-Term Care Solutions Kit in PDF form.  FRA
FOOTNOTES
1. https://longtermcare.acl.gov/the-basics/what-is-long-term-care.html
2. https://longtermcare.acl.gov/the-basics/index.html
3. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, “Long-Term Services and Supports for Older Americans: Risks and Financing,” viewed 2-2 at https://aspe.hhs.gov/system/files/pdf/106211/ElderLTCrb-rev.pdf
 4. Texas Department of Insurance, tdi.texas.gov
 5. Genworth, “Genworth 2017 Annual Cost of Care Survey: Costs Continue to Rise Across All Care Settings,” published 9-26-17 and viewed 2-5 18 at http://newsroom.genworth.com/2017-09-26-Genworth-2017-Annual-Cost-of-Care-Survey-Costs-Continue-to-Rise-Across-All-Care-Settings
6. Health & Human Services, op. cit.
7. https://longtermcare.acl.gov/the-basics/who-pays-for-long-term-care.html
8. Longtermcare.gov, op. cit.  
9. The Motley Fool, “Your 2018 Guide to Long-Term Care Insurance,” published 2-2-18 and viewed 2-5-18 at https://www.fool.com/retirement/2018/02/02/your-2018-guide-to-long-term-care-insurance.aspx
10. U.S. Office of Personnel Management https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/long-term-care/www.opm.gov/insure/ltc
11. Motley Fool, op.cit.
12. American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance, “Long-Term Care Insurance Tax Deductible Limits Increase,” published 10-23-17 and viewed 2-5-18 at http://www.aaltci.org/news/long-term-care-insurance-association-news/long-term-care-insurance-tax-deductible-limits-increase
13. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, op. cit. 
14. Forbes, “How Many Times Will You Crash Your Car?” viewed 2-5-18 at https://www.forbes.com/sites/moneybuilder/2011/07/27/how-many-times-will-you-crash-your-car/#127e8c544e62
15. Zacks investment firm, “How Often Does the Average Homeowner File Insurance Claims?” viewed 2-5-18 at https://finance.zacks.com/average-homeowner-file-insurance-claims-8387.html

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THE IMPORTANCE OF A CARDIO ROUTINE

By: Denny Marshall 

C
ardio, short for cardiovascular, exercise is any movement that gets your heart rate up and increases blood circulation throughout the body. There are various forms and methods of performing cardio exercise, all which will have specific benefits and guidelines. Regular cardiovascular exercise is important for people of all ages, including seniors. Cardio improves lung capacity and heart function, increases stamina and boosts the immune system. When training my clients, I implement cardio into our weight training regiment to improve muscle endurance. 
There are a lot of benefits to performing cardio such as improved heart health, increased metabolism, improved ability to recovery and management of diabetes. The first benefit is an improved condition of your heart. Your heart is a muscle just like any other and in order for it to become strong it must be worked. If you fail to work your heart, it will weaken over time, which can cause a variety of negative health effects. By getting the heart pumping at a faster rate on a regular basis, you will keep it in shape and healthy. 
Another benefit to performing cardio is the positive effects it has on your metabolism. An increased metabolism means an easier effort in maintaining your weight. Low cardio exercise—more moderately paced forms—can decrease recovery time. This helps to reduce muscle soreness after a weight training session. Lastly, for those with diabetes, cardio helps manage your condition by increasing your muscles’ ability to utilize glucose. 

The Benefits
When you regularly perform cardiovascular exercise, it decreases your blood pressure and your resting heart rate. This means your heart does not have to work as hard all the time, which is good for your entire body. We know cardio exercise benefits your heart but that is not all. Here are some other benefits for your body.
Brain: Increases blood flow and decreases chances of stroke. It also improves memory and thinking ability. Combats decline in brain function with age and helps protect against developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Skin: Increases circulation, leading to clearer, healthier skin.
Blood: Helps control blood sugar, improves good cholesterol levels and lowers blood fats.
Lungs: Helps decrease demands on lungs as your ability to exercise improves and helps reduce fatigue and shortness of breath in those who have chronic lung problems. 
Weight: Helps you maintain a healthy body weight by burning more calories throughout the day.
Bones and Joints: Fights osteoporosis and reduces your chances for hip fractures. Helps manage arthritis discomfort and maintains range of joint motion.
Mood: Boosts your mood, especially after a stressful day and combats depression plus improves your self-esteem. 
Anxiety & Stress: Releases tension fighting hormones such as serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine.
Sleep: Helps you fall asleep faster and promotes REM sleep. Be sure to avoid vigorous exercise too close to bed or you may be too energized to sleep.        
Energy: Releases endorphins, giving you more lasting energy throughout your day.
Cardiovascular exercise usually falls into one of two broad categories. First, aerobics or long slow distance training such as jogging and interval training where a short, fast-tempo work is alternated with a slow and easy pace. Second, endurance work that is ideally done on days that you are not weight training. If you choose to combine endurance with weights on the same day, most people find it more effective to lift weights first. However, it is possible to combine cardio and weights together by using a circuit training method.
There are three factors to consider when deciding how much exercise is enough to build and maintain a strong heart and lungs, without a breakdown or loss of muscle and other bodily tissue. These three factors are:
Frequency: Usually three cardiovascular workouts each week are best for overall fitness. Less often is not enough to maintain fitness and more than three times may lead to the breakdown of muscle.
Duration: Effective workouts can be as short as twenty minutes or as long as one hour. Shorter but more intense workouts, such as interval training, are more effective for fat burning and conditioning than long, slow workouts such as aerobics.
Intensity: There is no absolute measure of intensity in cardiovascular exercise. I use a little trick called “The Talk Test” while jogging or running. If you can talk while performing then you are at an aerobic intensity.

Variety May Be the Key
One common mistake is doing the exact same workout time after time. Most people get better results by cycling through their workouts using different intensity levels and when possible, different exercise options. Variety also reduces the chance of overuse of the same muscle groups, which may cause injury. 
I like to implement cardio in my everyday training routine. I start off my client’s sessions with a combo walk/run on a treadmill for one mile as a warm up. This gets oxygen to their muscles so they can get maximum performance out their muscles. My athlete clients also perform strict cardio activities two days each week. One day we emphasize conditioning and speed training. The other day, we focus more on sport-specific movements based upon the sport that athlete performs. Barring other health conditions, the average healthy adult older than 65 should aim for around 150 minutes of moderately-intense cardio exercises every week. 

The Value of Low Intensity
Low intensity activities only mildly increase your heart and respiration rate. Walking is a standard form of low intensity cardio. A stroll down the sidewalk, around the block or even walking down a grocery aisle all count toward your weekly 150 minutes. Swimming is another low intensity activity that offers good cardio benefits. As an added benefit, being in water helps ease and relieve joint strain and pressure. Moderate intensity exercises raise your heart and breathing rates more than low intensity activities. Light jogging or biking are good but a stationary bike may be better if you have a problem with your balance. You can also take up dance for a more social option. There are a many other activities you can do to keep your cardiovascular levels high.
Power Walking: Power walking goes by several different names, speed walking, exercise walking or fitness walking. One example is hiking.
Treadmill: The treadmill is the most popular exercise machine for cardiovascular training. You can walk or run, and also change the incline to simulate uphill walking or running.
Water Aerobics: Water aerobics is cardiovascular exercise done in a swimming pool and is a form of resistance training. One of the benefits is the reduced risk of muscle or joint injury. Water activities use more energy than land-based exercises because of the increased resistance caused by the water.
Elliptical Machines: Elliptical machines are stationary exercise machines that simulate walking or running but without putting pressure on your joints.
Steppers or Stair Climbers:  Stair Climbers are good for beginners and well-conditioned athletes because you control the speed and amount of resistance.
Stationary Bike: Exercise bikes have low impact on your joints while still providing excellent cardiovascular exercise. You can pedal at a long, slow pace or high intensity intervals. You can also increase resistance on these bikes.
These are a few points to keep in mind. Have a thorough physical examination before beginning your exercise program. Use a variety of intensity levels and, if possible, types of activities. Cardio is extremely important but overdoing it can cause the breakdown of your muscles. As a senior, your goal is to build and maintain muscle, not tear it down. FRA

Denny Marshall operates 360 Fit Performance with his business partner Myron Flowers. They believe everyone is an athlete and strive to bring that athletic aspect out of every client. Fitness 360 takes a grassroots approach in training student athletes from youth sports to high school, college and even at the professional level. Fitness 360 has some notable clients such as the National Football League’s Vernon Davis, Vontae Davis, Steffon Diggs, Ronald Darby, Tahir Whitehead, Muhammad Wilkerson and Blake Countess.

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AMERICANISM ESSAY

What Patriotism Means to Me
By Jonathan Lustig, 8th Grade St. Patrick’s School

Merriam Webster defines patriotism as a love or devotion to one's country. However, patriotism is much more than a textbook definition. Patriotism is a way of life, a mindset, a quality that stays with you in spite of changing times and it has been exemplified in various ways throughout American history. 
Picture yourself in the shoes of a soldier during the American Revolution, where this whole idea of patriotism began. Even though you are cold, hungry, and homesick, you will do anything to defend your new country; that’s patriotism. Imagine a young Union soldier in the Civil War, humble eyes behind a musket as he grasps his shiny bayonet. Observing the bloodshed around him, he knew it was his duty to preserve the Union; that’s patriotism. As the soldiers stormed the beaches of Normandy, preparing for battle, it was patriotism that motivated them to persevere. Patriotism is what I see when I look at pictures of my late grandfather in Vietnam, knowing that he left his family at home so he could defend the land that he loved. Patriotism is a group of firefighters erecting an American flag amid death and destruction brought on by terrorism, while my father, grandfather and countless rescue workers searched tirelessly for their fellow Americans. Today, patriotism is the driving force behind the brave men and women who continue to fight for our country and face some of the worst evils our world has ever seen. 
I have a profound respect for our fine nation and consider myself to be deeply patriotic. It pains me to see American citizens disrespecting our flag, bashing our country, and forwarding their own agendas under the guise of “patriotism”. Patriotism does not see race or political lines. It is not meant to force a nation apart, but rather, bring it together. So, each time I stand proudly with my hand over my heart to recite the Pledge of Allegiance or sing the National Anthem, I am showing my love for this country, its history, its leaders, and most of all, my fellow patriots.

Congratulations to the 2017–2018 FRA Americanism Essay Contest Winners!
The overall winner was Jonathan Lustig, Branch 226, Northeast/New England Region
Grade 7 Winners 
1st Place: Cynthia Natalia Lacan, Branch 175, Southwest Region
2nd Place: Chloe Gunawan, Branch 018, Northwest Region
3rd Place: Arabella Palor, Branch 004, East Coast Region
Grade 8 Winners 
1st Place: Jonathan Lustig, Branch 226, Northeast/New England Region
2nd Place: Bailee Amos, Branch 251, South Central Region
3rd Place: Luke Anderson, Branch 077, Southwest Region

Grade 9 Winners 
1st Place: Luke Duthie, 
Branch 146, Northeast/
New England Region
2nd Place: Annabel Peltzer, Branch 260, Southwest Region
3rd Place: Noelani Hadfield, Branch 185, West Coast Region
Grade 10 Winners 
1st Place: Mary Clara Greer, Branch 216, North Central Region
2nd Place: Tori Waite, 
Branch 087, Northeast/
New England Region
3rd Place: Matthew Nguygen, Branch 099, East Coast Region
Grade 11 Winners 
1st Place: Lily Grace Tomlinson, Branch 099, East Coast Region
2nd Place: Zachary Hutchinson, Branch 248, Southeast Region
3rd Place: Marnie Fitzgerald, Branch 072, Northeast/
New England Region
Grade 12 Winners 
1st Place: Elizabeth Powers, Branch 072, Northeast/
New England Region
2nd Place: Savanah Olsson, Branch 091, Southeast Region
3rd Place: Cassidy Tshimbalanga, Branch 287, West Coast Region

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MEMBERSHIP MATTERS

Branch Profile: Sierra-Tahoe

T
hroughout the nation, the Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) is, some say, teetering on the cusp between continual growth and the eventual discontinuation of a long and viable veterans’ association. While many of our Shipmates have spent countless past years building the FRA, it is imperative that we revive our efforts to not just maintain but grow our rolls.
Here at the Sierra-Tahoe Branch and Unit 137, Shipmates and members work together to achieve and fulfill our objectives as outlined in our respective Preambles. Recruitment and retention are high on our joint priority list. We seek out every opportunity to grow our membership. Whether that be through participation in various community events, utilizing media avenues for public awareness, involvement with a local USMC base or just taking advantage of every opportunity to speak to veterans—whether as a group or just one-on-one. Our Branch and Unit members are located throughout three Nevada communities: Minden-Gardnerville, Carson City and Dayton. Shipmates and Auxiliary members band together throughout the months with events that involve active military personnel, veterans and the community.
Recently, we began the recruitment season by participating in “Big Mama’s Car Show” held at a local community park in Gardnerville, Nev. Though the weather was a bit chilly, the Auxiliary brought hot coffee and donuts to sustain Branch Shipmates while discussing the benefits of FRA membership with prospective members. Both the Branch and Auxiliary recruited new members who signed up to become a part of the FRA and the LA FRA. Events like these also provide opportunities for our current Shipmates and members to enjoy the comradery and enhance the bonds we share with each other—by working together.
This past May, in honor of Memorial Day, we again provided an annual BBQ at the USMC Mountain Warfare Training Center’s Housing Area in Coleville, Calif. Shipmates were grilling hamburgers, bratwust and hotdogs, while the LA FRA members served up a variety of salads, BBQ beans and of course, a dessert. Entertainment was provided by our “Branch Musician,” Jeff Wayne who always adds to the gaiety of many of our activities. Historically, this event has been attended by approximately 400 hungry Marines and their families. The BBQ provided another opportunity for the recruitment of new Branch and Unit members. It also provided the opportunity for us to just say “Thank You for Your Service” to a bunch of great young Marines.
As we turn the calendar to the next month, the following weekend required our Shipmates to put on the kitchen aprons and flip pancakes in neighboring Dayton, Nev. We put on a Pancake Breakfast as part of that community’s “Oodles and Noodles” event. Auxiliary members were responsible for the “front end” of the house insuring sufficient seating and table settings were available. The local Sea Cadets, which we sponsor as part of our Youth program, helped out with busing the tables and trash details. This event added to the Branch treasury, which in turn allows us to fulfill our goals. Outside the Community Center, an FRA/LA FRA table was set up to sell the breakfast tickets . . . but a recruiting opportunity like this could not be ignored, so the Branch and Unit set up their recruiting booth alongside the ticket table.
Then, it was onward to one of several parades where we proudly displayed the “Colors” affixed to the FRA float as Shipmates with Branch and Unit banners walked in the “Carson Valley Days”parade held in Minden/Gardnerville. This brought public recognition to both the Fleet Reserve Association and Auxiliary. It was gratifying when Shipmates heard the youth of this community yell out “Thank you for your service!”
Though the upcoming months will be a little busier than most, such events are not unusual. We do not expect every member to participate in every event but to contribute in those they can. FRA Branch 137 and LA FRA Unit 137 are successful due to the “working together” mentality we have developed throughout the past years. Our officers continue to accentuate the positive abilities of members and minimize their faults. Together we foster an atmosphere of humor, good will and an attitude of CAN DO! We share in ideas that benefit the Association, veterans and our communities. FRA

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SHIPMATE NEWS

1. Branch 44, Columbia, Tennessee
Tennessee Valley Branch John Davis, National Chaplain from Pulaski, Tenn. (L) met with Congressman Marsha Blackburn to discuss concurrent receipt reform, supporting the “Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act” and excluding Defense from sequestration.

2. Branch 11, Ft. Worth, Texas
PRPSC LAFRA Pat Snyder and PRPSC Mike Snyder present certificates and checks to the South Central regional essay winners (L to R) Granddaughter Payton Tapp, 1st place 10th grade $100; Pat Snyder; Great grandson Grayson Sheffler, 3rd place 8th grade $50; Mike Snyder; Great granddaughter Charissa Orby, 3rd place 11th grade $50; Great grandson Landon Sheffler, 2nd place 7th grade $75.

3. Branch 13, Atlantic City, New Jersey
Branch and Regional President Al Davenport along with Branch Vice President Bob Campbell presented Rowan College Development Director Joe Delgado (C) a scholarship check for $1000.

4. FRA BRANCH 162, New Orleans, Louisiana
PRPSC Dave Field (L) and Shipmate Jerry DuPre (R)  present Naval Cadet Stephen Rayle his JROTC medal and certificate after his Change of Command ceremony at Brother Martin High School in New Orleans. Cadet Rayle is a graduating senior. 

5. Branch 49, Denver, Colorado
Mile High Branch President Bill Hanzel presents a Patriotism Award to Cadet LCDR Jayden Peterson at the Mesa Ridge High School in Colorado Springs End of the Year NJROTC awards ceremony.

6. Branch/Unit 163, Phoenix, Arizona.
Shipmate Alfred Denofre and LA FRA NT Bea Parco tending the information & recruiting booth with the Phoenix Sea Cadets, Sunday March 18th at Luke’s Air Force Base Air show.

7. Unit 182, Frederick, Maryland.
Regional President East Coast Shirley Vatter visited Unit 182 in Frederick, Maryland on April 19th and presented Helen Trimmer her 50-year pin, certificate and letter from NP Jean Smith!  Helen was completely surprised!

8. Branch 93, Patuxent River, Marylandd.
Branch Treasurer Otis Deloach presents a check to Merrilea Cherry, who was the overall winner for the branch Americanism essay contest that promotes the spirit of Americanism and patriotism among our country’s youth. 

9. Branch 186, Hernando, Florida.
The branch presented awards to the Crystal River High School NJROTC. (L to R) Branch President Jack Townsend, Freshman David King, Sophomore Mya Aungst, Junior Alena Beattie, Senior Alicia Callihan and two cadets who received $500 grants were Robert Poling and Natalie Stone (accepted by her father) and Secretary Bob Huscher. Branch members in the back are, Mary West, Hank Butler, Paul Kimmerling and Florence McCann.

10. Branch 185, Ogden, Utah
Branch 185 Secretary Jim Towery presents a 50-year Continuous Membership Certificate to Shipmate Larry Druce and his wife Arva at their home in Utah. “Thank you for your service and continued membership Shipmate Druce.”

11. Branch 101, Santa Clara, California
Unit President Karen Webster and Branch President Richard Ruiz celebrate during the 71st Anniversary Luncheon.  

12. Branch 38, Spokane, Washington
Shipmate Richard Casselman is presented his 60-year award by JrPRPNW Peg Burke. Due to recovering from a double knee replacement, Burke took the award to his home in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Casselman will turn 95 on June 14th.

13. Branch 244, Grand Junct., Colorado
(L to R) branch winners of the Americanism Patriotism essay contest are: First place 12th grade Megan Young, 11th grade Chole Haywood, 10th grade Tristan Campbell and 9th grade Fetcher Lippert. Second place 11th grade Ben Xiang and 11th grade John Perez.

14. Branch 287, Livermore, California
During the March meeting, Bob Weil received his 50-year pin and certificate. (L to R) George Mancuso, Robert Weil (Bob’s son), Cliff Diller, Bob Weil (50 Yrs), Bill Lindke and Roy Warner.

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AUXILIARY OF THE FRA

From the Regional President Northeast/New England

G
reetings from North East/New England Unit 226 Staten Island, New York; Unit 156 Pine Tree, Maine; Unit 124 Lakehurst, NJ; Unit 42 Quonset/Davisville, Rhode Island; Unit 20 Groton, Connecticut  
The past months have been very busy for our Units as many have taken on the challenge of community service to heart. Each Unit has found their own way of providing support and enhancing Community and Military Programs, often with limited members.  They are sending cards and making visits to Veterans in Nursing homes, collecting toys for Toys for Tots, making food baskets for families in need, knitting/crocheting/sewing baby blankets, sending care packages/cards to overseas troops, assisting local community programs and of course supporting military and veteran programs in the community such as ceremonies, parades and events. Units that are near or around a military base, provide support to military spouses by giving gift cards in recognition and welcome aboard baskets to newly arrived families. 
Our members give countless hours each month to support and enhance community programs.  These may seem small but to a veteran in a nursing home with no family, it matters; to a family who struggles to put food on the table, it matters; to a service member overseas, it matters; to a child who may not have a toy during the holidays, it matters; to a veteran or a child at a parade/ceremony, it matters; to that military spouse or AD member far from home, it matters; to the community the unit supports, it matters. 
Being involved matters to so many people, each in a different way. Ladies Auxiliary of the Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) do this and so much more. Our members do these things, not for recognition, but because it matters.  They not only support their community, but they in turn support our Ladies Auxiliary and FRA Shipmates by sending get well cards, providing transportation to appointments and just being there for them. 
Across the country, April is designated as Volunteer Appreciation Month.  I came across a quote from an unknown author which sums up the Ladies Auxiliary of the FRA, “No one can do everything, but everyone can do something”.  If you are reading this and want to be involved where it matters to a wide range of people, we encourage you to visit the Ladies Auxiliary FRA website (www.la-fra.org) to find a Unit near you.  Like our members, you may be the one to put a smile on a lonely veteran or on a child during the holidays. Or the smile on a veteran’s face at a parade as you walk past or place a wreath in remembrance or honor. 
To the North East/New England Units and Units everywhere I say “Thank-you for all that you do and will continue to do to support your local community and the military community.” 
A reminder to all: The Northeast/New England Regional Convention will be held 9/05/18-9/07/18 in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey and the 2018 FRA/LAFRA National Convention 9/23/18- 9/30/18 San Antonio, Texas. For more information contact the Unit/Branch President. FRA
In Loyalty, Protection & Service,
Bobbie Seidel

Bobbie Seidel is the LA FRA Regional President for the 
Northeast/New England

TAPS
 
Name 	Rating	Branch
Akers, Clayton E.	ADCS, USN 	MAL
Aman, Harry E.	ETCS, USN 	307
Ammon, Richard E.	BT1, USN	117
Aromy, Edwin A.	HMC, USN	92

Baldoza, Sofronio	PO1, USN	127
Baldwin, John Earl	DTC, USN	201
Barker, Nelson Lee	OS1, USN	MAL
Bieker, Joseph	YNC(SS), USN	MAL
Blade, George A.	YNC, USN	70
Block, Frederick R.	ETC(SS), USN	20
Bolin, T L.	ASCS, USN	MAL
Bostdorf, Lionel E.	HTC, USN	106
Boyles, Nina K.	YNC, USN	112
Bradbury, Joseph E.	BMC, USN	MAL
Breithaupt, Gordon A.	ADJ1, USN	91
Broadbent, Jon	RMC, USN	MAL
Brobst, Richard W.	PNC, USN	156
Brodie, Leroy	HMC(SS), USN	MAL
Bruce, Edwin A.	MS1(SS), USN	MAL
Bryce, William	RMC, USN	60
Bush, William R.	HMCS, USN	MAL

Christoffersen, Robet A.	HMC, USN	MAL
Cupic, Pete	USMC	170

Davies, William W.	LTJG, USN	MAL
Davis, Arthur D.	HMC, USN	MAL
Delacruz, Ruben	PO1, USN	MAL
Disalvo, Joseph M.	RM3, USN	109
Donth, Albert A.	ADCS, USN	70
Dube, Charles A.	DT1, USN	MAL
Duron, Raymond	YNC, USN	166

East, David T.	ENCS, USN	60
Eberhardy, Armand J.	POC, USN	14

Farris, Jack G.	ETCM(SS), USN	90
Frank, Richard N.	POCS, USN	136
Fuller, Dan	PO1, USN	60

Gale, Daniel	MMC, USN	MAL
German, Charles R.	MRC, US	MAL
Gilliland, Gene G.	AC1, USN	289
Greene, Robert D.	BMC, USN	20
Grimm, Keith O.	ENCM, USN	MAL
Groves, Charles R.	SMCM, USN	99

Hanson, Ned L.	MSGT, USMC	126
Harmon, William B.	SKCS, USN	70
Hawes, C B.	ATCS, USN	93
Hazelton, Nathan	POC, USN	MAL
Henry, William	RM, USN	MAL
Hewson, Gordon C.	SSGT, USMC	90

Imbrone, Albert F.	MSC, USNR	136

Jaramillo, Jesse	CPO, USN	MAL
Jennings, Melvin R.	BT1, USN	177

Kelly, James A.	TM1, USN	MAL
Kozakowski, Robert M.	MMCS, USN	99
Kroll, Stanley	EN1, USN	MAL

Long, Clyde P.	POC, USN	MAL
Lott, John Patrick	CDR, USNR	MAL

Marschak, Joseph A.	ENC(SS), USN	258
Martin, John W.	SWC, USN	234
Mathis, Ron G.	BM1, USN	89
McKenney, Robert J.	AMS1, USN	MAL
McMurdo, Fred P.	GYSGT, USMC	208
Meteraud, William J.	SO1, USN	MAL

Mowrey, Lewis F.	CT1, USN	24
Munger, Robert W.	SPCM, USN	31

Nagel, Oscar T.	ENC, USN	316

Pandes, Basilio V.	MSCM, USN	127
Pecher, William R.	MMCS, USN	MAL
Porter, Stanley	LT, USN	41

Rainey, Charles E.	RM1, USN	1
Reinert, Jane A.	YN3, USN	34
Rieger, Norman	FTMC, USN	MAL
Robbins, Norman P.	PO1, USN	MAL
Roddy, Phillip L.	HM1, USN	55
Rupp, Jerry L.	EMCS(SS), USN	MAL

Shockley, Theodore E.	BUCS, USN	170
Stanley, William W.	USN	MAL
Suchy, William J.	MS1, USN	MAL
Sutton, Andrew	CPO, USN	MAL

Walt, William R.	ABEC, USN	24
Warren, James A.	GMTCS, USN	280
Watson, George J.	AECM, USCG	293
Weeks, Bobby L.	PO2, USN	MAL
Whitlatch, Gordon D.	BM1 Ret, USN	MAL
Wilson, Charles E.	SH1, USN	219
Wolfgang, James F.	ABH1, USN	146
Wrobel, Vincent P.	MSC, USN	MAL

Any names in red indicate 50 year continuous members.
Any names in bold indicate past national officers.

To report the death of a Shipmate, please contact us via email at mserfra@fra.org or by telephone at 703-683-1400 ext 1. 
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REUNIONS/lOOKINGFOR…

Reunions

VRC-50 Association
9/5/2018-9/9/2018, Herndon, Virginia
Contact: Dave Berry
2003 Magnolia Court, Unit 1 
Dover, Delaware 19901
Telephone: 301-481-1180
Email: drbarry@verizon.net

Aviation Boatswain’s Mates Association (ABMA)
08/06/2018-08/10/2018, San Diego, California
Contact: Doug Thornton 
5765 Jade Moon Circle
Milton, Florida 32583
Telephone: 619-578-1523 
Email: ABMA.SECRETARY@GMAIL.COM
www.abma-usn.org

VMFA 115 Reunion Association
09/07/2018-09/09/2018, Cleveland, Ohio 
Contact: Patti Kaas
Telephone: 717-422-6796
Email: kaasfamily4@gmail.com
www.115marinereunion.com/

USS SAUFLEY (DD-465)
09/10/2018-09/14/2018, Branson, Missouri
Contact: Richard Bonnett, 1451 RidgeWay, 
Arnold, Maryland 21012
Telephone: 301-674-0181
Email: richardleobonnett@gmail.com
Clarion Hotel in Branson, Missouri

USS Tidewater (AD-31)
09/10/2018-09/14/2018, Branson, Missouri
Contact: Dean Agee, 294 Old Hillcrest Rd.
Fairgrove, Missouri 65648
Telephone: 417-759-2860
Email: rdmlagee@gmail.com
www.usstidewater.org

USS Sperry (AS-12)
09/26/2018-09/29/2018, Mobile, Alabana
Contact: Dave Jackson
Telephone: 360-435-6919
Email: djpanda34@cs.com
www.usssperryas12.org

USS Mountrail (APA-213)
09/27/2018-09/30/2020, Biloxi, Mississippi
Contact: Don Dicoio, 17 Frances Road
Lincoln Park, New Jersey 07035
Telephone: 973-725-1974
Email: dicoio44@aol.com 

USS Coral Sea (CVA-43)
10/03/2018-10/07/2018, Reno, Nevada
Contact: John Ranson, 52 Woodland Place
Ft. Thomas, Kentucky 41075-1605
Telephone: 859-250-3737
Email: jrsr3843@fuse.net

USS Voge (DE/FF-1047)
10/03/2018-10/07/2018, San Diego, California
Contact: Joseph Crump
Telephone: 501-259-136
Email: ussvogegroup@gmail.com

USS Wiltsie (DD-716)
9/16/2018-9/20/2018, Buffalo, New York
Contact: Ted Laurila
1101 S. Scheuber Road, #53 
Centralia, Washington 98531
Telephone: 360-736-3853
Email: DD716ted@comcast.net
Hyatt Regency Hotel

All Reunions/LookingFor… must be submitted in writing to FRA Reunions/LookingFor…125 N. West Street Alexandria, Virginia 22314 or at victoriad@fra.org.  Please include your FRA member ID and a daytime phone number. Reunions can also be submitted online at http://www.fra.org. For questions regarding submissions contact Victoria at 1-800-FRA-1924, ext. 124.

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FINANCE MATTERS

If you have a will, there is a question you should be asking yourself: “Do I also need a trust?” You might be surprised. A revocable living trust can be a useful estate-planning tool for people at all income levels, not just the very rich, says Lisa Montano, an Estate Planning Strategist for Wells Fargo Advisors.
Knowing the basics. “It depends on your individual circumstances, but most people should at least consider a revocable living trust,” Montano says. You set up the trust and then transfer your property and other assets into it. Most people name themselves as trustee—the person who manages the assets within the trust—but you can also choose someone else or an institution. If you are serving as trustee, you’ll need to name a successor trustee to distribute your assets at your death.
A properly created living trust may be more expensive to set up than a simple will, but it gives you greater control over when and how your assets will be distributed after your death, Montano says.
Other benefits. Here are three other advantages of trusts:
Avoid probate. Probate is the process the court system uses to distribute your assets according to the terms of your will. If you have a trust, you avoid the fees and delays associated with probate.
Privacy protection. Because probate is a public process, anyone can go to the courthouse and see the details of your will, Montano says. A living trust will keep the terms of your estate secret.
Built-in incapacity planning. If you have a financial durable power of attorney (POA), you have already named someone to take over your affairs in case you become incapacitated, but Montano says it can be difficult for an agent named under a POA to step in and handle your financial matters. In contrast, with a revocable living trust, successor trustees seem to have an easier time having their powers recognized by financial institutions. However, if you have a revocable living trust, it is still advisable to have a POA. A successor trustee has power to manage only trust assets.
The importance of a will. If you have a simple estate, don’t have a lot of assets, and live in a state that doesn’t have a lengthy or complicated probate process, a simple will may be all you need, Montano says, but consult with a qualified estate planning attorney first.
One final note: If you decide to create a revocable living trust, make sure you discuss with your attorney how to put assets into the trust, otherwise those assets may still be subjected to the probate process. FRA

Our firm does not provide tax or legal advice. 
Trust services available through banking and trust affiliates in addition to non-affiliated companies of Wells Fargo Advisors. Any estate plan should be reviewed by an attorney who specializes in estate planning and is licensed to practice law in your state.

This article was written by/for Wells Fargo Advisors and provided courtesy of Carl M. Trevisan, Managing Director-Investments and Stephen M. Bearce, First Vice President- Investments in Alexandria, VA at 800-247-8602.
Investments in securities and insurance products are: NOT FDIC-INSURED/NOT BANK-GUARANTEED/MAY LOSE VALUE
Wells Fargo Advisors is a trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC, Member SIPC, a registered broker-dealer and non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company.
© 2018 Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC. All rights reserved. 

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FRA PROFILE

Donna Simms

Donna Simms is FRA’s Junior Accountant and a Washington D.C. native. She has an infectious laugh that will brighten up anyone’s day. Her role outside of FRA involves going to church, watching old movies and working on word puzzles/games. One of her favorite movies is the 1997 biography “Selena,” starring Jennifer Lopez in her breakout role. The film highlights the rise to fame of the famous Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, a recording artist well known in the United States and Mexico.
Donna is also an avid fan of seafood.  “Steamed shrimp and king crab legs, steamed with Old Bay seasoning is the only way to eat seafood. I would rather get together with my friends and family at home than go to a seafood restaurant,” says Simms. Now there are many very popular seafood restaurants in the DC area, so it certainly shows what is more important to Donna—family and friends. She likes the Blue crabs from the Chesapeake Bay, but they sure take a lot of work.
Before coming to the Fleet Reserve Association in May of 2016, Simms worked for several government contractors, providing accounting services to the federal government. Jimmy Short manages the FRA mail room and delivers tubs of incoming mail to Donna for processing. Donna has assumed that part of her job and has eliminated the need for using a lock box at the bank. Now all payments come directly to HQ and get processed and applied to the correct accounts much faster than how we previously handled incoming payments. Donna also makes time to reach out to some of the Shipmates who have questions about pins, certificates and other member benefits. Because of her role, she experiences things in the work flow that can be improved. She constantly evaluates and shares suggestions on how FRA can do things better and faster, but not losing the ‘human touch” our Shipmates deserve and appreciate. She hopes that at FRA we can continue to increase membership numbers and also the purpose of helping all military personnel. 
She feels her greatest accomplishment is a being a mother and a good person. Life is about continuous improvement and that is no different for Donna as she hopes to build a closer relationship with the Lord. 
As for the future, she is excited for what it may bring and is hopeful that it will include grandkids and retirement. Donna, we wish you the best in the goals you have set for yourself! FRA
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