FRAtoday November 2020
comunicaitons
FROM THE FANTAIL
SHIPMATE FORUM	4
On & Off captol hill	7
FEATURE  STORies
VETERANS’ MATTERS18
SHIPMATE NEWS20
TAPS21
LIFE MEMBERS	24
AUXILIARY OF THE FRA29
FINANCE MATTERS30

COMMINICATIONS

Oorah
The United States Marine Corps was originally created to serve as an infantry unit aboard naval vessels and was responsible for protecting the security of the ship and its crew by conducting offensive and defensive combat during boarding actions. Marines were also meant to defend a ship’s officers from mutiny. That is why their quarters on a ship were often strategically positioned between the officers’ quarters and the rest of the vessel. 
The first amphibious landing in Marine Corps history came on March 3, 1776, when a force under Capt. Samuel Nicholas stormed the beaches of the British-held island of New Providence in the Bahamas. The 220 Marines had journeyed to the Caribbean with a Continental Navy flotilla in search of military supplies. After landing unopposed near Nassau, the Marines’ first battle took place. They captured the town and took possession of its two forts. Both forts surrendered after minimum, lackluster resistance. Even though Nassau’s British governor was able to sneak more than 150 barrels of gunpowder out of town, Nicholas and his Marines seized several brass cannons and mortars that were later used by George Washington’s Continental Army.
The role of the Marine Corps has significantly expanded since then because of ever-changing naval warfare doctrine. The Corps adapted by focusing on secondary missions ashore. The Advanced Base Doctrine of the early 20th century outlined their combat duties ashore, defining the use of Marines in the seizure of bases and other land-based support roles for naval campaigns
The Marine Corps has been a component of the U.S. Department of the Navy since June 30, 1834, working closely with naval forces. The Marine Corps operates installations on land and aboard seagoing amphibious warfare ships all around the globe. Additionally, many of the Marines’ tactical aviation squadrons, which are primarily Marine fighter attack squadrons, are also embedded in Navy carrier air wings and operate from aircraft carriers. 
I have many friends who joined the corps, when they were much younger of course, and have gone on to be some of the most dependable, fair and honest people I have ever know. Many of them are still in a service-providing role of one sort or another, outside the corps. But after all, once a Marine, always a Marine.    
Happy Birthday, Devil Dogs!
William D. Stevenson, Editor-in-Chief

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FROM THE BRIDGE

A Message from the Incoming National President
It is extremely humbling and a true honor to have been selected to be your national president. As I was spending some time at my branch this weekend cooking a Saturday dinner and a Sunday breakfast for the unit, I had the time to reflect on three particular Shipmates that I feel were instrumental in my growth into this leadership role for the Fleet Reserve Association. Unfortunately, they are all now serving on the staff of the Supreme Commander, and although there are many Shipmates who have influenced me, I am sure they would all be in the front of the line to offer their congratulations. I would like to take a few minutes to recognize them.
First is PRPSW Stanley Lewandowski. Those of you who knew him well know that he could get under your skin in a heartbeat. He was also the type of individual that knew the importance of being a Shipmate, whether you agreed with him or not, and was not afraid to let you know!
Second is PNC Hugh “Tommy” Thomason — a stickler for doing things the right way. I am not quite sure how he would have handled the COVID-19 situation that has consumed all of us over the past nine months, but it sure would have been an experience to behold.
Last is PNP James Eblen — a Shipmate that I can proudly say was my mentor, or my “Sea Daddy,” as they are more commonly referred to, as I was cutting my teeth. There have been many Shipmates whom I have had the honor of serving with, in one form or another, but none have had the same influence on the way I looked at things as Jim. I am forever grateful to both Jim and his wife Ruth for the camaraderie they displayed to me; I will always be indebted to them both.
It has been an extremely trying and frustrating year for many of us. When I retired “for good,” in February, I was looking forward to spending some concerted effort getting out to meet as many Shipmates as I could throughout the country. It did not take long to put the kibosh on those plans! 
In addition to the COVID-19 travails, I experienced some health issues that I can only say were a blessing in disguise. I experienced a bout of what I thought was appendicitis and while the ER was confirming my diagnosis, the CT scan revealed a growth on my right kidney. Even with most medical procedures being cancelled or delayed due to the pandemic, I was immediately referred to urology for surgery. A stage 1 carcinoma was removed, and the pathology report revealed all healthy tissue surrounding the tumor. I am soon scheduled for my first follow-on evaluation, which I am confident will be OK. I cannot say enough good things about Navy medicine and will continue to fight for the benefits that we all have earned.
The near-term outlook regarding the pandemic is a tremendous unknown. The only sure thing is this, too, will pass.  I urge all Shipmates to stay engaged with each other to the extent that the situation in your location allows. 
This month is one of significant importance to the Fleet Reserve Association as it is the month of the United States Marine Corps’ birthday and the FRA’s birthday. Being an election year, it is also the month to cast your ballots.
Regardless of your political ideology, I strongly encourage every Shipmate to perform one of the most important civic duties you have — get out and vote!     
In Loyalty, Protection and Service, 
Mick Fulton
Mick is national president of the Fleet Reserve Association and may be reached by email at: cmcusnret@yahoo.com.

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sHIPMATE FORUM

“Earning the Anchor” Good Article, but 
Short on Information
I am writing in response to your communications article on page 2 of the September 2020 edition of FRAtoday. I believe the Coast Guard got short-changed in the article. Other than being mentioned in the opening part, the CG was left out of the remainder of the article.  Please find attached for the sake of clarity, additional comments on some Coast Guard history of Chief Petty Officers.
The article starts by appropriately mentioning both Coast Guard and Navy chiefs, and then the remaining two thirds of the article is devoted to Navy chiefs.  Everything that was mentioned about Navy chiefs applies directly to Coast Guard chiefs as well. Yes, the Coast Guard is a much smaller service, but no less significant or important.  
The history of Coast Guard chiefs is not as clearly defined as the establishment date of April 1, 1893 for the Navy. Because the Coast Guard evolved from an amalgam of three services. 
In 1915 the Revenue Cutter Service (1790) merged with the U.S. Lifesaving Service (1848) and was renamed the U.S. Coast Guard and then the eventual inclusion of the U.S. Lighthouse Service (1910) came in 1939. 
Although the nautical origins of chief can be traced back to April 1, 1893, the title chief dates back to 1865.
In 1915, the merger of the Revenue Cutter Service and the U.S. Life Saving Service into the modern Coast Guard brought about many changes. When the “Surfman” of the Life Saving Service and the “Petty Officer” of the Revenue Cutter Service clashed over who was in charge, the Coast Guard realized there was a need to establish a position of higher authority — the “Chief” then secured a permanent place in the chain of command.
The first Coast Guard Chiefs were the former Station Keepers of Life Saving Stations. They were given the title Chief boatswains’ mate (CBM) with an (L) for “Lifesaving” attached to their rate to distinguish them from their seagoing counterparts.
The initial ratings of the Chief Petty Officer, as they first appeared in U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters Regulations, General Order No. 43, Article 817, dated 18 May 1920, were: Seaman Branch — Chief boatswains’ mate, Chief gunners mate and Chief quartermasters; Artificer Branch — Chief machinists’ mate, Chief electricians, Chief carpenters’ mate, Chief water tender and Chief storekeepers; Special Branch — Chief commissary stewards, Chief yeomen and Chief pharmacists’ mate.
The first uniforms of the Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer appeared in 1922. The uniforms were the same as the Navy except for a distinguishing mark, a shield one inch in height, on the arm midway between the wrist and the elbow. 
Some Coast Guard chiefs (Boatswains Mate) have the distinction of enlisted command by being elevated to the position of Officer In Charge of small cutters or multi mission shore units.  Among other command responsibilities, they are charged, as necessary, with meting out discipline under Article 15 of the UCMJ (Captain’s Mast). Only commissioned officers in the Navy are charged with that responsibility.  Because the Coast Guard is a smaller service, the role of a Chief is greatly magnified. 
The Coast Guard rallies around their core values of Honor, Respect and Devotion to Duty.  
We are lucky to have all these Coast Guard and Navy sailors within our ranks.
Once a Chief always a Chief
BOSN4 Randy Maxson, USCG (Ret.) BMC ’76-‘80
References to Naval Affairs 1995

The Meaning of Fleet Reserve 
I was reading the July 2020 issue of FRAtoday, and in the Shipmate Forum section on page six, under Recruiting Obstacle, SCPO (Ret.) & President, FRA Branch 263, Merritt Island, Florida, David D. Clayton states that the Reserve portion of Fleet Reserve Association puts new recruits off because they feel that they are joining the Naval Reserve or some such. 
I enlisted several days after my seventeenth birthday in 1965 and for at least 13 of those first 17 years I was a Navy dependent. During my time as a dependent and the first few years on active duty, I often heard those getting close to retirement say they were transferring to the Fleet Reserve. My understanding was that when someone retired with less than 30 years of service they were eligible for recall during a national emergency. This would be after the Reserves, volunteers, draftees and other resources had been tapped, then and only then could less than 30-year service retirees be recalled. 
Maybe it was just scuttlebutt or the like, but someone with resources to dig further may want to check it out, if for nothing more than to explain what Fleet Reserve really means.
FCCS Robert Greenwood, USN (Ret.) MAL

FRAtoday: Federal Law (Department of Defense/Armed Forces) Title 10, subsection 6330 explains the procedure for enlisted members of naval service who wish to transfer to the Fleet Reserve and the Fleet Marine Corps Reserve. An enlisted member of the naval service who has completed a minimum of 20 years of active service in the armed forces may, at his or her request be transferred to the Fleet Reserve or Fleet Marine Corps Reserve. Each member who is transferred is entitled to, when not on active duty, retainer pay. When the member has completed 30 years of service having been in the Fleet Reserve or Fleet Marine Corps Reserve will be transferred to the retired list.  
Also, this is how the FRA came up with their name. We are a career sea service association.
  
Change of Name 
I strongly oppose changing the name of FRAtoday. Our organization has been in existence since 1923 and should remain representing only the sea going services. All other services have their own publications so why should ours be different? 
If warranted, when another service participates with the Navy or Coast Guard on a mission, goodwill or other activities, I and our members would proudly include them in an article. Otherwise, please let it be!! 
On another note is the Merchant Marine. The WWII and current Merchant Marine plays a huge part servicing our troops. I highly recommend the Merchant Marine be included in our organization as they contributed then and still contribute now to our service members around the world. Per capita during WWII the Merchant Marines suffered more casualties due to enemy fire than the rest of the services. They suffered losses within sight of our east coast due to German submarine attacks and beyond. Many of their rickety quickly built liberty ships broke apart during heavy weather with all hands lost. 
The Merchant Marine whom many think, even up to this day, were draft dodgers. This happened because many were turned away from active duty by the draft boards either because of being underage or due to physical conditions, but the need remained for sailors to man the liberty supply ships. Ships that were haphazardly constructed within days. In return for their service and sacrifice Congress took all their benefits away classifying them as migrant workers. They were also shunned by the military, VA, American Legion, VFW and others denying their importance to winning the war. 
I can go on. I highly recommend reading “Bargain Basement War Heroes” by Bernard F. Flynn (author house). I guarantee it will open your eyes to these heroes and the sacrifice they and their families endured.
Thank you for your service.
HSC John R. Davidowski, USCG (Ret.)

The Cornbelt Fleet
I really enjoyed reading the article about the WWII Corn Belt Fleet as I was a teenager living in Chicago at the time.  I recall seeing the Wolverine and the Sable moored at Navy Pier which the Navy acquired during the war.  The cadets would fly out of old NAS Glenview and orbit over the BaHai Temple in Wilmette north of Chicago while waiting for the opportunity to complete their traps on the side wheeler carriers cruising in Lake Michigan.  The Temple had a very distinctive architecture and was easy to spot from the air.  The aircraft however became such a distraction that the town mayor complained to the station CO about the matter.
It was a thrill to Chicagoans going to work to watch carrier operations on the lake.
I also enjoyed reading about the Flying Leatherneck museum at Miramar as I have been a sponsor of that museum since it originated at old MCAS El Toro.
Keep up the good work.
Gunnery Sgt. Paul T. Kuras, USMC (Ret.)
San Antonio, Texas

Letters published in Shipmate Forum reflect the opinions and views of individual FRA members. They do not reflect the position of the FRA. The FRA is not responsible for the accuracy of letter content. Submit letters to FRAtoday, 125 N. West St., Alexandria, VA 22314 or to fratoday@fra.org..

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ON AND OFF CAPITOL HILL

FY 2021 NDAA Passage is Pending
As FRAtoday goes to press, the House and Senate have each passed their version of the FY2021 National Defense Authorization Act. A conference committee will soon be appointed to resolve the differences between the two bills and submit a final bill to each chamber of Congress. If approved, the final bill will be sent to President Trump to be signed into law or vetoed. See the following story for pending NDAA issues that will impact FRA members. Members are urged to read their weekly emailed newsletter, NewsBytes and check the Action Center section of the FRA website at www.fra.org.

Retiree Issues
NDAA Final Passage Coming Soon
The House and Senate versions of the FY2021 National Defense Authorization Act will soon go to a conference committee to resolve the differences between the two bills (H.R.6395, S.4049) and create a final bill. Now is the time to let your elected officials know your concerns on such issues as:
• Adding more diseases to list of diseases caused by exposure to Agent Orange herbicide. (www.votervoice.net/FRA/campaigns/75644/respond)
• Stopping the scheduled cuts to military medical staff during the pandemic. (www.votervoice.net/FRA/campaigns/74006/respond)
• Waiving TRICARE Mail order co-pay fees during the pandemic. (www.votervoice.net/FRA/campaigns/73200/respond)
• Stopping the plan to exclude retirees and dependents from MTFs. (www.votervoice.net/FRA/campaigns/72195/respond)
• Supporting the repeal of a 180-day delay for retirees applying for DoD jobs at a GS-13 level and below. (www.votervoice.net/FRA/campaigns/74578/respond)

Once the final bill is agreed to by the conference committee, it will be sent to both chambers of Congress and if approved by both, it will be sent to President Trump to be signed into law or be vetoed. This can happen very quickly once there is an agreement between the two versions. So, now is the time to use the FRA Action Center (www.fra.org/FRA/Web/Content/VotervoiceFullInfo.aspx) to weigh in on these critical issues. 

DHA Urged to Extend Grace Period for TRICARE Select Fees
The FRA and several other groups have dispatched a letter to the Director of the Defense Health Agency requesting a 12-month re-instatement period in lieu of the current 90-day re-instatement period during the implementation of new the TRICARE Select enrollment fee that will take effect Jan. 1, 2021. It is now even more essential to allow sufficient time to notify beneficiaries about the new enrollment fees, since the consequences of failing to pay are so severe. Military retirees earned their health care benefits through decades of selfless service to our nation. Missing a communication from TRICARE should not result in them losing their essential benefit. As FRAtoday goes to press, the DHA has indicated it will extend the grace period from 90 days to 180 days. 

As noted in the On & Off Capitol Hill section of the October FRAtoday, those TRICARE Select beneficiaries who are younger than 65 and joined the military before Jan. 1, 2018 (Group A) will be required to pay a monthly fee beginning Jan. 1, 2021. The monthly fee for an individual is $12.50 and $25 for a family. This must be done via allotment, if feasible. In order to maintain health care coverage, TRICARE Select Group A retired beneficiaries must pay their TRICARE Select enrollment fees. These and other fee increases were opposed by the FRA and were authorized by the FY2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA-S.2943, P.L.114-328). The FRA opposition resulted in a smaller fee and a four-year delay to the increases. 

The DHA notes that failure to pay this will result in a loss of coverage until the next open annual enrollment period. Beneficiaries who fail to set up their TRICARE Select enrollment fee payment by Jan. 1, 2021 will be disenrolled from TRICARE Select for non-payment. Those beneficiaries will have 90 days from their termination date to request reinstatement — unless the DHA extends the grace period mentioned earlier. If a beneficiary does not act, they will only be able to get care from a military hospital or clinic if space is available. All civilian health care costs will be the full responsibility of the disenrolled beneficiaries.

The enrollment and monthly fees are waived for Chapter 61 retirees and their family members and survivors of deceased active duty service members. For more information about the fees please go online https://tricare.mil/Plans/Enroll/Select/EnrollmentFees)

Veterans Issues
HVAC and SVAC Agree on Suicide Prevention Legislation
With the end of the 116th Congress on the horizon, leaders of the House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committees have come to an agreement on several suicide prevention bills. With this agreement, major suicide prevention legislation will be passed and sent to President Trump to be signed into law. Earlier, Senators Jerry Moran (Kan.) and Jon Tester (Mont.), chairman and ranking member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, respectively, as well as 33 of their Senate colleagues dispatched a letter to House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) and Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (Calif.) to quickly bring the FRA-supported, Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act (S.785) to the floor for immediate passage. 

The Senate unanimously passed the legislation on August 5, followed by the House passing the Mental Health Care Improvement Act on September 23. In exchange for the House passing that bill without making changes, which would require taking time to go to conference, and sending it directly to President Trump to be signed into law, the Senate has agreed to pass nine House bills that complement its bill. The FRA supports this legislation and wants to thank Shipmates for using the FRA Action Center to weigh in on this important issue. Your efforts helped to pass this important bill. 

HVAC Hearing on Legislation and Re-authorizing the Women’s Veterans Taskforce 
The House Veterans Affairs Committee recently held a hearing to re-authorize the Women’s Veterans Task Force and to discuss pending legislation. The HVAC agreed to extend the Women’s Task Force and Rep. Julia Brownley (Calif.), chairwoman of the task force, highlighted their successful accomplishments, including the passing of the FRA-supported Deborah Sampson Act (H.R.2452). Brownley looks forward to accomplishing more in the next session of Congress.

Suicide prevention and mental health were the primary focus of the discussion due to the Senate’s recent passing of the FRA-supported Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act (S.785). A formal letter was sent to the house by the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee requesting the House to pass the bill. HVAC Chairman Rep. Mark Takano (Calif.) noted it will be easy to pass the Senate bill as is, but he preferred additional improvements to the bill. Ranking Member Rep. Phil Roe (Tenn.) recognized some of the insufficiencies of S.785, but he did stress the importance of passing the legislation without amendment and sending it directly to the president to be signed into law. Roe pointed out the limited legislative days left on the calendar for this session to accomplish final passage and that amending the bill would require Senate approval before sending the bill to the president. FRA members are encouraged to visit the Action Center to weigh on this issue. 

John Stewart Back on the Hill to Advocate for Veteran Benefits 
Comedian John Stewart, who was instrumental in advocating and passing of the 9/11 First Responders Bill, was back on Capitol Hill trying to help veterans who have claimed to have health issues due to the exposure to toxins from burn pits. Stewart was there to support the introduction of two FRA-supported bills that would provide compensation and health benefits by listing burn pit exposure as a presumptive condition for any service member who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Presumptive Benefits for War Fighters Exposed to Burn Pits and other Toxins Act (S.4524, H.R.8261) was introduced by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (N.Y.) and Rep. Raul Ruiz (Calif.) in the Senate and House respectively. “More than three million service members could have been exposed to toxic burn pits, yet the VA continues to deny them care by placing the burden of proof on veterans [who are] suffering from rare cancers, lung diseases, and respiratory illnesses. Congress cannot sit by as the VA ignores its duty. The bottom line is that our veterans served our country, they are sick and they need health care — period,” said Gillibrand. “The Presumptive Benefits for War Fighters Exposed to Burn Pits and Other Toxins Act will finally establish a presumptive service connection for veterans [who were] exposed to burn pits and other toxins and streamline the process for obtaining vital VA benefits.”

Stewart stated “I’m not a doctor, I’m not a scientist. But I’m also not an idiot. If you live next to a toxic smoke plume filled with cancer-causing elements, and you’re breathing it in day in and day out, it’s going to make you sick,” referring to the use of burn pits during the Global War on Terrorism.  

The provisions of the bill include the establishment of a new list of diseases resulting from a veteran’s service as a presumptive condition. The following medical conditions are included in the proposed laws: 
  • Asthma 
  • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 
  • Cancers of any type 

Members are encouraged to use the FRA Action Center (www.votervoice.net/FRA/campaigns/77258/respond) to contact their law makers to weigh in on the issue.

ANC Re-Opens to the Public
Effective Sept. 9, 2020, Arlington National Cemetery, located in Arlington, Virginia, opened to the public who wanted to visit graves sites.  The cemetery closed in March in response to the coronavirus pandemic. For six months, only funeral attendees and family pass holders were allowed entry. Now, the cemetery will be open to the public every day from 0800 to noon. Points of interest inside the cemetery will remain closed, including the Women in Military Service for America Memorial, the John F. Kennedy gravesite, the amphitheater, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and exhibits inside the welcome center.  

“As conditions in the National Capital Region have continued to improve, our goal is to provide increased access for the public to visit a loved one’s gravesite,” said Karen Durham-Aguilera, executive director of the cemetery. “We hope this limited reopening will better accommodate our visitors.”  The announcement indicates that, members of the public will be screened outside the ANC Welcome Center before entering the cemetery. Masks will be required at all times.  The ANC Superintendent, Charles “Ray” Alexander Jr., said cemetery staff was preparing for a full opening in the “near future.”  

Active Duty Reserve Issues
Memorandum on Deferring Payroll Tax Obligations Due to COVID-19  
President Trump issued a memorandum coupled with guidance of Internal Revenue Service to temporarily defer Social Security Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance payroll taxes as part of COVID-19 financial relief efforts. According to Defense Finance and Accounting Service, the deferral went into effect for the military starting on the mid-month’s pay in September and on September 12th for civilian federal employees. The 6.2 percent OASDI tax withholding will be deferred if the total monthly basic pay rate is less than $8,666.66, for the military and less than $4,000 for federal civilian employees. The temporary deferral will not affect monthly income equal to or greater than aforementioned basic pay rates.  

For federal employees, there is no choice to opt-out of the deferral if their basic pay falls within the stated limits. The deferral is optional for non-federal employers. According to the IRS guidance, collection of the deferred taxes will be taken from the wages between January 1 and April 30, 2021, for both military members and federal civilian employees. Additional information on the collection process will be provided in the future by DFAS. The memorandum tasks the Secretary of the Treasury to explore avenues, including legislation, to eliminate the obligation to pay back the taxes deferred. It is important to note, only Congress has the authority to forgive taxes. 

HVAC Subcommittee Discusses Improvements for TAP
The House Veterans Affairs, Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity held a virtual hearing on coordinating transition resources for service members who are transitioning out of the military. The subcommittee members want an approach that would assist any service member transitioning into civilian life to include job placement, assistance in educational, financial, entrepreneurial, and healthcare benefits. Some of the services offered by these agencies include job training, interview coaching, resume building and recommendations for mental health treatment programs. The subcommittee members want to move away from the one-size-fits-all approach when assisting transitioning service members. The metrics of success in the Transitional Assistance Program will be based on a reduction in the suicide rate, placements in sustainable jobs, and the overall mental and financial wellbeing of the veteran and their families. Although it is difficult to quantify emotional wellness since it can sometimes be hidden, there is hope because some of the emerging mental health programs are yielding great results.

New PTSD Therapy for Couples Shows Promise
A study published in the Journal of Behavior Therapy reveals that couples who have one person with post-traumatic stress disorder may soon have faster access to more efficient therapy that treats the disorder and simultaneously improves their relationships. Current treatment usually involves a 15-week process, which may soon be shortened to only one weekend. 

The pilot program included active duty and veteran couples and was created by Consortium to Alleviate PTSD. The CAP is a multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional research consortium jointly funded by the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs to advance the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of PTSD among post-9/11 service members and veterans.

The FRA supports robust funding for research to treat PTSD. According to the researchers, the impacts of PTSD on military members or veterans and their families is significant, with estimates suggesting that 15 percent of service members and 23 percent of veterans who have deployed to Iraq and/or Afghanistan since Sept. 11, 2001, suffer from PTSD. The disorder affects not only individuals, but also their spouses and families. The researchers noted that PTSD is associated with relationship distress, physical and psychological aggression and partner psychological distress.

CR to Keep Government Open Until December 11
As NewsBytes goes to press, Congressional leaders have agreed on and the House has passed a Continuing Resolution that will keep the federal government open after Oct. 1, 2020, which is the beginning of the new fiscal year. A CR is needed when Congress cannot pass the 12 spending bills — known as appropriations — before the end of the current fiscal year. The CR (H.R.8337) will keep the government operating at the current spending levels until Dec. 11, 2020. The Senate is expected to pass the CR and send it to the president to be signed into law. 

TAP Program for Military Spouses Coming Soon.
The Department of Labor, Veterans Employment and Training Service was created to protect the rights of veterans in the workplace and assist homeless veterans. The VETS recently announced it is developing a course curriculum for military spouses for those with service members transitioning out of the military or to another installation. A pilot program is scheduled to start in October 2020, with full implementation expected in early 2021.  The course will use components of the current curriculum for service members, such as resume development and interviewing techniques, but will also include components more specific to the needs of spouses such as complexities with state licensing and credentialing requirements needed for some professions. For more information on this program go to: https://www.veterans.gov/milspouses.
FEATURE  STORY

Doing a Man-Size Job:
The Women Who Stepped Up to Defeat the Axis and Stereotypes in the Navy Women’s Reserve

By Elise Howard

In the months following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Wellesley College President Mildred McAfee received an unusual request. Would she, a 42-year-old with no military experience, be willing to leave her prestigious civilian life to lead the Navy’s new Women’s Reserve? 

McAfee later recalled the Navy was determined to select a women’s college president as director to bring experience with young women and the public perception of respectability to the new organization.

“They wanted to assure the parents and boyfriends of girls that they would be looked after in the Navy, that this was not going to be a wild show,” she explained in a 1969 interview for the U.S. Naval Institute.

Despite uncertainty about what lay ahead, McAfee answered her country’s call. The Navy Women’s Reserve was officially established on July 30, 1942, and McAfee was commissioned just four days later. She met with the chief of naval personnel first and mentioned that lieutenant commander, the rank at which Congress had capped women, seemed to be rather low for the highest-ranking officer of the Women’s Reserve.
 
“He said, ‘Why, think nothing of that,’” McAfee recounted. “‘It doesn’t mean a thing. You’ll be in charge, and this’ll be your baby.’”
	
Getting Women on Board
The purpose of the Women’s Reserve was to free up men in shore-based support roles to fight at sea by replacing them with women. Although an exciting opportunity for women, this concept was not new. During the First World War, 11,275 women had filled desperately needed clerical roles as yeomen in the Navy Reserve. Another 269 women had served in the Marine Corps, and 1,386 women had tended to the wounded in the Navy Nurse Corps. However, the Women’s Reserve of World War II offered more equitable military rank, pay and benefits for female service members than had been seen 25 years before, as well as a greatly expanded set of available job ratings. 

To recruit bright, motivated young women to become WAVES — Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service — in the Women’s Reserve, McAfee’s team created recruitment posters and brochures that played to young women’s desires for equality, adventure and meaningful work. Pamphlets such as “How to Serve Your Country in the WAVES” promised excellent pay equal to male sailors’, quick promotion for hard workers, moves to exciting cities across the U.S., challenging and important work, valuable job training for later civilian employment, and “$200 worth of clothes, free!” (you guessed it: uniforms). And of course, they appealed to the sense of patriotic duty burgeoning across the country as America went to war.

“Never in history have American women been offered such a chance to serve their country,” began a message from Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox in one brochure. “There are important service jobs that must be carried on at home — man-size, full-time jobs which you, the women of America, can fill.”

The Women’s Reserve also appealed to young women by collaborating with world-renowned fashion label Mainbocher to design the WAVES uniform, which included a Navy cover, collared shirt, fitted jacket, tie, gloves, knee-length skirt, pantyhose, polished oxford heels and an optional handbag. For some women, a glimpse of these outfits was all the patriotic inspiration they needed.

“A darling girl came out in her WAVE uniform, a little blonde, cute as she could be,” Mary Gage Dunham recalled in a 2000 interview for the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. “She was a recruiter. I think I made up my mind that minute that that is the way to go.”

Dunham was one of many college students who applied for the Women’s Reserve after meeting a recruiter on campus. In just one year, the WAVES recruited over 27,000 women, more than double the number who had served in WWI. By the end of the war, the Women’s Reserve had swelled to over 86,000 enlisted WAVES and more than 8,000 officers.

Training Waves of Recruits
Most enlisted WAVES were indoctrinated at Hunter College in New York City, and officers went to either Smith College or Mount Holyoke College in western Massachusetts. Since Hunter College did not have dorms, New York City paid to move tenants out of 17 apartment buildings near the new “USS Hunter.” The apartments housed 10 girls each and were furnished with tables, chairs, dressers and bunk beds. 

Every two weeks, another 1,600 to 1,700 enlisted women arrived at Hunter College for four fast-paced weeks of coursework, drills and inspections. But the Women’s Reserve boot camp was not a carbon copy of its male counterpart. Drills began with five minutes of singing, and the women sang everywhere they went. It was also discovered that female recruits needed 23 more minutes than males to finish a meal and that if they disliked the food, they would not simply grumble amongst themselves as men did — they would bring the issue promptly to the cooks and commissary officer. Over time, the male cooks and commissary personnel were replaced with fellow WAVES who were more in tune with women’s food preferences. 

Following boot camp, some WAVES went immediately to active duty while others went to naval air stations, hospitals and schools for further technical training. In March 1943, instructors at the U.S. Naval Hospital were surprised by a group of 29 WAVES who had arrived for hospital corpsman training. No female accommodations had been prepared, so the women were housed in one of the hospital’s wards during their training. There were also no female corpsman uniforms available, so the women wore hospital gowns over their regular WAVES uniforms. When the hospital learned the Navy was planning to continue sending 50 WAVES a month, they began construction on a new barracks.

On the Job for Uncle Sam
WAVES were originally limited to clerical work, but as the war dragged on and more men were needed at sea, WAVES took over more roles at home. Among other things, WAVES worked as yeomen, radiomen, storekeepers, cryptologists, link trainers, gunnery officers, aircraft mechanics, parachute riggers, recruiters, air traffic controllers, accountants, archivists, aerographers, instructors and hydrographers. Officers with education in mathematics and science were used as “computers” for calculating bomb trajectories and developing naval technologies.

The Women’s Reserve also opened unique doors for Black women. Although McAfee had pushed for integrating the WAVES early on, Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox refused to allow it. After Knox died of a heart attack in April 1944, new Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal opened the WAVES to Black women in October 1944. But after two years of overt discrimination, few Black women applied. Among the only 70 Black women who enlisted was Edna Young, who later became the first Black female chief petty officer. Additionally, Harriet Ida Pickens and Frances Wills were both sworn in on Nov. 13, 1944, as the Navy’s first Black female officers. When the war ended the following September, they were still the only two Black officers in the WAVES. 

But no matter their race, many WAVES faced discrimination and sexual harassment in the workplace. The National Women’s History Museum tells the story of one WAVE who worked with a lieutenant who “made my life miserable” because she wouldn’t date him. When she married another man, he discharged her. Other former WAVES recounted tales to the Los Angeles Times in 1992 of suggestive remarks, groping, unwanted kissing and rape during their service. They noted that at the time, reporting this behavior could have ended their military careers. Efforts to curb unscrupulous conduct were also hampered by the fact that Women’s Reserve officers had no authority over male sailors of any rank.

In other cases, WAVES were asked to do domestic tasks that were not part of their jobs, such as babysitting male officers’ children. Enlisted WAVE Jaenn Bailey was in a select group of women who typed and filed decoded top secret messages, even hand-delivering them to the president. Despite their crucial work, Bailey’s group was routinely asked by male ensigns to mop the floors. In a 2000 interview with the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Bailey recounted that her commander told the ensigns “My girls don’t mop floors” and assigned all 30 officers working with her to a rotating mopping schedule.

Smoothing the Waters for Future Female Sailors
Despite the many challenges they faced, more than 300,000 women across branches served their country during WWII with inspiring dedication and integrity. Although by law they would be discharged six months after the war’s end, many WAVES wanted to continue their service. After two years of congressional debate, President Harry Truman signed the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act in 1948, which allowed women to become regular members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and newly established Air Force. The law capped the number of women at 2 percent of each branch’s end strength, slightly lower than the approximately 2.5 percent of Navy personnel that had been WAVES during wartime. 

Today, women represent 19.6 percent of active duty Navy sailors, according to a May 2020 Government Accountability Office report, and are eligible to serve in every capacity. The WAVES proved to the nation that women in the armed forces could be more than temporary replacements for men, and women have been pushing the envelope ever since. Most recently, Michelle Howard became the first woman promoted to four-star admiral and vice chief of naval operations in 2014. Only time will tell which “first female” title will be taken next.    

FEATURE

The San Juan Islands
Jewels in the Salish Sea
Ann Norvell Gray

Off the northwest coast of Washington state, between the Strait of Georgia to the north and the Strait of Juan de Fuca to the south, lies a small archipelago called the San Juan Islands. These islands are accessible only by water and air, and form the core of Washington’s San Juan County. Only San Juan, Orcas and Lopez islands have populations of more than 2,000. These islands are served by the state ferry system, which embarks from the mainland. There are 12 smaller inhabited islands, and then there are another 106 little islands and rocks in the San Juan archipelago that have names, including the intriguing Puffin Island and fanciful Peapod Rocks.
These islands and waterways are alive with aquatic mammals, land animals, over 250 species of fish and more than 170 species of birds. Orcas, Dall’s porpoises and Steller sea lions live there year-round, as does the utterly irresistible river otter, which seems to have been created to entertain and entrance us. The waters are home to skate, sturgeon, herring and salmon. Birders see ospreys, cormorants, plovers, harriers, woodpeckers, starlings and swifts, to name only a few. Deer are so plentiful that drivers are regularly reminded to watch for them. Some species are under environmental pressure, but those who live among them are protective of their fellow creatures. 
The islands lie in the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains and get far less rain than Seattle does. Despite heavy logging in the 19th century, some old-growth stands survive, and second-growth forests have flourished. Most of the islands are very hilly, verdant with trees and forest undergrowth, and crisscrossed with hiking trails and public parks. 

A Brief History
Humans have occupied this rich, temperate region for 9,000 years, and possibly much longer. Modern members of Columbia Basin Native American tribes carry DNA related to Kennewick Man, a prehistoric Paleo-American man well over 8,000 years old whose skeleton was found on Washington’s Columbia River. The intricate network of waterways that runs between Vancouver Island and the mainland has been known collectively since 2010 as the Salish Sea, a name honoring the indigenous peoples of southwest British Columbia and northwest Washington who share their linguistic and cultural origin.
In 1791, an expedition led by the Spanish explorer Francisco de Eliza charted all these islands and named them “San Juan.” The area was visited a year later by a British expedition under George Vancouver. In the 1840s, British Canada and the newly independent United States were growing rapidly west. By 1846, the land border between the territories was settled, but what happened at the western water’s edge was not.
The nationality of these islands depended on completion of the legal dividing line. In 1859, it was still unclear whose they were. Enter two of the settlers living on the island of San Juan, one an American potato farmer and the other an Irish sheep rancher who also kept some pigs. One of those pigs got into the habit of rooting up potatoes, and the American farmer shot the pig. The dispute over who belonged there in the first place escalated and led to the arrival of both British Marines and American troops. Now the issue of whose islands these were had to be decided once and for all. 
The military behaved peacefully while the stubborn diplomats crossed their arms and refused to budge. Finally, the senior powers handed the matter over to Germany’s Kaiser Wilhelm I, who convened a committee, which sat around another table for a year or so and finally handed the islands over to the U.S. Now, the smooth U.S.-Canada border line along the 49th parallel north runs halfway into the Strait of Georgia and suddenly snaps southeastward into a quirky broken line, folding the San Juans into the U.S. side and keeping the whole of Vancouver Island and a few other smaller islands in Canada before dissolving into the Pacific Ocean.  This episode is known as the Pig War and is commemorated in San Juan Island National Historical Park.

San Juan Island
The ferry docks in Friday Harbor, a historic seaport town that serves as county seat. Many of the 19th century buildings in this walkable town now serve as shops, restaurants and cultural centers. The Whale Museum, housed in an 1892 Odd Fellows Hall, is one of several museums in town. It is a science-based guardian of the ecosystem, dedicated to research and education.
The Spike Africa, an 80-foot, two-masted schooner built in the 1970s entirely of wood, iron, bronze and canvas in the classic construction style of the freighting schooner, is berthed in the harbor. Its experienced crew takes visitors around the islands for full-sail cruises varying from extended excursions to a few hours at sunset.
Beyond the town to the south, San Juan Island National Historical Park occupies a peninsula that curves east toward Lopez Island. Roche Harbor on the opposite end of the island is where, in the late 19th century, an enormous lime deposit spawned a prosperous business. The company’s founder built the elegant Hotel de Haro overlooking what is now a busy resort harbor. 
Halfway along the western coast on a rocky bluff, Lime Kiln Point Park offers what is said to be one of the best whale-watching spots on Earth. From the bluff’s edge or the historic lighthouse, watching the orcas, humpbacks and minkes that migrate through Haro Strait every summer is indeed a rare treat.

Orcas Island
This horseshoe-shaped island’s name does not come from the orcas who live in the island’s waters year-round, but rather from “Horcasitas,” one part of the extremely long formal name of the Spanish Viceroy of Mexico, Juan Vicente de Güemes Padilla Horcasitas y Aguayo, patron of the aforementioned 1791 Eliza Expedition. 
The island is hilly, mostly rural and perhaps the most beautiful of the San Juans. Moran State Park’s 5,500 acres are networked with hiking trails (some heading up Mount Constitution, the islands’ highest point) and dotted with lakes and old-growth forests. Deer Harbor to the west is “a hub for all things marine,” according to the San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau website, with all sorts of watercraft for rent. Just south of Moran State Park is the hamlet of Olga, known for its strawberry fields.
There are many places to stay on Orcas, from campgrounds and B&Bs to rustic cabins and traditional inns, but the oldest and most elegant is the Rosario Resort & Spa. In 1904, the rich Seattle shipbuilding magnate Robert Moran was told that the stresses of his business life would kill him in only a few years. He quit, bought a chunk of Orcas Island and began building his retirement home with the strict quality of his shipbuilding and the aesthetics of his arts-and-crafts design sensibility. He then lived happily for almost 40 more years. Inspired by naturalist John Muir and conservationist Teddy Roosevelt, he donated the land for Moran State Park out of his original 7,000 acres.

Lopez Island
This long, narrow island is the first stop on the ferry from Anacortes. Of the three major islands, Lopez is the flattest and so is favored by bicyclers and more gentle walkers. True to the claims on the visitors website, people do in fact wave from their cars. One retired resident perfected a gesture involving two fingers lifted from the top of the steering wheel, which became known to family and friends as the “Lopez Wave.” 
Lopez Island was attractive early on to Scandinavian farmers for its level, fertile ground and hospitable climate. Fishing in the rich waters provided a good living, and salmon cannery operations thrived. Many Lopez Island families are descended from 19th century marriages between unattached European men and Native American women. The growing population settled gradually around what are now the towns of Port Stanley, Richardson and Lopez Village, and there the centers of town life remain.
Life on this island is rural and relaxed, free from the commercial distractions of more urban surroundings. Like its sister islands, Lopez honors its history with heritage sites. Gardeners and artists are drawn to its peaceful, unhurried way of living. It has a golf club and a village farmers’ market in season. It also has a winery, whose vineyard’s vines are descended from grapes grown in the Yakima Valley.

Getting There
The state-run main ferry system connects automobile and foot passengers from Anacortes on the U.S. mainland to the four largest islands. Smaller private ferries run passengers but no cars from smaller cities, and private air companies fly from airports on the mainland. Both of these methods of travel surround you with the natural beauty of these places and the deep blue waters they occupy. Traveling from Vancouver or Vancouver Island was once possible, but while Canada maintains its COVID-19 ban on American travelers, it isn’t. 
The best way to plan a trip is to examine the San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau website and follow their guidance. This beautiful place manages to combine creative activity and deep natural serenity into its sheltered spot in the waters of the American Northwest.

Return to Table of Contents

VETERANS’ MATTERS

VA Priority Groups: Which One Do You belong To?

By Noelle Huffer

When you apply for VA health care, the VA will assign you to a priority group from one to eight to help get the highest priority veterans their care first. The priority group to which you are assigned affects how soon you can get signed up for health care benefits and how much, if anything, you will have to pay toward the cost of your care.

Priority groups are based on your military service history, a disability rating, income level, eligibility for Medicaid and receipt of other benefits such as VA pension benefits.

Veterans with service-connected disabilities are assigned to the highest priority group. The lowest priority is assigned to veterans who earn a higher income and who don’t have any service-connected disabilities that qualify them for disability compensation. If you qualify for more than one priority group, he or she will be assigned to the highest one. Below are the eligibility requirements for each priority group to help you determine which one you may qualify for.

Priority Group 1
You must have one of the following:
• A service-connected disability rating of 50 percent or higher.
• A service-connected disability that makes you unable to work.
• Received the Medal of Honor.

Priority Group 2
You must have a service-connected disability rating of 30 or 40 percent.

Priority Group 3
You must have one of the following:
• Been a former prisoner of war.
• Received the Purple Heart medal.
• Been discharged for a disability that was caused by, or got worse because of,  active duty service.
• A service-connected disability rating of 10 or 20 percent.
• Been awarded special eligibility classification under Title 38, U.S.C § 1151, “benefits for individuals disabled by treatment or vocational rehabilitation.”

Priority Group 4
You must be either:
• Receiving VA aid and attendance or housebound benefits.
• Determined by the VA to be catastrophically disabled.

Priority Group 5
The veteran must have the following:
• Rated as 0 percent disabled due to a noncompensable service-connected disability or not determined to have a service-connected disability, with an annual income below the VA’s adjusted income limit for your zip code.
• Receiving VA pension benefits.
• Eligible for Medicaid programs.

Priority Group 6
You must have one of the following:
• A compensable service-connected disability that we’ve rated as 0 percent disabling.
• Been exposed to ionizing radiation during atmospheric testing or during the occupation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
• Participated in Project 112/SHAD.
• Served in the Republic of Vietnam between Jan. 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975.
• Served in the Persian Gulf  War between Aug. 2, 1990, and Nov. 11, 1998.
• Served on active duty at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between Aug. 1, 1953, and Dec. 31, 1987.

You may also qualify for Priority Group 6 if you meet all three of the following criteria. You:
• Are currently or newly enrolled in VA health care.
• Served in a theater of combat operations after Nov. 11, 1998, or were discharged from active duty on or after Jan. 28, 2003.
• Were discharged less than five years ago. 
Note: Returning combat veterans are eligible for these enhanced benefits for five years after discharge. 

Priority Group 7 - Your gross household income must be below the VA’s adjusted income limit for your zip code and tyou must agree to pay co-pays.

Priority Group 8 - Your gross household income must be above the VA's adjusted income limit for your zip code and you must agree to pay co-pays.

Your priority group may change in some cases, such as if your income changes, or your service-connected disability gets worse and you receive a higher disability rating.

The FRA successfully opposed establishing an enrollment fee structure for veterans in priority groups 7 and 8 in 2008. Also, in 2009, the FRA successfully worked to lift a temporary ban in place since 2003 on enrolling Priority Group 8 veterans. More than 260,000 veterans were impacted by the ban. The FRA argued that our nation made a commitment to all veterans for their service, and limiting enrollment conveys the wrong message to our service personnel who are currently serving and to those who have served in the past.
To learn more about the priority groups and to see the current co-pay rates, visit:
www.va.gov/health-care/eligibility/priority-groups/, and www.va.gov/health-care/copay-rates. 

Yours in Loyalty, Protection and Service,
Noelle Huffer
Noelle is the FRA’s assistant director of veterans programs. She can be reached at NoelleH@fra.org or 703-683-1400, ext. 125. 
Shipmate News

1. South Central Region
National President Donna Jansky (Ctr.)presented drawings, depicting female 
veterans transitioning to civilian life, to 
RSSC Nancy Copeland (L) and RPSC C. 
Ursula Gruetzner (R) during the South 
Central Regional Convention. 

2. Branch 161, Kansas City, Kan.
North Central Regional President Jerome (Jerry) Lickteig from Branch 161 was sworn into office during the regional convention held in Osage Beach, Missouri, by NP Donna Jansky. Holding the Bible is PRPNC Marcia Cunningham from Branch 14.

3. Branch 226, Staten Island, N.Y.
The Staten Island Branch held a tailgate meeting at the Elks Lodge parking lot to elect and install new officers, and complete all business for the 2019 to 2020 year. (L to R) Branch Vice President Al Klingele, Branch President Jim Brown, Branch Secretary Ed Squire and Branch Treasurer Joe Bilotti.

4. Branch 115, Lehigh Valley, PA.
Lehigh Valley Black Diamond Branch 115 
held their Americanism Night Celebration 
on Aug. 20. The well-attended event was 
held at the Veterans Rally Point and 
Memorial at Lopatcong Municipal Park located in Phillipsburg, New Jersey.

5. Branch 244, Grand Junction, COlo.
The first place winner for seventh grade, Konnor Zehniser (L), is presented his awards from Branch Americanism Essay Contest Chairman Rich Reno (R).

6. Branch 244, Grand Junction, COlo.
The first place winner for 12th grade, Tessa Berry (L), is presented his awards from Branch Americanism Essay Contest Chairman Rich Reno (R).

7. Branch 269, Goose Creek, S.C.
Five members attended a World War II commemorative ceremony for Army Staff Sgt. Robert Hennessee. (L to R) Branch President Harry Nettles, Glenn Little, John Tharp, Randolph Turner and David Graminski. The Trident Baptist Church hosted the event, where three flag poles were dedicated with flags for the United States, South Carolina and Christianity.  

8. Branch 01, Philadelphia, Pa.
Shipmate Paul Candlori, who is a WW ll Navy man 94 years young, was presented his 5-year pin and certificate. Candlori does not drive so the presentation was conducted in his home. 

9. Branch 382, Nampa, Idaho
Adam Reingold received the Robert M. Treadwell Annual Scholarship (his 3rd award). Reingold is a junior at Boise State University in Boise Idaho. (L to R) Branch Vice President Jim Murrell, Shipmate Eddie Pinson (Reingold’s grandfather), Reingold, Branch President Danny Hunt and Shipmate John Camp.

10. Southwest Region
The incoming Southwest regional officers for the 2020 to 2021 year were sworn in. (L to R) National Vice President Mick Fulton, Branch 289; Southwest Regional President Elect Roger Bacud, Branch 85; Southwest Regional Vice President Chris Chapman, Branch 289; Southwest Regional Secretary Romeo Galeon, Branch 302; and Southwest Regional Treasurer Gerald Miranda, Branch 70 and RP John Quesnel, Jr., Branch 289.

11. Branch 244, Grand Junction, COlo.
Branch Secretary Chuck Watkins (R) presented a 50-year continuous membership pin and certificate to Shipmate Ralph Moss (L) who is a charter member of the Colorado West Area Branch 244.  The photo was taken by Ralph’s son Rich Moss.

12. Branch 112, Birmingham, Ala.
Past Branch President Bobby Findley greatly enjoyed his birthday card from his FRA branch located in Birmingham, Alabama.  Findley said, “The birthday card made my day."

TAPS
Name	Rating	Branch
Ahern, Bernard J.	CAPT, USN	91
Aikens, David F.	GMCM, USN	221
Albas, John P.	SKC, USN	101
Alexander, George B.	YNC, USN	MAL
Allen, Frederick L.	QM3(SS), USN	20
Aral, Antonio R.	USN	MAL
Arn, Franklin D.	TMC, USN	70
Arnold, Charles E.	ENC, USN	MAL
Arnold, Harvey L.	RMCS, USN	MAL
Aschbrenner, Ronald J.	MN1, USNR	216

Beechner, Henry B.	RMC, USN	MAL
Behrmann, Theodore M. BTCM, USN	172
Bell, David L.	SWCS, USN	MAL
Blum, Harlow E.	ATC, USN	MAL
Boswell, Cecil E.	USN	60
Boyd, Gerald G.	FTCS, USN	47
Breese, James E.	MMCM, USN	166
Brose, Paul G.	EMC, USN	MAL
Brown, Harold B.	YN1, USN	MAL
Bundy, Thomas	AK1, USN	136

Cain, Donald E.	TMC, USN	MAL
Carlson, Ronald F.	CDR, USN	MAL
Carman, D. K.	MGYSGT, USMC	302
Carver, Henry C.	ADC, USN	89
Chance, Owin H.	AFCM, USN	MAL
Clancy, Robert A.	AC1, USN	MAL
Cockram, John C.	LT, USN	290
Condusta, Albert D.	CPO, USN	MAL
Cook, Michael F.	CWO4, CEC, USN	 311
Crean, Hugh J.	STCM, USN	MAL
Cruz, Tirso P.	ETCS, USN	MAL

Damron, Steward F.	YNC, USN	11
Downer, Donald G.	DKC, USN	161

Eastman, Wilson H.	CTCS, USN	212
Emshoff, Wilfred E.	CTAC, USNR	159
Fisk, Ralph S.	RMCS, USN	273
Fleharty, Stanley E.	DKC, USN	MAL
Foreman, August G.	PO2, USNR	49

Gaydos, George E.	HTC, USN	60
Geshan, Leonard A.	YNC, USN	MAL
Gibson, Charles E.	SF1, USN	MAL
Goodbrand, John A.	CTC, USN	MAL
Greenleaf, Stuart E.	AQ1, USN	MAL
Greve, Ernest E.	MMCS, USN	MAL
Grissom, John H.	TMC, USN	53
Gula, Andrew	USN	230
Gustafson, Earl F.	CDR, USN	MAL

Halcin, Anthony F.	SWC, USN	115
Hall, Thomas E.	POC, USN	269
Hallasgo, Primo B.	SH1, USN	MAL
Harbecke, James W.	ADJC, USN	49
Harper, Roy D.	YNC, USN	29
Hauge, Glenn R.       SSC, SPOCS, USCG	MAL
Hayes, Larry N.	CTI1, USN	178
Hearne, James B.	YNCS, USN	MAL
Hill, Gene	EMC, USN	MAL
Hill, Wesley S.	CMC, USN	276
Hutchinson, Dan C.	PO1, USN	38

Jilek, James L.	DKC, USN,	126
Johnson, Clarence A.	BMC, USN	40
Jones, Dale W.	PN1, USNR	316

Kaempfe, Lester C.	UT3, USN	MAL
Kalbfleisch, Kay C.	MAJ, USMCR	63
Keck, Alvin D.	LCDR, USN	166
Kerrigan Jr., Robert	MM1, USN	47
Kitts, Gene E.	RMC, USN	41
Knutsen, Arthur E.	END1, USN	MAL
Kraft, Gerald I.	ADR1, USN	22
Kruger, Francis E.	YNCS, USN	MAL
Kukla, Bernard M.	CPO	MAL

Laird, Freddy R.	AT1, USCG	223
Landcastle, Gerald	CUCM, USN	245
Larson, Chester H.	MSGT, USMC	08
Lepre, John J.	MT2, USN	MAL
Levy, Jack	AFCM, USN	MAL
Lindberg, Ernest T.	CDR, USN	MAL
Logsdon, Richard E.	YNC, USN	MAL
London, Robert P.	ADCS, USN	MAL

Maloney, William T.	MCPO, USN	18
Manning, Robert B.	1STSGT, USMC	MAL
Martin, Robert B.	CEC, USN	MAL
Mayhugh, Robert M.	1STSGT, USMC	MAL
McBride, Harold L.	SH1, USN	MAL
McCarley, Theodore K.  CAPT, USN	24
McCartney, Milan R.	SKC, USN	136
McCulley, Gordon E.	CPO, SW, USN	MAL
McGovern, Kevin J.	SA, USN	219
McLawhorn, Lloyd	BMC, USN	MAL
McNew, Charles D.	ADCS, USN	MAL
Milewski, Francis W.	AMCS, USN	MAL
Miller, Robert W.	BTC, USN	08
Mize, Thomas H.	CWO2, USN	MAL
Mueller, Elroy A.	AEC, USN	136

Napoli, Armando J.	ETC, USN	MAL
Nault, Gerald R.	SKC, USN	MAL
Neal, Mike L.	ADJ1, USN	187
Nelson, Joseph M.	ADRC, USN	60
Nieder, Patrick	EM3, USN	290

Orender, Clyde C.	AEC, USN	MAL

Pereira, Igmidio G.	CSC(SS), USN	MAL
Powers, Robert R.	YNC, USN	181

Reed, Lloyd A.	MMC, USN	106
Reilly, Robert G.	BM1, USN	14
Repash, Robert J.	USN	115
Roberts, Winthrop M.	STCS(SS), USN	MAL
Rogers, Oscar	OS1, USN	382
Rokos, Frank M.	ADR1, USN	29
Rumley, Vernon L.	HTC, USN	MAL
Rushlow, Clifford N.	CTCM, USN	MAL
Russell, Clyde H.	RMCM(SS), USNR	60

Salyer, James B.	AKCM, USN	60
Sanders, Jackie A.	ADJC, USN	MAL
Santua, Ronnie E.	CPO, USN	MAL
Schneider, Leonard W.  LT, USN	145
Senda, John R.	HMC, USN	24
Shanahan, William J.	AE2, USN	309
Shattuck, John H.	SKC, USN	177
Stearrett, Thomas W.	YNC(SS), USN	289
Stout, Carl H.	YNC, USN	117
Swenningsen, Gary G.  AWC, USN	289

Terrell, Noel	HT1, USN	MAL
Tessenear, James R.	BTCS, USN	40
Thompson, Donald R.	EN3, USN	MAL
Thurman, Robert A.	SKCM, USN	18
Trejo, Paul E.	CAPT, USN	178
Turner, Stanley E.	USN	105

Visotski, Anthony W.	AEC, USN	MAL

Walker, George A.	ABF1, USN	MAL
Walker, Wilbur W.	PO1, USN	289
Wells, William P.	ABH2, USN	MAL
Willett, Robert R.	AOC, USN	70
Williamson, John W.	ADC, USN	MAL
Woods, Merald R.	ADRC, USN	126

Return to Table of Contents

LIFE MEMBERS

JULY
Abernethy, Lance	181
Barnett, Stephen E.	20
Baumann, Craig T.	15
Brace, Joseph R. 	269
Brunk, Ann M. 	136
Bublitz, Robert A. 	MAL
Budy, Joseph A. 	99
Cain, William L. 	161
Cassady,  Michael D. 	24
Citino, Anthony J.	01
Clark, Floyd  	197
Colson, Timothy M. 	24
Crawford, William H. 	20
Crouse, Everett C. 	70
Dailey, John T. 	282
Decess, Alex C. 	298
Deguzman, Benjamin  	MAL
Diaz, Crisostomo  	302
Eater, Charles  	MAL
Fitzpatrick, James C. 	MAL
Galicia, Alex  	61
Grasho, Edward E. 	23
Guyette, Stuart A. 	289
Hagler, Bobby W. 	161
Harr, Roger R. 	55
Harris, Robert T. 	24
Hause, William H. 	99
Hemenway Sr., Clarence G. 	MAL
Hitchcock Jr., Paul M.	70
Holland, Steve  	MAL
Hughes, Donald S. 	24
Inaura, Donver D. 	70
Ioven, William G. 	31
Jacoby, Henry W. 	130
James, Elizabeth W. 	290
Jones, Allan L. 	106
Jones, David E. 	01
Kemper, Hubert E. 	181
Kennard, Carl H. 	104
Klinker, Dwight D. 	MAL
Lebsack, Wilbur  	MAL
Lee, Wayne  	MAL
MacMenamin, Brian J. 	301
Mains, Robert A. 	MAL
McCann, Doug  	261
McRae, Simon E. 	117
Montani, David G. 	24
Morin, Robert W. 	261
Morrison, Bayard H. 	24
Mortensen, William D. 	MAL
Northway, Robert E. 	145
Parks, George E. 	264
Parsons, Chad K. 	269
Patenaude, William J. 	MAL
Pehr, Robert L. 	MAL
Putman, Broadus L. 	60
Raines, Jesse R. 	99
Reese, Lee A. 	261
Renwald, Celeste  	94
Roberts, John T. 	60
Rosenthal, Mark  	24
Rothwell, Ronald H. 	117
Routh, Siddhartha S. 	24
Sandoc, Ernesto  	MAL
Schempp, Fred M. 	24
Schrader, Alan L. 	377
Schram, Richard L. 	08
Sekscinski, Jerry D. 	MAL
Self, Robert T. 	01
Shoenfelt, David  	17
Simms, Charles H. 	93
Skillrud, Matthew H. 	46
Smiley, Narvin W. 	170
Smith, Ronald G. 	MAL
Starnes, Roger D. 	MAL
Stout, James H. 	289
Taylor, Oscar H. 	MAL
Thurman, Robert D. 	11
Tonneslan, Dennis O. 	MAL
Trotter Jr., Edgar S.	MAL
Van Bibber, Charles A. 	MAL
Vines, John C. 	MAL
Vorndran, Thomas F. 	22
Ward, Nickolous B. 	24
Webber, Eric G. 	MAL
Williams, Carl J. 	MAL
Williams, Freddie K. 	MAL
Williams Jr., Thurlow E. 	163
Wiltse, Clair A. 	MAL
Yancey, James B. 	62
Ziglinski, Daniel P. 	MAL

AUGUST   
Abate, Frank S. 	24
Allen, Raymond C.	 MAL
Baker, Kenneth  	MAL
Barnhart, Thomas C. 	MAL
Bay, Willis E. 	367
Bendy, Kenneth W. 	MAL
Bessler, Michael  	MAL
Boerner, Keefe R. 	24
Bowen, Cheryl P. 	24
Carney, Wesley D. 	97
Chayer, Kevin  	24
Cline, Clifford E. 	20
Collins, Jerry  	275
Cotner, Paul W. 	289
Croft, Bradford H. 	22
Dalby, David B. 	70
Deming, Thomas R. 	289
Dever Jr., John W. 	42
Donaghy, James P. 	24
Duke, Dale  	316
Duska, Robert W. 	70
Ehlinger, Frank N.	 MAL
Espinoza, Peter J. 	61
Ferguson, Edward A. 	MAL
Floyd, Dennis  	24
Fort, Robert E. 	85
Gallagher, Edward J.	 MAL
Grott Jr., John J.	20
Harrel Jr., John A.	282
Hastings, Richard A. 	290
Henze-Gongola, Ralph D. 	309
Higgins, Charles  	293
Holroyd, George E. 	24
Hurd Jr., Glen E.	59
Isley Jr., Ralph	290
Jackson, Timothy E. 	24
Johanson, Lewis  	MAL
Lafond, Robert E. 	282
Lagao, Jimmy L. 	302
LeCompte, Jim  	371
Lonergan, John J. 	24
Lord, David L. 	38
Lucas, Jerry W. 	MAL
Lueck, Dale K. 	MAL
Marks, Michael  	24
Mateczun, John M. 	24
Maxwell, James  	MAL
McElveen, James W. 	290
McFarland, James L. 	97
McGlone, Lawrence H. 	59
Meyer, Carl W. 	60
Moore, Rick A. 	290
Mosley, Carl W. 	194
O’Daniel, Norman S. 	MAL
Osuch, John  	20
Oswalt, Michael D. 	MAL
Parker, Edgar  	40
Phillips, Robert H. 	MAL
Porter, Roger L. 	MAL
Pruitt, Arthur  	334
Quinto, Ferdinand P. 	302
Rettie, Scott  	24
Rice, Michael W. 	24
Rose, Frances A. 	29
Scaggs, Ronald 	MAL
Self, Bryan D. 	24
Sharpe, Donald T. 	MAL
Smith, Andrew  	MAL
Solis, Colonel J. 	24
Stewart, Anthony E. 	61
Talley, Robert S. 	MAL
Taylor, William H. 	91
Tyson, Ryan C. 	226
Ulrich, Margaret A. 	MAL
Vogel, Lucille M. 	293
Williams, Leroy  	01
Wood, Donald F. 	MAL

SEPTEMBER   
Arroyo, Nelson  	289
Bailey, Timothy  	269
Baker Sr., Robert E.	170
Bicaldo, Dominador N. 	127
Bolyard, Danny D. 	221
Bourdeau, Gary  	298
Brandon, Barry  	115
Bruce, John  	MAL
Butler, Raymond L. 	289
Carey, Karen W. 	14
Carter, Dianne E. 	183
Casto, William F. 	104
Colarusso, John E. 	115
Corona, Peter H. 	MAL
Crowe, Billy A. 	91
Dalton, Keith E. 	97
Daly, Mitchell A., Jr. 	24
Darling, Dale  	183
Di Bella, Peter J. 	118
Dimalanta, Benjamin  	99
Durbin, Frank S.  	91
Eddy, Lucille A. 	04
Ericson,  Edward E. 	MAL
Fette, Sue  	MAL
Foster, Joseph E. 	MAL
Gmeiner, Charles R. 	117
Goode, Gary K. 	70
Gregory, Robert E. 	230
Guth, Robert P. 	MAL
Harrison, William  	263
Hernandez, Charles V. 	136
Hill, Robert 	 MAL
Hixenbaugh, Frank  	269
Honyotski, Francis E. 	MAL
Hurdle, Robert T. 	86
Iverson, Gary  	136
Jensen, Paul E. 	MAL
Johnson, Tracy R. 	70
Juan, Tomas P. 	MAL
Kegley, Jerry N. 	90
Keller, Catherine  	59
Kirby, David R. 	MAL
Lajewski, Daniel  	24
Leonardi, Mark  	24
Lewis, Larry E. 	MAL
Lucey, James W. 	MAL
Manly, Paul W.  	38
Martin, Stephen C. 	MAL
McCollum, Malcolm C. 	62
McGee, James F. 	136
Milum, Daniel J. 	289
Nevgloski Jr., Alexander J.	208
Querimit, Margit J. 	247
Reher III, Laurence W.	029
Robinson, Gary C. 	22
Robles, Simon  	61
Sanchez, Jose M. 	289
Sears, Joseph D. 	24
Sherman, Robert J. 	MAL
Smith, Robert  	MAL
Towery, James D. 	185
Trubilla, Steve  	MAL
Vicino, Joseph J. 	47
Vitarelli, Robert  	182
Waro Jr., Matthew E.	 MAL
Warren, James W. 	94
Werbowetski, Michael P. 	24
Whitcomb, James M. 	24
Williams, Wiley  	MAL
Woodard, Dan   	101

A Message from the National President

As the incoming national president of the Auxiliary of the FRA for the 2020-2021 term, I wish to thank the members for electing me to this honored position to represent and serve the auxiliary of the Fleet Reserve Association. I shall be working with the national board, the past national officers, and the members of the auxiliary. I will strive to honor the past by continuing to honor the beloved LA FRA traditions and continuing the mission of the auxiliary. Together, we must overcome the obstacles and restrictions created by the COVID-19 pandemic and find a way to stop the loss of membership while revitalizing and building the auxiliary. I look forward to working with FRA National President Mick Fulton and the national board to carry out the goals and to undertake the mission of the auxiliary of the FRA and the Fleet Reserve Association.

The auxiliary’s leaders and members continue to volunteer and work for the benefit of the Fleet Reserve Association, the Shipmates, and their families.  It is important for the auxiliary to continue its amazing programs and activities, including: unit-sponsored community outreach programs supporting youth and veterans; welfare projects that aid members, children and others in distress; hospital projects for veterans and residents who are in VA hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, nursing and assisted living facilities; and Americanism programs that promote patriotic activities and events for the general public, youth and the membership. 

An invitation to join the LA FRA is extended to all family members of Shipmates, including spouses, parents, grandparents, sisters, brothers, children, stepchildren or grandchildren who are at least 16 years old. Also, widows, widowers, parents, grandparents, sisters, brothers, children, stepchildren and grandchildren who are at least 16 years old who had a relative who was a member or was eligible to be a member of the FRA at the time of their death can join the LA FRA. The auxiliary is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, nonsectarian organization.

Eligible people may join the LA FRA and become a member of any unit in an area of their choice or they can join as a Member-at-Large. (The LA FRA membership application is usually in FRAtoday, but not in this issue).  If you are unable to attend unit meetings and wish to support the work of the auxiliary, you may join as a Member-at-Large. Members-at-Large are welcome to attend LA FRA events and receive the LA FRA’s newsletter, The Triangle, but cannot hold office or vote. Annual membership for Members-at-Large is $20, which supports our operational costs.

My National President’s Project for 2020-2021 is the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. This nonprofit organization was founded in 1980 and provides scholarships to colleges, technical schools and trade schools, as well as educational counseling, to the surviving children of special operations personnel who were killed in the line of duty. The Special Operations Warrior Foundation also supports severely combat-wounded Navy, Marine Corps, Army and Air Force special operations personnel and their families.  

This foundation was selected because its mission provides educational benefits to the surviving children of special operation forces. Special operations personnel complete their military objectives in silence and often they go unnoticed. Please support the children of special operation forces and contribute to the National President’s Project during my term. 

Contributions can be made to the National President’s Project by making a check payable to the LA FRA. Be sure to write in the “Memo” section of your check: “NP Project 2020-2021” and mail it to: NFS LA FRA, P.O. Box 3037, Carson City, NV 89702. 

Thank you for your support of the auxiliary of the Fleet Reserve Association. 
Yours in Loyalty, Protection and Service,Jackie Scarbro

Jackie is the LA FRA national president.
FINANCE MATTERS

The IRA Opportunity for Late 2020
If you have a traditional Individual Retirement Account, or IRA, you might be familiar with the regulation to take required minimum distributions, or RMDs, beginning at age 72. You may even know when the first and subsequent distributions must be made. If you have an inherited traditional or inherited Roth IRA from prior to 2020, you might also have the ability to take RMDs in accordance with the  stretch IRA strategy.1 What you may not know, however, is how the Coronavirus, Aid Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provides valuable RMD flexibility for 2020. 
RMDs: What They Are and Whom They Affect 
First, let’s set the foundation. In regard to IRAs, the RMD is the minimum amount you must withdraw from your account each year, and it applies to traditional IRAs as well as Simplified Employee Pension, or SEP, and Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees, or SIMPLE, IRAs. Roth IRA owners don’t have RMDs. However, beneficiaries of inherited Roth and inherited traditional IRAs generally have RMDs if the owner died in or before 2019. You may be subject to an IRS 50 percent excise tax for every dollar under-distributed, making it important to keep track of the rules. 
Your first RMD as a traditional, SEP or SIMPLE IRA owner must be taken by your required beginning date, which is generally April 1 following the year you turn age 72. If you don’t take your first RMD in the year you turn 72, you will have two due in one year: your prior year RMD you delayed until April 1 and your second RMD due by Dec. 31 of the current year. You always have the option of taking the first RMD by Dec. 31 of the year you turn 72 to avoid taking two in one tax year. In subsequent years, your annual RMD is due by Dec. 31. Often, IRA custodians will help IRA owners meet the required dates by allowing them to set up automatic withdrawals.
Beneficiaries who inherited an IRA, regardless of the type, have annual RMDs if the IRA owner died in 2019 or earlier and they want to take advantage of the stretch IRA strategy. Beneficiaries can always withdraw more than the RMD. However, the advantage of taking only the minimum is that the rest of the investment remains in a tax-advantaged account over a longer time frame.
The Late 2020 Opportunity 
This year provides account holders with an unusual opportunity, courtesy of the CARES Act, which was passed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The act suspended all RMDs for 2020, including 2019 RMDs that were not taken in 2019 and had a required beginning date of April 1, 2020. RMDs for inherited traditional and inherited Roth IRAs are also waived. While there are no RMDs in 2020, there will be RMDs due next year by Dec. 31, 2021, unless Congress provides another RMD waiver.
IRA owners and beneficiaries now have three options heading into late 2020: 
Skipping the RMD altogether — this could allow investments to compound tax-deferred for a bit longer. 
Taking a smaller distribution than usually required — this gives some of the benefits of the first option, while also providing an income. 
Taking the usual distribution amount or more — for those that believe they’re in a lower tax bracket now than they’ll be in the future, a current distribution may result in long-term tax savings. 
For some IRA owners and beneficiaries — such as those that need current income — the choice might be straightforward. Others, though, might find it worthwhile to discuss potential options with tax and financial advisors. Finally, for those who decide to skip or modify distributions for the year, be sure to suspend or modify any automatic withdrawal instruction you have on file with your IRA custodian.    
1. Stretching an IRA simply refers to the ability to take RMDs over the beneficiary’s single life expectancy (using the term-certain calculation method) rather than over the life expectancy of the original IRA owner. Under the SECURE Act, inherited IRAs are to be emptied by the 10th calendar year following the year of death of the IRA owner. The change is effective for IRA owners who pass away after Dec. 31, 2019, and does not apply to certain eligible beneficiaries.
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.
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