5 “Triggering” Major Budget Cuts 16 FRA’s New Prospective Member Cards

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Volume 90 Number 9

Featured18 The PoweR oF PRoPeR ATTiTude

September 16, 2011, is National POW/MIA Recognition Day. This month’s feature story highlights an FRA shipmate who spent nearly seven years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam.

Departments 2 CommuniCATions

5 ned PeRsPeCTive “Triggering” Major Budget Cuts

6 shiPmATe FoRum

8 on & oFF CAPiToL hiLLDebt Ceiling Increased with Spending Cuts

16 memBeRshiP mATTeRsIntroducing FRA’s New Prospective Member Cards

28 news FRom The BRAnChes

30 TAPs

31 Reunions

34 Looking FoR…

36 FRA AuxiLiARy newsMessage from North Central Regional President Lisa Barton

on The CoveRDuring our nation’s history, hundreds of service members have been held as prisoners of war during times of conflict. thousands more remain unac-counted for and are classified as missing in Action (mIA). FrA salutes these heroes and their families who have sacrificed so much.

FRA is A CongRessionALLy ChARTeRed, non-PRoFiT oRgAnizATion AdvoCATing FoR CuRRenT And FoRmeR enLisTed memBeRs oF The u.s. nAvy, mARine CoRPs And CoAsT guARd on CAPiToL hiLL. FoR moRe inFoRmATion on The BeneFiTs oF memBeRshiP, PLeAse visiT www.FRA.oRg oR CALL 800-FRA-1924.

LoyALTy, PRoTeCTion And seRviCe

September 2011

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CommuniCATions

Eileen Murphy

NatioNal officers/Board of directors

National President James Scarbro, Chesapeake Branch 40

National Vice President Jeffrey Gilmartin, Potomac Region Branch 207

National executive dir. Joseph L. Barnes, Navy Department Branch 181

finance officer Paul Rigby, Honorary Member

Junior PNP Gary Blackburn, Vallejo Branch 8

National Parliamentarian PNP Robert G. Beese, Volusia County Branch 335

National chaplain James Campbell, Chesapeake Branch 40

regioNal PresideNts

New england Philip Justin, Quonset Davisville, Branch 42

Northeast David Munday, Lakehurst Branch 124

east coast Chris Slawinski, Navy Department Branch 181

southeast Bobby Smith, Knoxville Branch 194

North central Leon Zalewski, Milwaukee Branch 14

south central Russell Miller, Capital Area Branch 201

southwest Glenn Holz, Imperial Beach Branch 289

West coast Pat LeClaire, Silver Dollar Branch 192

Northwest Hazel Bettencourt, Gem State Branch 382

actiVe duty adVisory couNcil

Master chief Petty officer of the Navy Rick West

sergeant Major of the Marine corps Michael Barrett

Master chief Petty officer of the coast guard Michael Leavitt

reserVe adVisory couNcil

force Master chief of the Naval reserve Chris Wheeler

usMc reserve force sergeant Major Kim E. Davis

Master chief Petty officer of the coast guard reserve force

Mark Allen

fra today MagaziNe

Publisher FRA

National executive director Joseph L. Barnes

Managing editor Eileen Murphy

contributing editor Lauren Armstrong

design and art direction

FIREBRAND, Alexandria, VA www.firebrandstudios.com

design director Scott Rodgerson

Production Manager Sandy Jones

fra today (ISSN 0028-1409) IS PuBLISHED MoNtHLy By FRA, 125 N. WESt St., ALExANDRIA, VA 22314-2754. A MEMBER’S SuBSCRIPtIoN IS CoVERED By tHE MEMBER’S ANNuAL DuES. PERIoDICALS PoStAGE PAID At ALExANDRIA, VA AND ADDItIoNAL oFFICES. PuBLICAtIoN oF NoN-SPoNSoRED ADVERtISING IN fRA toDAy DoES Not CoNStItutE AN ENDoRSEMENt By tHE FRA oR ItS REPRESENtAtIVES. PostMaster: seNd address chaNges to: MeMBer serVices, fra, 125 N. West st., alexaNdria, Va 22314-2754. fRA toDAy IS PuBLISHED IN tHE INtEREStS oF ALL CuRRENt AND FoRMER ENLIStED PERSoNNEL oF tHE u.S. NAVy, MARINE CoRPS, AND CoASt GuARD. ELIGIBLE NoN-MEMBERS ARE Not ENtItLED to SuBSCRIPtIoN RAtES. EStABLISHED 1 NoVEMBER 1923. tItLE REGIStERED WItH u.S. PAtENt oFFICE.

FRA ADMINIStRAtIVE HEADquARtERS: 125 N. WESt St., ALExANDRIA, VA 22314-2754 PHoNE: 703-683-1400, 800-FRA-1924 • FAx: 703-549-6610 • E-MAIL: FRAtoDAy@FRA.oRG

W W W . F R A . o R G

VoLuME 90 NuMBER 9

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

making Sure the enlisted Voice is HeardFRA wAs FoundEd to ensure the enlisted voice was heard on Capitol Hill, and over the course of our distinguished 87-year history, that purpose hasn’t changed. We are committed to assuring lawmakers understand the concerns of all current and former USN, USMC and USCG enlisted per-sonnel, their families and survivors. At the same time, we work to make sure our members understand law and policy changes that impact them.

The grassroots involvement of our members and friends has strengthened FRA’s voice in Washington and together we’ve stopped excessive health care fee hikes, helped increase military pay and sig-nificantly improved education and other quality-of-life benefits. Now, more than ever, it is important that you share your views with your elected government officials. Your opinion counts — and it’s important to be accurately informed. Make sure you utilize these important com-munications tools:

FRA’s NewsBytes:Members, prospective members and families are encouraged subscribe to NewsBytes (FRA’s free weekly legislative email update) to get the latest news from Capitol Hill affecting you and your future. To subscribe, just e-mail newsbytes@fra.org with “Subscribe” in the subject line. Include your name and address in the body of the e-mail so we can be sure your subscription is marked in the correct database record. If you prefer, you can listen to NewsBytes by phone at 1-800-FRA-1924, ext. 112.

FRA’s ACTion CenTeR: It’s easy to share your views with your elected officials using FRA’s Action Center at www.fra.org. The website offers pre-written e-mail messages (or users can draft their own) that address specific legislative issues that can be sent to members of Congress or local media outlets with the click of a button. The Action Center also allows users to see which bills their legislators are supporting.

MakiNg waves: When you use the Action Center to weigh in on a particular issue, FRA works hard to keep you posted on the progress of that initiative. When legislative proposals threaten existing benefits, FRA sends Making Waves to those shipmates via e-mail, inviting them to reiterate their concerns to their elected officials.

FRA’s ONwatch: This is FRA’s online newsletter for the active and reserve communities. It includes topics of relevance to these audiences and their families — such as interviews with senior enlisted leaders. Read it at www.fra.org/onwatch.

These communications are yet another way you will see the value of FRA!

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Never underestimate your competition. Just ask Demetrius,the unfortunate Greek general who set out to conquer

Rhodes in 305 BC. He assumed that a massive force of 40,000men, a fleet of Aegean pirates and an arsenal of wall-smashingwar machines would be enough to crush the tiny Greek island.He was wrong. The Rhodians were tougher than he thought.And so is this watch. If you’ve always believed that the biggest,baddest watches had to cost big, bad money, the $79 StauerColossus Hybrid Chronograph is here to change your mind. A monument to toughness. The people of Rhodes wereready for Demetrius and repelled his attack. To celebrate, theybuilt the Colossus of Rhodes, a 107-foot bronze and iron giantthat towered over the harbor like a ten-story trophy. It warnedfuture invaders that “Rhodes is tougher than you think.” Yougive the same message when you wear the Stauer Colossus. The timepiece that works twice as hard. In designingthe Colossus Hybrid Chronograph, our instructions to thewatchmaker were clear: build it as tough as a battleship and fillit full of surprises. Make it a hybrid, because it should worktwice as hard as a regular watch. And make it look like a million bucks, because when you put it on, you should get excited about rolling up your sleeves. Mission accomplished. A toolbox on your wrist. It will keep you on schedule, butthe Colossus Hybrid is about much more than time. The imposing case features a rotating gunmetal bezel that framesthe silver, black and yellow face. You’ll find a battalion of digitaldisplays on the dial arranged behind a pair of luminescenthands and a bold yellow second hand. Powered by a precise

quartz movement, the watch is doubly accurate in analog anddigital mode. And it’s packed with plenty of handy extras including a bright green EL back-light for enhanced nighttimevisibility, a tachymeter along the outer dial and a full complement of alarms and split-second countdown timers. The Colossus Hybrid secures with a folded steel bracelet that highlights a row of striking dark center links. It’s a ruggedwatch that’s more than ready for your daily grind. Your Satisfaction is Guaranteed. Wear the Stauer ColossusHybrid for 30 days and if you are not 100% thrilled with yourpurchase, return it for a full refund of your purchase price. Butonce you get a taste of more watch for less money, it’s likelyyou’ll be back for more... and we’ll be waiting.

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Ijust threw my watch in the trash. I got it as agift a while back—and it was something else. Ithad four different digital displays, about a dozen

buttons, was waterproof to about a thousand feet,and I think it could even tell me the weather. I’llnever know, though, because, like I said, it’s in thetrash. Turns out it couldn’t do the one thing I want awatch to do … tell me the correct time. It alwaysran a little slow, which was bad enough, but therewere so many displays and they were so small thatI couldn’t tell the time even if it was accurate. WhenI tried to reset it, I pushed the wrong button and setit on military time, and I couldn’t figure out how toswitch it back. That was the last straw. Now, I’vegot a great watch. It’s super-accurate, easy-to-read, and it will even tell … yes tell … me the time.Best of all, I’ll never have to set it! This is the watchI’ve been waiting for.

Whether you travel or not… this watch is a necessity.This Talking Atomic Watch from firstSTREET maintains its phenomenal accuracy because it is designed to receive a signal from the US Atomic Clockin Fort Collins, Colorado. This clock is the standard fortime measurement worldwide… it can go 20 millionyears without gaining or losing a second! It neverneeds to be set, because it automatically adjusts itselffor daylight savings time and leap years.

Easy to read, even easier to hear.The most accurate watch in the world is of no use ifyou can’t read it. This timepiece is designed to tell youthe correct time… anytime. It features a clear, unclut-tered analog display that you won’t need readingglasses to see. Best of all, you can press a button andit will tell you the time in a clear, easy-to-understandvoice. So whether you’re driving to an appointment ordining in a candlelit restaurant … you are sure to knowthe exact time. Press the button again and it will eventell you the day and date if you want. There’s even anautomatic hourly chime.

Try it for yourself… it’s risk-free.The US Atomic Clock cost billions to build and maintain, but you can have the next best thing for less than one hundred dollars. Thanks to a specialarrangement with the manufacturer, we can offer you this watch at a special price with our exclusivehome trial. If you are not completely amazed by the accuracy and quality of this product, simply return itwithin 90 days for a “No Questions Asked” refund of the product purchase price. Call now!

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“triggering” major budget CutsthE REcEntly EnActEd 2011 Budget Control Act is the result of increasing pressure to reduce government spend-ing, the need to increase the country’s debt limit and months of negotia-tions between the White House and Congress. Several commissions and focus groups, including the President’s 2010 Debt Commission that reported out last December and the more re-cent Senate “gang of six,” offered cost-cutting recommendations associated with the current situation.

The new law requires significant spending cuts in two phases with initial cuts of nearly $1 trillion across govern-ment departments and agencies — in-cluding $350 billion in defense cuts. The second part of the plan involves the es-tablishment of a special “super commit-tee” comprised of a dozen members of Congress — six from each party and as many from both the House and Senate. The panel must by majority vote ap-prove recommendations to cut an addi-tional $1.2 to $1.5 trillion by November 23, 2011, and Congress must then ap-prove the package without amend-ments or filibuster by December 23, 2011 (similar to past BRAC actions). If the package isn’t passed by the deadline, automatic spending cuts (known as se-questration), to include another $500 billion in defense spending reductions plus cuts to funding for other govern-ment departments, will be triggered beginning January 1, 2013, and con-tinuing to 2021.

Members of the new commit-tee who serve on key oversight committees associated with FRA’s legis-lative agenda include Sen. Patty Murray, Chairwoman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee; Rep. Chris Van Hollen, Ranking Member of the House Budget Committee; Sen. Rob Portman, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee; and Sen. Pat Toomey, a

member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, which oversees the U.S. Coast Guard.

There are legitimate and seri-ous concerns about the impact of the spending cuts on our national defense and on various pay, health care, ben-efits and quality-of-life programs.

During an August 4, 2011, press conference, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta said, “The (first phase) reduc-tions in the defense budget that were enacted as part of the debt-ceiling agreement are largely in line with what the civilian and military leaders of this department were anticipating and pre-paring to implement.” And regarding the automatic (second phase) “trig-ger” aspect of the plan, he said, “If it did happen, it would result in a further round of very dangerous cuts across the board, defense cuts that I believe would do real damage to our security, our troops and their families, and our military’s ability to protect the nation.”

The list of potential threats is grow-ing and your Legislative Team is track-ing what Navy Times recently dubbed a “Frugal Future” that may include further end-strength reductions; a

pay freeze mirroring the federal civil-ian pay freeze; smaller retiree cost-of-living adjustments; major changes to retired pay; higher health care fees; cuts to bonuses and special pays; sig-nificant changes to military commis-saries and exchanges, and higher costs for products sold in the military resale system. The list goes on and may grow.

Although significant, threats such as these are nothing new, and unlike many organizations that simply re-port on threats and do little to actu-ally address these on Capitol Hill, FRA has consistently carried messages to Congress on behalf of the Sea Services enlisted communities. The Association was established to do so in 1924 and since then has built and maintained a reputation as a leader in the military/VSO community and for taking action resulting in many legislative successes.

With strong support and engage-ment by all of Sea Services Shipmates we’ll continue this tradition as we work hard to protect and hopefully enhance active, Reserve, retired and veterans’ pay and benefits. No law protects pay and benefits and, as always, effectively responding to these and other threats requires strong grassroots support through timely and consistent mes-sages to members of Congress, regard-less of party affiliation.

Stay informed and PLEASE be part of this effort. Renew your membership, urge other shipmates to do likewise and, if you’re not already subscribed to NewsBytes, FRA’s weekly e-mail update on pay and benefit issues, please send a request to newsbytes@fra.org. Thanks.

Joe Barnes

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

ned PeRsPeCTive

...and unlike many

organizations that simply

report on threats and do

little to actually address

these on Capitol Hill, FRA

has consistently carried the

message to Congress on

behalf of the Sea Services

enlisted communities.

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shift Colors In the June 2011 “NED Perspective” column, it was stated that Shift Colors has gone digital. I did receive it when it was in print, and miss it now, as I have no idea how to subscribe digitally.

I don’t like the digital distribution of pubs once on paper, as they can’t be passed on for the info of others, easily archived for dependents, or easily avail-able for rereading.

Please let me know how I may get it again, online if necessary.

Larry Fosgate

FRA Response: You can access the online version of Shift Colors at www.npc.navy.mil/ReferenceLibrary/Publications/ShiftColors/

You can also subscribe by sending your full name, e-mail address and military affiliation (retiree, surviving spouse, veteran or other) to Mill_ShiftColors@navy.mil (Please note: There is an underscore between “MILL” and “Shift Colors.”)

great Lakes memories Excellent article [on Naval Station Great Lakes]; I even downloaded it so I could share it with other sailors who I’ve not yet been able to ‘recruit’ to the FRA.

I did miss a mention of the Navy Reserve ‘boot camp’ that accelerated Basic Training from 11 weeks down to TWO weeks. I was there over my high school Christmas vacation (in 1960, between my junior and senior year). We still had the old barracks, which had been improved with the addition of fire resistant asbestos panels — put in to give us a chance to get out in case of a fire.

Putting the bulk of Boot Camp activities into one build-ing is a great improvement. I remember getting up very early to beat the other groups to the single chow hall for breakfast. Standing outdoors in winter at Great Lakes isn’t the best time of the year!

Again, thanks for a great article,Lorence F. Brown

I really enjoyed your recent article in the FRA magazine. In 1961– 63, my dad was stationed at Great Lakes and

we lived in nearby Waukegan. Three days after my high school graduation (June 1962), I entered Great Lakes RTC. I graduated from Boot Camp on 29 August, was lucky to place well on a test and was transferred from FTA School (Fire Control Technician ‘A’ School) to the Naval Academy Prep School in Bainbridge, Maryland. A year later I entered Annapolis. I still stay in touch with several of my classmates who were at Great Lakes at the time.

Bud Barnes

Thank you for the great article on Great Lakes Training Center. I went through boot camp there in 1948, where I served in Building 1 from September  1955 through August 1959.

When I was in boot camp the Blue Jackets Manual had pictures of uniforms for officers and enlisted. Last year at a rest stop on I-95, I spoke to a 2nd class dressed in a gray-sea colored fatigue uniform that he said was permitted off base. His uniform was spotless and very neat, but not dress blues or whites. Could you bring an old sailor up-to-date on pres-ent day uniforms?

I always enjoy your articles in FRA Today. Keep up the good work! (First time I’ve ever congratulated an author!)

Francis J. Rodrick, Sr.

FRA Response: The Navy uniform regulations are continually changing. I suggest you visit http://navy-uniform-regulations.com/ to learn more and see photos. There are tabs along the top of the home page and if you click “Navy Uniform Pictures” you can see what’s what. You may need to scroll all the way down to the bottom of the page to find the links to the differ-ent uniforms.

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

Join now and be heard.1-800-FRA-1924 www.fra.org

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FRA Questions Link Between Camp Lejeune Contaminated water and dod CommissariesWhen North Carolina Senator Richard Burr, ranking member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs (VA) Committee, introduced the “Caring for Camp Lejeune Veterans Act” (S. 277), FRA endorsed the measure. The proposal would authorize VA health care for veterans and military family members who are suffering from the effects of a contaminated water supply at Camp Lejeune between 1957 and 1987.

To comply with House “pay cut” rules, the Senate VA Committee re-cently voted to change the bill, with-out notice or hearing, to fund the care by eliminating the federal subsidy for military commissaries and direct-ing consolidation of all Department of Defense (DoD) commissaries and exchanges, known collectively as the military resale system. Hill sources characterize this as one funding op-tion and note that the Senate Armed

Services Committee, which has prima-ry jurisdiction over the resale system, may identify another funding source in conjunction with the legislation.

If approved, the plan would nega-tively impact access to the resale sys-tem and result in significantly higher costs for products offered in jointly operated combined commissary/ex-change stores. The House and Senate Armed Services Committees have con-sistently rejected similar plans based on Congressional Budget Office op-tions over the past few decades to con-solidate the services’ resale programs.

FRA continues to advocate for benefits for those impacted by con-taminated water at Camp Lejeune, but opposes funding the benefits in a way that would negatively impact access to commissaries and exchanges, the cost of products in both systems and re-duced MWR program support.

John DavisDebt Ceiling Increased with Spending CutsPREsidEnt oBAMA signEd thE Budget Control Act of 2011 (S. 365) into law, authorizing a debt ceiling increase ($2.1 trillion – $2.4 trillion) to allow the federal government to operate through 2013. The debt limit increases by $900 billion immediately and a second increase of $1.2 tril-lion to $1.5 trillion will be available after November 23, 2011. The size of the second increase will be determined by a new joint committee made up of six senators and six representatives who will identify cuts to meet the goal of reducing at least $1.2 trillion in spending over 10 years. The House and Senate will then vote to approve the com-mittee’s recommendations without amendments or Senate filibuster. If the committee recommendations are not ap-proved, there will be automatic across-the-board cuts for every agency and program with half targeted at the defense budget with implementation by January 2, 2013, continuing over the next nine years.

The debt ceiling agreement also requires both the House and Senate to vote on a balanced budget amend-ment to the Constitution by the end of the calendar year.

The House version of the FY 2012 budget must also be reduced by $24 billion to meet spending caps. It remains unclear how this will impact current military and veter-ans’ benefits, pay, and quality-of-life programs. FRA is concerned about the potential impact of drastic funding reductions on military and veterans’ health care, pay and other benefits; will closely monitor implementation of the new law and weigh in with legislators and their staff re-garding threats to hard-earned benefits.

The pace of legislative activity will speed up in September as Congress attempts to complete its work be-fore FY 2012 begins on October 1, 2011. It’s more impor-tant than ever for shipmates to be informed on the issues at hand and take action when threats to benefits appear. To stay abreast of current happenings on Capitol Hill be-tween issues of FRA Today, subscribe to NewsBytes, FRA’s weekly email update, by sending an e-mail to newsbytes@fra.org. Shipmates are also encouraged to monitor the FRA Action Center at www.fra.org and communicate their views to their elected officials.

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Report Recommends drastic TRiCARe Fee increases and moreSenator Tom Coburn (Okla.) released a 614-page report, entitled “Back in the Black,” detailing suggestions for reducing the federal deficit by $9 tril-lion over 10 years. NOTE: This is only a report and these suggestions are exam-ples of issues being discussed with re-gard to balancing the budget and have NOT been introduced as legislation.

Recommendations include:• Requiring all  military retirees to

take TRICARE Standard and in-creasing  annual enrollment fees to $3,500 for families/$2,000 for individuals,

• Increasing co-pays for prescrip-tion drugs from $3 to $15 for generic and from $9 to $25 for

brand-name drugs,• Making TRICARE Prime avail-

able only for active duty person-nel and their dependents.

• Creating an annual $550 co-pay for TRICARE for Life (TFL) and requiring beneficiaries to pay half of the cost of expenses not cov-ered by Medicare, up to $3,025,

• Consolidating commissaries and exchanges,

• Eliminating Department of Defense (DoD) schools, and

• Eliminating DoD tuition assis-tance programs for active duty service members.

The plan also suggests the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

assess a $250 annual fee for veterans in Priority Groups 7 and 8 who seek VA health care and increase prescription co-pays for these vets to $15 (currently $9) for a 30-day supply of medicine.

The report is an example of cost-saving proposals associated with growing pressure to reduce govern-ment spending. FRA continues to monitor the legislative process and alert its membership about proposals to balance the budget that will nega-tively impact pay, health care and ben-efits for those currently serving and those who’ve served in the past.

Read Tom Philpott’s “Military Update” column (8-4-11) at www.fra.org/news to learn about other poten-tial impacts of the proposed cuts.

on & oFF CAPiToL hiLL

Beneficiaries gain mobile Access to TRiCAReTRICARE and Express Scripts, Inc. (ESI) initiated TRICARE Express Rx mobile application and mobile-optimized website. These tools allow TRICARE beneficiaries to use their smartphones to register for TRICARE pharmacy home delivery, order refills, check order sta-tus and switch current prescriptions over to home delivery from anywhere in the world. Beneficiaries with GPS-enabled smart-phones can use the app to get directions to the closest retail phar-macy in their network.

“Improving convenience for our beneficiaries and broadening ac-cess to necessary services like prescription information is a key focus for TRICARE,” said Rear Adm. Thomas J. McGinnis, chief of TRICARE Pharmacy Operations. “Express Rx is yet another way for beneficiaries to use their benefit wisely and conveniently, anytime and anywhere.”

To ensure security and data protection, beneficiaries must register through the member portal at www.express-scripts.com/TRICARE before logging in to the Express Rx app or mobile-opti-mized site. Once registered, the same username and password allow access to the Express Rx app and mobile-optimized website. ESI is the TRICARE Pharmacy contractor.

Smartphone users can download the app for free by going to www.express-scripts.com/mobile or by using services like the Apple App Store or Android Marketplace. The mobile-optimized phar-macy website can be accessed at http://m.esrx.com. TRICARE beneficiaries in the South Region can also make use of the mobile Humana Military website, https://m.humana-military.com/.

For more information about TRICARE pharmacy, visit www.tricare.mil/pharmacy. To learn about the TRICARE pharmacy home delivery, go to www.tricare.mil/homedelivery

TRiCARe Access in Philippines discussed

FRA recently met with RADM Christine

Hunter, USN, Deputy Director, TRICARE

Management Activity, to discuss shipmates’

concerns regarding health care access in the

Philippines. FRA’s Health Care Advisor Bob

Washington reported that TMA is committed

to working with FRA to resolve these issues

and the Association will report on efforts to

address this situation.

TRiCARe issues

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Restoring gi Bill Fairness Act Becomes LawPresident Obama signed legislation (H.R. 1383) in early August that increases the tuition cap to $27,000 for some veterans currently attending private schools. In order to qualify for the increased benefit, the veteran must have been enrolled in a private school before last year’s reform bill (The Post-9/11 Veterans Assistance Improvement Act) capped private school tuition at $17,500. The reform measure created a problem for veterans already enrolled in higher-priced, private programs and Rep. Jeff Miller (Fla.), chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, introduced the legislation to ensure these veterans will be able to complete their education using the benefits specified in the original Post-9/11 GI Bill, which was enacted in 2008. Additional information is available at www.gibill.va.gov/documents/factsheets/PL1383_Q&A.pdf.

vA Reaches out to Female veteransThe Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) initiated a program to solicit input from women veter-ans on ways to enhance the health care services VA provides to them.

FRA’s Director of Membership Development Penny Collins participated in a recent VA National Training Summit on Women Veterans in Washington, D.C. Approximately 700 female veterans heard VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki and others speak about the VA’s priority effort to continue expanding services and outreach for the 1.8 million women vets who’ve served. The event also included a broad range of workshops and panel discussions on healthcare options and other services available specifically for women veterans.

Additionally, employees at VA’s Health Resource Center (HRC) are calling women veterans all over the country, asking them to share their experiences with VA and suggest potential en-hancements that will further VA’s mission to provide the best care possible. The HRC callers are also informing female veterans about the services VA offers and quickly connecting them with appropriate departments if they have questions or concerns about VA care. For more informa-tion about VA programs and services for women vets, please visit: www.va.gov/womenvet and www.publichealth.va.gov/womenshealth.

veTeRAns issues

Amendment to Restrict Agent orange Claims Fails

FRA members rallied in opposition to an

amendment offered during Senate debate

on the Military Construction and Veterans

Affairs Appropriations bill (H.R.2055). The

amendment proposed a significant change

in the way presumptive Agent Orange-

related disabilities are determined. Offered

by Senator Tom Coburn (Okla.), the amend-

ment would have required Vietnam veterans

to prove a “causal relationship” between

Agent Orange exposure and one or more

of the 15 presumptive illnesses that the VA

now recognizes. The proposal was tabled by

a vote of 69-30 and readers can see how

their senators voted on the amendment at

the FRA Action Center by scrolling down to

“Bills of Interest” and than scroll down to

“Key Votes Senate.”

Thanks to the nearly 2,000 shipmates who

sent e-mails to their senators on short notice

in response to the FRA Action Alert on this

issue. These efforts paid off and helped halt

further consideration of the amendment. VN

VETS (Viet Nam Vets) acknowledged FRA’s

efforts to successfully table this onerous

amendment on its website.

FRA continues to advocate for enactment of

the “Agent Orange Equity Act” (H.R. 812),

sponsored by Rep. Bob Filner (Calif.), that

would amend the VA’s definition of Vietnam

service to include those veterans who served

off-shore. Many of these “Blue Water” vet-

erans are not eligible to receive VA benefits

for health problems associated with Agent

Orange exposure. Members are also urged to

use the Action Center to ask their elected of-

ficials to support this initiative.

Capt. Mary Jo Majors, Nurse Corps, shakes hands with U.S. Senator Scott Brown during the Women Are Veterans Too! award ceremony at the Massachusetts State House. Majors was honored as the Massachusetts Woman Veteran of the Year.

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Pay our Troops on TimeSenators Kay Bailey Hutchison (Texas) and Bob Casey (Penn.) introduced the “Ensuring Our Military Pay Act” (S. 724) that would guarantee service members would be paid even if there is a government shutdown. The law would apply to active duty service members, as well as Reservists on drill. FRA believes military personnel, particularly those serving in overseas contingency operations, should not be denied their pay because Congress can’t get its work done in a timely manner. This is particularly relevant given the standoff on finalizing this year’s appropriations bills and the upcoming end of the current fiscal year and needs to pass appropriations bills to fund all departments and agencies in 2012. Members are urged to use the FRA Action Center at www.fra.org to ask their senators to support this legislation.

osA, CFPB Ready to help military ConsumersThe Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and its Office of Servicemember Affairs (OSA) are operational and ready to assist service members and families who have ques-tions or complaints about consumer financial products and services. The OSA was estab-lished as part of last year’s financial regulation reform law and strongly supported by FRA.

The need for OSA was demonstrated earlier this year when the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee (HVAC) held hearings and heard complaints about banks ignoring and abus-ing the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. Holly Petreaus, director of the OSA, pledged to work on educating military personnel about their financial protections and best finan-cial practices.

The CFPB’s Consumer Response Center is now accepting credit card complaints on its newly redesigned website, ConsumerFinance.gov, and will also refer distressed home-owners to housing counselors via the Homeowner’s HOPE Hotline. Over the coming months, the agency will expand its Consumer Response Center to handle complaints about other consumer financial products and services under its jurisdiction.

house Panel discusses u.s. Coast guard AuthorizationFRA submitted testimony in conjunction with a recent hearing of the House Coast Guard and Maritime Subcommittee. The Coast Guard’s current authorization expires on October 1, 2011, and the Association strongly supports timely enactment of legislation that will provide congressional budgeting and effective oversight of the service and its wide-ranging missions.

Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Frank LoBiondo (N.J.) said ensuring Coast Guard parity with DoD personnel programs is a top priority of any authorization legislation for FY 2012, which is expected to be introduced in the near future. FRA advocates the measure should include adequate funding for the Coast Guard Health Care Fund (HCF), funding for a 1.6-percent pay increase for 2012 that equals the 2010 Employment Cost Index (ECI), improved family housing, and access to affordable child care.

ACTive duTy issues

new Condolence Policy for Certain suicides

The Administration is now sending presi-dential condolence letters to families of service members who commit suicide in combat zones. Previously White House condolence letters were only sent to fami-lies of those service members who die in combat or of accidental incidents in a combat zone. In the notice of the change of policy, President Obama stated, “This is-sue is emotional, painful, and complicated, but these Americans served our nation bravely. They didn’t die because they were weak. And the fact that they didn’t get the help they needed must change. Our men and women in uniform have borne the in-credible burden of our wars, and we need to do everything in our power to honor their service, and to help them stay strong for themselves, for their families and for our nation.”

the FRA Legislative team is Joe Barnes, National Executive Director; John Davis, Director of Legislative Programs; Bob Washington, Health Care Advisor and outreach Manager; Chris Slawinski, National Veterans Service officer and Ed Dockery, Assistant Director of Legislative Programs.

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Recently, scientists made a signifi cant breakthrough locating a calcium-binding protein (CaBP) called “apoaequorin” that can contribute to a healthier brain, sharper mind and clearer thinking.

Protects brain cells and memoriesAccording to Dr. Pastore, “CaBPs are vital and found

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FRA hEAdquARtERs hAs dEvEloPEd a new Prospective Member Card (PMC) to help shipmates and branches grow the Association. The new cards are more colorful than the old “green cards” and are designed to serve mul-tiple purposes. The cards are a great springboard for discussing the many benefits of joining the Association, offer prospective members the oppor-tunity to request free and beneficial information about our organization and allow FRA to gather contact infor-mation for current and former enlist-ed personnel who are eligible to join the Association. The cards are ideally used as a complement to other pro-motional materials used at outreach events where shipmates might have a

booth or table set up to draw attention to the FRA and promote the value of joining our organization.

The new PMC can be a great tool for starting a conversation with a pro-spective member who stops by the table. Inside the folded card is a brief overview of FRA’s important legislative advocacy work and also a list of other member benefits. It’s helpful for ship-mates to familiarize themselves with the bulleted list of benefits and also the legislative efforts in which FRA is involved, so the conversation can be tailored to the needs of the prospect.

For example, if the prospective mem-ber has a teenager with him or her, point out the generous scholarships available through the FRA Education Foundation. If they are a military retir-ee or veteran, encourage them to sub-scribe to NewsBytes, FRA’s free e-mail update that can keep them informed about threats to their hard-earned benefits. If they’re wearing a cap that says “Vietnam Veteran,” shipmates can reference FRA’s legislative advocacy work on behalf of veterans exposed to Agent Orange. Once you’ve made a connection, it’s easy to point to the other benefits listed on the card.

If the prospect shows interest in any aspect of FRA’s work, encourage him/her to fill out the information portion

of the card and leave it at the booth. In addition to the blanks for their name, address and military affiliation information, there is also an area for prospects to subscribe to NewsBytes or OnWatch, or request further informa-tion such as the Communicate with Your Elected Official pamphlet, the Personal Affairs booklet and literature about the FRA Education Foundation. The prospective member can keep the rest of the card, which also includes our website, mailing address and phone number, and how to find us on Facebook and Twitter.

Shipmates organizing the outreach event will return the completed cards to FRA Headquarters, where they will be entered into our database. The cards will be coded, so that we can track which event they attended and which branch sponsored the event. We’ll also be looking for feedback from shipmates about how the cards are working and how they might be improved in the future.

In the past, we’ve provided mul-tiple copies of booklets and literature as give-away items at outreach events, but we’ve found that the Association gets little return on the investment. We’re happy to provide the informa-tion at no cost to the prospect, but it’s more helpful to know who we’re giving it to and what they are most interested in. In the past, we’ve had no way to fol-low up with a prospect who picks up an FRA pen or pin and moves on. The new PMCs are part of a campaign to make these outreach interactions more meaningful and more productive. FRA outreach booths or tables may still in-clude free hand-outs (i.e. FRA Today magazine, membership applications) and will also display samples of ma-terials that prospective members may request for free using the new PMC. Other promotional items, such as dis-plays, stickers and bags, are available through FRA Headquarters. A list of promotional “Items for Sale” is avail-able to branch and regional officers at www.fra.org.

The new Prospective Member Cards are just one tool that all ship-mates can use to increase FRA mem-bership and strengthen our voice on Capitol Hill.

Introducing FrA’s New prospective member Cards

memBeRshiP mATTeRs

Penny Collins

Penny collins is FRA’s Director of Membership Development and a member of FRA Branch 24 in Annapolis, Md. She can be reached at penny@fra.org.

The new Prospective Member Cards are just one tool

that all shipmates can use to increase FRA membership

and strengthen our voice on Capitol Hill.

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a year later, he was flying in southeast asia. He was a 26-year-old lieutenant with 96 combat missions to his credit when his a-4 attack plane was shot down by anti-aircraft fire near Vinh, north Vietnam, on June 17, 1966.

“I’d been flying in combat for about six months,” recalls galanti. “We’d been bombing the same hard targets pretty consistently, but we got word that there were some box cars we were going to attack. I was over enemy territory and had 1,500 pounds of fuel aboard, when I heard and felt this huge explosion behind me.”

as his plane began to spin, he took measures to regain control. “If I disconnected the hydraulic system, I could still fly her with the electric controls. unfortunately, I lost the electric, too. I could see the rescue destroyers off-shore, but I couldn’t get to them. the stick jammed into my leg and I started to spin even more. I was going about 500 knots — way faster than recom-mended — when I ejected.”

the force of the high-speed ejection ripped three panels out of his parachute and the slip stream and intense jolt separated all his joints. galanti was also shot in the neck as he descended, but says he didn’t feel any pain until his captors pulled is arms behind his back and handcuffed him.

“the proper attitude is don’t get hung up on bad things,” galanti shares. “Bad things are always around and you have to deal with them, but you don’t have to get stuck on them. you can decide who you want to be and how you’re going to feel.”

Dreams Take Flightas far back as he can recall, Paul galanti always wanted to

fly. He saw his first jet airplane when he was nine years old and, when he was 10, he met the first jet ace from the Korean Conflict. He worked hard to gain admittance to the u.s. naval academy and worked harder to achieve his goal of becoming a naval aviator. His efforts paid off. after graduating from navy pilot training, he got a follow-on assignment to a jet squadron.

Flying jets was the most dangerous occupation you could have at the time, according to galanti. “there were between 500 and 600 fatalities a year because of the dangers related to carrier operations, but we all thought we were invincible. When they told us that one in three guys in our training class would be dead in five years, and we all looked around wondering which other guy it was going to be. We all wanted to fly jets.”

In november 1964, galanti was assigned to navy Light Jet attack squadron 216 (Va-216) aboard uss Hancock and, continued on page 22

oung pilots learn early on that in order to keep

their aircraft in flight, they must maintain a proper

attitude. In aviation terms, attitude refers to the

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And he should know. His philosophy was forged

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optimism and a “proper attitude” allowed him and

his fellow prisoners to survive repeated torture,

maintain their dignity and sanity in hellish circum-

stances, and succeed after their release.Ensign Galanti, 1963

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“We Will Never Forget” 9/11 Commemorative Eagle2011 marks the 10th anniversary of the events of 9/11. Remembering America’s resilience in the wake of tragedy, The Bradford Exchange presents the “We Will Never Forget” 9/11 Commemorative Eagle. Showcasing vibrant montage art of the lost Twin Towers, the Statue of Liberty and Old Glory, this meticulously-detailed eagle glistens with silvery fi nishes. The marbleized base bears a commemorative plaque inscribed with the date, 9-11-2001, and the words “We Will Never Forget.” The back also features a stirring inscription of remembrance. Best of all, a portion of your purchase benefi ts those affected by the events of 9/11.

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A portion of the proceeds will be donated to those who have been affected by the events of 9/11

WE WILL NEVER FORGET

AV

A Limited-Edition Sculpture

Commemorates Sept. 11, 2001

The back of the eagle bears a stirring sentiment: In remembrance of

September 11, 2001.

We will never forget

those who risked

their lives to

preserve America’s

enduring freedom.

©2011 BGE 01-14227-001-BI

� � � � �

01_14227_001_BI.indd 1 5/6/11 3:56:35 PM

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“the pain was excruciating,” says galanti with a sense of calm. “steve mcQueen was never broken in the movies, but this was real life and I learned I wasn’t as tough as I thought I was. you learned to take torture to the point of permanent physical disability; then you bounce back and do it all again. you tell them lies; you do what you have to do.”

In addition to the physical torture, galanti also endured sleep deprivation, repeated propaganda broadcasts by Hanoi Hannah calling for “liberation of the south” and other forms of torment. He spent a total of two years in solitary confinement, sometimes for as long as nine months at a time. to maintain his sanity, he

exercised his mind by recalling each teacher he’d had since grade school and each of his fellow students, every French lesson he’d taken at the naval academy, planning future businesses he’d start when he was released and watching what he calls “the Hanoi racing spiders” chase rats and geckos. He learned he had a knack for composing jingles in his head, which he used to amuse his fellow prisoners when they were later allowed to congregate.

“Beyond the torture, the north Vietnamese would play all sorts of mind games,” recalls galanti. “one of their tactics was to take two guys from the same cell and separate them for interroga-tion. one guy would be beaten and tortured; the other would

Capture“I landed in a field with a single little bush in the middle of it.

there was no doubt where I was hiding,” he chuckles. “I was captured almost immediately after I landed.”

galanti traveled 12 days and was interrogated twice along the way to Hoa Lo Prison, also known as “Heartbreak Hotel” or the “Hanoi Hilton.” Following standard procedure, he shared his name, rank, serial number and date of birth with his captors, who then asked if he was married.

“I told them I wasn’t authorized to share that information,” says galanti. “the guard snapped his fingers and another guard immediately began inflicting pain by pulling my arms behind my back. I could feel a grinding in my shoulder and, after about 45 minutes, I told them I was married. there’s no doubt in my mind that some prisoners were tortured to death in their initial interviews.”

Life as a POWWhen galanti arrived at the prison camp, he was put in a

seven-by-seven-foot room that contained a concrete bed, leg irons and a toilet bucket. It smelled like feces, urine and death. It was June 29, 1966, the first day the u.s. began bombing Hanoi and, amid all the chaos, he was forgotten for three days. on the fourth day, the torture resumed and became a regular ritual over the next six-and-a-half years.

In an effort to get galanti and his fellow PoWs to sign confes-sions of war crimes, the north Vietnamese guards commonly put tourniquets around the prisoners’ arms and then pulled them behind their backs until their elbows touched. the guards would twist tourniquets around the prisoners’ ankles, too, and tighten them until all the circulation was cut off. they would further torture their captives by tying the ankle and arm tourniquets together so a prisoner’s feet were touching the top of his head and then advise him to “think deeply.” galanti’s arms turned black and he lost the feeling in them for an entire year. He still experiences a tingling in them all the time.

I didn’t ever feel panic. When i was being tortured, it was as if i was a third party looking on as an observer. I felt sorry for the poor guy being tortured — me!” CommANdeR PAUl GAlANtI, USN (Ret.)

continued from page 20

“no matter how bad your situ-ation, you always have a weapon

of some kind. as long as you have a head on your shoulders, you have an advantage. one of the worst periods we went through was when our captors were beating guys up and refusing to give sick PoWs medical treatment. We were all living on practically nothing; we’re all at about half our normal weight, when Jerry Denton calls for a hunger strike that went on for three days! I wanted to wring his neck, but it was the right thing to do. It was our only leverage.”

galanti also learned the value of small victories from his captors. When a bomb took out a north Vietnamese petroleum depot, “they’d talk about the great glories of the Vietnamese people. they’d make a victory out of it. We’d take our little victories wherever we could find or create them,” says galanti.

“any jab at the Viet Cong became a victory,” he recalls. “sometimes, they’d get a PoW to read a prepared statement on the camp radio system. During tet, one guy was reading the

script and pronounced Ho Chi min’s name as ‘Horseshit min.’ It

was a little thing, but a great morale boost for the prisoners. When

confronted about it, the PoW claimed it was his new england

accent that made him pronounce it that way!”

on Ho Chi min’s birthday — may 19, 1967 — the u.s. made 40

air strikes on Hanoi. “It was great that our planes were attacking the

enemy, but it was also terribly unnerving,” recalls galanti. “We spent

most of the day under our beds. It would get deathly quiet and then

we’d hear the ping of shrapnel as it hit the roof. somebody lightened

the mood by whistling “Happy Birthday,” which made us all laugh.

get cookies and coffee. they’d give the second guy mail and tell him the war was almost over. then they’d put the two prisoners back in the same cell. you can only imagine how each of them would feel.”

Despite the physical and emotional pain, galanti claims he was never afraid. “I’ve been terrified in airplanes, but I was never afraid during my incarceration,” he says. “I didn’t ever feel panic. When I was being tortured, it was as if I was a third party looking on as an observer. I felt sorry for the poor guy being tortured — me!”

Small VictoriesIt’s hard not to notice galanti’s positive perspective as he shares

his story. He believes anyone can learn to have a positive attitude and credits his fellow prisoners and his captors with teaching him the valuable lessons that got him through his years in hell.

“I was 26 years old when I was shot down and [then-Com-mander James] stockdale was 44 — an old guy by comparison. We were all going through hell, but I figured if that ‘old’ soB can get through it, so can I. When I couldn’t stand solitary another minute, I thought of [air Force Lt. Colonel James] robbie risner, who was in solitary confinement for five years. Whenever I met an obstacle I didn’t think I could handle, I’d remind myself that there was always someone who’d been there longer or had it tougher.”

Leadership kept the prisoners going by modeling the code of conduct every day and always setting an example. galanti recalls Commander Jeremiah Denton’s agonizing decision to call a hunger strike for the greater good.

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LEFT TO rIGhT: Hanoi Hilton POW

Camp, January 1973; LtJG Galanti

in the cockpit of his A-4C; Galanti

in front of the Newsweek cover

photo and painting that captured

his reunion with wife, Phyllis, after

his 1973 release; Phyllis and others

organized a letter-writing campaign

to free the POWs; and a display at the

Virginia War Memorial that features

some of Galanti’s memorabilia.

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BEcoME A liFE MEMBER of FRA and you’ll never have to worry about annual dues again. As a life member, you’ll receive the same benefits as annual members, plus the satisfaction of knowing that you’re supporting FRA for a lifetime — and beyond. Surviving spouses of life members continue to receive FRA Today at no charge for as long as they like.

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Questions about life membership can be directed to FRA’s Director of Membership Development, Penny Collins at penny@fra.org or 1-800-FRA-1924 ext 123.

become a Life member of FrA

you can become a Life member by:•By phone at 1-800-FRA-1924

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•Online at www.fra.org. Current members can login to their account at time of renewal and choose the Life Membership option

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up for renewal?Convert now to life membership. New to FRA? This is a great way (and most cost-effective!) way to join!

Representing the interests of the enlisted

members of the

United States Navy, Marine Corps, and

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The vALue oF FRA LiFe memBeRshiP

the Vietnamese thought it was a signal to revolt!”

When east german photographers came to the Hanoi Hilton

in 1967, galanti and his fellow prisoners took a more blatant poke

at their captors. a prisoner’s capture, a religious service and an

elaborate meal (that the prisoners would later call a BFD — “a big

fine dinner”) were staged so the photographers could depict an

“authorized” view of life in camp. the photos were published in the

october 20, 1967, edition of Life magazine and an iconic image of

galanti would grace the magazine’s cover.

“the cover photo was altered,” says galanti. “I was giving the

finger with both hands, but that got airbrushed out. the caption

under another photo of air Force Captain Dave gray calls him ‘an

unidentified prisoner [who] defiantly turns his back on the camera.’

In reality, he was told to face away from the camera because the

Vietnamese had not yet identified him as a PoW. He made his point

by also shooting the bird,” which is clearly evident in the magazine.

the prisoners’ biggest morale lift came after the son tay raid in

november of 1970, when the Vietnamese shut down some of the

smaller camps and consolidated the prisoners together in a single large

room. this allowed the men to communicate directly without using

the elaborate tap code they’d developed and unleash the mental,

physical and social skills that had been stifled for years. they learned

to juggle and walk on their hands. they often entertained one

another by “telling” movies.

“some guys were really good at it,” smiles galanti. “they’d

describe the scenery, the dialogue, every detail of the story. When

they’d get tired of talking, they’d take a break and a small group of

prisoners would perform commercials. I became a morale officer of

sorts, producing skits and ads that were ‘sponsored by the golden

guinea advertising and Plumbing Company.’ they’d be considered

politically incorrect by today’s standards, but they were always good

for a few laughs. I wrote two skits every night for two years.”

the prisoners also occupied their time with more cerebral pur-

suits. they began teaching classes in chemistry, music, math, foreign

languages or any other areas in which a prisoner had expertise. “We

didn’t have text books, lab equipment or even paper or pencils to

take notes. one guy taught a music course by drawing a piano key

board and [musical] notes on the floor and used men moving up and

down to demonstrate chord theory. several guys got college credit

in chemistry for what they learned in our PoW chemistry classes,

though they’d never set foot in a lab or taken a single note.”

galanti was released on February 12, 1973, and returned to

richmond, Va., where he found he was married to “the most famous

woman in the city.” During his absence, Phyllis galanti had become

continued on page 23 an outspoken advocate for her husband and the hundreds of other

PoWs being held in north Vietnam. Despite her painful shyness, she

appeared at news conferences, lobbied in Washington for the national

League of Families, addressed the Virginia general assembly and

made appeals to the state Department.

“Phyllis organized the Bring Paul Home campaign, which was

a letter-writing campaign that generated about 450,000 letters

from the richmond area,” says Paul proudly. When speaking with

then-secretary of state Henry Kissinger at a White House dinner

for the PoWs after their release, “Kissinger looked at me and, with

a chuckle said, ‘your wife, she caused me so much trouble.’”

Still ServingFollowing his release and recovery, galanti served as the

Commanding officer of a navy recruiting District and as a

faculty member at the u.s. naval academy. He found success in a

variety of civilian fields after he retired from military service and

currently serves as the Commissioner of Veterans services for the

Commonwealth of Virginia. He also manages a Vietnam PoW web-

site (www.nampows.org) and is active in the american ex-Prisoners

of War, attending the group’s regular reunions. an education facility

at the Virginia War memorial is named in Paul and Phyllis galanti’s

honor. not surprisingly, Paul’s also a motivational speaker, sharing

his message of enthusiasm and positive leadership with audiences

across the nation. an honorary Fra shipmate since 1978, he’s

brought his inspiring message to several Fra regional events.

galanti doesn’t spend much time worrying about the lost years —

quite the contrary. “I’ve never looked at it as a big loss. I dealt with

the lost time by telling myself that, if I got up two hours earlier every

day, I could make up the time. I didn’t know it was going to stretch

out to a seven-year stay, but the theory still holds. I accelerated my

schedule a bit and now it’s become a habit and another positive. I’m

caught up and I’m actually making extra time in my life!”

He uses some of that extra time to stay connected with his fel-

low PoWs, who have a reunion every other year to celebrate their

victories — big and small — since their release. galanti even sees

his years as a PoW as a victory of sorts.

“If I hadn’t been shot down, I never would have had the opportu-

nity to skydive. If I hadn’t been held at the Hanoi Hilton, I wouldn’t

have some 600 friends who are absolutely like brothers. there’s no such

thing as a bad day when there’s a doorknob on the inside of the door.”

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twenty-three-year-old russell scott joined the army air Force in april of 1943 because he thought it would be the safest branch of service.

“I figured that if I went straight army, I’d probably sleep most nights in a ditch. In the air Force, I thought I’d at least have a bed at night,” recalls scott.

unfortunately, being an airman didn’t shield him from being captured and imprisoned for nearly a year during World War II.

after several months of training to become a B-25 tail gunner, scott was assigned to the 12th army air Force’s 340th Bomb group, 489th Bomb squadron. He arrived on the island of Corsica on may 18, 1944, and flew his first combat mission over Italy on may 23rd. two days later, scott was aboard one of 96 bombers sent to destroy a railroad bridge in occupied Italy when his plane was shot out from under him.

“We took a direct hit to our mid-section and wings; we lost all our fuel,” says scott. “the pilot ordered us to bail out, but the emergency escape hatches were jammed.” scott managed to force the dome off the plane’s tail by hitting it with his head, causing severe lacerations. “We climbed out on the tail and I was so nervous and scared; I didn’t want to let go. But it didn’t take me long to realize that if I stayed with the plane I’d be killed, so I took my chances with the chute.”

Captureafter tumbling head over heels for a few terrifying seconds,

scott began to fall straight and pulled his rip cord. “this was the most beautiful experience. I’ll never forget how peaceful it was … until I landed at the edge of a ravine.” When his feet hit solid ground, they slipped out from under him, forcing him to sit down with enough impact to break his back. “It was really tough to get my parachute harness off, but I managed and started running on all fours as best I could. When I heard bullets whizzing by my head I stopped, put my hands up and shouted ‘Comrades!’”

His captors put him in a truck that scott swears “didn’t have a spring in it and hit every hole in the road” as he began the long and painful journey to stalag Luft IV in gross tychow, Poland. over the course of the next three weeks, scott traveled by train and wood-powered truck through rome, Bologna and Verona, Italy, where he spent a couple days in the hospital. although his head wounds were treated with salve, he received no treatment for his back. He then traveled by train through Bitburg, Cologne and Frankfurt, germany, where he was taken to an interrogation

facility and kept in solitary confine-ment for four days.

“they gave us water and bread that had a gristle-like crust I didn’t want to eat. I threw the crust in the corner, but when I woke up the next morning I was really hungry,”

remembers scott, noting that it was his first of many hungry mornings. “that crust was still lying on the floor, next to a rat hole, and I decided I ought to eat it before the rats got it!”

During his interrogation, scott was given american ciga-rettes and told “for you, the war is over.” When asked how he came overseas, scott gave his name, rank and serial number and told his inquisitor that he didn’t know how he came to europe. “[the interrogator] asked if I’d been blindfolded and then proceeded to tell me exactly how I came over. He knew all the details, including how we’d left our radio-gunner in north africa because he was sick and unable to travel. He knew more about the outfit than I did!”

Life as a POWscott reached stalag Luft IV on June 20th, nearly a month

after his capture. “there were about 500 americans there when I arrived,” recalls scott. “the camp had four compounds, with 10 barracks each. our room was about 20 by 20 feet, with one large window, a large table, no chairs and a small stove with no stove pipe. I had three showers the entire time I was a PoW, so we were constantly fighting body lice. We did the best we could with a pan of water, but if you could get rid of the lice one day, they’d be back two days later.”

the prisoners ate german rations prepared by the prisoners that usually consisted of a 10-quart bucket of potatoes and a pot of ersatz coffee — literally a “substitute” coffee often made from grain — to be divided among 16 men. “each prisoner also got two slices of bread per day and sometimes we’d get dehydrated food that had worms in it. If the red Cross parcels came through, we might get a quarter, half or a full parcel. We sometimes got a bucket of beans instead of the spuds. I swear those beans came from a ball bearing factory, they were so hard.”

scott’s decision to become an airman did pay dividends. “air Force PoWs got better treatment than prisoners from the other services,” scott explains of the Luft prison camps administered by the german air Force for allied aircrews. “other PoWs had

Russell Scott, an Army Air Forces veteran, was

held as a Prisoner of War during World War II.

russell Scott, 1944

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lauren Armstrong is the Contributing Editor and Member of the FRA Auxiliary. She can be reached at lauren@fra.org.

to work in the fields or in shoe factories, but we didn’t. I don’t know if it’s true, but I was told that our air Force had made some sort of a deal with the german Luftwaffe [air Force].”

Life at Luft IV fell into a regular routine, with roll call in the morning and another muster in the evening. In between, the prisoners would read or walk around the compound, which made the days pass slowly. the prisoners bribed some of their german guards to get them radio parts, so sometimes they’d lis-ten to the news at night while one prisoner stood guard outside. as winter approached, the prisoners began to receive musical equipment and books from the ymCa.

“every day and night was about the same, except we were getting new prisoners,” explains scott. “the russians were advancing and, when another camp had to evacuate, they came to Luft IV. they kept increasing the number of men in each room, until we had 24 in the barracks and 10 in the wash room. the number of men per barracks was up to 250, but our rations never increased.”

new prisoners meant tighter quarters and less food, but they also brought news from the outside and hope for release. “as the russians got closer, we could hear the big guns and that really got our morale up,” recalls scott with a smile. “then we started hearing rumors that we were going to be evacuated from the camp. on January 27, 1945, I was among the first to be evacuated with the wounded. We boarded the ‘40 and 8’ boxcars, which meant there were 40 men and 8 horses in each car, and there were 1,500 of us to evacuate. all we had were the clothes on our backs, our overcoats, our blankets and a full red Cross parcel. We traveled seven days and went about 90 miles to stalag Luft I in Barth, germany.”

scott was fortunate to have left Luft IV when he did. shortly after he was evacuated by train, an estimated 6,000 remaining prisoners began what came to be called the Black march. Carrying only their overcoats, blankets and as many of the remaining red Cross Parcels as they could hold, the men marched in groups of 250 to 300 for nearly three months, zigzag-ging some 600 miles across the frozen Polish countryside to avoid the advancing russian army. Food was even more scarce than it had been in Luft IV, shelter was an occasional barn at best, and many prisoners suffered and died from pneumonia, dysentery, trench foot and a variety of other diseases.

scott was only at Luft I for a short time. With the russians closing in on the town of Barth, the germans left the camp on april 30, 1945. “We were still locked in the camp, but there were no guards. someone got to the german radio and broadcast system and tuned it to the BBC, so we started getting all the

news. that night, when they broadcast the Lucky strike Hit Parade, the number one song of the week was ‘Don’t Fence me In.’ I’ll never forget that,” chuckled scott. “We were awakened by a bugle call the next morning and fell in by three flagpoles where the u.s. flag was flying in the center, flanked by the British and russian flags. We all saluted and cried.”

It was mid-may before the air Force came in with B-17s to fly the prisoners out and it was mid-June before scott reached his home state of Virginia. His parents didn’t know he was coming home and “they were terribly surprised … and happy … when I banged on the door at 1:00 am.”

scott was granted some leave before heading to san antonio to report on how the germans had treated him. He was pro-moted to staff sgt on october 13th, 1945, and was discharged from the usaaF the next day. He later received a 50-percent disability rating for the injuries he’d sustained in combat, but he doesn’t regret his service.

Still Serving“no, I never regretted joining the military; I enjoyed my time

in the service,” scott says with a smile. “I really enjoyed the friendships I made with the guys and I loved traveling around and seeing different parts of the country.”

He keeps a scrapbook of memorabilia from his military career that has yellowed with the years, but time hasn’t tarnished the memories. along with his german service record, dog tags and script “we could have spent at the german PX if they’d had one,” scott keeps other reminders of his time as a prisoner of war, including some treasured photographs and the few letters he received from his friends and loved ones back home. “Home’s what got me through,” says scott. “I always had faith in god and the knowledge that one day I’d return home.”

Following his discharge, scott did, indeed, return home to richmond, Va., where he still resides. an active, 91-year-young veteran, russell scott continues to serve. He volunteers weekly at the Virginia War memorial in richmond, where he gives tours and answers visitors’ questions. His days at the museum allow him to live the lessons he learned during his internment.

“there were times when I held a grudge against the germans, but I got over that. as a PoW, I learned that you should be nice to everyone.”

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news FRom The BRAnChes

BRAnCh 371 BATon Rouge, LA.

RPSC Russ Miller (second from left) was on hand to conduct the installation ceremony for branch officers (l to r) Vice President Tom Boggs, Treasurer Jerry Pugh, Secretary Leon Perkins and President Jay Johnson.

BRAnCh 126 JACksonviLLe, FLA.

Shipmate William Jordan was recognized for his 40 years of continuous FRA membership. He’s shown here accepting a certificate and lapel pin from Branch President James Thomas.

BRAnCh 170 eveReTT, wAsh.

Shipmates exchanged 100 new U.S. flags for unserviceable ones during its flag exchange program. The torn and faded flags were retired during a solemn ceremony.

BRAnCh 194 knoxviLLe, Tenn.

Shipmate Charley Odom (right) joined the FRA in 1946 and recently received his 65-year pin from Southeast Regional President Bobby Smith.

BRAnCh 117 oRLAndo, FLA.

Branch members and local dignitaries were on hand to dedicate a monument in the new Orlando Veterans’ Park. The Delbert D. Black branch is named for the first Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy and his widow, Ida, was joined by Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer for the unveiling.

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news FRom The BRAnChes

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

BRAnCh 244 gRAnd JunCTion, CoLo.

Palisade High School 10th Grade Student Jordan Blackman is congratulated by Branch President Heinz Park and Branch Essay Contest Chairman Bud Johnson. Jordan’s essay placed second in the West Coast Region for her grade level.

BRAnCh 93 PATuxenT RiveR, md.

CWO3 Ed Rickett, USN (front row, far left) and the Branch 93 Yankees take a moment to pose before taking the field. The branch maintains a strong commit-ment to sponsoring youth athletics in the community.

BRAnCh 113 sToCkTon, CALiF.

Shipmate Daniel Crespo receives his 50-year membership pin from Branch President Zeb Motley.

BRAnCh And uniT 163 Phoenix, ARiz.

Potentially for the first time ever, the president of an FRA branch was jointly installed with his mother as president of an Auxiliary unit. Pictured left to right are Branch President Bryan Ginter, Unit President Virginia Ginter and Southwest Regional President Glenn Holz, who served as the presiding officer at the installation ceremony.

BRAnCh 70 PowAy, CALiF.

Active duty shipmates CS2 Megan Wood and OS1 Janice Alvey presented certificates of achieve-ment to four NJROTC Cadets from Westview High School. Congratulations and Bravo Zulu to Cadets David Skotte, R.J. Paredes, Zach Peters and Joshua Mbugua.

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TAPs In memoriam

nAme BRAnCh

Althoff, robert A, ADC, uSN 068Arthur, Carlyle g, btCS, uSN 132Ashman, David W, AtC, uSN 182

badour, Lawrence e, pNSN, uSN mALBall, James M, ADC, USN 126banister, Charles r, bmC, uSN 161barkley, Dewey C, Hm1, uSN mALbeaver, george m, emCm, uSN 335bennett, robert e, rm1, uSN 003bernard, Angelus J, emC, uSN 293bishop, William C, SK1, uSN 044bitondo, tony, AeC, uSN 047blanchard, Neal H, bmC, uSN 175bland, edward L, rmC(SS), uSN 066bonds, Larry J, pNCS, uSN 147bousquet, Charles e, Lt, uSN mALbowling, Francis O, HmC, uSN mALbowman, Donald H, CpO, uSN mALbriggs, Carroll, LCDr, uSN mALbrookman, Jesse mALbrown, Carl e, AOC, uSN mALbryant, Alpha m, mS1, uSN 179bugbee, paul F, pNC, uSN 091burleigh, Joseph F, SWC, uSN 057buser, Olyn g, CSC, uSN 386bush, Albert C, CmA3, uSN 115byron, richard H, ADr3, uSN mAL

Cain, ervin, mmCS, uSN 259Callison, robert S, SmC, uSN 038Cameron, Donald r, HmC, uSN mALCanavan, robert D, SCpO, uSN mALCarr, William D, YNCm, uSN 091Carter, ralph, SCpO, uSN 047Caswell, Harold A, Dp1, uSN mALCaterina, Joseph, SKC, uSN 226Cole, gerald A, SKC, uSN 099Connelly, robert e, pNC, uSN 051Coon, Wilbur F, ADRC, USN 298Crawford, Joseph C, YNCS, uSN 011Cropp, ronald W, bmC, uSN 290Cumming, Charles L, SK1, uSN 008

Darby, melvin, SKCS, uSN 106Deakins, budd A, ADJC, uSN 281Dennis, Clair, CDr, uSN mALDi rienzo, ernest, mSgt, uSmC 197Dimond, James L, EMCS, USN 086Divens, Arthur W, CpO, uSN 024Dixon, rushie L, HtCS, uSN 126Dugan, richard e, mN1, uSN 267

Fallaw, melton m, bmC, uSN 025Farrell, thomas, AD2, uSN 229Fawcett, Harold W, AtCS, uSN 117Fitton, Steven A, ACC, uSN 089Fitzpatrick, John B, CWO(SC), USN 175Fleishman, milton e, eN1, uSN 061Foster, benajah, HtC, uSN 004Franzone, Angelo Joseph, em2, uSN 163

gadbois, Victor b, ADC, uSN 342greif, Daniel F, gYSgt, uSmC 208gruner, William F, QmC, uSN 014

Hance, Charles A, OSC, uSN mALHatcher, William F, gmgC, uSN mALHeffley, Henry S, mAJ, uSmC mALHenry, robert, AXC, uSN 091Herron, Francis e, etC, uSN 186Hines, mordecai J, HmCm, uSN 126Hudman, robert W, Ag1, uSN mAL

Ingalsbe, paul W, StCm, uSN 316Isaacson, george m, CpO, uSN mAL

Jacobs, Lavoy V, CpO, uSN 182Janney, John H, CWO4, uSN 269Jannotti, peter p, CSC, uSN 126Jenkins, b Jack, eN1, uSN mALJimerson, William t, rDC, uSN 091Justice, James L, rmC, uSNr 183

Keener, James L, AEC, USN 070Kehl, melvin H, CmC, uSN 242Keller, John A, At1, uSN mALKempf, glen m, mmC, uSN 145Kitchens, Adriel b, CpO, uSN 061Kitchin, gary b, mSC(SW), uSN mALKnight, John g, AOC, uSN 091

Lee, Irvin K, CeC, uSN 120Loomis, richard b, CtACm, uSN mAL

mabe, elliott L, etCS, uSN mALmacFawn, edward t, CDr, uSN 024manspeaker, Oliver W, QmC, uSN mALmarchitiello, Alexander, ADr1, uSN 008markel, David W, prC, uSN 124marshall, ernest m, LNCm, uSN mALmarshall, robert p, AtC, uSN 179martin, Frederick r, QmC, uSN mALmasseur, patrick N, eNCS, uSCg 376mcCulley, Charles O, ADJC, uSN 161mcKelvey, William L, YNCS, uSN 018mcNees, george e., CS2, uSCg 170mcNitt, Allen L., CApt, uSN mALmcphee, James V, YNC, uSN mALmeyer, ronald L, rmCS, uSN mALmickonis, bernard J, gYSgt, uSmC 091miller, John H, AD1, uSN 120moore, William S, pO1, uSN mAL

Naill, David O, OmC, uSN 275Nappier, William D, HT1, USN 175Nelson, Sylvester J, 1StSgt, uSmC mALNiederstadt, robert g, CApt, uSN 024

O’Connor, Jean, AVCm, uSN 070O’Sullivan, b J, pNC, uSN 060

pavlos, Charles, SH1, uSN 024pearsall, Nelson H, LCDr, uSN mALPearson, George M, QMC, USN MALpeltier, Jon r, uSCg 163peters, Leon e, YN1, uSN mALpeterson, Charles F, CpO, uSN mALphillips, thomas, rmC(SS), uSN mALpiggott, Harold W, YN1, uSN 316Pillo, Joseph F, ADC, USN 324pilotte, Leo J, eN2, uSN mALpoff, Joseph b, AOC, uSN mALProvine, Roy E, BMC, USN 018

Quigley, David m, pOCm, uSN mALQuinn, ennis A, pN1, uSNr 089

reynolds, William A, AD2, uSN 099riddell, robert Lem, et1/C, uSN 097prpNe, rist, John, bm1, uSN 226robideau, Lawrence A, AWCS, uSN mALroe, george W, bmC, uSN 011rogers, James F, emCS(SS), uSN 194ross, Ford u, AtC(AC), uSN 102ruckman, Frank W, ADe3, uSN 022rush, merv C, mm1, uSN mAL

Saykalay, george F, CpO, uSN 290Schlienz, James r, pNCS, uSN mALSchmardebeck, eugene K, bm2, uSN 027Schoonover, russell W, ADrC, uSNr mALSechrest, John L, AmHC, uSN 004Serabia, eugene L, ADrC, uSN 175Shepard, burton, ADrC, uSN 097Smith, ray W, bm1, uSN 043Sonchen, Alfred r., HmCS, uSN 309Sowers, James e, btCS, uSN 342Stanton, robert J, AW1, uSN 091Steele, James S, rmCS, uSN 091Stohr, Joseph A., CWO4, uSN mALStubbe, paul J, eN1, uSN mALSwinko, John, HmCS, uSN 061

taylor, Fletcher W, HmC, uSN 070tegeler, Joseph J, HmC, uSN 267throne, robert C, gYSgt, uSmC 115

Vashon, Harold D, HtC, uSN 050

Wark, Joseph B, PO1, USN MALWarren, James F, Sgt, uSmC 091Weber, Howard L., Lt, uSN mALWilliams, James e, AWC/e7, uSN mALWilson, James B, AOCM, USN 151Winn, Jay t, ADC, uSN 126Woisin, richard, bu1, uSN 163Worthan, Ancil D, eO1, uSN 210

Yeckley, John A, AbHC, uSN 210

Zyriek, Donald F, mmCS, uSN 050

Names in red indicate 50 year continuous members.

nAme BRAnCh nAme BRAnCh

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Reunions

Patrol squadron 48 (vP-48)September 21–25, 2011, Norfolk, VA. Contact Jim Chambers, 390 Johnson bend rd., Weatherford, tX 76088, 817-304-3377, jimc1@hughes.net.

uss Casa grande (Lsd-13)October 5–9, 2011, New Orleans, La. Contact ron Hiles, 740-969-4619, randahiles@copper.net.

uss Fahrion (FFg-22)January 13–15, 2012, Jacksonville, Fla. Contact raymond Looney, 2759 Lynndale Ct., mebane, NC 27302, 336-392-8025, looneyr2@att.net.

uss Furse (dd-882)October 20–24, 2011, San Diego, Calif. Contact robert C. bullion, 104 Woods Court, Franklin, tN 37064.

uss kankakee (Ao-39)October 6–8, 2011, San Antonio, texas. Contact Steve metzler, pO box 127, Otto, NC 28763, 828-349-9495.

uss LCs (L) 1-130 AssociationOctober 19–22, 2011, Charleston, S.C. Contact ginny rooney, 610-256-9223, ginroon@verizon.net.

uss monrovia (APA-31)September 14–18, 2011, Wilmington, Del. Contact John Slagowski, pO box 12245, Wilmington, De 19850, 800-446-9911, JOHN@SNH.Net.

uss Triton (ssn-586) & uss Triton (ss-201)April 25–29, 2011, San Francisco, Calif. Contact Henry Jackson, 1110 Delcove Way, greensboro, gA 30642-3286, 706-999-1637, henry.jackson@plantationcable.net.

uss worden (dLg/Cg-18)September 28–October 2, 2011, Nashville, tenn. Contact Dennis royer, 39 east Walnut St., ephrata, pA 17522, 717-733-9223, dlg18@dejazzd.com.

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

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“Well, I finally did it. I finally decided to enter the digital age andget a cell phone. My kids have been bugging me, my book groupmade fun of me, and the last straw was when my car broke down,and I was stuck by the highway for an hour before someonestopped to help. But when I went to the cell phone store, I almost changed my mind. �e phones are so small I can’tsee the numbers, much less push the right one. �ey allhave cameras, computers and a “global-positioning”something or other that’s supposed to spot me fromspace. Goodness, all I want to do is to be able to talkto my grandkids! �e people at the store weren’tmuch help. �ey couldn’t understand why someonewouldn’t want a phone the size of a postage stamp.And the rate plans! �ey were complicated, confusing, and expensive… and the contract lastedfor two years! I’d almost given up when a friend toldme about her new Jitterbug phone. Now, I have theconvenience and safety of being able to stay intouch… with a phone I can actually use.”

�e cell phone that’s right for me. Sometimes Ithink the people who designed this phone and the rate plans had me in mind. �e phone fitseasily in my pocket, and flips open to reachfrom my mouth to my ear. �e display islarge and backlit, so I can actually see whois calling. With a push of a button I can amplify the volume, and if I don’t knowa number, I can simply push “0” for afriendly, helpful operator that will look it up and even dial it for me. �eJitterbug also reduces backgroundnoise, making the sound loud and clear.�ere’s even a dial tone, so I know thephone is ready to use.

Affordable plans that I can understand – and no contract tosign! Unlike other cell phones, Jitterbug has plans that make sense.Why should I pay for minutes I’m never going to use? And if I dotalk more than I plan, I won’t find myself with no minutes like my

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Call now and get a FREE CarCharger and FREE Leather Carrying Case – a $43.99 value. TryJitterbug for 30 days and if youdon't love it, just return it1. Whywait, the Jitterbug comes ready touse right out of the box. If youaren’t as happy with it as I am, youcan return it for a refund of thepurchase price. Call now, the

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IMPORTANT CONSUMER INFORMATION: Jitterbug is owned by GreatCall, Inc. Your invoices will come from GreatCall. All rate plans and services require the purchase of a Jitterbug phone and a one-time set up fee of $35. Coverage and service is not available everywhere. Other charges and restrictions may apply. Screen images simulated. There are no additional fees to call Jitterbug’s 24-hour U.S. Based Customer Service. However, for calls to an Operator in which a service is completed, minutes will be deducted from yourmonthly balance equal to the length of the call and any call connected by the Operator, plus an additional 5 minutes. Monthly rate plans do not include government taxes or assessment surcharges. Prices and fees subject to change. 1We will refund the full price of the Jitterbug phone if it is returned within 30 days of purchase in like-new condition. We will also refund your first monthly service charge if you have less than 30 minutes of usage. If you have more than 30 minutes of usage, a per minute charge of 35 cents will apply for eachminute over 30 minutes. The activation fee and shipping charges are not refundable. Jitterbug is a registered trademark of GreatCall, Inc. Samsung is a registered trademark of Samsung Electronics America, Inc. and/or its related entities. Copyright © 2011 GreatCall, Inc.Copyright © 2011 by firstSTREET for Boomers and Beyond, Inc. All rights reserved.

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These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.

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Looking FoR…

shipmates from uss kretchmer (de-329/deR-329)Looking for personnel who served aboard uSS Kretchmer, in service from 1943 to 1946 (De-329) and 1956 to 1974 (Der-329). please contact bruce erbaugh at 904-655-6850.

Parachute RiggersLooking for active duty, retired or former Navy, marine or Coast guard parachute riggers for membership in the parachute riggers Association. must be a graduate of a Navy parachute rigger A-School. For more information and application, please contact pr1 Howard mcmullen uSN (ret.) at hamcalif@lemoorenet.com or call 559-584-8490.

JoC/JoCs/JoCm william Feely and shipmatesSeeking information about Agent Orange exposure for bill and other ship-mates who were quartered at 3 A Lea Loi Street, Da Nang, Vietnam, in 1966-1967. Contact SKC Harvey C. Swinford, uSN (ret.), at Debzpa2@aol.com.

Present and Former drill instructors Leland D. ‘Crow’ Crawford Chapter of the West Coast Drill Instructor Association wants to hear from present and former drill instructors interested in becoming members. No dues or fees. Visit www.westcoastdi.org or contact Sgtmaj bobby Woods, uSmC (ret.), at 760-216-9564.

uss gallant (mso-489) shipmatesLooking for shipmates who made WeStpAC cruise aboard uSS gallant in 1969-1970. I’m trying to verify we were in Da Nang for VA claim. please contact mSC Doug pennington, uSN (ret.), at dpennington65@att.net or 575-635-7539.

sCPo Richard R. Lane, usn Stationed aboard the uSS White plains, please contact mary, Allan and Stephen at bolantem@comcast.net.

ATCs Jim nicholsonServed at rAImD NAS Atlanta, ga, in the late 1980s. please contact Capt. pete Hunt at petehunt@earthlink.net or AFCm Al Nordin at alnordin912@aol.com.

Patricia Ann zeaa.k.a patty, not sure of correct spell-ing on last name. patty was stationed at Naval manpower material Analysis Center, Naval base, Norfolk, VA in 1973-1976. I am told she is now married. please contact george boling at 865-281-9556 or georgeboling@comcast.net.

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

®

Two Civil War generals, StonewallJackson and Robert E. Lee, captured in stunning 90% silver.

And the first U.S. coin to com-memorate the War Between the States.

As Americans, we’re riveted byoutsized personalities like thesemilitary leaders from a centuryand a half ago.

This year, as we mark the 150thanniversary of the Civil War,we’re happy to bring you a cointhat has never been available inlarge enough quantities to makean offer like this one.

A remarkable discoveryThanks to an intrepid southerncollector who squirreled awaythese coins a few at a time overdecades, we now have what could be the largest hoard ever assembled of silver 1925 Civil WarCommemorative Half Dollars.

They were minted to raisemoney for the Stone MountainCivil War memorial near Atlanta,where the image on this coin isnow carved in bas relief.

The detail and relief make eachcoin a work of art.

You can almost hear the twogenerals discussing their nextmove. You can almost feel thehorses fidgeting as they awaittheir riders’ commands.

It’s no wonder these coins are insuch high demand.

You will hold not simply historyin your hand. You’ll hold a piece of your past.

Historic public releaseEach half dollar is in lightly circulated condition and comeswith a storycard and certificate of authenticity detailing this important coin.

Order now risk freeAt less than $100 each, we expectour small quantity to disappearquickly. We urge you to call imme-diately to avoid disappointment!

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www.GovMint.comPrices and availability subject to change without notice. Past performance is not a predictor of future performance. Note: GovMint.com is a private distributor of worldwide government coin issues and is not affiliated with the United States government.Facts and figures were deemed accurate as of March 2011. ©GovMint.com, 2011

Before they were carved in stone, they were struck in silver. Today they’re forever etched in Civil War history.

Actual sizeis 30.6 mm

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greetings from the north Central Region

Although thE yEAR is quickly coming to an end, I can’t tell you how much I have enjoyed representing the North Central Region this past year. It has been quite an adventure for a “Navy Brat.” I am sorry that my Dad, Basil Fri, was not here to see it happen.

The Auxiliary members of the North Central Region have been busy this past year doing many projects in their local communities by donating to the local Red Cross, Salvation Army and Goodwill and participating in Memorial Day events and other holiday celebrations. They do volunteer work at their local Veteran’s Hospitals, host Bingo Parties, and participate in the Bak Pak Snak Program. They send packages to the troops overseas, help with the Meals on Wheels program and assist needy families. These are just a few of the many things Auxiliary mem-bers are involved in.

The Units nationwide have suffered many catastrophic events in the past year and the members have extended a helping hand to their fellow Auxiliary mem-bers in their time of need. We can feel proud when they say, “The members of the FRA Auxiliary do band together to aid, assist, and promote in all matters pertain-ing to welfare, social and patriotic work, for the benefit of the FRA, its members and their families.”

Please support the National President’s Project for homeless veterans. There is a great need out there to help these veterans get back on their feet.

National Convention is coming next month October 23–30, in Kansas City, Mo. There are many important decisions to be made and all Units need to make informed decisions on what road the Auxiliary travels into the future.

Hope to see many old friends and meet some new friends at the upcoming North Central Regional Convention and National Convention in Kansas City, Missouri.

Congratulations on a job well done to all the members of the North Central Region.

Lisa M. BartonRegional President North Central

Fran hoadley is the editor of Auxiliary of fRA News and the fRA today Liaison.

FRA AuxiLiARy news

Unit 187, Chattanooga, tenn.Unit 187 President Jane Walker, Marian Grabelski and Lorena McGarvey present six fleece robes to Susan Quarles for veterans at a local nursing home in Chattanooga.

Unit and branch 346, panama City, Fla.Mary Ann Slocumb (Branch 346) and Ramona Watford (Unit 346) presented a $500 check to Pastor Cole Bailey and his staff at the Lighthouse Church in PanamaCity Beach. The money was used to provide relief for those affected by the tornados in Alabama and Mississippi. (Photo submitted by Mary Ann Slocumb.)

Unit 126, Jacksonville, Fla.Unit 126 President Veralyn Thomas (right) presents a framed certificate of achievement with an FRA Medal and Ribbon to NJROTC Cadet Isis Golden during a formal awards ceremony at Orange Park (Fla.) High School. (Photo submitted by Bill Kulier.)

Regional unit news

Unit 186, Citrus, inverness, FlUnit Secretary Beverly Woods (left) and Peggy Delfraisse congratulate Harriet M. Dalton (center) on her 50 years of FRA Auxiliary membership. (Photo submitted by Beverly Woods.)

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MeMbeR SeRviCeSFRA125 N. WeST STReeTAlexANdRiA, vA 22314-2754