2024 Navy Birthday Ball
Hosted by NRC Spokane Navy Ball

There will be a Navy Birthday Ball will be held at the Centennial Hotel at 303 W. North River Drive, Spokane, Washington, on Saturday, October 12, 2024.  Doors open 1730 and the ceremony begins at 1830.

Uniform /Attire:
Service Members:   Dress Blues or Equivalent Uniform (Females – option to wear formal gowns)  Mess Dress Optional.
Civilians:  Formal Wear (suits, tuxedos, evening gowns, etc)

Tickets:
Petty Officer First Class & Below (Active or Reserve)  –  $50 per person
Chief Petty Officers & Above – $70 per person
Retired and Former Military/Civilian – $80 per person

Navy ball tickets go on sale today, August 13, 2024
Details in the link:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/ff6fe03e-264a-494f-ba06-c842468abd55

Fleet Reserve Association Branch 97, Whidbey Island, WA, is pleased to announce our reopening!  Our Branch Home experienced a fire on May 31, 2020 and it has been a challenging 4 year road to recovery.  With the hard work & dedication of our Shipmates & members, we managed to bring a 111-year old barn to current commercial code!

Twenty-two (22) years after the establishment of the Fleet Reserve Association itself, Branch 97 Whidbey Island, WA was chartered in 1946.  The Branch purchased a barn from the US Navy Seaplane base on Whidbey Island for $157.00, moving it to its current location at 311 SE 8th Ave in Oak Harbor, WA.  We are located just 3 miles from NAS Whidbey Island. 

Branch 97 proudly serves Active duty, Veterans, Retirees, and the local community through various committees:

• Americanism Patriotism:  Yearly Essay contests for grades 7-12
• Scholarship:  Scholarships which local area High School Seniors may apply for
• Hospital/Welfare/Rehabilitation: assisting veterans with transportation and other needs
• Youth Activities:  Sponsor and support for Scout Troop 59 & Cub Scout Troop 59
• Veterans Service:  Assisting Veterans & Surviving Spouses with obtaining VA benefits 

To volunteer for, or to receive more information on our committees please contact our Branch at 360-246-4710, or email: fra.branch97@gmail.com.

Branch 97 is home to the Crow’s Nest Lounge, serving Branch 97, and Auxiliary Unit 97 members and their guests.  Lounge hours are currently Thursdays thru Sundays, 12:00 noon to 10:00 pm.  For more information, please contact our Branch at 360-246-4710, email: fra.branch97@gmail.com.

In Loyalty, Protection & Service,

Brent Hundley, FRA Branch 97
Secretary/Veterans Service Officer
311 SE 8th Ave, Oak Harbor WA 98277
360-246-4710 
fra.branch97@gmail.com

Branch 97 Home

Branch 97 Interior

Branch 97 Lounge

SUPPORT THE 2024 FRA CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION!

Shipmates,

I’m excited to offer you an opportunity to be part of this fundraising event supporting FRA’s 2024 Centennial Celebration.

The Centennial Calendar Set includes a monthly planner embossed with the FRA centennial logo, plus a pocket calendar displaying the nation’s greatest symbol of freedom – The American Eagle.

You might consider ordering extra sets to use as part of a local recruiting campaign or to give to family and friends.

Additionally, please consider including a separate donation that will be used exclusively to make our Centennial Celebration a true “once-in-a-lifetime” occasion.

We look forward to celebrating this special day with you on November 11, 2024.

The order form can be found HERE.

  Yours in Loyalty, Protection and Service,
Phillip Reid, National Executive Director and Advisor
to the 2024 Centennial Committee

Shipmates

We need some of the branches to step up and consider holding a regional Convention. The way it stands right now we have the next one in Spokane Summer of 2022. To follow that we are lined up for Boise for Summer of 2023.

A regional Convention is not really that hard. Take a little planning and if you have question there are Shipmates out there that have been involved and are more than willing to give you answers to any question you may have.

If your branch my be willing to hold one let me know. Call me at 253 770 5935 and we can talk about what you may need.  You can also send me a email at mwjohn@comcast.net with your questions, concerns.

Summer of 2024 would be an ideal time for someone to host the convention. It’s the 100^th anniversary of the Association. So talk it  over with your branch members and get the ball rolling. It will be here before we know it.

MW “John” Johnson
Past National President