FRA – NW Regional Newsletter published

Issue #2 of the NW Regional Newsletter is now posted and being distributed to NW regional Branches, Past Regional Presidents and, National BOD members.

It can be found on the websites’s Publications Page

The FRA National Convention Newsletter #1 & #2 is now posted on the Conventions Page

Posted in Press releases | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

FRA Presents 2012 Pinnacle Award

Alexandria, VA – The FRA (Fleet Reserve Association) recently presented its 2012 Pinnacle Award to California Congressman Bob Filner during a Capitol Hill reception in his honor. FRA National President Jeffrey Gilmartin and Auxiliary National President Gini Larson presented the award in recognition of the lawmaker’s efforts to improve the quality of life for military personnel and veterans. FRA annually presents its Pinnacle Award to a member of Congress who has championed legislative initiatives that advance the Association’s agenda of preserving and enhancing pay and benefits for current and former members of the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard.

 

Kimberly Ross, Democratic staff director and counsel for the House Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, accepted the award on the congressman’s behalf at the presentation ceremony that was held in conjunction with FRA’s annual Storm-the-Hill event. Members of FRA’s board of directors and other Association leaders visited their respective members of Congress to seek support for priority legislative issues, including exempting DoD from future sequestration budget cuts mandated by the Budget Control Act of 2011, opposition to drastic increases in healthcare fees for military retires and proposals to reform/reduce military retirement benefits, as well advocacy for more timely determinations on claims for veterans’ benefits and expanded presumptions for Agent Orange exposure.

 

Among other initiatives, Rep. Filner sponsored the Agent Orange Equity Act (H.R. 812), a bill that seeks to reverse the VA’s policy that currently prevents many “Blue Water” veterans from receiving disability benefits related to illnesses related to exposure to Agent Orange. Current policy limits presumption for exposure to those who had “boots on the ground” or served on Vietnam’s inland waterways. Those who served off the coast of Vietnam – many of whom are FRA shipmates who served in the Navy and Coast Guard – are not currently eligible for disability compensation for illnesses related to Agent Orange exposure.

 

Posted in Press releases | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Whatever Happened to the USS Idaho

http://www.cdapress.com/lifestyles/article_0b5a97b2-95a7-5d7b-9ea9-e0f27b6a04e1.html

Note: FRA branch #133 that was in Pocatello, ID was named after the USS Idaho.

Posted in announcements | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

FRA Education Foundation Included in Combined Federal Campaign

Alexandria, VA – The U.S. Office of Personnel Management recently announced that the Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) Education Foundation has been approved to participate in the 2012 Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) and will appear on the CFC’s national/international list of charities. The CFC conducts the only authorized solicitation of federal employees on behalf of approved 501(c)3 charitable organizations.
Continue reading

Posted in Press releases | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

RPNW Lazzaretti Visits Yokosuka Branch #103

On April 4th, RPNW Lazzaretti visited Yokosuka Branch #103 and attended their April general assembly.
Continue reading

Posted in announcements, Branch News | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Retirement Passes Healthcare as Top Benefit for Current Service Members

 

Alexandria, VA – More than 1,000 current and former service members cited retirement and military and veterans’ healthcare programs as the most important benefits of military service in a recent survey sponsored by the Fleet Reserve Association (FRA). The military non-profit association’s annual quality-of-life benefits survey gauges the concerns of the military community and helps determine the Association’s top legislative priorities for the coming year. FRA shares data from this and its other quarterly surveys with legislators and military leaders to inform them about the impact legislation may have on service personnel and their families.
Continue reading

Posted in Press releases | Tagged , , | Leave a comment