Research - Rehabilitation - Re-Employment

Sgt. Shaft 04/19/2004

Dear Sgt. Shaft: The Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) thanks you for your important and timely attention to the issue of providing our military men and women adequate access and resources to exercise their right to vote. This is a high priority for FRA, and while it is important for military personnel to vote, it's equally imperative they know what their elected officials are doing on their behalf.

FRA is an advocacy organization representing the concerns of its members to members of Congress with regard to preserving and/or enhancing pay, health benefits and other quality of life programs. Those efforts are only as effective as the grassroots support they receive from our men and women out in the field, and the only way to make their support known is by contacting their elected government officials. All citizens are constituents and have a right to be heard by their government.

One way FRA assists military personnel and veterans alike to learn about their elected officials' positions on various issues affecting them is via the "Action Center" on FRA's web site. They can go to www.fra.org, and select the menu option entitled "Action Center." Next, click on the menu option on the top of the screen entitled "Elected Officials," select the appropriate home state and then the elected official they want to learn more about.

This page gives voters a profile of their elected officials and a link to a page showing their co-sponsorship status on several pieces of legislation affecting military personnel. Additionally, there is an option to e-mail members of Congress regarding these issues.

FRA's Action Center also includes a page where voters can find information about elections at the state and county level along with guidance on registering to vote. To take advantage of this option, simply select the menu option entitled "Election," and click on your home state.

Additionally, the Association offers "Communicate With Your Elected Officials" as part of its ongoing campaign to encourage military personnel around the world to learn about their respective U.S. Senators and Representatives and how to effectively communicate with them. This useful handbook is free and provides information on state congressional delegations and is invaluable for communicating with members of Congress.

To receive a free copy of "Communicate With Your Elected Officials," contact FRA at 1 800 FRA 1924 or e-mail your request and mailing address to news-fra@fra.org. Written requests can be sent to Fleet Reserve Association, Attn: Communicate With Elected Officials, 125 N. West Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 2754.

FRA offers these resources to military personnel and veterans alike thanks to the strong support of its loyal members. The Association encourages military personnel to learn more about the legislative process and actively participate on a regular basis. It's also important for them to belong to a professional organization like FRA that will serve them and protect their interests.

Sincerely,
Joe Barnes
National Executive Secretary
Fleet Reserve Association

Dear Joe,
Thanks for your organizations first class service to members of our military and veterans. I again urge the Department of Defense and the U.S. Postal Service to get off their duffs and quickly put in place a confirmation process to ensure that military absentee ballots are properly counted.

The Sarge is looking forward to attending

The Armed Services YMCA Seventeenth Annual Recognition Luncheon on Thursday, May 13th in the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill. The reception will start at 11:30 and the luncheon will commence promptly at 12:00 Noon. The guest speaker is General Michael W. Hagee, USMC, Commandant of the Marine Corps.

The beginning of YMCA service to the military began in 1861, when some 5,000 dedicated YMCA volunteers took to the battlefields of the Civil War alongside America’s uniformed young men – an act that moved President Abraham Lincoln to commend the YMCA for their “benevolent undertaking for the benefit of the soldiers.” The tradition of the YMCA following the flag has continued since that time. The Armed Services YMCA is the nation’s first volunteer organization to serve the military.

The focus of the ASYMCA is primarily on the junior enlisted, offering a myriad of low cost or free programs that enhance the spirit, mind, and body. In cooperation with unit and area commands, the ASYMCA programs focus on providing services that strengthen families and encourage individuals to achieve their fullest potential.

I am also looking forward to joining nutty buddy Jim Mayer’s 35th Annual Alive Day on Tuesday, April 27 from 5:30 pm - 9 pm at Fran O'Brien's Steakhouse Touchdown Room 1001 16th Street NW (lower level of the Capital Hilton Hotel) some very special guests from Walter Reed have also been invited along with Jim’s many long time friends. If you are able to attend the celebration commemorating the day Jim survived the loss of both legs in Viet Nam, Please RSVP by calling 202-501-3436 Please consider bringing a personal check to make a voluntary tax deductible donation to the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic. Checks should be made payable to General Post Fund 377

Send letters to Sgt. Shaft, c/o John Fales, P.O. Box 65900, Washington, D.C. 20035-5900; fax to 301-622-3330; call 202-462-4430 or email sgtshaft@bavf.org.

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