Dear Editor:

Many sailors, marines and Coast Guardsmen often ask, "What is the Fleet Reserve Association (FRA), and what does it do?"

The FRA is an organization of more than 100,000 active duty and retired Navy, Marine and Coast Guard enlisted personnel. They belong to one of 294 branches worldwide or the membership-at-large roll.

The name "Fleet Reserve Association" comes from the founders of the association back in 1924. The original members had to be eligible for the transfer to the naval fleet reserve - having completed 20 or more years of active service. Today, membership is open to all active duty, drilling reserve and retired sea service personnel.

Headquartered in Alexandria, Va., the FRA works extensively with congressional staff members to insure the "voice of enlisted sea personnel" is heard. The FRA was the very first military association to represent enlisted personnel before Congress, and it now enjoys an enviable record of almost 85 years' experience in obtaining beneficial military personnel legislation.

Here in Citrus County, and in our surrounding counties, our object is to take care of such members and their families who may be in urgent need of assistance - financially or otherwise - and to support local community programs in order to make this a better place to raise a family.

To find out more about the Fleet Reserve Association, call Bob Huscher at 344-0727, or visit a branch meeting. Branch 186 meets monthly at 3 p.m. on each third Thursday at the DAV Hall on Independence Avenue and U.S. 41 North in Inverness.

In Loyalty, Protection and Service
Robert W. Huscher, Secretary, Branch 186