FLEET RESERVE ASSOCIATION, BRANCH 162

JULY 2010 NEWS

Shipmates - To renew your membership by mail, on line or by phone using your credit card call the FRA Natl Headquarters at 1-800-FRA-1924 or use their web-site www.fra.org. Another way to renew is to use your military allotment. To do that call the above number or use the web-site for more info on how to start an allotment to automatically pay your dues. This way you will not have to worry about renewing its done automatically.

Dues are now $30.00 per year unless you renew for multiple years or use the allotment system. If you have received a renewal notice please use that to renew S/M's you can also stop by your Branch Home so say HELLO, and leave your dues with the club manager, and he will forward them to the branch secretary. REMEMBER that both the Branch & the FRA needs you as a member. STAY FRA!

GENERAL NEWS:

The TRICARE Retiree Dental Program is available around the world to retired service members who receive retirement pay, “gray area” retired National Guard and Reserve members who are entitled to (but not yet receiving) retirement pay and Medial of Honor recipients. The spouses and children up to 21, or 24 if they are full-time students, of these retirees are also eligible for the retiree dental program. The TRICARE Retiree Dental Program is a premium-based plan administered by Delta Dental and it has cost shares for certain services after beneficiaries reach their $50 per-person deductible. Most preventive, diagnostic and emergency dental services are covered or available for cost-sharing immediately after enrollment, but some services including orthodontics, denture and crowns are available with a cost-share only after 12 months of continuous enrollment. Those interested in the TRICARE Retire Dental Program may enroll online, by telephone or by mail. Visit www.trdp.org , click “Prospective Enrollees” for more info on rates and benefits. You can call them at 1-888-838-8737 (Monday-Friday) 0600 to 1800 PST

BRANCH NEWS -

Monday, May 31^st was the branch’s annual Memorial Day “Two Bell” ceremony honoring our countries fallen, including all branch members who have passed away and transferred to the Staff of the Supreme Commander during the past year. We had a great turn out for the ceremony. The branch hall was full. Nine organizations attended, and it was covered by both the local newspapers and TV station (WWL-TV).

At our July meeting we will have as our guest speaker a Mr. Fred Fuentes. He is very versed in VA claim procedures. Attend the meeting, and you may learn something you didn’t know, or maybe he can help you with a claim. Find out.

NEW PRODUCTS!! The Branch is now selling Caps, Polo Shirts and Jackets with the FRA and service emblems. Go to the links page and click on the tab for FRA Caps/Jackets/Shirts to print your order form!!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION - New postal regulations now require us to pay $0.50 cents per address change from them. It is imperative that you let us know when you change address so we can avoid this charge. Please let the Branch, Unit, or Fleet 162, Inc know when you change address. We will inform the national headquarters of any changes sent to us. Thank You.

PROVIDE INPUT! The FRA is very interested in hearing from you! There's always a survey available at www.fra.org/survey. The surveys are quick, easy, and help us share your concerns with lawmakers on Capitol Hill!

BE A FAN! Become an FRA Fan on FACEBOOK. Visit www.fra.org/fb and join our growing list of fans. The FRA Facebook page is a great place to post photos, videos, have discussions, and find old friends. If you're already on Facebook, you can invite your friends to check out FRA and use the page as a great recruiting tool! Our fans are also the first to hear of breaking news, get links to items of importance, and shortcuts to other pages of interest.

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