The Fleet Reserve Association is a congressionally-chartered, non-profit membership based organization that represents the interests of the Sea Service community before the U.S. Congress. The FRA was founded by Navy Chief Yeoman George L. Carlin and was chartered November 11, 1924 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The FRA mission is to speak as “one voice” for the protection of pay, benefits and allowances, for our Active Duty, Reserve, Retirees and Veteran enlisted sea service personnel of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. We will sustain an ongoing alliance with the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, Veterans Affairs, and Congressional lawmakers to ensure that these benefits are safeguarded. The Association, as it heads towards its centennial celebration, is proud to announce an opportunity to work with the community to expand our outreach to those who serve and have served our nation’s military, along with their families and the communities who support them. In 2016, members of the FRA overwhelmingly approved the establishment of “The Fleet Reserve Association Veterans Service Foundation”. This “501 (c)(3)” foundation will expand the scope and outreach and commitment of the mission of the FRA. Primary focus of the FRA Veterans Service Foundation is: • To make aware and inform current and former enlisted members of the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and other uniformed service about their VA benefits; to be advocates and provide without charge appropriate accredited representation to veterans and their dependents before the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA); • To prepare educational materials and conduct training activities in support of the general purposes of the foundation; • To support in the VA Voluntary Service (VAVS) program, providing donation and volunteer opportunities; support other charitable and educational organizations in the conduct of similar activities; • To engage in other charitable and educational activities as determined by the Board of Directors; • To engage in any and all lawful activities incidental to the foregoing purposes except as restricted herein. In order for the FRA to build on our nearly 100 years of service to the Sea Services and Veterans communities, we need your help. The FRA VSF is looking to our corporate partners and the general public to provide the appropriate financial support to ensure that mission of the FRA continues for those serving and have served our military, and their families. The FRA Veterans Service Foundation has received approval from the Internal Revenue Service to operate as an independent “501 (c)(3)” charitable non-profit foundation under the IRS Code of 1986, and all contributions are exempt from federal tax under Section 170 (c)(2) of such Code.