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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Dear Shipmates,

It’s been one and a half years our friends, relatives, and anyone who will be friend of
since my moped and I were run our organization. Unfortunately, we are an aging group,
over by a truck in Bermuda. and many members have passed on. In an effort to con-
I guess I’m tougher than I tinue our membership growth, I ask you to reach out to
thought. I am still trying to get your relatives and friends who were in the Navy, Marines
back to my fighting weight but or Coast Guard. Reach out to them to join for just $30
I am getting better each day. a year. You might also consider giving a one year mem-
Steve Sandy and I speak often bership as a gift so they can see what we do on their
on the phone and Yvette Purtill behalf. Go to www.nera.org to sign up new members,
Joanne Elliott, YNC (Deputy Executive Director) check out what we have to offer or read our Mariner
National President
and Jennifer Abbott (Office Magazine, which contains great information and good
Director) keep NERA alive and well. Yvette has now stories, including articles on the “Big J” (the Battleship
taken over attending the TMC meetings (The Military New Jersey).
Coalition), keeping up with this group of powerful advo-
cates for the military. We still continue to have monthly NERA, along with the members of the TMC, fight tire-
conference meetings over the phone, effectively managing lessly for our Sailors and Marines to ensure that the ben-
the organization remotely. efits we have continue. Please reach out to us with any of
your questions. I look forward to hearing from you.
We are now planning our next conference for the fall. More
details to follow, but it is looking similar to the last confer- Joanne Elliott
ence with a few new surprises. It will be held in October, in
the DC area. We will send out updates very shortly.

I know many of us are now “long in the tooth,” but I am President, NERA
asking that each of us bring NERA to the attention of all

EXECUTIVE COUNSELOR'S MESSAGE

Ahoy Shipmates,

Since the last article, I have used to cross regularly since we were in the same field
not heard much from you or of work in our civilian world. My friend saw heavy
what is happening on your combat in Nam. Fortunately, he was not physically
quarterdeck. We all have our wounded in country. The honorable ones that were
busy lives, which is a struggle killed, received one of our nations most sacred honor,
for me and most of us. So, this the Purple Heart. The reason why I didn't first recog-
article is about our struggles. nize my friend was because of the unseen injuries his
body is experiencing. He is being treated for multiple
Earlier this week, I ran into cancers caused by Agent Orange.
Geno Koelker an old friend, a Marine,
Executive Counselor named Rodney that I didn't There have been many before him who have died in ser-
recognize at first. Our paths vice to their country and are still dying, as is my friend,
continued on page 5

4 The Mariner • 2023 SPRING Edition • Volume 66 • Issue 1

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