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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
President’s Message
In some respects, I can make donations to NERA even during this stressful time.
hardly believe that we are fast Thank you all who have donated and will donate soon.
approaching Christmas. This
year has brought about many Going into the new year, we are going to again try and plan
changes in our country and I our conference for the fall of 2021. Hopefully COVID-
can only hope and pray that we 19 will be behind us and we can all meet up in (I believe)
all can continue to forge ahead Washington, DC/VA. I believe we will have it at the same
full steam into 2021. hotel as the last time.
Joanne Elliott, YNC I managed to get back to CPO This year I am asking all of you to make a push to recruit
National President
season this year at Fort Dix new members. NERA needs fresh blood and new ideas to
New Jersey. COVID-19 has not deterred us in our com- keep this wonderful organization going strong. Make an
mitment to ensure that our selected Chief Petty Officers effort to send our website out to everyone on your list. If
receive the training they need and the fellowship from you still are close by to a Base or Drill site, check in with
us that they deserve. This weekend will be the Anchor the Master Chief and arrange to discuss NERA and what
Auction and I am lining my pockets with dollars so that I we continue to do for our troops. Steve, Mike and I as well
can participate fully!!! AARG!!!!! as Geno and the rest of the NEC are always available to
discuss talking points.
I recently sent out a letter from NERA asking for donations
so that we can continue to grow and help our sailors. I am Stay safe and I wish you and yours the happiest and safest
happy to report that we have had some wonderful people Holiday season and and Happy New Year.
VICE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Vice President's Message
NERA's strength is and always strong position of advocacy in Washington and with our
has been in our membership. I partners on The Military Coalition (TMC). NERA wants
encourage everyone to recruit to continue to serve you effectively and continue our mis-
at least one member for 2021. sion. Please try to recruit new members, either current or
As with almost all military and former enlisted reservists or those interested in supporting
veteran associations, NERA auxiliary members.
is seeing a slow, but steady,
decline in membership. Our VA National Cemetery Administration (NCA)
advocacy effectiveness for has set up a Veterans Legacy Memorial
Michael P. Hughes, our Navy, Marine Corps and (VLM) web site
OSC, USNR (ret) VLM is a digital platform dedicated to memorializing all
NERA Vice President Coast Guard enlisted reservists
depends on maintaining and deceased veterans resting in the 150 VA national ceme-
growing our members. In presenting to Congress, DoD teries to honor their service and sacrifice. The system was
and the individual service commands, it is a key com- launched in 2019 with veteran service and cemetery info.
ponent to getting their attention. We have maintained a It recently allows family, friends and others to post tributes
continued on page 5
4 The Mariner • 2020 WINTER Edition • Volume 63 • Issue 3
