USS Indianapolis (CA-35) Memorial Branch 130

        This Site Is Dedicated To All Who Have Served,
And Those Still Serving, in Our Nation's Military Services

***************   USS Indianapolis (CA-35) 1945   ***************

Who We Are:
In August of 1999, then RPNC Leon J. Zalewski successfully spearheaded a movement to reinstate the charter for Indianapolis Branch 130 of The Fleet Reserve Association. Application for a new charter, bearing the new name "USS Indianapolis Memorial Branch 130" was made to, and approved by, the National FRA in September, 2001. The new branch name pays tribute to the crew of the USS Indianapolis (CA-35), the last US Navy surface ship of the line lost in combat in WW II. Our local membership numbers approximately 145 Shipmates. Congressionally chartered in 1924, The mission of the FRA is to preserve and enhance pay, benefits, and quality of life programs for members of the Sea Services; specifically the US Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. We are a leading advocate on Capitol Hill for all who serve on active duty, in the reserve, or have joined the ranks of the "retired-military" community.
The FRA advocates quality of life improvements by educating members of Congress (many of whom have little or no military experience), on the challenges facing career personnel. We present a strong unified voice to ensure that enlisted issues are heard by Congress. We promote our legislative agenda by presenting testimony to congressional committees advocating improved health care, increased pay, and adequate funding for programs that benefit Sea Service personnel, their families and survivors. The FRA supports more sea pay for junior personnel, increased housing allowances, enhanced Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) and other educational benefits. We advocate the preservation of retired benefits and pay and benefit parity for Reservists and Coast Guard personnel. The FRA actively opposes any efforts to reduce active duty and reserve component manpower levels. We sponsor legislative briefings and provide regular updates to keep active duty personnel, reservists, and military retirees informed about threats to their pay and benefits. We offer several publications , and a weekly electronic mailing all aimed at keeping Shipmates informed. We advocate membership involvement by initiating highly effective grassroots campaigns, and organizing our members to deliver a strong, unified message to Capitol Hill. FRA is a founding member of The Military Coalition (TMC), a group of 30 military associations working together to support legislation beneficial to military personnel. TMC represents more than five million active duty, reserve, and retired military personnel, veterans, and their families and has significant clout on Capitol Hill.

Our Mission:
The USS Indianapolis Memorial Branch of the Fleet Reserve Association will support the National leaders of the FRA in protecting and promoting the benefits and rights promised us by our country's elected leaders, and we will hold them accountable for their actions. We are dedicated to the principal that all members of our branch have an equal voice in setting the course our branch will take to achieve that goal.
Ever mindful of our obligations as American citizens, we strive to be active participants in the efforts to make this community a better place to live; not just for ourselves, but also for all who reside within it. We will be instrumental in preserving the proud traditions and heritage of our nation's Sea Services and the creed of the Fleet Reserve Association: "Loyalty, Protection, and Service".
With dignity, pride, and respect for the sacrifices of all service members and their families, we hope to better the lives of "all who serve"...and those who taught them how.

North Central Region Officers

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