Silverdale’s Fleet Reserve Association 310 got a major overhaul last Friday and Saturday with big assist from the local Home Depot store and manager Jeremy Hash.

The store brought more than 60 people to the Fleet Reserve after being approached by retired Navy service member and current president of the local FRA Branch 310 Thom Boren. The association didn’t have the funds to repair its building and needed some help.

“Mr. Hash visited the FRA building and saw firsthand that the building was in much need of updating and remodeling so that when local vets and current members visit the building they can be proud of their local FRA representing them,” Boren said. “Home Depot wanted to update the restrooms so that disabled vets would be able to use them with ease.”

Flooring, restroom vanities, cabinets, a wheelchair ramp, countertops and a fence along the property line were all replaced. The Behr Paint Corporation also kicked in.

“By this generous donation for painting the interior, it will make it more welcoming to our local vets,” Boren said, noting that Behr has also committed to painting the exterior of the building.

“When the project is complete FRA Branch 310 current members will feel much better on the future of the branch,” Boren said. “This remarkable opportunity should enhance our opportunity to recruit more Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard veterans, retired and active to join an honorable cause. The Fleet Reserve Association Branch 310 veterans helping assist our local veterans is needed and required by our motto, Loyalty, Protection and Service. Silverdale is a Navy town and this was a great opportunity for Home Depot to help out our local vets.”

The FRA is a congressionally chartered, non-profit organization that represents the interests of the Sea Service community before the U.S. Congress. The Association is named after the Navy’s program for personnel transferring to the Fleet Reserve or Fleet Marine Corps Reserve after 20 or more years of active duty, but less than 30 years for retirement purposes. Its membership is comprised of current and former enlisted members of the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. FRA is a member of the Veterans Day National Committee (VDNC) and is represented on the Department of Veterans Affairs Voluntary Services (VAVS) National Advisory Committee (NAC). It is also a charter member and leading organization in The Military Coalition (TMC), a group of 33 military and veterans’ organizations which represent 5.5 million uniformed services active duty, retired, reserve and National Guard personnel, veterans, their families and survivors. TMC works collectively on legislation to enhance the quality of life for military personnel.

After choosing FRA Branch 310 for its regional project, Home Depot contributed over $8,000 to repairs and will be a lifetime partner with the association. The Home Depot volunteers came in from King, Pierce and Kitsap Counties.

The Second Class Association members from Naval Base Kitsap helped with the landscaping and building of the wheel chair ramp. Those individuals were GSM2 Carrington Jones, GSM1 Brian Evans, MM2 Ericson Ramirez, GSM2 James Oliver, GSM2 David Ramos, ABE3 Juantauns Brideges (USS John C Stennis CVN74), Em3 Jackson, MM2 Martinez, GSM2 Ancheta, GSM2 Terrell Brooks GSM2 Milner and MT2 Deven Yee. Those that were on hand to pitch in from the Home Depot store included Amy Hough, Shannon Mitchell, Ryan Michelotti, Andy Goforth and Heidi Cross.