Fleet Reserve Association Camp Lejeune Branch 208

Meetings: Second Tuesday of each month at 1830.

Next Meeting 12 December 2023

Next meeting will be our annual Holiday Dinner at Golden Corral, 2055 N Marine Blvd, Jacksonville, NC 28546. Please bring an unwrapped toy and can goods for our annual Toys for Tots and food drive.

Congratulations to Fleet Reserve Association Camp Lejeune Branch 208 Shipmate James E. Hill (SW/AW) USN (Ret), for being selected as the 2023 Jacksonville Outstanding Veteran of the Year.

James E. Hill (SW/AW) USN (Ret) served in the United States Navy for twenty-six years attaining the rank of Senior Chief. Shipmate James E. Hill (SW/AW) USN (Ret) joined the Fleet Reserve Association Camp Lejeune Branch 208 May 2023. Shipmate Hill immediately became very active in all the activities the Branch is involved in. When the critical billet of Branch Treasurer became vacant, Shipmate Hill did not hesitate to take over the position. Shipmate Hill quickly conducted an audit and making sure banking information was up to date and correct. This ensured all Branch financial transactions were correct and meeting FRA requirements. In addition, Shipmate Hill has been involved with the Adopt-A-Street program that the Branch participates in for the city of Jacksonville. Shipmate Hill has participated in every event since he joined the Branch. Most recently, he participated in the dedication of a plaque at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Jacksonville, North Carolina. The plaque is dedicated in honor of all past Fleet Reserve Association members.

Shipmates from Fleet Reserve Association Camp Lejeune Branch 208 celebrated the 248^th Birthday of the United States Marine Corps. As is customary at Marine Corps birthday celebrations worldwide a cake in cut celebrating birth of the Corps. The first piece of cake is presented to the oldest Marine present, signifying the honor and respect accorded to experience and seniority. The oldest Marine this evening is Shipmate Mike Rooney. Symbolically, the eldest Marine present passes a piece of cake to the youngest Marine present, just as for years our experienced Marines have nurtured and led young Marines that will fill our ranks and renew our Corps. The youngest Marine present this evening is Shipmate Al Farrell.

Members from Fleet Reserve Association Camp Lejeune Branch 208 celebrated the 248th Birthday of the United States Navy with a traditional cake cutting ceremony at the monthly meeting held on 10 October 2023. The Continental Congress established the Continental Navy, which later, on October 13, 1775, became the United States Navy. When the infant Navy was first formed, it consisted of just two armed vessels – tasked with disrupting munitions ships supplying the British Army in America. Yet over the past nearly two and one-half centuries, our Navy has grown to become the largest, most advanced, and most lethal fighting force the world has ever known. (L to R) First Row: Shipmates Lou Alers, Jerry Gray, Mike Rooney, Ed Rowntree, Terry Scott, Raymond Applewhite, Alex Nevgloski Sr., Paul Miethker, Tim Manchester. Second Row: Graham Luby, John Caskey. Third Row: James Hill and Al Farrell.

On September 18, 2023, members from Fleet Reserve Association Camp Lejeune Branch 208, placed a plaque at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Jacksonville, North Carolina. The plaque is dedicated in honor of all past Fleet Reserve Association members. (left to right) Shipmates Tim Manchester, Alex Nevgloski Sr., Al Farrell, James Hill, President Raymond Applewhite, Tom Punda, Jerry Gray, and Lou Alers.

FRA Camp Lejeune Branch 208 Shipmate Secretary Paul Miethker presents Shipmate President Raymond Applewhite with a Letter of Appreciation, and a Fleet Reserve Association Collector’s Edition Lapel Pin. The award from the Fleet Reserve Association is presented to those Shipmates that recruit three new members. The award was presented at the monthly meeting held on 8 August 2023. (left to right) Shipmate Secretary Paul Miethker, Shipmate President Raymond Applewhite.

Members from Fleet Reserve Association Camp Lejeune Branch 208, participated in the City of Jacksonville, NC Adopt-A-Street program. Members met Saturday 28 July 2023, to clean Anne Street in Jacksonville, NC. (L to R) Shipmates Jerry Gray, Paul Miethker, Lou Alers, Raymond Applewhite, and James E Hill. Upon completion of the clean up Shipmates enjoyed breakfast and camaraderie at Angie's Family Restaurant in Jacksonville, NC. — Members from Fleet Reserve Association Camp Lejeune Branch 208, participated in the City of Jacksonville, NC Adopt-A-Street program. Members met Saturday 28 July 2023, to clean Anne Street in Jacksonville, NC. (L to R) Shipmates Jerry Gray, Paul Miethker, Lou Alers, Raymond Applewhite, and James E Hill. Upon completion of the clean up Shipmates enjoyed breakfast and camaraderie at Angie’s Family Restaurant in Jacksonville, NC.

Shipmate President Raymond Applewhite introduced the new Shipmates to the members present at the 9 May 2023 Fleet Reserve Association Camp Lejeune Branch 208 monthly meeting held on 9 May 2023. (L to R) Shipmate Almotis Austin, HMCS, USN (Ret), James E Hill, CSCS (SW/AW) USN (Ret), Shipmate President Raymond Applewhite, Terry L Scott, HMCS, USN (Ret), and Al Farrell, Corporal, USMC.

Members from Fleet Reserve Association, Camp Lejeune Branch 208 visited the Jacksonville Station, on 25 April 2023 to donate drinks and snacks to support those veterans using the Bulldog Lounge. Within the Ticketing area, there is space specifically designed for traveling active and retired military members – The Bulldog Lounge. This room is a place to offer a space that is friendly and welcoming for new military members arriving in Jacksonville, North Carolina. Fleet Reserve Association, Camp Lejeune Branch 208 is one of the multiple military veterans organizations that have agreed to sponsor the lounge by supplying refreshments and snacks in order for the veteran to feel more at home. (left to right) Customer Service Specialist Christina Ramierz, Shipmate Tim Manchester, and Shipmate Raymond Applewhite.

Fleet Reserve Association Camp Lejeune Branch 208 recently donated funds for the construction of ramp. The ramp is for a 22 year retired 22 Navy Corpsman who recently had Quadruple bypass surgery.

Navy Birthday Cake Cutting at The Landings of Swansboro Assisted Living Home

**Congratulations to Shipmate Alexander “Gunner” Nevgloski Sr. for being selected as Fleet Reserve Association Camp Lejeune Branch 208, 2022 Shipmate of the Year.**

Fleet Reserve Association Camp Lejeune Branch 208, Shipmate Alexander “Gunner” Nevgloski Sr. is a lifetime member of the Fleet Reserve Association Camp Lejeune Branch 208 and has served as the Chaplain for the past four years. He has coordinated numerous veteran events to honor both World War II and Korean War Veterans, often using personal funds. He continues to lead the Annual Association Americanism Essay contest and his dedication to the veteran community is shown through his continued effort in initiatives and services.

Go to our Picture Page to see all our activities.

Fleet Reserve Association Camp Lejeune Branch 208

The Fleet Reserve Association is a congressionally chartered, non-profit organization that represents the interests of the Sea Service community before the U.S. Congress, the Association’s membership is comprised of current and former enlisted members of the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. FRA was chartered as the Fleet Reserve Association in 1924 and, after more than 80 years, FRA remains dedicated to its primary mission of serving the interests of current and former enlisted Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard personnel.

In addition to its legislative advocacy efforts, FRA assists its members with career problems by maintaining close liaison with the Departments of Defense, Veterans Affairs, Homeland Security, and other government agencies. FRA continues to educate members of Congress, many of whom have little or no military experience, on the challenges facing career personnel.

FRA presents a strong, unified voice to ensure that enlisted issues are heard by Congress and urges support for legislation to increase pay and benefits.

Click the FRA logo to go to the FRA National website.