Meeting Minutes 13 January 2026

1. The Shipmates’ monthly meeting of FRA Branch 208, Camp Lejeune, NC, was called to order at 1830 on 13 January 2026 by Shipmate President Raymond Applewhite.

2. The Pledge of Allegiance, Opening Prayer, and Preamble to the FRA Constitution were recited by all Shipmates present.

3. The following Shipmates were present: 

Luis Alers – Chairman Board of Directors

Raymond Applewhite – President

Al Austin

John Caskey

George Cleveland

Gerald Gray – Master At Arms

James Hill – Secretary/Treasurer

Tim Manchester – PAO

Alexander Nevgloski – Chaplain

Tom Punda

John Rooney

Michael Rooney

Terry Scott

Darrell Taylor

Steve Tracy

The following guests were present:

 N/A

4. NEW SHIPMATES

N/A

5. MINUTES

 December 9, 2025, Branch Annual Holiday Dinner at Jacksonville Golden Corral. Toy Drive and Food Donation.

6. FINANCIAL REPORT

The financial report was accepted as given pending audit.

7. COMMUNICATIONS

a. S/M Secretary Hill indicated to the Branch that flowers were purchased and delivered to Jones’ funeral for her homegoing service on January 14, 2026.

8. OLD BUSINESS

a. Essay contest in the final stages. Completed package and mailed to Maryland by Essay Chairman S/M Darrell Taylor on January 21, 2026.

b. All future Branch Essay contest winners will be presented with certificates and a photo shoot at a planned monthly FRA meeting.

c. S/M President Applewhite updated the Branch that the certificates for the Coffee-With-A Cop Program are still being prepared, waiting to hear from the various civilian & base police departments for a date and time for the Branch.

d.  The Branch long sleeve Blue Polo Shirts were ordered, paid for, and picked up by S/M Secretary/Treasurer Hill and passed out at the January monthly meeting.

e. The Quarterly Road-Side Cleanup was cancelled due to inclement weather.

f. S/M President announced and gave an invitation for those in the branch who could, to attend the homegoing service for Mrs. Arlene Hemingway.

f. S/M President Applewhite gave an update on Branch S/M’s that are ill or in distress.

10. GOOD OF THE ORDER.

a. Every Friday, Veterans Coffee, Lowe’s Foods, Cape Carteret @ 0800.

b. Second Saturday of the month, Navy Retired Chiefs Breakfast, Jacksonville Golden Corral @ 0830

c. Regiment of Retired Marines Breakfast, Hilton Garden Inn, 31 Jan @ 0700.

d. Wreaths Across America, there was an estimated 1200 wreath shortage this past year.

e. S/M Tracy reminded the Branch of Operation Chow Hound; the Gunny Claus Program served 4500 kids.

f. S/M Alers reminded everyone that this year’s Marine Corps Ball ticket cost will be $100 per person.

g. Vets Stand Down will be held at the American Legion @0900 February 3, 2026.

h. Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune Change of Command will be held on May 15, 2026.

i. S/M President passed on that the Veteran’s Day Parade saw its largest turnout in several years.

j. Branch birthday celebrations will be held every two months moving forward, so the next celebration will be for member birthdays in January and February.

11. BIRTHDAYS

Brenda Goldman 8 January

Terry Scott 16 January

Lonnie Martin18 January

Al Austin 4 February

Robert Miller 12 February

Thomas Pawloski 23 February

12. TWO-BELL CEREMONY

 N/A.

13. There being no further business, a motion was made to adjourn. The Closing Prayer was recited, and honors were rendered to the American Flag. The meeting was adjourned at 1935. The next meeting will be held on 10 February 2026, January 1830, DAV building, Jacksonville, NC.

                                                              James E. Hill

                                                              S/M Secretary/Treasurer