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Meeting Minutes 8 October 2024

  1. The Shipmates monthly meeting of FRA Branch 208, Camp Lejeune, NC was called to order at 1830 on 8 October 2024 by Shipmate President Raymond Applewhite.
  2. The Pledge of Allegiance, Opening Prayer and Preamble to the FRA Constitution were recited by all present.
  3. The following Shipmates were present: Raymond Applewhite – President
    John Caskey
    Al Farrell – Director
    Gerald Gray – Master-At-Arms
    James Hill – Treasurer
    Paul Levesque
    Mike Maddox
    Tim Manchester – Webmaster
    Paul H. Miethker – Secretary
    Alexander Nevgloski – Chaplain
    John Rooney
    Mike Rooney
    Terry Scott – Director
    Darrell Taylor
    Steve Tracy

The following guests were present:

  N/A
  1. NEW SHIPMATES N/A
  2. The minutes of the 10 September 2024 meeting were accepted.
  3. FINANCIAL REPORT.
    Approved Pending Audit
  4. COMMUNICATIONS
    a. S/M Secretary Miethker indicated the Branch received the following: (1) List of paid S/M’s for Oct 24 from National HQ. (2) List of deceased S/M’s for Oct 24 from National HQ (3) Letter from the Salvation Army requesting a monetary donation. (4) Letter from Special Olympics, North Carolina requesting a monetary donation.
  5. OLD BUSINESS

a. The Branch appreciation letter for the MCB Commissary and the State Veterans Cemetery
will be presented soon. We are waiting to hear back from the commissary on a good day to present the letter.

b. The Quarterly Road-Side-Cleanup is scheduled for 16 Nov 24 at 0730.

c. The Branch approved the nomination of S/M Al Farrell as the City of Jacksonville,
Veteran of the Year.

d. S/M Secretary Miethker updated the Branch on the food/drink donation for the
Jacksonville Station. Not required at this time.

  1. NEW BUSINESS

a. S//M Secretary Miethker brought up the numerous requests for monetary donations.
The Branch voted not to donate.

b. S/M President Applewhite reported on S/M’s and family members that are ill.

c. S/M President Applewhite reminded the Branch, that the Jacksonville Golden Corral has
already been reserved for 10 Dec 24 @1800 for the annual Holiday dinner.

d. S/M Tracy informed the Branch of the ongoing efforts to support the citizens of North
Carolina that have been affected by Hurricane Hallen. So far, the Branch and other Onslow County Veteran Organizations have delivered almost $100,000.00 of supplies and clothing. Donations are still requested and will be delivered soon.

e. Swansboro MCL Detachment 1407 is raffling off an electric Bike for $10.00 a ticket. The
drawing will be Dec 24. Also, the Morehead Quilt Guild has donated 4 quilts to be used in a 50/50 raffle.

f. MCL Devil Dogs are still collecting pet food for donation to multiple Animal Shelters in
our area.

g. The Branch approved the annual $300.00 donations for the Jacksonville Soup Kitchen,
Salvation Army and Onslow Community Services. The dates for the presentation will be arranged by S/M President Applewhite.

h. S/M Levesque informed the Branch that any Veteran that still has the paper Retired ID
Card will have to get the new CAC version by Jan 25. The Base ID Card Center has walk-ins every Friday.

i. S/M Tracy spoke on the House in the Woods veterans program conducted in Maine. This
is a free program to help any Veterans in need of counseling.

  1. GOOD OF THE ORDER.

a. First Saturday of the month: Reading of the North Carolina POW/MIA Names, Vietnam
Memorial, Lejeune Memorial Gardens @ 1200.

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

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

d. 41st Annual Bierut Bombing Remembrance Ceremony, Lejeune Memorial Gardens,
23 Oct 24 @ 0800.

e. Onslow County Veterans Day Proclamation, 6 Nov 24, Onslow County Government
Building, 1100.

f. City of Jacksonville Veterans Day Parade, CCCC 9 Nov 24 @ 1000.

g. Retired Marine Corps Birthday Ball, Jacksonville Hilton Garden, 9 Nov 24, 1800-2400.

h. Pearl Harbor Remembrance Ceremony, American Legion Post 265, 7 Dec 24 @1100.

i. Wreaths Across America, State Veterans Cemetery, Camp Johnson, 14 Dec 24 @ 1200.

j. The Annual Toys-For-Tots program has a new coordinator, Sgt Broderick, from MCAS
New River. S/M Farrell is the Branch point of contact.

  1. TWO BELL CEREMONY N/A
  2. There being no further business, a motion was made to adjourn. The Closing Prayer was recited, and honors rendered to the American Flag. The meeting was adjourned at 1935. The next meeting will be held on 12 November 2024 @ 1830 at the Jacksonville DAV Chapter 16 building.
    Paul H. Miethker
    Shipmate Secretary