Meeting Minutes April 2025
1. The Shipmates monthly meeting of FRA Branch 208, Camp Lejeune, NC was called to order at 1845 on 8 April 2025 by Shipmate President Raymond Applewhite. Prior to the meeting, representatives from Navy Federal Credit Union presented a presentation on the prevention of banking fraud.
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
Lou Alers – Chairman, Board-of-Directors
Sonny Bell
George Cleveland
Cornelius Dozier
Al Farrell – Director
Mike Maddox
Tim Manchester – Webmaster
Paul H. Miethker – Secretary
Alexander Nevgloski – Chaplain
Tom Punda
John Rooney
Mike Rooney
Terry Scott
Darrell Taylor
Steve Tracy
The following guests were present:
N/A
4. NEW SHIPMATES
N/A
5. MINUTES
The minutes of the 11 March 2025 meeting were accepted.
6. FINANCIAL REPORT
Approved Pending Audit
7. COMMUNICATIONS
a. S/M Secretary Miethker indicated the Branch received the following:
(1) List of paid S/M’s for Apr 25 from National HQ.
(2) List of deceased S/M’s for Apr 25 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) Letter from Jones Onslow Electric Membership with a dividends refund check.
8. OLD BUSINESS
a. The Branch appreciation letter for the MCB Commissary will be presented soon. We are
waiting to hear back from the commissary on a good day to present the letter.
b. The floor was opened for nominations for FY 25-26 Branch Officers. All current Branch
officers were nominated to remain in their current position. No further nominations were received. S/M Secretary Miethker cast one ballet for S/M President Applewhite, S/M Treasurer Hill, S/M Secretary Miethker, S/M Board of Directors Alers and S/M Chaplain Nevgloski.
c. The Quarterly Road-Side-Cleanup has been scheduled for 26 Apr 25 at 0730.
d. S/M President Applewhite, informed the Branch that he is still waiting to hear back from
the various civilian police departments for a date and time for the Branch, Coffee-With-A-Cop Program.
e. BOD Chairman Alers reminded the Branch that any Retiree that still has the Paper Military Retired ID Card will have to get the new CAC version soon. There are currently issues with online renewal, and it is recommended that you make an appointment at the ID Card Center. The Base ID Card Center has put out further guidance on the required items needed to get the new ID Card. It is recommended that you make an appointment, but the ID Center does walk-ins every Friday.
9. NEW BUSINESS
a. S//M Secretary Miethker brought up numerous requests for monetary donations.
The Branch voted not to donate.
b. S/M Tracy presented an update on the Branch fundraiser. All raffle items have been
purchased and the flyers approved. Tickets ($10.00 each) are available for S/M’s to begin selling. We have already sold a few tickets and will have a table at the Oriental Boat Show this weekend. S/M’s were asked to come up with further events or places to sell the tickets. The drawing will be held on 14 Jun 25.
c. S/M Chairman Alers informed the Branch that the BOD meeting will be rescheduled for a later date, prior to a monthly Branch meeting. All S/M’s are invited to attend.
d S/M PAO Manchester informed the Branch that the monthly FRA magazine was printed
this month. The Branch had four pictures in the magazine.
e S/M PAO Manchester reminded the Branch that Swansboro MCL 1407 is selling raffle
tickets for a battery powered kayak for $10.00 each, drawing is scheduled 14 Jun 25.
f. S/M Secretary Miethker informed the Branch that the MCX Pharmacy will be closed
until further notice for maintenance and repairs. Everyone is advised to use the NMCCL Pharmacy.
g. S/M President Applewhite thanked the S/M’s that attended the City of Jacksonville
proclamation this afternoon naming today FRA Branch 208 day in the city.
h. S/M President Applewhite informed the Branch on S/M’s that are sick or injured.
10. 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. Regiment of Retired Marines breakfast, All Ranks Club, 12 Apr 25 @ 0700.
e. Viet Nam Recognition Day Ceremony, Lejeune Memorial Gardens, 26 Apr 25 @ 1000.
f. 9/11 Memorial Observance, Lejeune Memorial Gardens, 11 Sep 25 @ 0800
g. MCB CL Retiree Appreciation Day, Marston Pavilion, 27 Sep 25 @ 0900-1400
h. Beirut Memorial Observance, Lejeune Memorial Gardens, 22 Oct 25 @ 1030
i. City of Jacksonville Veterans Day parade, CCCC, 8 Nov 25 @ 1000
j. Regiment of Retired Marines Ball, 8 Nov 25, New Bern Convention Center @ 1730.
11. BIRTHDAYS
9 Apr – Raymond Applewhite
10 Apr – Bobby Jarvis
22 Apr – James Middleton
23 Apr – John Cooney
23 Apr – Robert Long
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 rendered to the American Flag. The meeting was adjourned at 1940. The next meeting will be held on 13 May 2025 @ 1800 at the Jacksonville Golden Corral.
Paul H. Miethker
Shipmate Secretary