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Meeting Minutes August 2024

FLEET RESERVE ASSOCIATION, BRANCH 208

  1. The Shipmates monthly meeting of FRA Branch 208, Camp Lejeune, NC was called to order at 1830 on 13 August 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: Luis Alers – Chairman, BOD
    Raymond Applewhite – President
    Al Farrell
    Gerald Gray – Master-At-Arms
    James Hill – Treasurer
    Tim Manchester – Webmaster
    Paul H. Miethker – Secretary
    Alexander Nevgloski – Chaplain
    John Rooney
    Mike Rooney
    Darrell Taylor
    Steve Tracy

The following guests were present:

  N/A
  1. NEW SHIPMATES Steve Tracy
  2. The minutes of the 9 July 2024 meeting were accepted.
  3. FINANCIAL REPORT.

Approved Pending Audit

  1. COMMUNICATIONS a. S/M Secretary Miethker indicated the Branch received the following: (1) List of paid S/M’s for Aug 24 from National HQ. (2) List of deceased S/M’s for Aug 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.
  2. OLD BUSINESS
    a. The first Branch, Coffee-With-A-Cop Program was held with Marine Corps Base PMO. b. 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. c. The Quarterly Road-Side-Cleanup is scheduled for 7 Sep 24 at 0730. d. The Branch magnetic name tags were handed out to the Shipmates present. e. S/M Secretary Miethker updated the Branch on the FRA National Americanism Essay
    winner having received both the plaque and the check from FRA National HQ. f. S/M President Applewhite thanked all the S/M’s who could attend the visitation and funeral for S/M Punda’s wife.
  3. 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 that are ill. c. S/M PAO Manchester informed the Branch that there are 4 pictures waiting to be
    published in the FRA magazine. d. The nominations for the MRC annual Whitey Welbourne award are due Aug 24. e. S/M Tracy informed the Branch that Swansboro MCL is raffling off an electric Bike for $10.00 a ticket. The drawing will be Dec 24. He also mentioned the Morehead Quilt Guild has donated 4 quilts to be used in a 50/50 raffle. f. S/M PAO Manchester requested that the Branch purchase an advertisement in the
    Swansboro MCL convention program. Tabled until next month to allow for different advertisements to be presented. g. S/M Tracy informed the Branch that the MCL Devil Dogs are collecting pet food for
    donation to multiple Animal Shelters in our area.
  4. 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, The Clubs at Paradise Point, 17 Aug 24 @ 0700. e. Kubal Bombing Remembrance Ceremony, LeJeune Memorial Gardens, 26 Aug 24 @ 1800. f. NMC Camp LeJeune Townhall, lower galley, 27 Aug 24 @ 1400. g. 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony, Lejeune Memorial Gardens, 11 Sep 24 @ 0800. h. Annual MCB Camp Lejeune, Retiree Appreciation Day, Marston Pavilion, 28 Sep 24,
    0800 – 1400. i. 41st Annual Bierut Bombing Remembrance Ceremony, Lejeune Memorial Gardens,
    23 Oct 24 @ 0800. j. City of Jacksonville Veterans Day Parade, CCCC 8 Nov 24 @ 1000. k. Retiree Marine Corps Birthday Ball, Jacksonville Hilton Garden, 9 Nov 24, 1800-2400. l. Pearl Harbor Remembrance Ceremony, American Legion Post 265, 7 Dec 24 @1100. m. Wreaths Across America, State Veterans Cemetery, Camp Johnson, 14 Dec 24 @ 1200.
  5. TWO BELL CEREMONY N/A
  6. 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 10 September 2024 at 1830 at the Jacksonville DAV Chapter 16 building. Paul H. Miethker Shipmate Secretary