" />

Meeting Minutes February 2025

  1. The Shipmates monthly meeting of FRA Branch 208, Camp Lejeune, NC was called to order at 1830 on 11 February 2025 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
    Al Austin
    John Caskey
    George Cleveland
    Cornelius dozier
    Gerald Gray – Master-At-Arms
    James Hill – Treasurer
    Paul Levesque
    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
  1. NEW SHIPMATES N/A
  2. MINUTES The minutes of the 14 January 2025 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 Feb 25 from National HQ.

(2) List of deceased S/M’s for Feb 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 the City of Jacksonville, requesting the Branch to sponsor a youth Basketball team for 2025.

  1. 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 Branch presented a Letter of Appreciation to the Carolina State Veterans Cemetery
on 7 Feb 25.

c. The Quarterly Road-Side-Cleanup is scheduled for 22 Feb 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 for the Branch, Coffee-With-A-Cop Program.

e. S/M Levesque reminded the Branch that any Veteran that still has the paper Military
Retired ID Card will have to get the new CAC version in the near future. 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.

  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 informed the Branch that nominations for all leadership
positions will be open at the Mar 25 meeting with elections held at the Apr 25 meeting.

c. S/M Secretary Miethker requests to order new items (award pins, challenge coins, etc)
from FRA National Headquarters. S/M President Applewhite informed the Branch that the request was in the budget for this year. The Branch voted to approve the request.

d. S/M Austin was recognized for his and his wife’s Church, Unity of faith, celebrating
20 years of service.

e. S/M PAO Manchester informed the Branch that there were 3 Branch pictures in the FRA
by-monthly magazine.

f. S/M PAO Manchester informed 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.

g. The Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber at the TBI Clinic is accepting referrals for Veterans.

h. DHA is now mandating that 30% of all medical appointments at MTF’s be virtual.

i. MCB Camp Lejeune and MCAS New River Gyms are now open 24/7 for AD only.
Open normal working hours for all other eligible patrons.

  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. NMCCL Townhall, lower galley, 26 Feb 25 @ 1400.

e. Regiment of Retired Marines breakfast, All Ranks Club, 12 Apr 25 @0700.

f. MCB Retiree Appreciation Day, Marston Pavilion, 27 Sep 25 @0900-1400

g. Regiment of Retired Marines Ball, 8 Nov 25, New Bern Convention Center @1730.

  1. BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERARIES Birthdays:
    4 Feb – Almotis Austin
    6 Feb – James Martin
    12 Feb – Robert Miller
    23 Feb – Thomas Pawloski
    26 Feb – Janna Baumgartner
    28 Feb -Mike Rooney Anniversaries
    9 Feb – Paul and Terrie Miethker 44 years
    9 Feb – Steve and Darlene Tracy – 45 years
  2. TWO BELL CEREMONY Arthur W. Baker, WO1, USMC, RET
  3. 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 1930. The next meeting will be held on 11 March 2025 @ 1830 at the DAV Building. Paul H. Miethker
    Shipmate Secretary