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Meeting Minutes January 2025

  1. The Shipmates monthly meeting of FRA Branch 208, Camp Lejeune, NC was called to order at 1830 on 14 January 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
    Luis Alers – Chairman of the Board
    Al Austin
    John Caskey
    George Cleveland
    Al Farrell – Director
    Gerald Gray – Master-At-Arms
    James Hill – Treasurer
    Graham Luby
    Mike Maddox
    Tim Manchester – Webmaster
    Paul H. Miethker – Secretary
    Alexander Nevgloski – Chaplain
    Tom Punda
    John Rooney
    Mike Rooney
    Terry Scott
    Darrell Taylor

The following guests were present:

  Joann Adams
  Maddie O’Shea
  1. NEW SHIPMATES N/A
  2. MINUTES The minutes of the 12 November 2024 meeting were accepted. No meeting held December 2024 due to the annual Branch Christmas dinner.
  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 Jan 25 from National HQ.

       (2)  List of deceased S/M’s for  Jan 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.

  1. OLD BUSINESS

a. The Branch appreciation letters 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 22 Feb 25 at 0730.

c. S/M Secretary Miethker, informed the Branch that due to its efforts for Hurricane Heline
relief last year, the Branch did not participate in the FRA Annual Americanism Essay contest and he will submit a Negative Report to the East Region Coordinator.

d. S/M President Applewhite informed the Branch that various S/M’s helped in handing out
over 1700 turkey dinners at the USO on 22 Nov 24.

e. S/M Secretary Miethker 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 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 reported on S/M’s and family members that are ill.

c. S/M Chairman of the Board Alers presented a letter from Julian Ortiz, requesting the
Branch to sponsor him for a weightlifting competition. Under discussion the Branch elected not to sponsor him and instead passed the hat for a voluntary collection. 183.00 dollars was collected.

d. S/M Cleveland was recognized for his recent retirement from the North Carolina House
of Representatives after serving for the last 20 years.

e. USO National now authorizes any Active Duty, their families, Reservists, their families,
Military Retirees, and their families to use to any USO facility.

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

g. DHA is now mandating that 30% of all medical appointments at Military Treatment Facilities we virtual appointments.

  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. Regiment of Retired Marines breakfast, All Ranks Club, Camp Lejeune, 1 Feb 25 @0700.

e. VET Stand Down, American Legion Post 265, 4 Feb 25 @ 1000 – 1400.

f. 2d Marine Division, Rededication Ceremony, WPT Hill Field, 5 Feb 25 @ 0900.

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

  1. TWO BELL CEREMONY William A. Allenson, MGySgt, USMC, RET
  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 1930. The next meeting will be held on 11 February 2025 @ 1800 at the DAV Building. Paul H. Miethker Shipmate Secretary