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Meeting Minutes July 2024

  1. The Shipmates monthly meeting of FRA Branch 208, Camp Lejeune, NC was called to order at 1830 on 9 July 2024 by Shipmate President Raymond Applewhite. S/M President Applewhite announced the S/M Pundas’ spouse passed on 6 Jul 24. All available S/M’s are encouraged to attend the funeral service on 24 Jul 24.
  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 Austin
    Sonny Bell
    Cornelius Dozier
    Al Farrell
    Gerald Gray – Master-At-Arms
    James Hill – Treasurer
    Paul Levesque
    Michael Maddox
    Tim Manchester – Webmaster
    Paul H. Miethker – Secretary
    Alexander Nevgloski – Chaplain
    John Rooney
    Mike Rooney
    Terry Scott
    Steve Tracy

The following guests were present:

  N/A
  1. NEW SHIPMATES Steve Tracy
  2. The minutes of the 19 June 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 Jun 24 from National HQ.

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

  1. OLD BUSINESS a. The Branch, Coffee-With-A-Cop Program will continue with the Branch bringing refreshments and coffee to the various police stations selected.

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 was conducted on 29 Jun 24.

d. The Branch will purchase magnetic name tags for all active S/M’s. Please provide
the name you want used to S/M Secretary Miethker via email or text.

e. S/M Secretary Miethker updated the Branch on the FRA National Americanism Essay
winner from the Branch and will ensure that the award is forwarded to his new home in California.

  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 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. S/M Chairman, BOD Alers informed the Branch of the DoD order on Military Veterans
funerals and encouraged all S/M’s to contact their federal level Senators and Congressman.

e. S/M President Applewhite announced that the FRA Legislative Representative, Jon Davis
is retiring this year.

f. The Concussion Recovery Clinic (TBI) onboard MCB Camp LeJeune is now offering
hyperbaric chamber therapy to active duty and eligible veterans.

g. The nominations for the MRC annual Whitey Welbourne award are due Aug 24.

h. S/M Tracy informed the Branch of a Veteran’s program in Maine that is free of charge called House of Healing.

i. Special note, S/M Michael Rooney at the age of 87, took 1st place in his age group at the

Swansboro MCL 5k run.

  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. Rolling Thunder NC5 bike ride to benefit Wreaths Across America, NR Harley Davidson,
12 July 24 @ 0800.

e. NMC Camp LeJeune Townhall, lower galley, 27 Aug 24 @ 1400

f. Annual MCB Camp Lejeune, Retiree Appreciation Day, Marston Pavilion, 28 Sep 24,
0800 – 1400.

g. City of Jacksonville Veterans Day Parade, CCCC @ 1000.

h. Retiree Marine Corps Birthday Ball, Jacksonville Hilton Garden, 9 Nov 24, 1800-2400.

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

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

  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 1940. The next meeting will be held on 13 August 2024 at 1830 at the Jacksonville DAV Chapter 16 building. Paul H. Miethker Shipmate Secretary