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Meeting Minutes November 2023

1.  The Shipmates monthly meeting of FRA Branch 208, Jacksonville NC was called to order at 1830 on 14 November 2023 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

     John Caskey

     Al Farrell

     Paul Levesque

     Tim Manchester – Webmaster

     Paul H. Miethker – Secretary

     Alexander Nevgloski – Chaplain

     Mike Rooney

     Terry Scott

The following guests were present:

      N/A

4.  NEW SHIPMATES

     N/A

 5.  The minutes of the 10 October 2023 meeting were accepted.  

 6.   FINANCIAL REPORT.                                   

Approved pending audit. 

7.  COMMUNICATIONS

  1. S/M Secretary Miethker indicated the Branch received the following:

b. List of paid S/M’s for Nov 23 from National HQ.

     c. List of deceased S/M’s for Nov 23 from National HQ

d. Letter from the Salvation Army requesting a monetary donation.

e. Letter from Special Olympics, North Carolina requesting a monetary donation.

f. Plaque from FRA National for Justin Glassow, National, 3rd place winner, 19th grade.

g. Letter for the City of Jacksonville requesting the Branch Veteran of the Year for 2023.

8.  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 annual Branch donations to the Salvation Army, Christmas Cheer and the Soup Kitchen will be 16 November 2023 beginning at 1200.

 9. NEW BUSINESS

  1. S//M Secretary Miethker brought up the numerous requests for monetary donation. The Branch voted not to donate.

b. S/M President Applewhite reported on S/M’s that are ill. 

c. The-By Laws meeting will be held at a future date to be determined.

d. S/M President Applewhite will now have access to 5 black checks for use when the Treasurer is unavailable.

e. The Branch quarterly roadside clean-up is scheduled for 9 December 2023 at 0730 in front of the old USO building.

10.  GOOD OF THE ORDER.  

  1.  First Saturday of the Month:  Reading of the North Carolina POW/MIA Names, Vietnam Memorial, Lejeune Memorial Gardens at 1200.

b. USO location at the Onslow County Airport has closed as of 26 Aug 23.

c. Retiree breakfast, The Clubs at Paradise Point, 2 Dec 23 0700

d. Pearl Harbor Remembrance Ceremony, American Legion, 7 Dec 23 @1100.

e. Wreaths Across America, State Veterans Cemetery, 16 Dec 23 @1200.

f. PACT Act burn pit registration extended to 9 Aug 23.

g. The Carolina Museum of the Marines groundbreaking scheduled Jan – Mar 24. 

11. TWO BELL CEREMONY

      N/A

      Raymond Morlando, MS1, USN, RET

12.  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 1920. The next meeting will be held on 12 December 2023 at 1800 at the Golden Corral for the Branch annual Christmas dinner.

                       Paul H. Miethker Shipmate Secretary