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Meeting Minutes November 2024

The Shipmates monthly meeting of FRA Branch 208, Camp Lejeune, NC was called to order at 1830 on 12 November 2024 by Shipmate President Raymond Applewhite.

  1. The Pledge of Allegiance, Opening Prayer and Preamble to the FRA Constitution were recited by all present.
  2. The following Shipmates were present: Raymond Applewhite – President
    Lois Alers – Chairman of the Board
    Sonny Bell
    John Caskey
    Al Farrell – Director
    Gerald Gray – Master-At-Arms
    James Hill – Treasurer
    Paul Levesque
    Mike Maddox
    Tim Manchester – Webmaster
    Paul H. Miethker – Secretary
    Alexander Nevgloski – Chaplain
    Tom Punda
    John Rooney
    Mike Rooney
    Steve Tracy

The following guests were present:

  N/A
  1. NEW SHIPMATES N/A
  2. MINUTES The minutes of the 8 October 2024 meeting were accepted.
  3. FINANCIAL REPORT

Approved pending audit.

7.  COMMUNICATIONS

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

        (1) List of paid S/M’s for Nov 24 from National HQ.

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

8.  OLD BUSINESS

    a.  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.

    b.  The Quarterly Road-Side-Cleanup is scheduled for 16 Nov 24 at 0730.

    c.  S/M Al Farrell has received his plaque as the Branch Veteran of the Year for the City of  Jacksonville for 2024.

    d.  S/M Steve Tracy updated the Branch on the hurricane relief efforts, over $100,000.00 in supplies and money have been delivered to those in need in Western NC.

 9. 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 President Applewhite reminded the Branch, that the Jacksonville Golden Corral has already been reserved for 10 Dec 24 @1800 for the annual Holiday dinner.

    d.  S/M President Applewhite informed the members of the Branch that we will be assisting the USO in handing out a complete Thanksgiving dinner to Active-Duty personnel on 22 Nov 24 at the USO on “L” Street onboard MCB CLNC beginning at 1000.

    e.  Swansboro MCL Detachment 1407 is raffling off an electric Bike for $10.00 a ticket. The drawing will be 20 Dec 24.  Also, the Morehead Quilt Guild has donated 4 quilts to be used in a 50/50 raffle.

    f.  MCL Devil Dogs are still collecting pet food for donation to multiple Animal Shelters in our area. 

    g.  The Branch will deliver the annual $300.00 donations for the Jacksonville Soup Kitchen, Salvation Army and Onslow Community Services on 15 Nov 24 at 1230.  All Branch members are encouraged to participate.

    h.  S/M Levesque informed the Branch that any Veteran that still has the paper 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.

    i. S/M President Applewhite informed the Branch of the $300.00 purchase of turkeys for

the USO Thanksgiving handout.

10.  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, 7 Dec 24 @0700.

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

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

    g.  The Annual Toys-For-Tots program has a new coordinator, Sgt Broderick, from MCAS New River.  S/M Farrell is the Branch point of contact.

11. TWO BELL CEREMONY

      N/A

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 1935. The next meeting will be held on 10 December 2024 @ 1800 at the Jacksonville Golden Corral for the Branch annual Christmas dinner.

Paul H. Miethker Shipmate Secretary