Meeting Minutes September 2023

FLEET RESERVE ASSOCIATION, BRANCH 208

1.  The Shipmates monthly meeting of FRA Branch 208, Jacksonville NC was called to order at 1830 on 12 September 2023 by Shipmate President Raymond Applewhite.  

2.  The Pledge of Allegiance, Opening Prayer and Preamble to the FRA Constitution was recited by all present. 

3.  The following Shipmates were present:

     Raymond Applewhite – President

     Luis Alers

     Al Farrell

     Jerry Gray

     James Hill – Treasurer

     Tim Manchester

     Paul H. Miethker – Secretary

     Alexander Nevgloski – Chaplain

     Tom Punda

The following guests were present:

      N/A

4.  NEW SHIPMATES

     N/A

5.  The minutes of the 8 August 2023 meeting were accepted. 

6.   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 Sep 23 from National HQ.

                (2)  List of deceased S/M’s for Sep 23 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) Plaque from FRA National for Justin Glassow, National, 3rd place winner, 19th grade.

                (6) 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 will be presented soon. We are waiting to hear back from the commissary on a good day to present the letter

     c. S/M President displayed the Branch plaque for the Vietnam Memorial and requested any

S/Ms available to attend the installation on Monday 18 Sep 23 at 0830.

 9. NEW BUSINESS

     a. 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. FRA National Convention, Reno, NV, Sep 23.  ECRP will be the Branch proxy.

10.  GOOD OF THE ORDER.  

     a. 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.  POW/MIA Recognition Ceremony, Lejeune Memorial Gardens, 15 Sep 23 @ 1800 

     d.  USO open house, 417 L St, MCB, @ 1400-1600

     e. MCB Camp Lejeune Retiree Appreciation Day, 23 Sep 23, Marston Pavilion, 0900-1400.

     f. USN birthday

     g. Jacksonville Veterans Day parade, 1000, 4 Nov 23.

    h. Retiree Ball, Marston Pavilion 11 Nov 23, @ 1800.

     i. Congressman Murphy is conducting a Veteran History Project.  Contact his office if you

are interested.

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

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

11. TWO BELL CEREMONY

      Harvey A. Krueger, SSgt, USMC, RET

      Raymond Morlando, MS1, USN, RET

12.   S./M President Applewhite was presented with a Recruiting Award for recruiting three new members recently.  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 10 October 2023 at 1830 at the DAV Building.

                       Paul H. Miethker

                          Shipmate Secretary