Meeting Minutes September 2025

1.  The Shipmates monthly meeting of FRA Branch 208, Camp Lejeune, NC was called to order at 1830 on 9 September 2025 by Shipmate President Raymond Applewhite.

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

3. The following Shipmates were present:

     Luis Alers – Chairman Board of Directors

     Raymond Applewhite – President

     Al Austin

     George Cleveland

     Al Farrell – Director

     Gerald Gray – Master At Arms

     James Hill – Treasurer

     Paul Levesque

     Tim Manchester – PAO

     Paul H. Miethker – Secretary

     Alexander Nevgloski – Chaplain

     John Rooney

     Michael Rooney

     Terry Scott    

     Steve Tracy

The following guests were present:    

      N/A

4. NEW SHIPMATES

     N/A

5. MINUTES

     The Minutes were accepted as written.

6.   FINANCIAL REPORT                                 

     The financial report was accepted as given pending audit. 

7.  COMMUNICATIONS

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

(1) List of paid S/M’s for Sep 25 from National HQ.

(2)  List of deceased S/M’s for Sep 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.

(5)  Letter from the American Bible Society requesting a monetary donation.

8.  OLD BUSINESS

            a. 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.

            b. The Branch By-Laws Committee met on 8 Sep 25, and will present the

Recommendations at the Oct 25 Branch meeting.

            c. S/M President Applewhite, updated the Branch that he is still waiting to hear back from the various civilian police departments for a date and time for the Branch, Coffee-With-A-Cop Program.

            d. S/M Secretary Miethker updated the Branch on the sponsorship of 2 youth athletic teams. The season schedule will be mailed this month, and S/M Secretary Miethker will also pick-up a schedule at the Recreation Office.

            e. S/M Tracy was selected as the Branch Veteran of the Year for the City of Jacksonville.

S/M Secretary Miethker will complete the package for submission to the City.

            f. The Branch budget review was tabled until the 14 Oct 25 meeting.

 9. NEW BUSINESS

            a. The Branch has submitted a request to be sanctioned under Article 1216(a) of the FRA Constitution and By-Laws, allowing the Branch to operate with a reduced number of elected officers.  Scheduled for vote during the East Coast Regional Convention.

            b. An updated Branch membership roster will be sent to Shipmates. The roster will be a password protected document.

            c. The next scheduled Quarterly Road-Side-Cleanup is 18 October 2025 @ 0730.

            d. S/M President Applewhite will attempt to coordinate a visit by FRA National President

S/M Mara Behm for later this year.

            e. S/M Secretary Miethker informed the Branch of the increase in prices for items purchased

from FRA National HQ. After some discussion, S/M Secretary Miethker will research the reason for the increase before ordering again.

            f. S/M Chairman-of-the-Board Alers informed the Branch of the set-up schedule for the

Retiree Appreciation Day on 27 Sep 25.  S/M President Applewhite encouraged the S/M’s to help setup tables and pass the word about the upcoming Retiree Appreciation Day.  If you are manning the table, please wear your blue FRA polo shirt.

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. 9/11 Memorial Observance, Lejeune Memorial Gardens, 11 Sep 25 @ 0800

            e.  POW/MIA Recognition Day Observance, Lejeune Memorial Gardens, 19 Sep 25 @1830.

            f. MCB CL Retiree Appreciation Day, Marston Pavilion, 27 Sep 25 @ 0900-1400

            g. Branch Roadside Cleanup, Onslow County Courthouse, 18 Oct 25 @ 0730

            h. Beirut Memorial Observance, Lejeune Memorial Gardens, 22 Oct 25 @ 1030

            i. City of Jacksonville Veterans Day parade, CCCC, 8 Nov 25 @ 1000. Applications are      have been released, and nominations for the Grand Marshall are requested.

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

Tickets are only available online at VETERANBALL.COM

            k. S/M Steve Tracy thanked the Branch for his selection as the Veteran of the Year.  He also briefed the Branch on Operation Chow Hound and the Gunny Claus Program for this year.

            l. S/M Paul Levesque briefed the Branch on the latest MRC meeting.

                        (1) Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune, flu shots are not available yet.

                        (2) Grand Marshall nominations for the Jacksonville Veterans Day Parade are due

   1 Oct 25.

11. BIRTHDAYS   

Cornellus Dozier           4 Sep

Joseph Estep                 15 Sep

John Rooney                 28 Sep

Salvatore Verzi             29 Sep

12. TWO BELL CEREMONY

     N/A.

13. 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 1925. The next meeting will be held on 14 October 2025 @ 1830 at DAV Chapter 16 Building Jacksonville, NC.

                       Paul H. Miethker

                          Shipmate Secretary