Requin Base Meeting Minutes
March 12, 2016
Dawson, PA
Base Commander Huey Dietrich called the meeting to order.
Attendees: Able & Kyle Martin, Valentine & Sally Bolcato, Lee & Patsy Bookwalter, Don Bright, Joe & Jill Campisi, Huey & Edie Dietrich, Phil Elias, Rick & Judy Elster, Peter & Stephanie Foster, Major & Loretta Galloway, Gerry & Linda Gaylor, Dick Geyer, Ron Goron, Jimmy & Charlene List, Bob MacPherson, Bob & Judy Meyers, Frank Nicotra, Don Phelps & Edie, Clyde Porter, Jeff & Eileen Simon, Jack & Lois Stewart, Carl Stigers, Jack & Ginny Sutherin.
Requin History: February 1, 1969, Requin was towed to Florida where she served as a Naval Reserve training ship. February 21, 1990 Senator John Hines introduced Senate Bill S2151 which allowed Requin to be transferred as an exhibit at the Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh PA.
Base Commander Huey Dietrich: Let us at this time, with a moment of silent prayer, remember our Shipmates who made the supreme sacrifice that we may gather here in Peace. We dedicate this meeting to our Shipmates on Eternal Patrol, to perpetuate their memories in our lives and to honor our Shipmates on active duty in the service of the first line of defense of our Nation.
Boats Lost:
USS PERCH (SS 176) March 3, 1942
USS GRAMPUS (SS 207) March 5, 1943
USS H-1 (SS 28) March 12, 1920
USS TRITON (SS 201) March 15, 1943
USS KETE (SS 369) March 20, 1945
USS F-4 (SS 23) March 25, 1915
USS TULLIBEE (SS 284) March 26, 1944
USS TRIGGER (SS 237) March 26, 1945
We also honor our departed shipmate of the Requin Base lost in March, John Mills. Finally let us remember all the brave submariners who died performing their duties aboard submarines, some individually and some in groups, but where the submarine itself was not lost.
Chaplain Carl Stigers gave the Invocation.
Chief Of The Boat Clyde Porter led the Base in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Members introduced themselves and the boats they qualified on.
Base Secretary Jeff Simon reported that Minutes of the last meeting were published in the SVD.
Treasurer Lee Bookwalter’s report was presented and approved by the members present.
Other Reports:
Binnacle List: Aaron Ellis, Dave Dietrich, Edie Dietrich, Mike Markel
Membership stands at 175
Eagle Scouts presentations are down this year due to changes in the Boy Scout organization.
Kap(ss)4Kid(ss) will partner with Lending Hearts to sponsor children and their families on the USS Requin at the Science Center on July 9th. Efforts underway to combine this activity with the July base meeting.
Memorials & Ceremonies:
Carnegie Parade May 29
Sewickley Parade May 30 (1000 hours)
Coraopolis Parade May 30 (1330 hours)
Possible Veterans Day parade in Pittsburgh November 11
Old Business:
Ideas are need to plan and organize an event this year to honor WWII Veterans.
A report will be presented next month regarding Base Boosters.
National Awards submittals are due. See website for details.
Members who attend a base meeting between January and June of 2016 will automatically be entered into a drawing for a 40 inch television and a stay in Cincinnati Hotel. These prizes are left over from the USSVI Convention.
New Business:
Holland Club inductees will be honored at the next meeting on April 16.
Crew members from the USS Pittsburgh will be in town April 3-6.
The winners of the 2016 Regional Sea Perch Competition held in Pittsburgh in February were Hopewell High School (top High School Team) Harrison Middle school was the top Middle School team. Both received an invitation to the 2016 National SeaPerch Competition and need help to raise funds which will allow them to compete at the National Competition in Baton Rouge, LA. The SeaPerch Program provides students with the opportunity to learn about robotics, engineering, science, and mathematics (STEM) while building an underwater ROV as part of a science and engineering technology curriculum. Donations to support this program can be made by going to GoFundMe.com and searching for 2016 Sea Perch Support Fund or type www.gofundme.com/4eqq9a9s into your Internet Browser.
For The Good Of The Order:
Letters from Governor Tom Wolf and Home Depot were read.
Books and Koosies are being donated to the base from an author who attended last year’s convention.
If members desire, the base’s Games Of Chance license will need to be renewed.
Members interested in attending the Veterans Breakfast Club should contact Huey Dietrich for details.
Members are encouraged to go to the National website and vote in the this year’s elections.
Chaplain Carl Stigers gave the Benediction and blessing of today’s meal.
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned.
Next meeting: Leetsdale, PA VFW at 1230 hours on April 16, 2016.