Requin Base Meeting Minutes
September 10, 2016
Leetsdale, PA
Base Commander Huey Dietrich called the meeting to order.
Attendees: Greg & Maggie Bayne, James & Jennifer Beacher, Eric Bookmiller, Lee & Patsy Bookwalter, Clair & Nancy Bouts, Tom & Deneen Calabrese, Ron Campbell, Joe Campisi, Huey & Edie Dietrich, Rick Elster, Peter & Stephanie Foster, Gerry & Linda Gaylor, Dick & Beverly Geyer, Ron Goron, Bob & Lynn Gourley, Bill & Donna Greenlee, Ric & Joan Guntag, Lou Hamil, Bill & Sandy Lindsey, Shawn McGinty, James & Sandra Messer, Frank Nicotra, Chip Porter, Harry Sills, Jeff & Eileen Simon, Robert & Dorothy Stahl, George Stass, Carl Stigers, Jack Sutherin, Don & Dolly Taskey, Mike & Tina Wyckoff
Base Commander Huey Dietrich: Quotes of the day: “Good ideas are not adopted automatically they must be driven into practice with courageous patience”
Requin History: September 18, 1945 Requin arrived at Staten Island, New York, to begin what would be in the words of Commander Cutter, “a dull and boring assignment” essentially becoming a target for sonar school ships. September 30, 1963 Requin completed her 5000th dive. September 4, 1990 Requin arrived at the Carnegie Science Center, 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 S-5 (SS 110) September 1, 1920
USS GRAYLING (SS 209) September 9, 1943
USS S-51 (SS 162) September 25, 1925
USS CISCO (SS 290) September 28, 1943
We also wish to remember our shipmate of the Requin Base, Donald Miller, Marion Irons, and Don Lennox. Finally, we honor 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 and the base website. With no objections, the minutes were approved as published.
Treasurer Lee Bookwalter an accounting of base assets, expenditures, and deposits are available upon request. With no objections, the report was approved.
Storekeeper Frank Nicotra reported on small stores available.
Other Reports:
Binnacle List: Aaron Ellis, Bernie Sigler, Judy Elster, Bob McPherson, Bill & Donna Greenlee
Membership stands at 182 plus 39 sailors from the USS Pittsburgh.
Carl Stigers continues to participate in Eagle Scouts presentations. Volunteers are desperately needed to assist in this program.
Old Business:
Last month, base members visited the USS Pittsburgh in Groton CT.
Only 11 base members voted in this year’s National Elections.
New Business:
Northeast Regional meeting in Saratoga Springs New York on October 8, 2016. As a result, the Requin Base meeting is being changed to October 15, 2016.
Members wishing to be nominated for a base position should contact Huey Dietrich.
The Leetsdale VFW is now asking $100 per month for the base to hold meetings and store memorabilia at their facility.
For The Good Of The Order:
Bill Lindsey reported on his experiences while attending recent National Convention in Reno. At the convention Huey Dietrich was awarded District Commander Of The Year. Also, Huey Dietrich and the Requin Base were each awarded the Robert Link award.
100 Steelers Terrible Towels were donated by Little Earth Productions for the crew of the USS Pittsburgh.
The Eastern Chapter of WWII Submarine Veterans will be disbanding at the end of this year.
The SubVettes organization has also disbanded.
Rick Elster spoke about the suicide of his shipmate Chief David Ringhand.
Chaplain Carl Stigers gave the Benediction and blessing of today’s meal.
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned.
Next meeting: Saturday October 15, 2016 at 1230 hours. Crane Room, 3009 Wilmington Road, New Castle PA 16105.