Requin Base Meeting Minutes
April 16, 2016
Leetsdale, PA
Guest Speakers:
Chuck Schrenkel & guest
Captain Frank Aucremanne
Holland Club Inductees:
Fred Nelson – present, Monaca PA
Thomas Burdin – on vacation, Irwin PA
James Lewis – on vacation, Freedom PA
Paris Von Rabenau – Lives out of state, Georgia
Merlin Larsen – primary member of another base, South Dakota
Base Commander Huey Dietrich called the meeting to order.
Attendees: Mike Allen, Valentine & Sally Bolcato, Eric Bookmiller, Lee & Patsy Bookwalter, Tom & Deneen Calarbese, Joe Campisi, Bob Davis, Huey & Edie Dietrich, Rick & Judy Elster, Gerry & Linda Gaylor, Dick & Beverly Geyer, Bill & Donna Greenlee, Woody Gunderson, Ric & Joan Guntang, Jimmy & Charlene List, Vince Metz, Bob Meyers, Fred & Patricia Nelson, Frank Nicotra, Bill Rodgers, Jack & Lois Stewart, Carl Stigers, Don & Dolly Taskey, Jeff Thompson, Mike Wykoff,
Base Commander Huey Dietrich: Quote of the day: “Take your sub quals serious. Just remember when you get to the boat that submerging it is no big deal. Any ship in the Navy can do that. It’s your ability to make the other part happen that counts.
Requin History: April 28, 1945 commissioned with Commander Slay D. Cutter in command. April 4, 1967, Requin departed for 6th Fleet deployment.
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:
Boats Lost:
USS PICKEREL (SS 177) April 3, 1943
USS SNOOK (SS 279) April 8, 1945
USS THRESHER (SSN 593) April 10, 1963
USS GUDGEON (SS 211) April 18, 1944
USS GRENADIER (SS 210) April 22, 1943
We also remember our departed members of the Requin Base David Helmold, Jack Kordes and Larry Simon. Let us also remember 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.
Treasurer Lee Bookwalter led the Base in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Members introduced themselves and the boats they qualified on.
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, Sandy Messer
Membership stands at 176. New member Eric Bookmiller transferred in from Gorton Base.
Carl Stigers reported on Eagle Scouts presentations.
Memorials & Ceremonies:
Memorial Service on USS Requin May 29 (1000 hours)
Carnegie Parade May 29 (1400 hours)
Sewickley Parade May 30 (1000 hours)
Coraopolis Parade May 30 (1330 hours)
Social Events:
Hospitalized Vets Fish Rodeo – Wednesday May 11, 1000 hours – Squal Run Park, Fox #2 Chapel Road
Lending Hearts Children – Saturday July 9 (1000-1600 hours) – Science Center. Sponsored by Requin Base. Base will pay parking, admission, and lunch for our guests and their immediate family. Hats and dolphins will be distributed.
Old Business:
A report was presented regarding Base Boosters
Copies of 2016 Base Budget were available for review.
WWII Veterans will be honored at the Christmas luncheon.
New Business:
Meeting was held with crew members from USS Pittsburgh. Members are asked to sponsor the entire Pittsburgh crew as USSVI members. Estimated cost is $3900 for 130 crew plus 20 cases of beer for pre deployment picnic and overseas picnic. A motion asking each Requin Base member to sponsor a Pittsburgh sailor for $30 was approved by the members present.
For The Good Of The Order:
Huey Dietrich given a VFW Veteran Of The Year award
Frank Nicotra is Base Librarian. The library has about 76 books mostly donated by Dr. James Ross
Letter from National Convention Chairman (Ozzie) was read
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 May 14, 2016.