Requin Base Meeting Minutes
August 06, 2016
Leetsdale, PA
Base Commander Huey Dietrich called the meeting to order.
Attendees: John Algee, Valentine Bolcato, Eric Bookmiller, Lee & Patsy Bookwalter, Clair & Nancy Bouts, Joe Campisi, Huey & Edie Dietrich, Reno Farina, Peter & Stephanie Foster, Henry Franz, Gerry & Linda Gaylor, Ric & Joan Guntag, Lou Hamil, Jimmy & Charlene List, James & Sandra Messer, Rick Nelson, Frank Nicotra, Chip & Sharon Porter, Jeff Samual, Robert & Dorothy Stahl, George Stass, Mike & Tina Wyckoff
Base Commander Huey Dietrich: Quotes of the day: “Helm, Bridge. What are you doing 60 degrees off course? Coming back from 90 degrees sir. Think of it this way, you go to sea in most awesome piece of equipment ever built, eat great chow, have great shipmates, piss off Ivan the Great and get paid for it ”
Requin History: July 13, 1945 USS Requin joined the Pacific Fleet in the Panama Canal Zone. July 31, 1945 USS Requin arrived in Pearl Harbor Hawaii. August 24, 1944 keel laid at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. August 14, 1945 two weeks after her arrival and three days before starting her first war patrol, WWII ended and the Requin was recalled and ordered back to the Atlantic. August 1, 1952 Requin was back in European waters, during September she visited the United Kingdom, then in October the submarine transited the Straits Of Gibraltar for regular 6th Fleet duty. August 15, 1959 upon her conversion to fleet snorkel configuration, the Requin was given hull classification SS 481 and rejoined Subron 6 in Norfolk VA for operations as a normal attack submarine, a role she retained until her decommissioning. August 7, 1990 Requin left International Ship Repair in Tampa FL under tow to Baton Rouge LA. August 11, 1990 Requin was lifted onto barges and began her ride up the Mississippi River and Ohio River to 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 28 (SS 133) July 4, 1944
USS ROBALO (SS 273) July 26, 1944
USS GRUNION (SS 216) July 30, 1942
USS BULLHEAD (SS 332) August 6, 1945
USS FLIER (SS 250) August 13, 1944
USS S 39 (SS 144) August 16, 1942
USS HARDER (SS 257) August 24, 1944
USS COCHINO (SS 345) August 26, 1949
USS POMPANO (SS 181) August 29, 1943
We also wish to remember our shipmates of the Requin Base: Dex Armstrong, John Grienenberger, Neal Sever, Frank Gogul, John Irons, Louis Kleinlein, Ed Yoder, Joe Brenkus, Steve Kossler, Soupy Campbell. 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.
Chief Of The Boat Clyde Porter 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.
Members shared memorabilia including a 1942 Blue Jackets Manual.
There was no meeting in July. Minutes of the June meeting were published in the SVD. 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. A book from Chuck Stoner “Silent Victory” was donated to the base library. Shipmate Eric Bookmiller and his brother are building a bookcase for the base.
Other Reports:
Binnacle List: Aaron Ellis, Sandy Messer, Bernie Sigler, Judy Elster
Agnes Franz wife of Shipmate Henry Franz past away in March
Membership stands at 182.
Carl Stigers continues to participate in Eagle Scouts presentations. Volunteers are needed to assist in this program.
Kap(ss)4Kid(ss) meeting with Lending Hearts Children was held on Saturday July 9 at the Carnegie Science Center and was a great success. Bravo Zulu to George Stass, Edie Dietrich, Sandy Messer, and Margi Bookmiller. Cost to the base was $876.00.
Memorials & Ceremonies:
Thank You letter from the base to Cannonsburgh VFW was read regarding their hospitality following the parade on July 4.
The base participated in a parade in Pittsburgh on July 9.
Social Events:
Base members will be visiting the USS Pittsburgh SSN720 on August 11 through 13 in Groton CT. Donations are being accepted to fund USSVI memberships for the USS Pittsburgh crew.
Gateway Clipper Fleet is offering free/reduced cost cruises for veterans June 6 to October 21, 2016.
Old Business:
None
New Business:
Bruce Franz, grandson of Henry Franz, won a USSVI National Scholarship of $950.00.
For The Good Of The Order:
A letter and picture from Chuck Hilgendorf were shared.
The first enlisted female sailor has qualified submarines.
Chief Of The Boat Clyde Porter gave the Benediction and blessing of today’s meal.
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned.
Next meeting: September 10, 2016. Location and time to be determined.