Requin Base Meeting Minutes
January 20, 2018
Baden, PA
Base Commander Huey Dietrich called the meeting to order.
Attendees: Mike Allen, Eric Bookmiller, Lee & Patsy Bookwalter, Clair & Nancy Bouts, George Brown, Ron Campbell, Joe Campisi, Huey & Edie Dietrich, Peter & Stephanie Foster, Major & Loretta Galaway, Gerry Gaylor, Dick & Beverly Geyer, Bill & Donna Greenlee, Rick & Joan Guntang, Don Haley, Lou Hamill, Mark & Adriana Hoag, James Kontier, Chuck Loskoch, Bat Masterson, JB & Sandra Messner, Vince Metzke, Frank Nicotra, Chip & Sharon Porter, Jim & Sondra Schwarz, Harry Sills, Jeff Simon, Jack & Jenny Sutherin, Chad Underkoffer, Mike & Tina Wyckoff
Base Commander Huey Dietrich: Quote of the day: “The more you sweat in peace the less you bleed in war”
Requin History: Launched January 1, 1945. January 20, 1948 given hull classification OSSR-481 and modified to the Migrain II radar picket configuration. January 15, 1951 entered Mediterranean until May when she returned to normal operations on the US east coast and in the Caribbean. January 1, 1953 maintained her schedule of Second and Sixth Fleet operations but at the end of the year put into Philadelphia PA for extensive modernization overhaul that among other things removed her last remaining anti-aircraft cannon.
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 SCORPION (SS 278) January 05, 1944
USS ARGONAUT (SS 166) January 10, 1943
USS SWORDFISH (SS 193) January 12, 1945
USS S 36 (SS 141) January 20, 1942
USS S 26 (SS 131) January 24, 1942
We also honor our departed shipmate of the Requin Base, John Good, Robert Goodley, Tom Stewart, Earl Wood, Ed Cramer, and Ed Paul. 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.
Chief Of The Boat Chip Porter gave the Invocation
Chief Of The Boat Chip 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 previous meeting were published in the SVD and on the Requin Base website. Minutes for the Executive Board meeting were read. With no objections, the minutes were approved as published.
Guest speaker Don Haley informed the members of educational benefits available through the VA.
Treasurer Lee Bookwalter gave an accounting of base assets, expenditures, and deposits are available upon request. With no objections, the report was approved.
Other Reports:
Binnacle List: Robert Schmidt, Lou Hamill, Rick Elster
Membership stands at 186.
Storekeeper Frank Nicotra reported on available small stores.
Old Business:
Change of Command for USS Pittsburgh in Groton CT was attended by base members.
New Business:
Motion to purchase two books from Frank Hood (Poopie Suits And Cowboy Boots) was approved by the members present.
Motion to approve $500 for future USS Pittsburgh activities was approved by the members present.
For The Good Of The Order:
A committee is being formed to arrange the Christmas luncheon for 2018.
Requin Base 25th anniversary is September 1, 2019
Requin Base Officers were sworn in.
Chief Of The Boat Chip Porter gave the Benediction and blessing of today’s meal.
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned.
Next meeting: Baden PA American Legion at 1230 hours on February 10, 2018