Requin Base Meeting Minutes
January 11, 2020
Baden, PA
Base Commander Huey Dietrich called the meeting to order.
Attendees: Mike Allen, Eric Bookmiller, Lee & Patsy Bookwalter, Clair & Nancy Bouts, Don Bright, George Brown, Tom & Deneen Calabrese, Ron Campbell, Joe Campisi, Huey & Edie Dietrich, Rick & Judy Elster, Rick Flaugh, Gerry & Linda Gaylor, Dick & Beverly Geyer, Bob & Lynn Gourley, Lou Hamill, Ron & Trisha Horton, Kyle Lacey, Jean LeMeau, Bill & Sandy Lindsey, Bat Masterson, JB Messer, Frank Nicotra, Mike Pellegrino, Chuck Shrump, Harry Sills, Jeff Simon, Carl Stigers, John Swords, Chad Underkoffler, Mike & Tina Wyckoff
Base Commander Huey Dietrich: Quote of the day: “Submarine life is not a service but a religion”
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, Ed Paul and Vince Segeleon. 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.
Shipmate Chad Underkoffler led the Base in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Members introduced themselves and the boats they qualified on.
Requin Base Officers were sworn in.
Base Secretary Jeff Simon reported that Minutes of the previous meeting and Executive Board Meeting were published on the Requin Base website. With no objections, the minutes were approved as published.
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: Jack Sutherin, Luke Walker, Mary Ann Knotier
Membership stands at 193. Report of membership changes was given.
Storekeeper Frank Nicotra reported on available small stores.
Social Events
Inactivation of USS Pittsburgh, Jan 16 – 20 in Bremerton WA. Base members will be attending. Challenge coins for this event will be available in the Base Small Stores.
Memorial And Ceremonies
Members are encouraged to see the Calendar on the Requin Base Website for upcoming activities, events, birthdays and anniversaries.
Plans are underway to participate in the Pittsburgh St. Patrick’s Day Parade. As a result the March base meeting will be held on March 7 in Canonsburg PA.
Old Business:
None
New Business:
New Virginia class submarines are being named USS Oklahoma and USS Arizona
Donation was made to the American Legion Post 641 in Baden PA
Life Membership for the base will be available starting in 2021
VA enrollment and benefits were discussed.
Conversion of SSNs to training ships was discussed.
Restrictions on meeting activities approved by the Board were discussed.
For The Good Of The Order:
Volunteers are need for the following committees: Eagle Scouts, Awards Chairman, Photographer, Assistant Holland Club Chairman, Active Duty Personnel Liaison, Requin Base Shipmate Liaison
Chad Underkoffler is temporary COB
Checks from Huey & Edie Dietrich were presented to the base
Chaplain Carl Stigers 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 8, 2020