Requin Base Meeting Minutes
July 14, 2018
Freeport PA
Base Commander Huey Dietrich called the meeting to order.
Attendees: Tino & Sally Bolcato, Eric & Marge Bookmiller, Lee & Patsy Bookwalter, Don & Dorothy Bright, George Brown, Joe & Jill Campisi, Huey & Edie Dietrich, Reno Farina, Jerry & Linda Gaylor, Dick & Beverly Geyer, Rid & Joan Guntang, Lou Hamill, James Kontier, Bat Masterson, Jim Messer, Vince Metz, Bob & Judy Meyers, Mike Pellegrino, Chip & Sharon Porter, Jeff & Eileen Simon, Carl Stigers, Jack & Jenny Sutherin, Chad Underkoffler, Mike & Tina Wyckoff
Base Commander Huey Dietrich: Quotes of the day: “Think of it this way. Where can you go to sea in the most awesome piece of equipment ever built, have great chow, outstanding shipmates, piss off Ivan, 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.
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
We also remember our departed shipmate of the Requin Base Dex Armstrong, John Grienenberger Steve Kossler, Joe Brenkus. Ed Covey, and Ron Shook. 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.
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. With no objections, the minutes will stand as published.
Treasurer Lee Bookwalter reported an accounting of base assets, expenditures, and deposits is available upon request.
Other Reports:
Binnacle List: Sally Smith, Carl Stigers’ mother, Bob Gurley, Sharon Porter
Membership stands at 187
Storekeeper Frank Nicotra MIA
Shipmate Vince Metz reported on Eagle Scouts presentations
Memorials, Parades And Ceremonies:
Washington parade – Saturday November 10
Beaver Veterans Day parade – Sunday November 11, muster 0900 hours
Old Business:
Trip to Groton CT was discussed
Canonsburg parade was discussed
Leetsdale parade was discussed
New Business:
Members thanked Tino and Sally Bolcato for arranging today’s meeting.
Good Of The Order:
Fiancée to a sailor lost on the Thresher is working to honor him at the Ambridge High School he attended.
Thresher Memorial fund has reached its goal of $35,000.
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned.
Next meeting: Baden PA American Legion, second floor at 1230 hours on August 11, 2018