Requin Base Meeting Minutes
June 11, 2016
Columbiana, OH
Base Commander Huey Dietrich called the meeting to order.
Attendees: Mike Allen, Eric Bookmiller, Lee & Patsy Bookwalter, Clair & Nancy Bouts, Don Bright, Hubert & Guest Brown, Joe Campisi, Huey Dietrich, Rick & Judy Elster, Gerry & Linda Gaylor, Bob & Lynn Gourley, Ric & Joan Guntag, Bill Lindsay, Jimmy & Charlene & Guest List, Mike & Carm Markel, James & Sandra Messer, Bob & Jude Myers, Frank Nicotra, Dave & Ann Sawin, Jeff & Eileen Simon, Jack & Ginny Sutherin, Don & Dolly Taskey. Mike & Christina Wyckoff
Base Commander Huey Dietrich: Quote of the day: “Great minds talk about ideas, average minds talk about events, small minds talk about people”
Requin History: June 3rd following shakedown off the New England coast, USS Requin departed Portsmouth New Hampshire in route to Hawaii. June 30, 1949 soon after her return to New London CT, Requin was transferred to Norfolk VA for duty with Subron 6. Into the spring of 1950 she operated in the western Atlantic ranging from Nova Scotia to the West Indies. From June to August 1959, the Charleston Shipyard in South Carolina removed all Requin’s radar equipment making her more streamline. June 29, 1968 Requin was reclassified as AGS-481. June 30, 1971 Requin was reclassified as IXSS-481. June 17, 1972 Requin was transferred to Tampa Florida as a tourist attraction. She remained in the role until 1986 when she was closed down due to a lack of funding and support. For four years she remained abandoned at the pier.
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 HERRING (SS 233) June 1, 1944
USS R 12 (SS 89) June 12, 1943
USS GOLET (SS 361) June 14, 1944
USS BONEFISH (SS 223) June 18, 1945
USS S 27 (SS 132) June 19, 1942
USS O-9 (SS 70) June 20, 1941
USS RUNNER (SS 275) June 26, 1943
We also remember our departed shipmate of the Requin Base Bill Britt and George Heron. 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.
Shipmate Don Bright gave the Invocation.
Storekeeper Frank Nicotra 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 last 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.
Other Reports:
Binnacle List: Aaron Ellis, Sandy Messer, Bernie Sigler, Bob
Membership stands at 180.
Carl Stigers is participating in two Eagle Scouts presentations today.
Kap(ss)4Kid(ss) – 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. As a result, there will be no regular base meeting in July.
Memorials & Ceremonies:
Cannonsburgh Parade July 4 (muster at 0800 hours at 6 Four Coins Drive, Canonsburg PA)
The base will not attend the Leetsdale Parade on July 4
Pittsburgh Bicentennial Parade July 9 (Nautilus to muster at 0930 hours at 11th and Liberty Avenue. Members will meet at the Science Center at 1000 hours and then go to the parade)
Social Events:
Subfest – Manitowoc WI July 8-10
Cod Base – Cleveland OH July 30
Groton CT – USS Pittsburgh SSN720 Picnic was rescheduled to August
Old Business:
Purple Heart proclamation at the Pittsburgh Council Chamber – May 31
Requin Memorial Service cost of lunch was $151.97
Pictures of memorial service were in Pittsburgh newspaper
Gateway Clipper Fleet is offering free/reduced cost cruises for veterans June 6 to October 21, 2016.
New Business:
July meeting will be cancelled due to numerous parades and ceremonies
August meeting will be moved to August 6 due to conflicts at the Leetsdale VFW.
For The Good Of The Order:
Shipmate Bill Lindsey was inducted into the Holland Club.
USSVI Charitable Foundation acknowledged contribution from Requin Base.
Shipmates Chuck Stoner and Eric Bookmiller have donated books to the base library.
Beer was successfully delivered to USS Pittsburgh.
WWII veterans to be honored at this year’s Christmas meeting
Winner of two-night stay in Cincinnati is Jack Stewart
Winner of television from convention is Jeff Simon
Shipmate Don Bright gave the Benediction and blessing of today’s meal.
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned.
Next meeting: Leetsdale, PA VFW at 1230 hours on August 6, 2016.