Requin Base Meeting Minutes
June 16, 2018
Columbiana OH
Base Commander Huey Dietrich called the meeting to order.
Attendees: Eric & Marge Bookmiller, Lee & Patsy Bookwalter, Clair & Nancy Bouts, George Brown, Tom & Deneen Calabrese, Ron Campbell, Joe Campisi, Huey & Edie Dietrich, Rick Elster, Lou Hamill, Charles Loshkosh Bat & Kim Masterson, Jim Messer, Bob & Judy Myers, Frank Nicotra, Mike Pellegrino, Chip & Sharon Porter, Jeff & Eileen Simon, Carl Stigers, Jack Sutherin, Chad Underkoffler, Mike & Tina Wyckoff
Base Commander Huey Dietrich: Quotes of the day: “Helm Bridge. Why are you 60 degrees off course? Coming back from 90 degrees sir”
History of the Requin: 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.
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 gave an accounting of base assets, expenditures, and deposits which was approved by the members present.
Other Reports:
Binnacle List: Sally Smith and Ms. Stigers
Membership stands at 186
Storekeeper Frank Nicotra reported on available small stores at the meeting and online (RequinBase.org).
Memorials, Parades And Ceremonies:
Canonsburg parade – Wednesday July 4, muster 0800 hours. Enter town from the Houston side.
Leetsdale parade – Wednesday July 4, muster 1300 hours
Washington parade – Saturday November 10, 1400 hours
Beaver Veterans Day parade – Sunday November 11, muster 0900 hours
Old Business:
None
New Business:
National has a new American Submariner Editor
Associate Membership has been re-instated
Base members will travel to Groton CT June 18-20 to deliver Terrible Towels to the USS Pittsburgh
Good Of The Order:
Fiancée to a sailor lost on the Thresher is working to honor him at the Ambridge High School he attended.
Motion to donate $250 for the Thresher Memorial was approved by the members present.
Book raffle has earned at least $117
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned.
Next meeting: River Forest Country Club, Freeport PA at 1200 hours on July 14, 2018