Requin Base Meeting Minutes

March 7, 2020

Canonsburg, PA

 

Base Commander Huey Dietrich called the meeting to order.

Attendees: Mike Allen, Eric & Marge Bookmiller, Lee & Patsy Bookwalter, Clair & Nancy Bouts, Don Bright, George Brown,  Joe Campisi, Huey & Edie Dietrich, Sandy Ellis, Gerry & Linda Gaylor, Dick & Beverly Geyer, Lou Hamill, George & Barbara Harrah, Mark Hoag, Ronnie Horton, Bill Lindsey, Chuck & Nancy Loskoch, Bat Masterson, Vince Metz, Frank Nicotra, Mike Pelegrino, Brian Peltier, Chuck Shrump, Bryan & Alex Siege, Jeff & Eileen Simon, Carl Stigers, Keith Small, Chad Underkoffler, Mike & Tina Wyckoff

Base Commander Huey Dietrich:  Quotes of the day: “If the officers that skipper my submarines can’t go outside of protocol or bend the rule book then they are not needed in my submarine fleet (Nimitz)”

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 PERCH (SS 176)                     March 3, 1942

USS GRAMPUS (SS 207)              March 5, 1943

USS H-1 (SS 28)                              March 12, 1920

USS TRITON (SS 201)                   March 15, 1943

USS KETE (SS 369)                        March 20, 1945

USS F-4 (SS 23)                               March 25, 1915

USS TULLIBEE (SS 284)              March 26, 1944

USS TRIGGER (SS 237)                March 26, 1945

We also honor our departed shipmate of the Requin Base lost in March, George Elder and Matt Holzer.  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.

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 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, Eileen Simon, Bernie Sigler, Captain Swinney, Mike Pellegrino, Rick Elster

Membership stands at 196.

Storekeeper Frank Nicotra reported on available small stores.

Vince Metz reported on Eagle Scout presentation activities

Memorials, Ceremonies, Social Events

Members are encouraged to see the Calendar on the Requin Base Website for upcoming activities, events, birthdays and anniversaries.

St. Patrick’s Day parade – cancelled

Carnegie parade – Sunday May 24

Sewickley parade – Monday May 25

Coraopolis parade – Monday May 25

Leetsdale parade – Saturday July 4

Canonsburg parade – Saturday July 4

Veterans Appreciation Dinner in Leetsdale VFW on March 28.

Vietnam Memorial dedication, Baden PA March 29 1600-1700 at Legion #3

Old Business:

Requin Base Life Memberships are now available.  Under 45 $250, 45-55 $150, 55-65 $100, over 65 $50.

New Business:

Christina Lonigro (guest speaker) offered to provide monthly column in SVD.

Motion to hold joint meeting with Keystone Base on May 9th was approved by the members present.

Motion to donate to the USSVI Charitable Foundation was approved by the members present.

For The Good Of The Order:

Veteran X program was discussed.

Motion to hold Pearl Harbor Day ceremony on December 7 at Soldier & Sailors was approved by the members present.

Letter from Navy League regarding USS Pittsburgh artifacts was read.

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 April 11, 2020