Requin Base Meeting Minutes
May 12, 2018
Baden PA
Base Commander Huey Dietrich called the meeting to order.
Attendees: Mike Allen, Tino Bolcato, Eric Bookmiller, Lee & Patsy Bookwalter, Clair & Nancy Bouts, George Brown, Ron Campbell, Joe Campisi, Huey & Edie Dietrich, Reno Farina, Gerry & Linda Gaylor, Dick & Beverly Geyer, Ron Goron, Bob & Lynn Gourley, Bill & Donna Greenlee, Lou Hamill, Bill & Sandra Lindsay, Jim & Charleen List, Charles & Nancy Loshkosh, Bat Masterson, Jim Messer, Frank Nicotra, Mike Pellegrino, Chip & Sharon Porter, Harry Sills, Jeff Simon, George Stass, Carl Stigers, John Swords, Jack & Ginny Sutherin, Chad Underkoffler, Mike & Tina Wyckoff
Base Commander Huey Dietrich: Quotes of the day: “These dolphins, once you pin them on your chest, leave a deep mark right over your heart, long after the uniforms have been put away.”
History of the Requin: May 1, 1949 Requin sailed east for here first deployment with the Sixth Fleet. May 14 1949 arriving at Gibralter, Requin operated in the Mediterranean Sea. May 2 1955 Requin sailed for her 5th Mediterranean deployment. Detached at the end of July, she returned to Norfolk VA and remained on the east coast with cruises to the Caribbean until November 1957 when she resumed duty with the Sixth Fleet. May 28 1968 Requin departed Norfolk VA as part of search efforts for the missing nuclear attack submarine Scorpion SSN-589. May 24 1990 Requin was towed to Tampa Shipyard for dry docking and hull repairs in preparation for her move to Pittsburgh PA.
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 LAGARTO (SS 371) May 3, 1945
USS SCORPION (SSN589) May 22, 1968
USS SQUALUS (SS 192) May 23, 1939 (Re-commissioned as USS SAILFISH (SS 192) 1940)
USS STICKELBACK (SS 415) May 30, 1958
We also remember our departed shipmates of the Requin Base Donald Trombolo, Ed Figas, Richard Tat, John Yaksich, and Robert Lindsay. 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: Ron Goron, John Steward
Membership stands at 186
Storekeeper Frank Nicotra reported on available small stores at the meeting and online (RequinBase.org).
Social Events:
Base donated 25 honorary submariner hats to the VFW 3945 Vets Fish Fry
Memorials, Parades And Ceremonies:
Memorial service USS Reguin – Sunday May 27, muster 0900 hours
Carnegie parade – Sunday May 27, muster 1300 hours
Sewickley parade – Monday May 28, muster 0830 hours
Coraopolis parade – Monday May 28, 1330 hours
Canonsburg parade – Wednesday July 4, muster 0830 hours
Leetsdale parade – Wednesday July 4, 1400 hours
Washington Parade – Saturday November 10, 1400 hours
Beaver Veterans Day – Sunday November 11, muster 0900 hours
Old Business:
Base received patches and coin from our donation to the USS Scorpion memorial
Two copies of the book “Poopie Suits And Cowboy Boots” written by Frank Hood were received. One copy placed in the Base library, the other will be raffled off at next month’s meeting.
Committee to design and purchase “You gota earn them” patch formed (Underkoffer, Campisi, Nicotra)
Holland Club Cards given to Campbell, Goron, Loshkosh, Davis, Gresh, Guntang
Members are encouraged to attend Veterans Bus Trip to Washington DC in October.
New Business:
Base members are invited to travel to Groton CT week of June 18 to deliver Terrible Towels to the USS Pittsburgh
Base received Booster donations from VFW 214 and VFW 694
For The Good Of The Order:
Base meeting on July 14 will be in River Forest Country Club in Freeport PA.
Efforts underway to locate a venue for the Base meeting on October 13 near New Castle.
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned.
Next meeting: Columbiana OH at 1230 hours on June 9, 2018