Requin Base Meeting Minutes
November 14, 2015
Leetsdale, PA
Base Commander Huey Dietrich called the meeting to order.
Attendees: Mike Allen, Lee & Patsy Bookwalter, Clair & Nancy Bouts, Don Bright, Joe & Jill Campisi, Huey & Edie Dietrich, Bob Davis, Aaron & Sandy Ellis, Rick & Judy Elster, Peter & Stephanie Foster, Major & Loretta Galloway, Gerry & Linda Gaylor, Rich-ard & Beverly Geyer, Ron Goron, Bill & Donna Greenlee, Ric Guntag, Lou Hamel, Alan Lukask, James & Sandra Messer, Vince Metz, Frank & Dolly Nicotra, Ed & Dorothy Paul, Clyde & Sharon Porter, Bob Renninger, Jeff Sammel, David & Ann Sawin, Bernie & Dotty Sigler, Harry Sills, George Stass, John & Lois Steward, Carl Stigers, Jack & Jenny Sutherin, Don & Dolly Taskey, Jeff & Lisa Thompson.
Base Commander Huey Dietrich gave the quote of the day: “Experience is one thing you can’t get for nothing”
Requin History: On November 13, 1945 Requin crossed the Arctic Circle.
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 ALBACORE (SS 218) November 7, 1944
USS GROWLER (SS 215) November 8, 1944
USS SCAMP (SS 277) November 9, 1944
USS CORVINA (SS 226) November 16, 1943
USS SCULPIN (SS 191) November 19, 1943
USS CAPELIN (SS 289) November 23, 1943
We also wish to remember our shipmates of the Requin Base: Arlow Julian Jr, Paul Hoffman, Larry Weiss, Don Roach, James Wilkes and George Stefaniak. 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.
Chief Of The Boat Clyde Porter led the Base in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Members introduced themselves and the boats they qualified on.
Minutes of the October 2015 meeting were published in the SVD and approved by the members present.
Treasurer Lee Bookwalter’s report was presented and approved by the members present.
Other Reports:
Binnacle List includes Matt Holzer, Mike Markel, Doc Stoner
Membership stands at 217
Eagle Scouts presentations are ongoing and members are encouraged to participate. National has created a new certificate to be used in the future. The old patches can no longer be used.
Memorials And Ceremonies:
Nothing planned
Convention News:
Letter was read from National Convention Chairman giving the Requin Base a Bravo Zulu.
A report on convention income and expenses was presented. Proceeds will be proportioned to the various base activities.
A motion to subsidize the purchase of USSVI jackets for convention committee members was approved by the members present.
CDs of convention pictures is available to base members upon request.
Old Business:
USSVI Scholarship are being accepted by National.
Status of dues collection, Officers and Committees 100%, Associates 87%, PA Shipmates 87%, Non-PA Shipmates 57%, New 2015 Shipmates 25%, USS Pittsburgh 5%
New Business:
Base elections will be held in December. Election Chairman Bernie Sigler has closed nominations are as follows: Commander Huey Dietrich, First Vice Commander Carl Stigers, Second Vice Commander Ron Goron, Secretary Jeff Simon and Treasurer Lee Book-walter. Nominations were approved by the members present.
Clair Bouts has volunteered to provide winter storage for the Nautilus saving the base approximately $61 per month.
Requin Base Christmas/Holiday Lunch will be held on Sunday December 6th at the Teutonia Mannerchor in Pittsburgh. Lunch will be a German buffet and the North Star Kids will perform. Attendance is first come/first served to a total of 120 with a minimum of 100 people. Cost is $25 per person with a cash bar. Meeting starts at 1230 hours with a Tolling of the Boats, MIA/POW ceremony and swearing in of officers. Chow line opens at 1300 hours and entertainment starts at 1430 hours. The base will pay for guest meals at the Christmas/Holiday Lunch.
The USS Requin has been repainted and will be open soon for tours.
A motion to pay for a base and district ads in the next convention magazine was approved by the members present.
For The Good Of The Order:
Letters were read from Carolyn Yoder.
Please forward pictures taken at base events to Jack Sutherin for inclusion in the SVD.
Chaplain Carl Stigers gave the Benediction and blessing of today’s meal.
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned.
Next meeting: Sunday December 6, 2015 at Teutonia Mannerchor (German Club), 857 Phineas St., Pittsburgh PA 15212 staring at 1230 hours. Members are encouraged to participate in a $10 gift exchange (male, female, generic).