Requin Base Meeting Minutes
November 12, 2016
Leetsdale, PA
Base Commander Huey Dietrich called the meeting to order.
Attendees: Mike Allen, James & Jennifer Beachler, Tino & Sally Bolcato, Eric Bookmiller, Lee & Patsy Bookwalter, George & Cindy Brown, Ron Campbell, Joe Campisi, Robert Davis, Huey Dietrich, Reno Farino, Pete & Stephanie Foster, Major & Loretta Galloway, Gerry & Linda Gaylor, Dick & Beverly Geyer, Robert Goldman, Bill & Dona Greenlee, Woody Gunderson, Lou Hamil, Jason Kitchen, Bill & Sandra Lindsey, James Messer, Vince Metz, Bob & Jude Myers, Fred Nelson, Frank Nicotra, David & Ann Sawin, Bob Schmidt, Harry Sills, Jeff & Eileen Simon, George Staas, John Stewart, Carl Stigers, Jack & Genny Sutherin, Mike & Tina Wyckoff, John Yaksich and guest speaker Matt Shiplee.
Base Commander Huey Dietrich: Quotes of the day: “Be ever questioning because ignorance is not bliss. You don’t go to heaven if you die dumb. Be better informed learn from other’s mistakes because you will not live long enough to make them all yourself.”
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.
Base Secretary Jeff Simon 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 and the base website. With no objections, the minutes were approved as published.
Treasurer Lee Bookwalter gave an accounting of base assets, expenditures, and deposits. With no objections, the report was approved.
Other Reports:
Binnacle List: Edie Dietrich, Aaron Ellis, Judy Elster, Bob Gourley
Charles Tolbert went on eternal patrol
Membership stands at 223 making Requin the sixth largest USSVI base
USS Dace is having a mini reunion here in Pittsburgh and Elwood City PA today.
Carl Stigers reported on the Eagle Scouts presentation program.
Storekeeper Frank Nicotra reported on small stores available.
Old Business:
Base elections will be held at the December meeting. Members wishing to be nominated should contact Rick Elster or Bernie Sigler.
Dues for 2017 must be paid before year’s end.
Commander Matt Shiplee was today’s guest speaker talking about the US constitution.
Eric Bookmiller spoke regarding his participation in the National Rec White & Blue Mass held in Norwich CT
Eric Bookmiller discussed possible locations where the Requin Base can hold its meetings
The Leetsdale VFW is now asking $100 per month for the base to hold meetings and store memorabilia at their facility.
New Business:
The North Star Kids will be performing at the December meeting
WWII veterans will be honored at the December base meeting and members are needed to sponsor them.
For The Good Of The Order:
Members can apply online for College Scholarships.
Letters to the base were read
Chaplain Carl Stigers gave the Benediction and blessing of today’s meal.
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned.
Next meeting: Sunday December 4, 2016 at Teutonia Mannerchor (German Club), 857 Phineas St., Pittsburgh PA 15212. Meeting starts at 1230 hours (Election, Tooling of the Boats, POW/MIA Ceremony). Buffet Lunch starts at 1300 hours. North Star Kids perform at 1400 hours. Cost is $25 per person with cash bar. Members are encouraged to participate in a $10 gift exchange (male, female, generic). RSVP to Huey Dietrich.