Requin Base Meeting Minutes
April 14, 2018
Canonsburg PA
Base Commander Huey Dietrich called the meeting to order.
Attendees: James & Jennifer Beachler, Tino & Sally Bolcato, Clair & Nancy Bouts, Eric & Margie Bookmiller, Lee & Patsy Bookwalter, George & Cindy Brown, Greg & Gwen Busko, Tom & Deneen Calabrese, Ron & Nita Campbell, Joe Campisi, Huey & Edie Dietrich, Gary Fisher, Gerry Gaylor, Dick & Beverly Geyer, Bob Gourley, Bill & Donna Greenlee, Gary & Debbie Gresh, Rick & Joan Guntang, Lou Hamill, James Kontier, John Lakasik, Bill & Sandra Lindsey, Jim & Charleen List, Charles & Nancy Loshkosh, Bat Masterson, Rory McRory, Jim & Sandy Messer, Vince Metz, Bob & Jude Myers, Rick & Patricia Nelson, Frank Nicotra, Mike Pellegrino, Chip & Sharon Porter, Brian Sieg, Bernie & Dot Sigler, Dan & Darlene SkullNecker. George Stass, Carl Stigers, John Swords, Jim & Char West, Mike & Tina Wyckoff
Base Commander Huey Dietrich: Quotes of the day: “Take your sub quals seriously. Just remember when you report to your new boat submarining is no big deal. Any ship in the Navy can sink but it is your ability to make the other part happen that counts.”
Requin History: April 28, 1945 commissioned with Commander Slay D. Cutter in command. April 4, 1967, Requin departed for 6th Fleet deployment.
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 PICKEREL (SS 177) April 3, 1943
USS SNOOK (SS 279) April 8, 1945
USS THRESHER (SSN 593) April 10, 1963
USS GUDGEON (SS 211) April 18, 1944
USS GRENADIER (SS 210) April 22, 1943
We also remember our departed members of the Requin Base David Helmold, Jack Kordes and Larry Simon. 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.
Minutes of the previous meeting were published in the SVD and on the Requin Base website.
Treasurer Lee Bookwalter reported that an accounting of base assets, expenditures, and deposits is available upon request.
Other Reports:
Binnacle List: Ron Goron
Membership stands at 186
Storekeeper Frank Nicotra reported on available small stores at the meeting and online (RequinBase.org).
Memorials, Parades And Ceremonies:
Memorial service USS Reguin – Sunday May 27, 0945 muster
Carnegie parade – Sunday May 27, 1400 hours
Sewickley parade – Monday May 28, 1000 hours
Coraopolis parade – Monday May 28, 1330 hours
Canonsburg parade – Wednesday July 4
Leetsdale parade – Wednesday July 4, 1400 hours
Beaver Veterans Day – Sunday November 11
Shipmate Jim Metz Reported on Eagle Scouts court of honor presentations was given.
Social Events:
Three Rivers Leathernecks (color guard for memorial services) spaghetti dinner, April 22
VFW Post 3945 annual fish fry for veterans, Wednesday May 9
Guest Speaker Gary Fisher talked about veteran bus trips to Washington DC and other activities he is involved in.
Old Business:
None
New Business:
None
For The Good Of The Order:
Base members qualified in submarines for 50 years: Ronald Campbell, Robert Davis, Ronald Goron, Gary Gresh, Rich Guntang, Charles Loshkosh were inducted into the Holland Club.
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned.
Next meeting: Baden PA American Legion at 1230 hours on May 12, 2018