Requin Base Meeting Minutes
August 10, 2019
Freeport, PA
Base Commander Huey Dietrich called the meeting to order.
Attendees: Tina Balcato, Eric Bookmiller, Lee & Patsy Bookwalter, Clair & Nancy Bouts, Joe Campisi, Huey & Edie Dietrich, Sandy Ellis, Rino Farina, Gerry & Linda Gaylor, Dick & Beverly Geyer, Lou Hamil, James Kontier, Chuck & Nancy Lockoch, Bat Masterson, James Messer, Vince Metz, Marian & John Miller, Frank Nicotra, Mike Pellegrino, Jeff & Eileen Simon, Carl Stigers, Chad Underkoffler, Mike & Tina Wyckoff
Base Commander Huey Dietrich: Quotes of the day: “Submariners are a bunch of intelligent misfits that somehow seem to get along, understand each other and work well together”
Requin History: August 24, 1944 keel laid at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. August 14, 1945 two weeks after her arrival and three days before starting her first war patrol, WWII ended and the Requin was recalled and ordered back to the Atlantic. August 1, 1952 Requin was back in European waters, during September she visited the United Kingdom, then in October the submarine transited the Straits Of Gibraltar for regular 6th Fleet duty. August 15, 1959 upon her conversion to fleet snorkel configuration, the Requin was given hull classification SS 481 and rejoined Subron 6 in Norfolk VA for operations as a normal attack submarine, a role she retained until her decommissioning. August 7, 1990 Requin left International Ship Repair in Tampa FL under tow to Baton Rouge LA. August 11, 1990 Requin was lifted onto barges and began her ride up the Mississippi River and Ohio River 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 BULLHEAD (SS 332) August 6, 1945
USS FLIER (SS 250) August 13, 1944
USS S 39 (SS 144) August 16, 1942
USS HARDER (SS 257) August 24, 1944
USS COCHINO (SS 345) August 26, 1949
USS POMPANO (SS 181) August 29, 1943
We also wish to remember our shipmates of the Requin Base: Robert Campbell, Frank Gogul, John Irons, Louis Kleinlein, Sam McGrew, Neal Sever, and Edward Yoder. 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.
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 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. With no objections, the report was approved
Other Reports:
Binnacle List: Rick Elster, Diana Gervais (Underkoffler), John Lukasik, Chip & Sharon Porter
Eternal Patrol: None
Membership stands at 185. Requin is now the 6th largest submarine veteran’s base in the USSVI and the largest inland veteran’s base.
Storekeeper Frank Nicotra reported on available small stores
Shipmate Vince Metz nothing to announce
Social Events
August 14, Veterans Breakfast Club, 8800 Peebles Rd, Allison Park PA
September 7, Base Birthday Ball, Springdale, PA
September 14, Base meeting Baden, PA
September 20, Ronquil/Cod meeting in Cleveland OH
September 26, USS Thresher Commemorative Monument in Arlington VA
October 11, Navy Ball, Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall
October 12, Base meeting will be at 1200 hours in New Castle PA at the Crain Room
November 9, Base meeting will be in Baden PA at the American Legion
November 11, Veterans Day Parade
December 1, Christmas luncheon at the German Club
December 7, possible Pearl Harbor Day remembrance
Old Business:
Base participation in the retirement ceremony held for Chief Martin Able on July 26th was discussed.
New Business:
Arrangements being made to have Ms. Christina Lonigro, an expert on VA and Medicare benefits, as a guest speaker.
Heinz History Center is hosting the Vietnam War 1945-1975 exhibition through September 22nd. All veterans receive half off regular admission.
For The Good Of The Order:
Decommissioning activities for the USS Pittsburgh were discussed.
Chaplain Carl Stigers gave the Benediction and blessing of today’s meal.
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned.
Next meeting: Baden PA at 1230 hours on September 14, 2019