Requin Base Meeting Minutes
February 8, 2020
Baden, PA
Base Commander Huey Dietrich called the meeting to order.
Attendees: Mike Allen, Willard Ashmore, Eric Bookmiller, Lee & Patsy Bookwalter, Clair & Nancy Bouts, George Brown, Ron & Nita Campbell, Joe Campisi, Huey & Edie Dietrich, Sandy Ellis, Rick & Judy Elster, Rick Flaugh, Dick & Beverly Geyer, Bob & Lynn Gourley, Lou Hamill, Mark Hoag, Kyle Lacey, Bill & Sandy Lindsey, Chuck & Nancy Loskoch, Bat Masterson, Shawn McGinty, JB & Sandra Messer, Vince Metz, Bob & Jude Meyers, Frank Nicotra, Brian Peltier, Chuck Shrump, Harry Sills, Jeff Simon, Carl Stigers, Jack & Genny Sutherin, John Swords, Chad Underkoffler, Mike & Tina Wyckoff
Base Commander Huey Dietrich: Quote of the day: “The reason worry kills more people than work is that more people worry than work.”
Requin History: February 1, 1969, Requin was towed to Florida where she served as a Naval Reserve training ship. February 21, 1990 Senator John Hines introduced Senate Bill S2151 which allowed Requin to be transferred as an exhibit at the Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh PA.
Base First Vice-Commander Carl Stigers: 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 BARBEL (SS 316) February 4, 1945
USS SHARK (SS 174) February 11, 1942
USS AMBERJACK (SS 219) February 16, 1943
USS GRAYBACK (SS 208) February 27, 1944
USS TROUT (SS 202) February 28, 1944
We also honor our departed shipmate of the Requin Base lost in February, Richard Claypoole, Chuck Dreer, John Mills, Devern Pyatt, James Ross, and Robert Vaughn. 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.
Members introduced themselves and the boats they qualified on.
Requin Base Officers were sworn in.
Base Secretary Jeff Simon reported that Minutes of the previous meeting were published on the Requin Base website. With no objections, the minutes were approved as published.
Treasurer Lee Bookwalter gave an accounting of base assets, expenditures, and deposits are available upon request. With no objections, the report was approved.
Other Reports:
Binnacle List: Jack Sutherin, Luke Walker, Mary Ann Knotier, Eileen Simon, James Kontier, Chad Underkoffler, Mike Pellegrino
Eternal Patrol: Charles Hilgendorf 1/31/2020 (Requin Base Sailor)
Membership stands at 192.
Storekeeper Frank Nicotra reported on available small stores.
Guest Speaker Christina Lonigro discussed VA and Medicare benefits
Memorial And Ceremonies
Members are encouraged to see the Calendar on the Requin Base Website for upcoming activities, events, birthdays and anniversaries.
Old Business:
None
New Business:
Motion to purchase new signs for the Nautilus float .
For The Good Of The Order:
Shipmate Rick Elster discussed the importance of keeping your ID cards current in order to gain access to military bases.
Report of activities during USS Pittsburgh Deactivation trip was given. Pictures will be posted on the base website.
Chaplain Carl Stigers gave the Benediction and blessing of today’s meal.
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned.
Next meeting: VFW Post 191, 539 West Pike St. Canonsburg, PA 15317 at 1230 hours on March 7, 2020