Requin Base Meeting Minutes
March 10, 2018
Baden, PA
Base Commander Huey Dietrich called the meeting to order.
Attendees: Mike Allen, Tino & Sally Bolcato, Eric Bookmiller, Lee & Patsy Bookwalter, George Brown, Tom & Deneen Calabrese, Ron Campbell, Joe Campisi, Huey & Edie Dietrich, Reno Fareno, Rick & Judy Elster, Gerry & Linda Gaylor, Bob & Lynn Gourley, Bill & Donna Greenlee, Rick & Joan Guntang, Lou Hamill, James Kontire, Bill Lindsey, Bat Masterson, JB Messer, Vince Metz, Bob & Jude Myers, Rick Nelson, Frank Nicotra, Mike Pellegrino, Chip Porter, John Schwartz, Bernie & Dot Sigler, Harry Sills, Jeff & Eileen Simon, George Stass, Carl Stigers, Jack & Genny Sutherin, Chad Underkoffer, Mike & Tina Wyckoff
Base Commander Huey Dietrich: Quotes of the day: “If the officers that skipper my submarines can’t go outside of protocol or bend the rule book then they are not needed in my submarine fleet (Nimitz)”
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 PERCH (SS 176) March 3, 1942
USS GRAMPUS (SS 207) March 5, 1943
USS H-1 (SS 28) March 12, 1920
USS TRITON (SS 201) March 15, 1943
USS KETE (SS 369) March 20, 1945
USS F-4 (SS 23) March 25, 1915
USS TULLIBEE (SS 284) March 26, 1944
USS TRIGGER (SS 237) March 26, 1945
We also honor our departed shipmate of the Requin Base lost in March, George Elder and Matt Holzer. 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 Chip Porter 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 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, Huey Dietrich, Aaron Ellis
Membership stands at 184
Storekeeper Frank Nicotra reported on available small stores.
Guest speaker Jill McGregor reminded members to tell their stories because the youth of this country need to be taught about life.
Parades And Ceremonies:
Memorial service USS Reguin – Sunday May 27
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, not confirmed
Leetsdale parade – Wednesday July 4, 1400 hours
Beaver Veterans Day – Sunday November 11, not confirmed
Social Events:
VFW Post 3945 annual fish fry for veterans, Wednesday May 9.
Old Business:
National website is under repair.
New Business:
The USSVI organization is about 120 members short of War Veterans status.
Holland Club members for 2018 are Campbell, Davis, Goron, Gresh, and Guntang. They will be honored at next month’s meeting.
For The Good Of The Order:
Letters from base members were read.
Members are reminded to vote for National Officers when the polls open.
Adopt A Cop program for this year will honor police forces from Freedom, Conway, Baden and Ambridge PA.
Chaplain Carl Stigers gave the Benediction and blessing of today’s meal.
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned.
Next meeting: VFW Post 191, 539 W Pike St, Canonsburg PA on April 14, 2018