Requin Base Meeting Minutes
September 12, 2020
Baden, PA
Base Commander Huey Dietrich called the meeting to order.
Attendees: Mike Allen, Eric Bookmiller, Lee Bookwalter, Joel Campisi, Huey Dietrich, Rick Elster, Dick Geyer, Lou Hamill, Bat Masterson, Mike Pellegrino, Jeff Simon, Carl Stigers, Jack Sutherin, John Swords, Chad Underkoffler, Mike Wyckoff
Base Commander Huey Dietrich gave the quote of the day: “Good ideas are not adopted automatically. They must be driven into practice with courageous impatience”
Requin History: September 18, 1945 Requin arrived at Staten Island, New York, to begin what would be in the words of Commander Cutter, “a dull and boring assignment” essentially becoming a target for sonar school ships. September 30, 1963 Requin completed her 5000th dive. September 4, 1990 Requin arrived at the Carnegie Science Center, 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 S-5 (SS 110) September 1, 1920
USS GRAYLING (SS 209) September 9, 1943
USS S-51 (SS 162) September 25, 1925
USS CISCO (SS 290) September 28, 1943
We also wish to remember our shipmate of the Requin Base, Donald Miller, Marion Irons, Don Lennox, and Monty Silvers. Finally, we honor 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.
Members introduced themselves and the boats they qualified on.
Base Secretary Jeff Simon reported that Minutes of the previous base 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: John Algee, Edie Dietrich, Floyd Underkoffler, Beverly Geyer
Membership stands at 198
Eternal Patrol: None
Shipmate Eric Bookmiller reported on Eagle Scouts presentations
Memorial And Ceremonies
All parades and ceremonies, including the Navy Ball, have been cancelled for the time being.
Old Business:
The Requin Base was presented with a certificate and check for $200 as the best float in the Canonsburg 4th of July parade in 2019.
New Business:
The 2020 USSVI Meritorious Award was presented to Base Commander Huey Dietrich. Thanks to Dick Geyer who submitted the nomination to the Award Committee
For The Good Of The Order:
The Base sent a gift of special drinking glasses to Captain Jason Deichler on his promotion to CAPTAIN. He was promoted around September 1st and his family was in attendance.
Communications with COB of the USS Pittsburgh, Dave Pope who is now on the USS Idaho, was discussed. A motion to investigate the Base sponsoring the USS Idaho was approved. A motion to earmark $1000 to this sponsorship effort was approved.
Our yearly gift of steaks was sent to Gary Ireland for his construction of our Nautilus parade float. A motion to pay for Gary’s associate membership fees was approved.
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 October 10, 2019