Prior to the Base meeting, we found out that the DAV was hosting their Annual Oyster & Chili feed
that Saturday and the DAV was unavailable. So we responded, ok we'll let you cook for us and hold meeting later at
Al Small new house in SF. So everything worked out and the food was delicious!

Then we all drove over to Al Small's place to hold the meeting. He has a basement bedroom full of his memorabilia
over his many years!
The meeting started at 1:15pm with the reading of the creed and pledge of allegiance.
Invocation was given by Al Small and members were introduced. As we had a new member,
Larry Little returned to the Scorpion Base from Oregon it lasted a while! Brian did Tolling of the Bell
for January/February submarine losses. Capt Neutron dove the boat with the diving alarm.

Members attending: Mike Neuroth, Brian Schnurr, Kent Winter, Gerold Davey, Dan Anderson, Jim Farquhar,
Lawrence DeJong, Glen Harris, Al Small, Ray Decker, Jim Black, Dean Dueul and Larry Little.

Secretary/Treasurers reports:
November meeting minutes were approved.
Tim is in AZ but reported Base account at $5,703.08; Torpedo account at $3,050 included in total.
Everyone has been reminded that National ($25) and Local ($10) Dues are due at the end of the year.
Base will cover costs of current members AND we will be in touch!
Committee reports:
Eagle Scout program: Jerry is working with Sioux Council on next year's Eagle Scout Award program.
Kaps4Kids program: Al suggested we make contact again with Avera and Sanford to continue K4K program
with or without visiting crew members, as it is a USSVI program. We certainly invite any of the visiting
crew members to join us.
Yankton Memorial Planning committee: Asking the Mayor of Yankton to be our featured speaker at
the 2017 USS Scorpion 278 Memorial service next May. Would like to get the City of Yankton more involved
in our memorial service so am talking with their Parks & Rec Dept that control the memorial site.
Storekeeper: Jerry has all the items we need for vests, caps, pins & patches through the Nation site.
Contact Jerry if you need anything!

Old/Unfinished business:
Jerry is emailing and calling Base members on updating their contact information. Don't be surprised
if you get a call or email and please help us keep up-to-date on your current situation and health.
Donations to the USS South Dakota Commissioning Committee for $500 have been designated to the Senior Chief
Petty Officer donation level. Final status of that is still not completed.
MK-14 Torpedo: New info on finding our torpedo has been discussed with the closing of several submarine
memorial sites including Hackensack NJ and South Carolina.
We will make contact with their organization and see if there is any interest in selling a torpedo,
understanding they have several.
Much paper work with getting the State of SD to officially get memorial marked as State Historical.
Looking for a person who could put some time into this? Please contact me.
USS South Dakota SSN-790:Next event is Christening in August 2017 and Commissioning in 2018.
Look at stuffed buffalo or teddy bear as souvenir for visiting crew members. In being proactive have asked
those in attendance to see what interest we have in sending people to the Christening and Commissioning ceremonies.
Eight people indicated a desire to attend and requested 2 to 8 tickets each. Will send email out to Base members asking
if they want to attend one or both events so we can start to get numbers. Will contact Polaris Base and start putting
together numbers so we can attend events.

New Business:
Glenn Harris is the current District 3 Commander and is interested in hosting a District 3 convention in Sioux Falls.
We hosted one several years ago as we are very central for those attending. If you would like to help Glenn with planning
and preparations, please contact Glenn or me directly.
Gerold indicated the Holland Club was running low on funds and requested we send them a check for $50 of which Jerry provided.
Thanks Jerry and for that we received a Boat Sponsorship patch.
Gerold and Jim Farquhar purchased a subscription to American Submariner for the crew of the PCU South Dakota SSN 790!
Thanks Jerry & Jim!
Ray stated a NJ torpedo opportunity and Larry brought up a similar op in South Carolina.
Then an op in Sloans Lake Park in Denver was brought up! There might be hope for a real torpedo after all!
Dan Anderson will submit our parade float into the Turkey Days parade and Tim Madden will submit our float
for Riverboat Days parade in Yankton for 2017. Dan added we could also do Luverne and Windom.
Roger Zarn and Lynn LaDassor are nominated to the Holland Club! Congratulations!!
Base presented the Holland Club with a donation of $50 to support their national efforts.
Because it's a good cause, I'll give Ray another plug! Ray asked if you or anyone you know would be interested
in volunteering for the Red Cross? They are in need, if anyone can help, please do!
Next meeting is Saturday, March 11th, 2017 at the SF DAV at 12 noon.
The 50/50 drawing was held and Kent Winter had his named pulled.

Sign at Yankton VFW:
It is not what you pay to belong
It is what you paid to be eligible!