Bi-monthly Base meeting was held at the Sioux Falls DAV.

We started at 1200 with lunch prepared by Gwen and her son Michael. Another excellent meal!
Meeting started at 1300 with the reading of the Creed and Pledge of Allegiance. The boat was ordered to Dive and Brian Schnurr sounded the Diving Alarm. Invocation was given by Kent Winter and members were introduced along with new guest Steve Muster. Tolling of the Boats was read and given to the Jan/Feb losses by Brian Schnurr & Kent Winter.

Members attending: Capt. Charles Stoneback, Dan Anderson, Steve Kyle, Brian Schnurr, Scott Kelly, Brad Gross, Ray Decker, Harlan Bedford & his daughter Tracie, "Moose" Welch & wife Pam, Jim Farquahr, Scott Zobel, new prospect Steve Muster and host Kent Winter.

Secretary/Treasurers reports: Minutes to the last meeting in November were sent out to members for comment/concerns. No comments back, minutes approved.
Brian Schnurr reported account balance was $5,429.17. Brian submitted the Scorpion 278 Base EOY report to National.


Committee reports:

Eagle Scout program: Keep watching for Eagle Scout ceremony's in local areas by keeping our eyes and ears open to leads from Boy Scouts and work with the Sioux Council and any group within.
Kaps4Kids program:Dan Anderson discussed his meeting with the Avera kids after the Veterans Day program at the McCrossan Ranch. Appears the hospitals are now starting to let us back in! Will continue to work with any hospitals in our area that we could provide the K4K's program.
Storekeeper:Brad got the go ahead to have the Base purchase some of the Store items available online so the members could see, touch and buy at the Base meetings! If you would like a vest or other items from the Storekeeper, now is the time!
Base purchased 10 new caps in each 3 designs, so now you can get a USS South Dakota SSN 790 cap or a USSVI Scorpion 278 Base cap in Navy blue for $20 each. Purchased 10 caps for our Holland Club members, so if any of you Holland Club members don't have a cap, please contact us and we'll get you one! Contact Brad at email: storekeeper@scorpionbasesd.com

Old/Unfinished business:

Discussed the past May Memorial service and what we want to do this year with the 81th Anniversary of the sinking of the USS Scorpion SS 278.

Brian Schnurr has made contact with a former Navy Commander Henry Rouse. His recent book on submarine life and commanding a submarine Brian thoughts went right into our May Memorial Service. So Base voted and offered the Speaker position to Mr. Rouse. Brian made contact and he agreed to be the Speaker in May. After discussion on the Yankton VFW situation, we will continue with the previous site and continue looking to Yankton for more support.

Ray Decker has made contact with Mt. Marty in Yankton the local High School and college to provide a ROTC unit along with band and Honor Guard. He also lined up the equipment we could use if we want to form our own Honor Guard of retired submarine veterans.

Michael "Moose" Welch worked with Chuck & Charlii Gilson to bring his submarine memorabilia to the meeting. Chuck had 4 submarine and 1 squadron plaque to offer to the submarine display at SF Alliance. Chuck is another member in need of your thoughts and prayers!

Jim Black turned 101 on January 22 and hopefully everyone gave him a call.
It's never too late!

New Business:

What do you have that would be proper to display in a case at the Sioux Falls Alliance?
That was the question a few meetings back and so far we have started a very nice collection of submarine materials for the SF Alliance display case we plan to get. Need to make contact again with the Alliance and finalize.

Ray Decker brought up the "Last Patrol Certificate" for hospice members. Another National Award that can be given to members.

Dan Anderson would like the Base to promote a Scholarship program for Tech or Military students. We discussed options that would need to be implemented with Base members.

Dan has also made new sideboard signs for the submarine float for either SD or MN parades.

Brian Schnurr proposed setting up a National Ambassadorship for Charities and he would volunteer.

The 50/50 drawing was held with Michael "Moose" Welch winning the pot ($75) and giving it all back!!
Thanks Pam & Moose!

Kent Winter gave a benediction to close out the meeting.

Meeting Adjourned at 1315. Surface the Boat!

Next meeting is Saturday, March 15, 2025 at the Sioux Falls DAV.