USS Scorpion Base SS-278
March 9, 2013 Base meeting minutes

The meeting of the USS Scorpion Base SS-278 was held at the Sioux Falls VFW.
The meeting was opened with the reading of the creed and pledge of allegiance.

Invocation was given and members introduced followed by the Tolling of the Bell for Mar/Apr losses

Members attending:
Mike Neuroth., Dan Anderson, Bernard Jung, Tim Madden, Jim Farquhar, Kent Winter
and new guest Nick Wetzel, who served on the USS Triton.

Bad road conditions forced our Aberdeen and Watertown vets to cancel the trip down.

Secretary/Treasurers reports were given.

Guest speaker at the meeting, SD veteran Robert Ruf is renovating the battleship memorial for the ceremonies and is requesting purchasing his paintings which he then donates all funds to the renovation. Brian S. asked him to attend our May meeting and he brought along some of his paintings and discussed his plans.
He receives no assistance from the Battleship committee, nor the Navy reserves which usually assist. Told him he should be in front of our wives for artistic purchases.
Do we donate money for supplies and/or offering our talents to help him with the restoration?
Tim M. indicated we can certainly assist with chipping & painting.

Kaps4Kids and the USS South Dakota caps have put the base over $3,000 in the black. That gives us funds for events/promos that we want to do.
Committee reports: Eagle Scout program, Dan Anderson & Francis Rabaey; Kaps4Kids program, Al Small; Storekeeper, Gerold Davey; Yankton Memorial Planning committee, Dan Anderson & Brian Schnurr.
Jerry has a candidate for our Eagle Scout program and will be presenting in Watertown soon.
Old/Unfinished business:Starts with the finalizing of our May memorial service in Yankton on Saturday. The second Sat. May 11th will remain our date.
Yankton VFW honor guard, Lt. Gov. Matt Michels will be the guest speaker, Tim Madden, and our WWII sub vets Jim Black and Bob Hanson will be inducted into the “Holland Club” along with a dropping of the wreath/bouquet ceremony on the bridge.
Yankton VFW for lunch following ceremonies.
Kaps4Kids is looking STILL for a new chairman as Al requested to step down. Looking for a volunteer to take over!
Sioux Falls Veterans Memorial Park long range plans are the recently unveiled National memorial plague in DC could be duplicated and used for our local project.
Base long, long range plans has the state acquiring the sail and rudder of the USS South Dakota SSN-790 in 40+ years and putting them next to the battleship for the next generation of South Dakotans.
2013 National Convention is Aug 25th – Sept 1st in Rochester MN. Five have already committed. We encourage all who can attend to do so….as it won’t get any closer!
Eagle Scout program is just getting started as we look for regional eligible participants. If you know an Eagle Scout, let’s get them into our program! Gerold Davey found one in Watertown!
New Business:Tim M. requested the Base sponsor a crewmember of the USS Scorpion SSN 589 for $99. Voted and approved to sponsor crewmember…who Jim F. knew…if he can remember!
Dan A. asked for sponsorship money on his race car that his son built. Base voted and gave him $100 for sponsorship of his car. Dan will put the USSVI logo to the car.
Holland Club will induct Tim Madden, Jim Black and Bob Hanson at May meeting.
Larry Zimmerman Sec of State Veterans Affairs has been in contact and will assist us with timetables, schedules, ceremonies and such for the new USS South Dakota SSN 790. USS South Dakota battleship memorial ceremony is THIS year too I’m told. Might be an opportunity but still have not received any word if they are even going to hold it.
Polaris base has been invited to bring their submarine float to Riverboat Day in Yankton SD Saturday August 17. Their upcoming meeting is this Saturday so we should know soon if they accept.
Light weight summer shirts with Base markings were brought up as an alternative to the vests. I contacted Lynn that does our hats to see what options are available. I want a lightweight, summer polo dress shirt, dark navy blue with possible silver/gold embroidery. Would you buy one??
USS Scorpion SS-278, lost January 5th, will mark its 69th Anniversary this year! We are planning a big event with City of Yankton for 2014 and the 70th anniversary.
USS South Dakota SSN-790 status update report indicates keel laying ceremony in Fall 2015, christening in late 2016, commissioning in Oct 2017 with delivery date June 2018.
Kent Winter won the 50/50 drawings and donated the money back to the base.
Benediction was given and meeting adjourned.

May 11th is the next scheduled Scorpion Base meeting in Yankton.
Meet at the Sioux Falls VFW at 10:30am for a ride down, service starts at 12noon.
We will return to Sioux Falls after our 1pm lunch at the Yankton VFW.