The meeting started at 1300 with the reading of the Creed and Pledge Of Allegiance. The boat was ordered to Dive. Invocation was given and members and guests were introduced. Tolling of the Boats was read and given to the February/March losses by Roger Zarn.

Members attending: Ralph Andersh, Warren Armbruster, John Stonebarger, Steve Canyon & wife, Ron Bowen, Warren Nelson & wife, John Weisenberger, Bud Watkins, Ray Decker, Jim Farquhar, Warren Munger, Nick Wentzel, Steve Kyle, Roger Zarn, Brian Schnurr, Lon Bymers, Nate Kull, Dan Anderson, Ray Turner, Bruce Curry, Gerold Davey and Kent Winter.

Secretary/Treasurers reports: Nate reported that account balance was $6347; General Fund: $2690; Torpedo Memorial Fund: $3087; Caps for Kids: $287. Only purchase was the model Gato sub at @$400.

Committee reports:

Eagle Scout program: WE DO need to purse Eagle Scout ceremony's in local areas by keeping our eyes and ears open to leads and work with the Sioux Council and any group within.

Kaps4Kids program: Dan Anderson renewed our contact with Avera Children's Hospital to get the K4K's program up and running again after the pandemic.
Dan met with Avera's Head Nurse and had a picture taken with her but unfortunately he was not allowed to visit any kids due to pandemic.

Yankton Memorial Planning committee: A model Gato Class submarine for the Yankton VFW to display with plaque detailing the Sub Vets of WWII as the primary sponsors of the memorial has been purchased. Now we need to work with the Yankton VFW to proceed with displaying it and dedicate it this May 21st during our Memorial service.

Storekeeper: The Base currently does not have a Storekeeper, however Kent was past and has 2022 USSVI Calendars still available for $10.
I will mail to you for additional $2.

Old/Unfinished business:

Sioux Falls Veterans Park: Brian Schnurr has made contact with the SF Park & Rec. Dept to work on our efforts to place a USSVI memorial at the park.
Base member overwhelmingly supported the stone and/or metal benches, eternal patrol bronze plaque with stone base, to several other ideas.
If you would like to volunteer, contact Brian at 605-413-6811.

New Business:

Base positions that need to be filled are: Treasurer, COB, Storekeeper.
If you are interested and want to participate more actively, please volunteer!

We discussed what we want to accomplish and work towards and this is the list...

Boat Sponsorship Award - Gerold Davey has informed the Base that his recent magazine donation to the USS South Dakota SSN 797 won the Base Sponsorship Award which gives the Scorpion 278 Base $500 towards a model submarine of high quality! But the catch is, we have to pay the added costs to ship.
Members overwhelming voted to add the addition funds needed to ship the model. Where could we display such a fine submarine model??? Sioux Falls Alliance?? Page 13 in American Sub magazine has a picture of the model.

Holland Club - Gerold D. brought up 2 new members Bruce Curry and Bud Watkinson that have the qualifications for Holland Club.
Base will submit their names for membership and for Holland Club membership.

Even Month Recruiting trips - Even months arrange visits to towns with AL/VFW support to recruit.

Sub Memorial at SF VA & Alliance - The SF VA is remodeling the front entrance area. We are pursuing all options, contacted the VA on display case, contacted SF Alliance and Yankton VFW on model submarines to display at their facilities along with signage to honor those who served.
Yankton VFW should honor the Sub Vets of WWII and the SF Alliance should honor the Scorpion 278 Base. the “Founding Fathers of the USS South Dakota SSN 790”. We now have the model Gato sub for the Yankton VFW to put on display in their case that they wanted to build for us. Now with Gerold D. winning the Boat Sponsorship Award model we can start talking with the Alliance about that and more displays that we can provide.

Sioux Falls Veterans Park - Brian Schnurr met with Park & Rec to discuss what the Base is trying to do and that we want, bench, plaque, etc. at the SF Veterans Park. Found out we have to get on the City schedule to implement any changes in the Park and have done so to start the process.

May Memorial Service - Brian Schnurr contacted Matt Michels, former Lt. Gov. to speak but he had conflict. Have been notified by the Yankton VFW that they may host a 100 +1 year anniversary for the VFW that day but don't know if that will affect us. We will be dedicating the model sub at that time.
We will take the model sub and plaque, down to Yankton VFW, so all will be ready for May 21st.

Next meeting/event is the USS Scorpion Memorial Service Saturday, May 21st, 2022 in Yankton SD.

Memorial service will start at 12 noon at the memorial (weather permitting) and then go over to the Yankton VFW to eat and dedicate the model submarine and plaque. Let's car pool together and hopefully with nice weather we can hold the event outside at the memorial.

The 50/50 drawing was held with Warren Armbruster winning the $115 pot and Warren took $10 and donated the winnings back to the Base. Thanks for that!

Meeting Adjourned at 1400. St. Patrick's Day parade ya know...