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USS Scorpion SS-278 Base

November 9, 2013 Base meeting minutes

Base meeting was held at the DAV building in Sioux Falls SD where Al Small made chili.
Chili was served at 12noon and went till 1pm then proceeded with meeting.
Again, a BIG THANK YOU to Al Small for putting together our noon meal, it was delicious!

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 Nov/Dec losses.
Members attending:
Jim Black, Dean Deuel, Charles Stoneback, Roger Zarn, Mike Neuroth, Dan Anderson, Tim Madden, Jim Farquhar, Kent Winter, Nick Wetzel, Francis Rabaey, Brian Schnurr, Bruce Williams, Gerold Davey, Al Small

Secretary/Treasurers reports was given and we are over $2,600 in the black.
Committee reports: Eagle Scout program, Dan Anderson & Francis Rabaey; no new candidates.
Kaps4Kids program, still looking for new Committee Co-Chairman to replace Al Small.
Storekeeper, Gerold Davey; 2014 calendars sold out already, new polo shirts are online.
Yankton Memorial Planning committee, Dan Anderson & Brian Schnurr held off on report due to changes coming in our plans for 2014.

Old/Unfinished business:

Our Kaps4Kids program is on hold until we get a volunteer to Co-Chair the committee.
Kent Winter is the other Co-Chair and more than willing to help anyone that volunteers!
The USSVI Eagle Scout program is searching for more candidates, please watch for people in your area.
We will be honoring our states WWII submarine veterans and the USS Scorpion SS-278 veterans in planning a big event with City of Yankton for 2014 and the 70th anniversary.
We inducted Tim Madden, and our WWII sub vets Jim Black and Bob Hanson into the Holland Club.
We voted sponsorship money on a hand built race car that local member and his son built for USSVI logo front and center.
Dan gave a report on the race car and will provide a picture of race car. (photos in photo album)
National and Local Dues are to be collected before 2014.

New Business:

USS Scorpion SS-278, lost January 5th 1944. We are planning a big event with City of Yankton for 2014 and the 70th anniversary. We have been asked by our District Commander David to move our May ceremony back one week due to his request for a District Conference in Rochester MN that week. We discussed with members to see how many are interested in attending and then what to do with our May ceremony in Yankton.
Asked about more parades in other communities and Worthington MN was the only other one mentioned at this time.
DAV has indicated we can hold our bi-monthly meetings there if no conflicts. Will have Al Small check with their Board on its availability for 2014.
2014 USSVI stickers are available for your USSVI card.
Membership for the Base was discussed using the term “Adrift Bubbleheads”. As with many Bases across the USA getting the participation of membership is the utmost importance. Keeping the meeting relevant with valuable informative, education and “most important fun” keeps members coming back! Outdoor vinyl banners for parades will be solicited by getting 2 bids for 2 truck side banners 2’ x 5’. Discussed promotion of USSVI in local papers and cable during 4th of July, Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Motion made and seconded that we put together some ads so they are ready to go.
Dan Anderson donated to the Base his framed picture of the USS Nebraska. Motion and seconded to give the picture to the DAV to hang on their walls since they have no Navy pictures now.
Short range plans are to continue to work with the City of Yankton in honoring the memory of the USS Scorpion SS-278 and the memorial.
Long range plans are to meet with local Veterans Memorial Park for a memorial plaque to submarine veterans and with the recently unveiled National memorial plaque
in DC we feel it could be duplicated and used for our local memorial plaque.
Scorpion Base’s long, long range plans having the state acquire the sail and rudder of the USS South Dakota SSN-790 after 40+ years and putting that next to the battleship for the next generation of South Dakotans.
Dan Anderson won the 50/50 drawing of $50 and donated $30 back to the Base.
Meeting adjourned at 2:45pm.

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