Base meeting was held at the DAV in Sioux Falls SD.
Al served chicken for our noon meal and again we thank him for doing all the extra work it takes to put on a meal for his crew!
Members attending:

Jim Farquhar, Mike Neuroth, Brian Schnurr, Bernard Jung, Dean Duel, Kent Winter, Gerold Davey, Warren Armbruster, Al Small, Dan Anderson, Nathan Kull.
Special guests Harlan Bedford, rep for Tri-State Chiefs and Battleship Memorial Ex Bd member and Rick Lingberg, Battleship Memorial Ex Bd member and web master for
the Battleship Memorial web site.
We interrupted the meeting to let Rick give a presentation on the ideas being tossed about for promoting the new USS South Dakota SSN-790, the old USS South Dakota BB-57
and the 1st USS South Dakota. He is very talented at this and we are excited to see how we will incorporate everything into 1 website for viewers called “South Dakota Navy”.
The meeting was opened at 1pm with the reading of the creed and pledge of allegiance.
Invocation was given by “Father Jerry”, members introduced and BJ did Tolling of the Bell for Oct/Nov losses.
Secretary/Treasurers reports:September meeting minutes were approved.
Committee reports:
Eagle Scout program, Jerry contacted Sioux Council for a review of event and attendance at next years program. Also major changes with the Eagle Scout patch to settle lawsuits.
Kaps4Kids program: Al S. canceled our Dec fundraiser due to lack of attendees on Dec 23rd. We need to give Al another star for his work with getting the fundraisers set up for the Base!
Thanks Al!
Yankton Memorial Planning committee, City of Yankton is being encourage to support the drive to finish the WWII memorial with the addition of the torpedo.
Jim Black & Tim Madden were checking the City of Yankton for specifics on finishing the memorial.
Storekeeper: Jerry reminds us to purchase items through him as we get $$ back from Nat’l.
Old/Unfinished business:

National dues of $20 are due now, after January 1, 2016 the price goes up $5 to $25.
Local dues of $10 are also due now. Make check out to Scorpion Base 278 and send check to me at 900 N Savannah Dr, Sioux Falls SD 57103……as Tim is down in AZ.
Webmaster Brian has the web site updated with more pictures of past events!
Jerry Davey reported on the National Convention in Pittsburgh PA; September 7-12th
Participate in 2015 Yankton Riverboat Days parade (Aug 2015) and Worthington’s Turkey Day parade (Sept 2015). Check out the pictures on the web site.

New Business:

MK-14 Torpedo
As by now you have hopefully heard of OUR quest to finish the WWII memorial in Yankton by securing a MK-14 torpedo. Since the memorial was dedicated in October 2002,
USSVI Bases across the nation have looked for the old WWII torpedos for their memorials. Most have now been spoken for and the possibilities of getting one seemed very dim.
Fast forward to today and we have now found a company that can make an exact replica of the MK-14 torpedo out of fiberglass….greatly reducing maintenance costs. I have asked
Design Tanks of SF to figure out an exact cost from their estimate of $5000 so we can start securing funds for this project.
So the question is can we get the needed funds to finish this project?
I have sent out an appeal to members for their consideration of giving money to support this cause and I hope it’s not too late!

USS South Dakota SSN-790
Attended telecom of the new USS South Dakota Commissioning Committee. Retired Capt Deb Bodensted, who you remember spoke at our May memorial services, is the new Chairman of the
Commissioning Committee! Mike Samp and Tom Muenster have taken over Fundraising and organization planning. I have been tasked with the Military and Retired Navy veterans committee,
which in part is the backbone of the organization! I forgot to say NAVY and now I’m up to bat! Anyone who is interested in assisting and/or helping please contact me.
The telcon had new PCO Ron Withrow, PXO Pete Banyon, COB Bryan Randall, Jeff Marlette, Mike Samp, Tom Muenster, Steve Harding from the Govenor’s office.
Discussed were plans to make a BANG!
First on the list were SD Gun Dealers, they want to make commemorative guns for the event, commemorative motorcycles from company in Mitchell that will be themed with original stored
permanently in Sturgis Museum and the 2nd one raffled off. Discussed requests to Navy for crew to attend various events across SD promoting submarine. DOD trailer is now a truck
wrapped to showcase submarine with sub model in bed pulling trailer with themed motorcycle. Looking at a “Home Port for a Day” event in communities across SD. Contacting veteran
organizations for picnics, events and donors. 2016 is the 75th Anniversary of the Battleship USS South Dakota BB-57 commissioning.
Tom and Mike did a trip to RC via Mitchell, Pierre and Sturgis. 14 meetings in 2.5 days promoting the sub. Submarine Crest is also top priority too with SD Dept of ED getting
information on a contest for school kids statewide. Will have 4 catagories….Elementary, High School, Individual and Professional. If you have talent or know of someone….let them know!
Timeline for end of contest is Spring. Discussed ship coin, MWR fund that is drawn from by Navy personel, Portland Shipyard for a model of the sub that will be put on the back of the
truck before Stand Down on Dec 17th.
In summary, telcon went very well, we have a very talented team of people now working on this project!

Check out the USS Washington’s web site at www.usswashingtoncommissioning.org

Al Small brought up an idea for fundraising and wants to promote a bowling tournament.
He is looking for interested parties that enjoy bowling to contact him for a fundraiser at Eastway Bowl in SF.
We are still looking for something inexpensive to hand out promoting our new submarine. Got an idea?
Still looking for someone who would be interested in our long range plans with the City of Sioux Falls!
Our long range plan is to meet with the SF Park & Rec Dept which controls the Sioux Falls Veterans Memorial Park for a memorial plaque to submarine veterans.
With the recent National memorial plaque in DC, we feel it can be duplicated and used for our memorial site in SF.

Next meeting is Saturday, January 9th, 2016 at the SF DAV.

The 50/50 drawing was held and Dan Anderson had his named pulled for $30.
He donated $10 back to Base.

Meeting adjourned at 2:30pm.

$30 – Brian pd Nat’l & Local
$10 – Warren pd Local…Nat’l lifetime.
$30 – 50/50
$10 – Dan A.
$80 deposited in acct

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