Base meeting was held at the Sioux Falls DAV with Gwen cooking up Louisiana Gumbo for the crew!

Members attending:
Ralph Andersh, Roger Zarn, Brian Schnurr, Dan Anderson, Gerold Davey, Josh Johnson, Warren Munger, Owen McKittrick, John Stonebarger, Phil GGoettsch, Ray Decker, Scott Kelley, Nate Kull and Kent Winter. 3 more were sick and 2 went hunting... go figure!! Haha

You guys missed it...another great meal from Gwen, as we all appreciate her continued support!

The meeting started at 1305 with the reading of the Creed and Pledge of Allegiance. The boat was ordered to Dive and VC Roger Zarn sounded the Diving Alarm. Invocation was given and members and guests were introduced. Tolling of the Boats was read and given to the Nov/Dec losses by Roger Zarn.

Secretary/Treasurers reports:
Nate Kull reported account balance was $6175; General Fund: $3059; Forwarded $2545; Caps for Kids: $280, Memorial fund: $2500 left after model sub purchase. At this time, Nate Kull is resigning from the Treasurer position and moving soon to Arizona. With that the Base graciously accepts his resignation and thanks Nate for his support of the Base. To the Base's good fortune, Brian Schnurr, our current Communications Officer and WebMaster volunteered (NAVY) for the Office of Treasurer for the Scorpion 278 Base. The Base accepts and supports Brian.

Committee reports:
Eagle Scout program: We need to pursue Eagle Scout ceremony's in local areas by keeping our eyes and ears open to leads and work with the Sioux Council and/or any group!

Kaps4Kids program: Dan Anderson reported but unfortunately we are not allowed to visit any kids still due to pandemic.

Event Director: Dan Anderson will enter us again in the Riverboat Days, Turkey Days & Buffalo Days parades in 2023. We discussed new banners for the floats and need to get with a business and prices.

Veterans Day out at McCrossan Ranch, Dan arranged some Base members, Jim Farqahar, Brian Schnurr, Kent Winter to talk to the kids about the meaning of Veterans Day and some of the latest hot news about the new USS South Dakota SSN 790. And we sat with them and had lunch too…got some interesting questions about submarine life.

Storekeeper: Dan Anderson will be the new Base Storekeeper. He has 2023 USSVI calendars and requests you get them soon before they are gone! Call or email Dan for all requests!!
New Vests, Patches, Decals, License Plates? You bet, he can order it all!

Old/Unfinished business:

The model submarine at the Yankton VFW is on display with plaque detailing the Sub Vets of WWII as the primary sponsors of the memorial! Stop in Yankton and see it!

A State Historical Marker for the Scorpion memorial was discussed and considered. The Base wants to put the Marker in and will check with State on information to proceed.

New Business:

Dan Anderson asked if the Base would be willing to support and help with putting on a Navy Ball, primarily for submarine veterans but for all Navy veterans. Members discussed what options could be taken but no action resulted. We did ask Dan to investigate and see what options might be possible.
Is this something our Base should push? Appreciate any feedback.

The Base still wants to use even month outings to arrange visits to towns with American Legion & VFW support to recruit. It would have to be the local sub vet that contacts the local AL/VFW to arrange a "gathering" of hopeful submarine veterans from the area. That is why we need to make initial contact way prior to the gatherings so the locals can get the word out.

Brian Schnurr has met with SF Park & Rec, we are now on the City schedule to implement our idea in the Park and have done so to start the process. The Bronze plaque used by USSVI would be one nice option on a pedestal. If you would like to volunteer, contact Brian at 605-413-6811.

Discussed options for USS Scorpion SS 278 sailors to all be listed in the Purple Heart Club. We can put together a plaque or banner memorial to the crew for display at the Yankton VFW with our other memorabilia. Brian Schnurr had talks with Ken Teunissen, of the Purple Heart Club, and they are delighted to help us commemorate these sailors. So the Base's action plan is to get a wall plaque with individual names of all the USS Scorpion SS 278 crew and place it next to/near the model submarine. Ken indicated that the Purple Heart Club would support doing this for our upcoming May 2023 ceremony.

Discussed what we want to do for the upcoming May 2023 Scorpion Memorial Day event. Ray Decker suggested that in 2 years, it will be the USS Scorpion's SS 278, 80th Anniversary which he thought would be a good time to make contact with Omaha again and see if we can get some Admiral to come up and speak. Base members agreed and we will make those arrangements.
We now have the next 2 years taken care of...Congrats attending Base members!!

The 50/50 drawing was held with Scott Kelley splitting the $70 pot!!

Meeting Adjourned at 1430. Vice Commander Roger surfaced the Boat!

Next meeting is Saturday, January 21st 2023 at the Sioux Falls DAV with Gwen cooking again!

p.s. Gentlemen, you are encouraged to bring your spouse/friend to the Base meeting for the meal!

Gwen just loves cooking for us and we should take advantage of that fact! Just need to get a good head count for Gwen and your spouse/friend can go shopping for the next 1-1/2 hours of the meeting!

We are done at 1430 promptly.