USS BREMERTON SSN 698 FIRST GENERATIONS REUNION
AUG 22-25 2016 RENO, NV
Astern of a guided missile destroyer and with a 637 Class Fast Attack (notice the vertically positioned sail planes) tied inboard, USS Bremerton SSN698 is moored in Subic Bay, Philippines, circa 1983.
“The First Generation USS Bremerton (SSN698) Sailors from 1978 to 1986 are putting together a USS Bremerton 30+ year reunion which is also open to all active or past 698 shipmates from any generation who may want to attend.”
Details to come soon.
I will say, that some of the most significant experiences I have had in the last couple of years were being able to get together with my shipmates from the Bremerton. For me, It all started in July 2014 when Jeff Marcey was able to spend some time at my home a couple of nights in California on one of Jeff’s well-deserved vacations. There’s nothing like that one on one with an old shipmate who you shared so many experiences through the life of a submarine.
It’s been fun reconnecting with a lot of my 698’ers on FB. Since then I’ve met, in person with Joel Walton (Placerville,CA), Tom Canter (Seattle, WA), and Rich Crombie (Lake Tahoe, CA) in person and each of these were big events for me as you would imagine having people you worked closely with in a boat after 30 years.
Now, Rich is something else, besides being a fellow Sonar Tech, and the only person I know who served on 698 twice. He also works out of Reno and we thought it would be a great idea to have a “Reunion”. The idea has morphed a bit, but fortunately, helping make arrangements for a reunion, small or large or HUGE, in Reno is right up his alley.
So we have dates you can plan around, we’ll soon release some essential information (accommodations, events, activity options) through a website which we will link to later through this FB site.
ACTION ITEM: Forward this information to your 698 shipmates. So they can begin considering their schedules now!
REUNION in RENO August 22nd-25th
1978-1986 30 + Year Reunion
Stay tuned for details
FAQ’s Who can come? This reunion will focus on First Generation Shipmates but we invite welcome anyone who was attached to 698 because you know you love it.
FAQ: How do I sign up? We will have a special reunion website up soon to help with updated contact information.
In the meantime, you can address any concerns by contacting me through this website.
Enough said, the outer doors are open.
CKY
STS1/SS(DV) Challen Yee. USS Bremerton SSN698 – 1983-1986
Interested. would be nice if it was near the old boat though.
STS2-SS USS Bremerton SSN 698 Plankowner May 1979-August 1982
Hey Gene, Nice to hear from a Sonar Tech Plankowner. I agree with you it would be nice to have an event wth the boat. I think we will have at least one more opportunity to get together with the boat before she decommissions. This reunion happens to coincide almost directly after the National Sub Convention in Reno so there may be some layovers. Are you on FB?
I was a part of the pre-commission crew. Went on the final sea trials. I remember leaving the pier at electric boat and going down to pier 32 I think (maybe pier 4). Anyway, i was extremely disappointed when i was taken off the boat just prior to commissioning. I wasn’t even on board long enough to be dink.lol
As a STSSN I ended up on the USS Greenling SSN-614, what a difference…
About the only one i really remember is Thermo Kline.
Oh well. Glad you guys were able to get together.
Alan, Keep in touch! You can find me on Facebook @challen yee —- Do you remember Rich Crombie? He was there during new construction. We’d be glad to have you come to the next reunion!
Were you nicknamed Boat Rider? I was in sonar from April 79 to August 82. I recall we had to borrow a few STs