I. SAVE THE DATE -(LAS VEGAS MAY 2018 REUNION HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO BOAT’S DECOM SCHEDULE)
II. MORE 698 REUNION NEWS
III. ABOUT THE BOAT
A fantastic group getting together for an impromptu photo shoot by the famous Reno arch. Photo by Leona Yee
By Challen Yee
One of the important reasons our first reunion was such a success was that everyone in attendance had a strong sense of belonging. We are Cold War Bremerton submariners, having served together within a few year span early in the boat’s history. Attendees could immediately connect with everyone else. What was very helpful was active participation in social media beforehand which greased the skids for everyone. We were a very psyched and cohesive group who were participating in all activities, from the variety of planned events to the free-for-all in the hotel lounges.
It was hard to say goodbye, and the emotional high of the reunion was such that we are excited to jump right into organizing another big celebration.
Should be great, even the Nucs and A-Div are stoked for the next one!
With that profound and happy realization, follow along with me for a bit of a serious diversion. I promise to surface at the end after we go deep.
Down inside, we know all is not for simple amusement, there is a transcendent sense of purpose, built upon the realization that the experience of being submariners is far greater than ourselves.
The scope of the second reunion is going to be broader, poised to encompass a wider number of 698 crew generations. We know, coming to a reunion, even for us old classics (to borrow a term from Wes Bringham) is a little like being new to the boat, there will be some anxiety. No one likes to feel left out of the greater group.
The organizers are sensitive to this anxiety and we’re dedicated, on one hand, to helping our generation, to hoist a few rounds of their favorite beverage in remembrance and share some special quality time together to create new memories in honor our service and our friendships. On the other hand, it does not end there.
We also are bound to welcome, with all camaraderie, those proud professionals warriors of the deep, each of you who have had to trust your life to your shipmates, during every day of those underwater exercises and operations, whether they were one day or 90 days. Just imagine, they had to rely on you too.
Who are we thinking of? All of you submariners who have prepared Bremerton for duty and have taken her out to sea to be ready for the fight.
I believe there is an aspect of 698 submarine spirit and of submarine camaraderie that will prevail and that is, effective unit cohesion comes from every division, department and sailor coming together as a unified team in service to a single mission.
MiSSION: Leave No Shipmate Behind
At first, cohesion may not seem to exist with individuals striving to fulfill life destinies apart from the boat, but through determined effort and pulling together to achieve a common mission will the disparate parts become an effective whole. Strive for the goal of No shipmate being left behind.
The SEALS may have their battlefield code to “Leave no man behind” and so may we as submariners over life and time, endeavor to “Leave no shipmate behind.”
Granted, there may be some of our cadre who are not ready to reignite old flames, but this is not a problem. Just keep the invitation and welcoming hand out there. Build relationships with the willing while you have the chance. Be there for others when they are ready. We’re stronger together than apart.
THIS JUST HAPPENS TO BE WHAT WE ARE UP TO
By promoting the 2018 Reunion, we’re letting the 698 Community know what we are up to. We realize we’re not the only organizing group, and our ideas are not necessarily tuned to everyone’s mode of operation. We encourage others to get together and do what turns them on by organizing events that fit their motivations, interests, and budgets. Just getting together with one person you served with is a fulfilling experience.
We like the idea that we’re planning our event out far enough that people can work with us or around us, whether it is another 698 or submarine reunion, wedding, anniversary, birthday, company celebration or other important event. Keep on following our posts and see how things shape up, you just might want to sign on.
If you are a 698 submariner interested in our reunion information and updates, I invite to you to:
Website: www.BremertonReunion.com
Facebook: USS Bremerton SSN698 Reunion
Linkedin: Bremerton Reunion SSN 698
ABOUT THE BOAT…
Cmdr. Wesley P. Bringham, commanding officer of the Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Bremerton (SSN 698), right, salutes during a change of command ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Aug. 5. U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Michael H. Lee
USS BREMERTON, the American Classic, stands to become the RECORD SETTING LEGEND
To the best of my knowledge, the USS Kamehameha SSBN-642 (converted to an SSN) has the record for the longest serving US Navy nuclear powered submarine at almost 37 years, spanning from 1965 to 2002. At the current proposed plans of the Navy, Bremerton, an active Los Angeles Class Attack Submarine (SSN), commissioned in 1981, stands to exceed that record and become the longest serving United States Navy nuclear submarine EVER.
NEXT IN LINE: FLASH TRAFFIC COMES AT PD… DISTINGUISHED 698 ALUMNI TAKES 688 CLASS TO WAR ON 9-11
C.K. Yee
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“Aloha” Bremerton, coming back into Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
LOOKING FORWARD
USS Bremerton SSN 698 is the longest serving commissioned submarine in the United States Navy, is home ported in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and is tentatively scheduled for decommissioning in 2019.
SAVE THE 698
Join the Movement. Are you passionate about preserving the USS Bremerton in any way shape or form after her decommissioning for the benefit of the public and of naval history? You are invited to a new closed group forum on Facebook “SaveThe698” to be involved in public discussion related to Saving 698. You can see the group site by clicking HERE.
CKY