It’s been seven years since our last reunion. In 2017, the last time we met in Orlando, the consensus was that we ought to be getting together every three years or so. 

2020 came and went, with the lockdown and isolation squashing our reunion hopes fast than you can say “liberty ports confirmed through Hobart!”

2023 looked like a possibility, but the Navy was still restricting access to bases and boat tours, and before we knew it, 2024 was on us like a Sturgeon-class stretch hull on a Victor III - undetected, unexpected, and soon to vanish.

So here we are.

Miles Bradley poked us awake, as surely as a messenger yanking back the rack curtains. Ron Squiers and Scott Elder joined in the conversation, all starting with Miles’ question, “Any more reunions?”

The answer was a resounding yes, and now more than ever, which is how it must begin.

REGROUPEX 25 will be the next USS WILLIAM H. BATES (SSN 680) reunion. At the moment, we don’t know where, and we don’t know when, but we do know how. 

That how depends on you…telling us what you think, volunteering to help, making your voice and support heard. After all, it’s you we do this for!

Look for a survey soon, that will help us narrow down our choices. Chime in in the comments to this post and others so everybody knows that they are not alone in this. Then, when we activate the REGROUPEX 25 reunion page at coldwarboats.org, be quick to RSVP so we can get a handle on what needs to be done to make REGROUPEX 25 as successful as REGROUPEX 09 and REGROUPEX 17!

It’s coming our way, and will be here before we know it.

There is not a moment to lose!