SSN 680 Plan of the Day
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- Brad Williamson
Just a quick update. I've rearranged the Reunions menu to reflect the fact that REGROUPEX 09 is now in the past. I've added a Special Thanks article for all the thank yous involved, and listed the attendance with a Muster List. Sponsor listings and an exclusive photo section will be added as I get some time.
You will also notice that the REGROUPEX 09 newsletter signup has disappeared from the Familygram, and the REGROUPEX 09 registration and contribution pushbutton are also no longer necessary.
I also finally posted photos to the Crews Gallery from REGROUPEX 09 taken by Jim Meyers, Steve Perry and myself, adding about 100 new photos to the REGROUPEX 09 collection. Steve Shaw's photos will hopefully be added tomorrow.
If you have any trouble posting photos or comments, please let me know.
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- Brad Williamson
It's Monday AM - one week post REGROUPEX 09 - I'm back in my office after a week on the road. Still trying to get my arms around the reunion. I'll write more as I sort it out, but for now know that I'm back home, sorting through hundreds of reunion pics, trying to organize my life and my thoughts so I can get some of this posted. I'll let you know as the articles go up.
Special thanks to all those that helped, both with hands and feet, or money to make the reunion go. You deserve more than this and I'll write something up especially for you. Al Frankel's wife Heather, and Michael Wickstrom's wife, Vicky, and my wife Margaret, are more than we deserve for the work they did setting up, hosting, and cleaning up. We are in your debt.
Keep those emails and photos coming - if you have trouble posting to the Crew's Gallery, let me know - know that I'm back in the office, I can help you sort those bugs out, and hopefully reply to all your emails.
Again, my thanks to each of you for being part of REGROUPEX 09.
For those of you that missed it, you really missed something special.
See you next time.
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- Brad Williamson
We left too soon - or you did. For those of you who went home Sunday or Monday and didn't stay for the start of the USSVI/ISA convention, you are missing quite a bit.
For example, yesterday morning Steve Perry caught my attention while I was walking past the pool, and told me there were two guys speaking Russian sitting at the table by him with submarine ballcaps on. We introduced ourselves, and after a few minutes of broken Russian/English conversation, we discovered that we were speaking with Igor Kurdin (2nd from right), former CO of the K-84, a Delta IV boomer, and author of the book 'Hostile Waters', which both of us had read.
His friend, Pavlov (left), was the Port Engineer for the K-84, the Ektarinaburg, in a shipyard, but we couldn't figure out much more than that, our Russian being somewhat worse than their English!
We had a great time convincing him that we were enlisted sailors on the USS WILLIAM H. BATES (SSN 680), and he did get the 'Sturgeon class' part, I think, but we made some new friends and managed to not interfere with international relations!
Brad Williamson - glavnyy starshini (senior petty officer, I think)
Pavlov, friend of Igor, Steve Perry, Igor Kurdin, Brad Williamson
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- Brad Williamson
REGROUPEX 09 photos are being uploaded as I type. You can find them here in the Crew's Gallery.
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- Brad Williamson
Just a quick update for those unfortunate few that weren't able to attend REGROUPEX 09 this weekend in San Diego.
It is Sunday morning - the reception suite is empty and clean - just a few minutes to post before the crowd starts showing up. Wait, MS Chief Mike Rodriguez and his wife Margaret just walked through the door.
OK - still quiet, just the four of us sitting here and chatting. Dennis Carroll and his friend Sandy stopped by earlier. Dennis commented that it was hard to believe that there had been 40 of us in the suite last night, and the place still looked livable. Some things have definitely changed since back in the days.
It has been a really incredible weekend. I have been operating in a strange mode since I walked into the suite Friday evening. We have had between 40 and 50 people here each of the last two evenings, and most of the time I've been in a daze, (not just due to the alcohol!) because I can't really believe this is happening. Absolutely full house both Friday and Saturday. Most come early and stay for 6 or 8 hours. I got here at 10 AM yesterday, and left at 2 this morning. It has been an incredible adventure.
Bill Byers and Dave Shoemaker just walked in - we are trying to figure out what to do for dinner.
Hard to describe - dozens of guys and their sweethearts sitting in the suite, hanging out on the patio, lounging around tables on the lawn, everyone of them having a great time sharing sea stories and reconnecting with old friends. Plenty of food and drink attracted some to the suite to stock up. Six or eight gathered around the big flat screen looking through photos of the old days, trying to put names to faces. Raucous laughter as various events are recalled. A handful huddle over a photo album, so more look through stacks of memorabilia, including ships qual cards. "Did I really sign you off on AMR2? I must have be a real sleaze!" That kind of thing.
You should be here. Most of us wish you were. Sorry we missed you.
More later - got to go - Steve Perry just walked in.
Catch up with you soon.
