Reunion 09 SSBN 616

The rough economy reduced attendance but there were over 70 attendees, with many new faces. Shipmates from the 60s, 70s & 80s attended, including 8 Officers and 4 of them were former USS Lafayette Commanding Officers. The Lafayette Association is strong and growing. After only 3 reunions, 10 shipmates have attended all 3 reunions, 160 total shipmates have attended a reunion, 23 Officers have attended a Reunion, 10 of 18 Commanding Officers (1 on Eternal Patrol) have attended a reunion and 6 of 27 COB’s (4 on Eternal Patrol) have attended a reunion.

Thanks to the hard work of John Wayne & Katherine Johnson and Association President Don McBride, the Silverdale reunion has set a new higher standard for facility, tours, banquet, food and entertainment. Shipmates enjoyed the long weekend of tours to the Naval Submarine Base Bangor, Boeing Field Museum of Flight, Seattle’s Space Needle, Pioneer Square, Underground Seattle, Pike Place Fish Market (with fishmongers throwing fish), Undersea Museum at Keyport and many other sites. Thanks also to Banquet MC Frank Phipps and Keynote Speaker CO Walt Stephenson who presented a wonderful history of submarines. But the most enjoyable moments were in the hospitality room where old shipmates met and shared stories about their days on the boat.