SSN 680 Plan of the Day
- Brad Williamson
On the eve of REGROUPEX 17, I regret to inform you of the passing of the first Commanding Officer of the USS WILLIAM H. BATES (SSN 680), Captain Glenn Neal Arthur, Jr., on the 26th of August, 2017.
Tom Olson alerted me and directed me to Cap’n Arthur’s obituary, reproduced here.
- Brad Williamson
White clouds boil into the sky. A distant freight train of thunder arrives. Evening falls. The sky darkens over Orlando.
Ensconced in my third floor room, I’m finally drawing the breath of a pardoned man. All the work of the last year comes together in 20 hours in a Hospitality Suite at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort as REGROUPEX 17 gets underway.
It was almost a year ago, the 16th of September, 2016, when we had the first inklings that a reunion might be overdue. By the 7th of December, we had enough interest, and REGROUPEX 17 made the transition from imagination to planning.
- Brad Williamson
It is with a heavy heart that I inform you of the passing of Julie, wife of Sean Gawne.
Sean was an ELT on board the USS WILLIAM H. BATES (SSN 680) between October of 1981 and September of 1985.
Julie was the mother of three (Joanne, Sean Jr., and Sarah) that fully supported Sean’s Navy career. She was proud that Sean served in submarines, and her devotion and hard work made it possible for him to serve on the USS Chicago (SSN 721) as well.
From her obituary…
- Brad Williamson
Scrambling toward the September 1st deadline. Twenty days does not seem like enough time to take care of all that remains to be done, but as Captain Leon J. Uplinger taught me while pursuing my studies in life and leadership on-board the USS William H. Bates, “We’re getting underway on time even if we have to row it away from the pier!”
Two new events added to the schedule for those that are still wondering what to do while you are in Orlando.
Friday, September 1, 1900 - 2100: REGROUPEX 17 Welcome Aboard Mixer - Join us in our comfortable Hospitality Suite for the REGROUPEX 17 Welcome Aboard Mixer. A variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages will be offered along with light snacks. Cost of this event is included in your paid registration, but we do need to know how many are planning to attend.
- Brad Williamson
Exactly three weeks until REGROUPEX 17, and there’s not a moment to lose!
The challenge coins have been designed and ordered, and are currently in production. We can only hope they actually arrive in time for delivery in Orlando!
Each registered shipmate will receive one as part of their registration, as will each REGROUPEX 17 Sponsor at Chiefs Club level or above.
We will also make them available to those that were not able to attend after the reunion as part of a fund-raising effort to obtain the boat’s Deck Log and Sailing Lists, and other related artifacts, so if you couldn’t make the reunion, you don’t have to miss out.