ET1(SS) Brad Williamson, EM1(SS) Mike Langenheim, and MM1(SS) Dave MacConnell (l to r), USS William H. Bates (SSN 680) Engineering reunited for the first time in over 25 years! - REGROUPEX 09
Shipmates who served on the USS William H. Bates (SSN 680) during the seventies and eighties gather in Warren G. Magnuson Park in Seattle, WA for the 1999 reunion. Shipmates from the 90's are absent because they were on WestPac, not that being deployed was unusual!
QMSN Steve Perry, ET2(SS) Bill Byers, ET2(SS) Steve Stangeland, MM1(SS) David (Shoe) Shoemaker, QM2(SS) Jim Meyer, EM1(SS) Mike Langenheim, and ETI(SS) Dennis Carroll (l to r) of the USS William H. Bates (SSN 680) tour the former Soviet submarine B-39 pierside in San Diego harbor. - REGROUPEX 09
MSC(SS) Mike (The Rodfather) Rodriguez, QMSN Steve Perry, ICCS(SS) John Barry, and MM2(SS) Michael Yawn (l to r) of the USS William H. Bates (SSN 680) scope out the reunion slide show in San Diego! - REGROUPEX 09
USS William H. Bates (SSN 680) sailors MM2(SS) Chris Mumford, MM2(SS/DV) John Kettelle, ET2(SS) Steve Stangeland, and MM2(SS) Michael Yawn (l to r) await their steaks at the reunion dinner. - REGROUPEX 09
MM2(SS/ELT) Sean Gawne, SK3(SS) Odie Gallop, STS1(SS) Kelvin (KC or Cookie) Cook, STS1(SS) Randy (Ski) Pronshinske, and STS1(SS) Joe Hanna (l to r) from the USS William H. Bates (SSN 680) pose in the reunion suite. - REGROUPEX 09
USS William H. Bates (SSN 680) crew-members STS1(SS) Kelvin (KC or Cookie) Cook and STS1(SS) Tom Meyers (l to r) enjoy (and capture) the action at the San Diego Reunion! - REGROUPEX 09
At least thirty-four shipmates showed up for the San Diego reunion of the USS William H. Bates (SSN 680). Most of them are pictured here - see the photos from the reunion for details on who is who! - REGROUPEX 09
MM2(SS)/DV John Kettelle, STS1(SS) Joe Hanna, and MM2(SS) Michael Yawn (l to r) of the USS William H. Bates (SSN 680) sort through hundreds of old photos in the reunion suite in San Diego! - REGROUPEX 09
USS William H. Bates (SSN 680) shipmates reunited at the San Diego harbor include EM2(SS) Miles Bradley, QM2(SS) Jim Meyer, LTJG Rick (Chop) Hausvik, EM2(SS) Scott Elder, EM1(SS) Mike Langenheim, EM1(SS) Ron (Rockin'' Ron) Squires, QMSN Steve Perry, and MM1(SS) Dave MacConnell (l to r)! - REGROUPEX 09
Reunions can be a great time to restore old friendships, swap sea stories, and catch up on the years that have passed since we last sailed together. They can be a time of celebration, of cameraderie, and a chance to connect our families and friends to the submarine community. They can also be a painful time when we realize that old familiar faces are no longer with us, having cast off on Eternal Patrol.
As it has been said, however, let us live while we are alive! This reunion section provides that opportunity. You can help in reunion planning and organizing, or if that's not your style, you can follow the progress, and even catch up on the ones you missed. If you are committed to making a reunion happen, contact the Site Administrator, and we'll create some pages for you to post your progress.
The Bates existed for almost 30 years. We recognize that while you might feel a sense of connection with all Bates sailors, you're probably most connected to those who sailed with you. Accordingly, we encourage reunions that are focused on those 2-3 year windows with a core of shipmates who actually spent time hanging out in the crew's mess or the AMR2 workbench together. Our standard will be that if you were a part of the Bates, you are welcome at any reunion, but don't feel obligated to attend if the core group is outside your timeframe.
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