reunionnews

USS SABALO REUNION NEWS

LAST REUNION ?

The Sabalo reunion in 2018 will be the last one of any size. A few men may still attend USSVI conventions, national, or otherwise, but another stand-alone Sabalo reunion is now highly unlikely.

The Facts:

There are ~1,443 men listed on the sailing list that's been assembled with thousands of man hours of time expended to search out men and maintain contact.
Known to be deceased. [as of 4 March 2020 -- 756 and reports are coming in far too frequently.]
About 440 are now living and have been contacted at some point, however, almost half did not muster in despite the recent attempts.
{'unaccounted for', in this case, means that we have located the man and have either postal or email address, but for what ever reason, there has been no response after three email messages and a post card asking for a response. A number of men previously located have deceased or moved, and attempts to relocate have not been successful.} Of those located, many are short timers on board, and have no interest in a Sabalo reunion.
The whereabouts or status of ~250 of all the roster listings have never been discovered. Many of these men not located are also dead based on the projected ages.

The ranks are depleting fast. As an example of aging statistics, if a guy was 30 years old in 1960 he would be 88 today. I was 25 when I left Sabalo and the Navy in 1969, and I'm 75 today. I sampled the Sabalo roster, and there are only about 100 men that are my age or younger. And remember that some of these are short-timers.

Based on past delayed responses, and the nature of comments received with regrets about health and age problems, there is slim likelihood of gathering enough men for a future reunion. It has become an impossible idea you'll catch the chance "next time". From sampling the list of men with known whereabouts, more than half are age 85 and above, and only slightly more than 20% are 75 or less.

As always, If you have not communicated recently it would be helpful if you send a message letting us know your status.

Your shipmate and reunion planner,
Jeff Owens

Please direct any questions to me by email or phone - Jeff Owens

Email: owensj epix.net USPS: 273 Pratt Hollow Rd, Nicholson, PA 18446 Tel.: 942-4622 AreaCode 570 - Eastern Time Zone

AND DON'T FORGET TO SEND AN EMAIL FROM TIME-T0-TIME TO LET US KNOW YOU GOT THE WORD AND ARE STILL KICKING!

LOOKING FOR A SCHEDULED REUNION FOR ANY OTHER BOAT?
There are notices of all upcoming boat reunions in any location accessible from:
United States Submarine Veterans (USSVI) Home Page http://ussvi.org
from the home page click on "Boats & Crews" and follow the instructions.

USSVI National Conventions:

USSVI NATIONAL CONVENTION	23-30 August 2020
https://ussviconvention.org/2020/	Tucson, AZ

Future USSVI national conventions will continue to be a draw for a number of men. A list will be kept with each convention information section for registering your name, if you are interested, or will be attending. If you add your name, this may help others to make a decision to also attend. Please send your plans at the earliest opportunity to facilitate this possibility.

All Sabalo men should please communicate if you might attend one of the future conventions, or if you think that a Sabalo reunion should be organized at one of the conventions, or at a different place and time. By your desires and input we will seek to keep the Sabalo memories alive, and also salute our shipmates who have gone on final patrol.

The posted schedule of upcoming USSVI national and regional conventions, and district meetings is on the national web site at:
http://ussvi.org/Conventions.asp

Although it is highly recommended that you consider membership in USSVI, it is not required to attend any Sabalo functions. Convention reservations and arrangements are viewable on the USSVI web site, and have there own arrangements, timetable and deadlines.

PAST USSVI CONVENTIONS

These lists contains names from various sources and my have someone listed who wasn't there, or may be missing someone. Corrections and additions please.

2015 PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA DURING THE TIME OF USSVI NATIONAL CONVENTION SEPT. 7-12
website: http://www.ussviconventionsteelcity2015.org/

REPORTED ATTENDEES	IF YOU ATTENDED OR KNOW OF ANYONE WHO DID PLEASE COMMUNICATE	Larry Sullivan & Marsha 63-66	Harold Losby & Shirley 65-70

A Sabalo reunion was attempted to be organized during the convention dates, but there was not enough interest

2014 USSVI National Convention - September 1-7, 2014 at Hyatt Regency Hotel, Burlingame CA
website: http://www.ussvigoldenanniversary2014sf.org/

POTENTIAL ATTENDEES	Harold Barker

2013 USSVI National Convention, Rochester Minnesota August 25-Sept 2
Hosted by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Base At the Kahler Grand Hotel
Details: http://ussvi-2013convention.com/site/

KNOWN ATTENDEES

Harold Losby & Shirley '65-70

2012 Norfolk, Virginia 2-9 September Sabalo Reunion at the USSVI National Convention

ATTENDEES	Mike Elzinga & wife '59-61	Ron Gorence '66-70	Robert Frick & wife '62-63
Fred Almeida '66-67	Ralph Piatek '53-56 and daughter	Les Peters '58-61	Charlie Darrell & wife '57-59
Connie Moore '66-68	Jerry Hamilton '67-69	Joe Lyons '68-69 and wife

2011 Springfield, Missouri 5-11 September
Details: http://www.upspringfield.com/home.aspx
No report received of any attendees or happenings. If you were there, please send a note.

PROSPECTIVE ATTENDEES

Harold &Shirley Losby '65-70

John & Karen Baker '64-68

2010 Cincinnati - Northern Kentucky August 30 – September 06
Details: http://www.2010convention.cincysubvets.com/
No report received of any attendees or happenings. If you were there, please send a note.

2008 Dallas-Ft Worth, TX 1-7 Sep
Details: http://ussvi2008.com/
No report received of any attendees or happenings. If you were there, please send a note.

2007 Bremerton, WA - Alaska Cruise 15-23 Sep SOMEBODY SEND A REPORT ON ACTIVITIES AND ATTENDEES
Details: http://www.aaawa.com/submarine/index.htm

ATTENDEES	John Egan 63-65	George Hudson 69-70	Chris Witzel 64-66
Gene "Spooks" Merrill 59-60	Peter Lary 68-69	Greg LaBrache 57-59	and ????

PAST USS SABALO REUNIONS

click on these links for details and photos

SanDiego, CA 11-14 Nov 2018

Reno, NV 14-16 August 2016

Las Vegas, Neveda 12-14 Nov 2013

San Diego, CA 12-14 Sep 2009

San Diego, California 11 - 14 April 2007

Kansas City, Missouri 29 Aug - 4 Sep 2005

Saratoga Springs, New York 16-18 Sep 2004

Reno, Nevada 4-6 Sep 2003

Peoria, Illinois 13 & 14 Sep 2001

Groton, Connecticut 14 July 2001

Atlantic City, NJ 2000 - details unknown