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In the 1990's, the SBSA formulated a policy of holding one nationwide Swift Boat Sailors Reunion every other year. The location of each such reunion has been, and will continue to be, rotated between the west coast, mid-America and east coast locations. This policy has worked out well, with attendance growing with each succeeding bi-annual event held. And as a result, the association's membership has become stronger, larger and more active.
The following sections allow you to spend a few moments re-visiting the national reunions and also the several "mini-reunions" that have spontaneously come into being to fill in the "need for association" while awaiting the next national event. |
| Click on the images for more information on these past reunions |
1996: San Diego Maritime Museum |
1998: New Orleans |
2000: San Diego |
2003: Norfolk |
2005: St. Louis |
2007: San Diego |
| Click on the images for more information on these past reunions |
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There is strong interest within the association membership for get togethers more often than just every other year. And at locations consistently closer to home. Bill Rogers started the ball rolling in the year 2002 for regional reunions, dubbed mini-reunions, by hosting such a gathering at his home in Gig Harbor, outside Seattle, for Swift Boat sailors on the northwest coast . The event has grown each year since then, and now attracts sailors from locales outside the northwest region.
This has motivated Swift Boat sailors in the other regions of the country to arrange similar events as local gathering places to enjoy what all sailors, and especially Swift Boat sailors, enjoy doing the most: swapping sea tales about experiences when "their hearts were touched by fire" and resolving other important subjects such as whose boat REALLY was the fastest. If you do not already have one in your area, then give some serious consideration to generating interest in starting one up. They are great fun and the support you receive from your Swiftmates for doing so will surprise you. |
| Click on the images for more information on these mini-reunions |
Gig Harbor WA 2002 thru 2006 |
Auburn WA Veterans Day 2003 thru 2006 |
Midwest 2004 and 2006 |
Texas 2004 and 2006 |
Belen New Mexico 2006 |
| Click on the images for more information on these mini-reunions |
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Even if there is not a regional mini-runion in your area, it still is an attractive idea to arrange spur of the moment meetings with other Swift Boat sailors in order to just enjoy occasional comraderie, or perhaps be inspired by other events to gather with Swiftmates. Unlike the reunions, however, these are typically one time events with no commitments for repetition. But the more informal meetings are usually just as rewarding and emotional as the formal ones |
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Greensboro North Carolina Click on the image to join the party |
Bob and Val Bolger's Post-VUM Click on the image to join the reception |
