Reunion 12 -  San Diego - 2018               (click)

The Mauna Kea Bond...

USS MAUNA KEA AE-22   Reunions

                 *Final resting place

In the mid 60’s, a group of young men found themselves thrown together as part of the crew of a ship carrying tons of ammo. Most of them had just graduated from high school, and were away from home for the first time. They were now in a dangerous position working long hard hours. Some just wanted it to be over so they could go back to the “real world”. Theye probably never thought they would want to see those shipmates again when this war ended. But something happened. Some of them found that they had a real love for the Navy. They also formed a bond that has lasted all these years, and they are willing to travel across this country to see one another again. 

In 1999, 22 shipmates decided they wanted to see each other again and held the 1st reunion in Concord, California thanks to the hard work of Dick States. He spent countless hours searching for former shipmates.  The first shipmates that Dick contacted were Rich Letarte, John Oldberg, and Jerry Mouton.  With these shipmates on board with Dick, the ball was rolling. With the use of the US Postal Service and expensive long-distance telephone calls, the first reunion was scheduled in Concord, CA. Dick not only found his shipmates, he found the Mauna Kea!  The first reunion included a tour of the decommissioned ship.  This reunion included shipmates who served in the 50’s and 60’s. The rest is history.  That began a tradition, which has led to this reunion. Those reunions have been held in the following locations across the country: 

            Concord, CA (1999)   -   Virginia Beach (2001)   -   New Orleans, LA (2003)   –   Arlington, VA (2005)
          San Francisco, CA (2006)   -   Branson, MO (2008)   –   San Antonio, TX (2009)   –   Windsor, CT (2011)
            Seattle, WA (2013)   –   St Augustine, FL (2015)   –   Charleston, SC (2017   –    San Diego, CA (2018)

                                                                                       Tucson 2022
 
And they have traveled across this country to be together…

​ 
                                                         

 

Prior Reunions...

Reunion 10 - Liberty Call Jacksonville / St. Augustine - 2015    (click)

Reunion 11 - Liberty Call Charleston, SC - 2017      (click)