TUNNY Crew reunion

I have compiled a muster list of names and addresses from the TUNNY reunion. If you want a copy, just tell me, and I'll email it to you.

I recently attended the TUNNY crew reunion. What a great time! An opportunity to renew the feeling of having shipmates again, rather than the usual interaction with coworkers and a planet filled with strangers.

There is a often-repeated expression that says, "The only people who understand what you did - are other submarine sailors." I usually dispute this sort of snobbery out of spite. But there REALLY IS something about visiting TUNNY sailors, and the many things we have in common. Our TUNNY crews are probably identical to other American sub crews, so there is a bigger sociological structure at work here - shaping our perceptions, values and twisted sense of humor. But as I bask in this afterglow, recalling the comfortable and welcoming acceptance of this group, I feel it was a terrific 'break' from the rest of my life. And these guys (and their families) are an awful lot like me, in a way the general public is not.

The best I can explain it is our common mindset. Everyone was pretty much cut from the same cloth. The guys pitched in when it was time to pitch in, prayed in a big circle before the BBQ dinner, kept an eye on the kids near the river, brought each other beer and listened to each others stories. I have explained this before: The passing of time and the movement of life in a group of submarine sailors is comfortable and intimate in a way you couldn't acquire in the general public. I really like that. The corny "shipmates" moniker seemed ridiculously stereotypical and overused since I have been around the Navy, but this method of identifying your sub force buddies may be the only word I can reference. If you want to read details from the reunion activities, I'll get to those. But try hard right now to remember yourself on watch with guys who look you in the eyes when they talk to you, who would sacrifice their own lives to put out a fire to save yours, and who still remember how to trade bulk Navy coffee in a shipyard for repair work without the proper forms. These people mustered over the Fourth of July weekend in Seguin, Texas. I am proud of our collective service, sense of obligation and duty, and common appreciation of sunshine, fresh air, green grass and 4 iced coolers of beer.

The activities and fireworks were an added bonus (and there were plenty of details worth mentioning) but the best part of the TUNNY reunion was being in the midst of a submarine crew. No question.

Left to Right, Front to Back: John Rosaci, William Thommen, David B. Follo, Jim Kjar, Tom Jordan, Steve Kukuk, Keith Eglington, Dave Fox, Mike Fleischer, Rick Percy, Craig Russell, Brian Thomason. Already came and left (not in this photo): Dennis Plew, John Svejkoski.

My family and I arrived a few days before the 4th of July. I used the long Holiday Weekend as a family vacation, since my employment turbulence this past year destroyed our normal routines. By the time July rolled around, I was ready to pack up the family and drive down towards San Antonio.

Driving in, we located Craig's lodge easily, and everyone present was very welcoming. I didn't know WHAT or WHO to expect, and my family was a bit skeptical since they weren't expecting to know anyone. Craig and Nancy were extremely hospitable, and the whole thing couldn't have gone more smoothly. My only compliant; Where the the TUNNY crewmembers from the 90s? I was the only crewmember from refueling until decommissioning, a span of 10+ years. Most everyone was from the early 80s. Only 2 plankowners attended. We had fewer than 20 crewmembers. I think there was enough beer for 10 times this many.

Without question, my favorite event was 3 July, the evening we gathered in Craig's lodge (it has its own bar in it!) for drinks, toasts and sea stories. The grown ups fell into chairs around the tables and the kids went downstairs to play board games. Bedtime was waived. Between the increasingly corny submarine toasts and the sea stories, it was just about perfect. I listened intently while Nicole described David Foxs' jealousy of her cat, Snuggles. (Dave's complaints have merit, but apparently he puts up with it. It was embarrassing to hear what Dave has to deal with.) Anyway, that sort of good natured kidding around and photo sharing and getting to know the people from a submarine crew. My boat, really. But not my crew. I guess I have some insight to how my family (wife and kids) felt, they didn't know anyone when we arrived. But we left with an extended group of friends and shipmates.

You know, I wanted to like everyone because they were TUNNY family. I was surprised at the things we had in common, and in some of the differences. The guys from the 80s seemed liked they got into alot more trouble than my crew did, teased each other more. My significant memory from TUNNY is that we were constantly drilling our butts off. They didn't bring up any exhaustive drill sea stories, so I just kept mine to myself. Plus, nukes were seriously outnumbered. I think there were 3 of us there. But, for the record, I think "my crew" spent almost ALL OUR TIME drilling. That's how I remember time underway. I was sleepy!

What did we have in common? Well, all TUNNY crews probably fit this description; Paranoid respect for the Soviet Navy. Not-so-bold that we can't do what is asked of us without question. Guys that can "carry the load", obviously capable of staying awake, alert and on watch to complete the mission. Direct spoken, outgoing, but reserved enough to give you appropriate personal space. Can take a joke. Patriotic. Guys you wish would marry into your family. Guys you can stand a watch with. It is difficult to really put a point on it. But if you have ever been around a submarine sailor, you know they are reliable and quietly endure. And I KNOW (from personal experience) that submariners appreciate snacks, TV, beer and relaxing. I learned that from time at sea, where it's not fun. So, we really made an effort to quickly relax and enjoy ourselves in Craigs' little bar room. It was easy.

The fireworks were fun on the Fourth. We sat outside on a hill in lawn chairs and kidded around.

I am really SO glad we went, and go thankful for everyone there. Alot of personality, alot of laughs.

Except when this carnivorous turtle or fish or something tried to eat my toes on Craig's metal steps leading into the river. I damn near jumped out of my skin. I spent a few hours trying to CATCH and KILL that critter. It's still lurking just at the third step.

Obviously, I could ramble on about the reunion all day. But I suppose everyone would rather see pictures. I have quite a few, from many different sources. I'll start out with a few easy ones from my digital camera. Other folks gave me photos and slides, I'll get to those ASAP.

1. Caption disclaimer; It is very likely that some names are mis-spelled or even the wrong name altogether. This is primarily due to folks that didn't stick around much, or that I didn't get much visiting time with. I am sorry. Conversely, I have no captions for Steve Kukuk, and he was there. Please submit corrections immediately to me.

	MM2 (SS) Dennis Plew, sitting happily at the water's edge.
	TMCM (SS) William F. Thommen MM2 (SS) Rick Percy MS2 (SS) John Svejkoski All underway, on the surface.
	Brian Jordan and un-named frog prisoner
	MS2 (SS) John Svejkoski MM2 (SS) Dennis Plew, Fishing the river
	MM2 (SS) Rick Percy
	MM2 (SS) Dennis Plew, Bait check
	TMCM (SS) William F. Thommen breaks a few Texas boating laws (open container)
	TM2 (SS) Craig Russell MM2 (SS) Dennis Plew MM2 (SS) Rick Percy Angela Percy TM2 (SS) Mike Fleicher Gathered around, looking at TUNNY stuff
	MS3 (SS) John Rosaci TMCM (SS) William F. Thommen TM2 (SS) Craig Russell cracks up laughing, trying to tell a story MM2 (SS) Dennis Plew
	TM2 (SS) Mike Fleicher MM2 (SS) Rick Percy MM2 (SS) Dennis Plew TMCM (SS) William F. Thommen TM2 (SS) Craig Russell
	Angela Percy Nancy Russell MM2 (SS) Rick Percy
	Proper prickley pear handling tips Nancy Russell Brian Jordan (hot, exhausted) Alexandria Percy (still in a good mood) Laua Percy (still in a good mood)
	Country frog escapes certain imprisonment / death Brian Jordan and fleeing frog
	Jennifer Jordan Laura Percy Squids are gone. River safe for kids again.
	TMCM (SS) William F. Thommen
	ICC? (SS) Jim Kjar Who had an unbelievably complicated time driving to the Reunion, had very little sleep, arrived to find nobody he knew and was immediately drafted to go on a prickley pear hike and then help assemble a volleyball net and STILL remained in a good mood. Thanks, Jim.
	TM2 (SS) Mike Fleicher TMCM (SS), COB David B. Follo QM2 (SS) Dave Fox
	Half of TMCM (SS), COB David B. Follo QM2 (SS) Dave Fox
	Beer TM2 (SS) Mike Fleicher TMCM (SS), COB David B. Follo QM2 (SS) Dave Fox
	TM2 (SS) Mike Fleicher TMCM (SS), COB David B. Follo QM2 (SS) Dave Fox
	ICC? (SS) Jim Kjar TMCM (SS) William F. Thommen
	STS2 (SS) Brian Thomason TM2 (SS) Rick Percy Angela Percy
	Shannon Thomason STS2 (SS) Brian Thomason and rest of mob upstairs in the Lazy U Ranch Bar
	Shannon Thomason TMCM (SS) William F. Thommen TMCM (SS) COB, David B. Follo Nicole Bonfond (Snuggles not shown) ICC? (SS) Jim Kjar
	ET2 (SS) Keith Eglinton Teresa Eglinton Fumiko Follo top half of STS2 (SS) Brian Thomason's head!
	Fourth of July catered lunch.
	Savannah Russell smiles for the camera
	Official Lazy U Ranch "Fourth of July Texas BBQ Lunch" Guadalupe River in background
	Chow Call, :)



	View from the Lazy U Ranch (upstairs) porch.

	TMCM (SS) COB, David B. Follo MS3 (SS) John Rosaci
	QM2 (SS) Dave Fox

	Left to Right, Front to Back: John Rosaci, William Thommen, David B. Follo, Jim Kjar, Tom Jordan, Steve Kukuk, Keith Eglington, Dave Fox, Mike Fleischer, Rick Percy, Craig Russell, Brian Thomason. Already came and left (not in this photo): Dennis Plew, John Svejkoski.
	Nearly Everyone on the Fourth of July, 2000.