The Decommissioning Ceremony of the USS Bremerton SSN-698, scheduled for Tuesday, May 18th at 13:00 will be LIVE STREAMED for the reunion alumni to witness in the comfort of the Horse & Cow Pub and Grill in Bremerton, Washington.
Bremerton’s Captain Lindberg exhausted every effort to allow alumni to attend the DECOM ceremony in-person. His long standing battle against the indomitable Navy COVID restrictions have run its course.
Despite the significant loosening of social distancing requirements in the State of Washington, the Navy restrictions, particularly involving active duty personnel, are just plain strict and currently unmoving.
No further delays are possible as responsibility of the Badfish is scheduled to be handed over from the Captain to the shipyard on May 18th, the very day of the Ceremony.
As disappointing as it may be for the alumni of the longest serving submarine in the United States Navy, we as veterans understand the true role of the military and that is to be able to Stand Ready to Defend Our Country.
Life must go on. The fateful day is fast approaching.
NOTE: THE FAIRFIELD IS TAKING BLOCK RESERVATIONS UP TO MAY 1st
Submariners enjoy celebrating
As a post-DECOM event, the Bremerton-Olympic Peninsula Council of the Navy-League is organizing a celebration dinner at the beautiful Kiana Lodge, a popular event venue in a forested area along the waterfront in Poulsbo, Washington. The event will be attended by the hard working Bremerton sailors and is open to 698 alumni attending the DECOM reunion.
Dinner Celebration reservations will be available through this website. Stay tuned for the delicious details.
Groups of 698 Veterans watching the Ceremony from around the world
In recognition of all the Bremerton alumni throughout the nation and the world, Captain Lindberg is inviting alumni near and far, who plan on witnessing DECOM LIVE to send him a note and he would like to make you and your individual alumni gatherings part of the Decommissioning Ceremony with special recognition.
You may submit your regional reunion gathering details to:
bremertonreunion.alumni@gmail.com
SUBJ: DECOM-LIVE
and address your letters to CAPT. Christopher Lindberg
Bremerton along with DECOM/Reunion event organizers will be addressing live attendance and other issues during a meeting on Monday evening, 19 APR 21.
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The decisions will be factoring the latest State and Navy requirements as well as crew and alumni need for planning and desire to attend.
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Given the tight COVID restrictions for active military, there has, until recently, been plenty of concern that any significant alumni participation would be allowed; nevertheless, it is now expected a certain number of alumni participation is possible for both the DECOM ceremony and a follow-on 698 celebration to be held at the Kiana Lodge in Poulsbo on the evening of May 18th.
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If you have submitted contact information via this website during this recent and urgent push, the information received has been submitted to the Command for their consideration. Information will continue to be submitted as it is received.
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Official invitations are pending next week’s decisions.
The DECOM organizing committee is requesting a head-count of those who plan to be present at the Ceremony at Keyport.
During this unprecedented time, with restrictions still in effect, the number of alumni desiring to attend is an important factor. The State of Washington and the Navy requirements are monitored on a daily basis for signs of further relaxing of the restrictions. Nevertheless, “early” intel is useful to accommodate the many alumni, supporters and active-duty crewmembers of USS Bremerton who want to be a live part of the boat’s history.
In addition to the DECOM to be held at Keyport’s Naval Undersea Museum, plans for celebration and reunion events on May 18th are currently in progress in Bremerton and Poulsbo (more news to come). The number of alumni planning to take part is of paramount importance.
Please send an email to BremertonReunion.alumni@gmail.com to signal your plans to attend along with a brief description of your service history aboard SSN-698.
Note: If you are a Plankowner who has not already registered with this website, please state you are a Plankowner in your E-mail response.
On Sunday, May 16, two days before DECOM, the 2021 Bremerton SSN698 Reunion Officially begins
A core group of USS Bremerton SSN698 alumni spearheaded by shipmate Joel Walton have made plans for a multi-day rendezvous at the Horse & Cow in Bremerton, WA with the intention of Celebrating the life of the boat with those who knew and know the boat the best.
Joel is no stranger to reunion planning and organizing as he has made critical contributions in both 2016 and 2018. He and his wife Kimberly provided superb support, especially for the awesome dinner event in 2018.
With DECOM being on Tuesday May 18th, the core Reunion dates are May16 (check in) through May 19 (check out).
However, I’ve arranged a hotel block for May 16 though May 21st check out allowing some flexibility depending on the independently organized DECOM celebration events that are TBD and TBA.
Image source: Joel Walton
Horse & Cow: The Submariners Watering Hole
To further the prospects of a memorable reunion with a comfortable submariners’ atmosphere, the social distancing rules are slackening which will allow the Horse & Cow to open their private room. Joel has confirmed H&C’s support for the BadFish’s reunion members from May16 through May 18th.
As Joel puts it, “[we have] for May 16th, 17th and 18th … the upstairs from 5:00pm to closing… they have their own bar up there and it’s … a place we can order drinks and food as a no host on your own sort of thing and just hang out… we could put on some program [as] they do have some options available, but [we are set] to have an informal mixer… “
Many of us think Joel is right on with the informal mixer as a basis. This addresses the core function of a reunion and that is to have an opportunity to get together with old shipmates. With some good food and drink it makes it merrier, but as a matter of fate, the bonus is the reunion is going to occur during an important evolution in the life of the Bremerton.
Image source: DuckDuckGo
Fairfield Inn & Suites, Bremerton, Room Block Available
To accommodate the Badfish gathering, a block of 30 rooms at the FAIRFIELD INN has been established within a short distance (approximately 750 feet) from the Horse & Cow. We will work on acquiring more rooms based on the projections over the next few weeks. The nearby Hampton Inn is also an overflow or alternative for accommodations and additional gathering area by the waterfront depending on how the situation develops.
As of April 3, 2021 when this post is being written, not knowing the Navy approved pre-and-post DECOM events, the Fairfield block is for any Bremerton Reunion attendee who wants to reserve any set of days within the May 16th (check in) through May 21st (check out) time frame.
Room rates are $109 (includes Breakfast and Wifi, parking is extra) for a King or two Queen Guest Room.
Book on or before MAY 1st to secure a room and the special room rate.
Individuals may cancel their reservations but must be 48 hours prior to your arrival to avoid late cancellation charges.
1) Transit to Patrol Zone in proximity of DECOM activities.
2) Arrive on station two days prior to primary scheduled DECOM activity
3) Take part in celebration with shipmates in DECOM area at point H&C beginning on May 16th
4) Establish self-directed patrol pattern between point H&C and point FI (approximately 750 feet distance).
5) While conducting Reunion Operations be prepared for DECOM activities.
6) Be part of a full group photo this time
In Summary As of 03 APR 21
It is highly anticipated that the DECOM organizers will broadcast their specifics in due time. The Badfish alumni have launched an independent and flexible celebration, beginning May 16th, with respect to the established DECOM date (May 18th) and in parallel with the anticipated Naval and Civic time line for additional celebrations.
Besides making reservations, what can you do now?
Besides hanging on for DECOM updates as plans are likely to go to the wire due to the COVID restriction watch, go and submit your contact information through this website. This information will be forwarded to the Bremerton DECOM planning group in preparation for any scenario where U.S. Navy invitations will be sent out.
HIT “698 ALUMNI SIGNUP” and follow the instructions if you have not already or need to update your info.
