2017 Key News

Dec 6, 2017 New shipmates added in December 2017- Boddy, Donald 77 - 80; Graves, Melvin 68 - 71; Lambert, Jim 89 - 93. Check Crew List for details.

December 19, 2017 - Received notice of the passing this week of shipmate William Handley, Gold Crew 84 - 87 A-Gang. Bill's obituary can be found in Eternal Patrol. Fair winds shipmate. Job well done.

December 15, 2017 - Received notice of the recent passing of shipmate Lamarr Seader, Gold Crew Plankowner Quartermaster served 1965 - 67 on the Key. Lamarr's obituary can be found in the Eternal Patrol area. Rest you oar sailor, Job well done.

Dec 6, 2017 - Been a while since I updated the web site. I always update it quickly when I receive notice of a shipmates passing. Glad to say that is has been several months now without such notice. Otherwise, I update it when I received a few crew list additions or change requests; or when new reunion information is made available. Things should pick up once the holidays are over and the reunion nears.

Reunion 2018 Information

July 24, 2017 - Reunion 2018 has shifted into high gear! Well, ok, it has shifted out of park and things are rolling along. Diane Singleman has just sent me updated information Regarding the upcoming reunion in Branson, MO. Here is Diane's e-mail:

Shipmates,
      Our next reunion is going to be held from  Wed. May 9, 2018 thru Sunday May 13, 2018 in Branson, MO. We will be staying at the Grand 
Plaza Hotel, 245 N. Wildwood Dr., Branson, MO 65616. The phone number for reservations is 417-336-6646. You can start making reservations now. 
Rooms fill up in this area very fast, so once we have our block of 50 rooms we can add more only if she has rooms available for us. So if you 
think you might come, reserve a room now; you can cancel if you can't make it, but not might be able to get a room if you wait too long.

   The room comes with free breakfast buffet, WiFi, etc. & all rooms have a refrigerator. The standard room is $89.00 + tax ( 2 queen size 
beds) & the king suite is $99.00 & has a king size bed. You can get more details on the rooms at their website, www.bransongrandplaza.com.
     Be sure to say you are coming for the USS Francis Scott Key Reunion to get our special reduced room rates when you make your reservation.
As always, you can come a few days earlier & stay a few days longer for the same room rates we are being given for the reunion.

    As usual, Wednesday, May 9 will be the day to check in. We will be going on trips or to shows during the day on Thurs., Fri. & Sat. These have not 
yet been determined. There are so many shows, that I am trying to figure out what everyone might enjoy, or should we just let you go off & go to 
your own shows or sightseeing. Saturday evening will be our banquet at the host hotel. I have not yet set up the menu for this. Sunday will be check out.

      Once I have everything figured out, I will email the registration form with costs to everyone who's email address I have on file. If you 
didn't get info on the last reunion, either you never signed up with Russ on the website, or you changed your email address & didn't tell me.

      If you have any suggestions for shows to go see or if you prefer to plan your own day out call me (518-355-2119) or drop me an email     
      (diane@ssbn657.com) with your ideas.


Hope to see a great turnout for this reunion!!!
Diane & Al

August 2017 - New Shipmates added in August - Hastie, William J.- CO Blue Crew 75 - 79; Callaghan, David - 74 - 76, Clinton, James - 80 - 82. Check Crew List for details.

Aug 30, 2017 - Received notice of the passing of Plank Owner Dennis C. Stopen, ET 65 - 70 Gold Crew. Dennis passed on August 27th. His obituary can be found in the Eternal Patrol area. Our deepest sympathies go out to his wife Kathy and all of his family and friends. Rest your oar sailor. Job well done. Below is a picture of Dennis (yellow shirt) and Kathy with Larry Sorensen from the 2008 Key Reunion.

Aug 2, 2017 - Received notice from Frank Thornal of the passing of shipmate Jack Morrow. Here is Frank's e-mail:

"It is with a heavy heart to have to report the passing of an American Hero, RMC(SS) Jack Morrow. Jack went on eternal patrol this morning, 7-29-2017 I served on the Madison (Blue) and the F.S. Key (Blue) With Jack. I was RM2 on the Madison and Jack came aboard one patrol later, also RM2. I left For shore duty and one patrol later Jack went to shore duty. Both of us made E-6 While on the Madison. He went to the Key and Made Chief. One Patrol later I came aboard Key and I made Chief. So you might say Jack was the reason I made Chief. Jack was more than a shipmate, he was my best friend. Jack partied as hard as he worked. If I remember right I believed he also served on USS Remora SS-487 before coming to the dark side. His wife Kay, the love of his life, preceded him in death. He and Kay are together once again. He will be missed by everyone that knew him, and never forgotten. Rest your oars Chief, and Rest In Peace my friend, you've earned it."

Jack's obituary can be found in the Eternal Patrol area. Our deepest sympathies go out to his family and friends.

July 2017 - New shipmates added in July, 2017: Miller, Donald - Late 60's; Stanley, Mike 69 - 72. Check Crew List for details.

July 24, 2017 - Received notice of the passing of shipmate Richard "Tim" Wise from his daughter Renee. Tim lost his battle with cancer on Wednesday, June 28th in Orlando Fl. His obituary can be found in Eternal Patrol. We send our deepest sympathies to Tim's family and friends. Rest peacefully shipmate. Job well done.

July 24, 2017 - Paul Fillmore notified us of the passing of Donald R. Miller. Don served on the Key in the late 60's as a machinist mate. He passed away on July 12, 2017 peacefully at home with his wife by his side. His obituary can be found in Eternal Patrol. We send our deepest sympathies to Don's family and friends. Rest your oar sailor. Job well done.

July 24, 2017 - Paul Fillmore notified us of the passing of James O. Mustin, Key Plank Owner, TMC 67 - 69 Gold Crew. He passed away on July 17, 2017. His obituary can be found in Eternal Patrol. We send our deepest sympathies to James' family and friends. Smooth sailing shipmate. Job well done.

April 2017 - New Key Shipmates added in April 2017: Paul Lyon 73 - 76: Lentz, William 69 -73: Carrier, Tim 91 - Decom; Stanley, Byron 86 - 92. Check Crew List for details.

April 19, 2017 - Announcing the passing of Key Blue XO Charles "Chuck" Harner 67 - 70. Chuck was a presence at many of the Key reunions over the years. A gentleman of the first order. His obituary can be found in Eternal Patrol. Rest you oars shipmate. Job well done.

February 2017 - New Shipmates added in February 2017: Anderson, Robert "Bob" 67 - 69; Adamson, Randall 79 - 80. Check Crew List for details.

February 22, 2017 - Received notice from Daniel Petrie of the passing of James Bradsberry, Gold Crew 82 - 88. He passed on December 1, 2016. Our sympathies go out to his wife Linda and all his family and friends. Rest in peace sailor. Job well done.

Reunion News Jan 19, 2017: The below e-mail was sent to all Key crew members that have a current e-mail address on file. The e-mail contained the forms necessary to attend the reunion. If you did not receive this e-mail, then send yours to Diane Singleman at diane@ssbn657.com requesting that she send you the forms.

Shipmates,
Below is a copy the registration information for our next reunion. Unfortunately, the show schedules for next year are not out yet, so I
talked to some of the theaters and got an idea of what shows they might offer. Therefore there may be some adjustments to the schedule of shows.
If you think you might attend. make your hotel reservations now. You can always cancel, but once the rooms I have put a hold on for us, may
be gone before you decide to definitely attend. If you have any questions or need a copy of the registration form sent, just email or give me a call at 518-355-2119.... Diane

..... Note: the reunion forms were removed from this page after the reunion was over.