USS Springfield Bluejackets, Inc.

2024 USS SPRINGFIELD BLUEJACKETS REUNION

We had a great reunion with 43 Springfield Shipmates attending and a number of others from the USS Boston, the USS Des Moines and the USS Little Rock. To start things off, The Buffalo Men's Red Blazer Chorus provided entertainment on Thursday evening. On Friday there was a tour of Niagara Falls and on Saturday a dedication of a new exhibit compartment on the USS Little Rock featuring the 6th Fleet in Villefranche-sur-Mer during which a number of shipmates along with the Bluejacket's Presidents John Adams and Rich Wilson were honored. We held our Happy Hours on both Friday and Saturday which were well attended and gave the Bluejackets some time to co-mingle.
Kudos to Barry Probst, Patricia Probst, Valerie Blouin, Denise "Mochen" Bafti, Liz "Mochen"; Prescott and Phil Roberts for their efforts in making this reunion a big success. Visit https://jskinnerphotography.pixieset.com/ for the portrait photos and many candid photos taken during the reunion.

One of the highlights of the "Happy Hour" on Friday was presenting Keith Rivard and Mario Lombardi with an award to help recognize the contributions each have made to the USS Springfield Bluejackets over the years. Mario Lombardi has been a member of the Board of Directors and the Secretary of the organization since its founding by John Adams in 1991, Keith has been a life member of the Bluejackets since the early 90's and has been the Treasurer and Ship Store Manager since 2007.
Additionally, Valerie Blouin, President 6th Fleet Villefranche-sur-Mer was made a life member of the Bluejackets in recognition of the work she has done to hono

r the ships, including the USS Springfield, that served the 6th Fleet and were home ported in Villefranche. Pictured here with Dave Schantz, President USS Springfield Bluejackets, Inc and Dave's wife Toni.

Previous Reunions have been held at

1991 - Nashua, NH
1992 - Buffalo, NY
1993 - Trevose, PA
1994 - Danvers, MA
1995 - Norfolk, VA
1996 - Las Vegas, NV
1997 - Springfield, IL
1998 - Charleston, SC
1999 - Annapolis, MD
2000 - Jacksonville, FL
2001 - Philadelphia, PA
2002 - Nashville, TN
2003 - Cromwell, CT
2004 - St Louis, MO
2005 - Branson, MO
2006 - none
2007 - Newport News, VA
2008 - None
2009 - Washington DC
2010 - Savannah, GA
2011 - San Antonio, TX
2012 - Mobile, AL
2013 - Boston, MA
2014 - San Diego, CA
2015 - Charleston, SC
2016 - Portland, ME
2017 - Memphis, TN
2018 - Buffalo, NY
2019 - Washington DC
2020 - none (COVID)
2021 - none (COVID)
2022 - Charleston, SC
2023 - Carnival Cruise Lines
2024 - Buffalo, NY