Welcome to the SSBN
657
USS FRANCIS SCOTT KEY
Crew
Home Page - Blue & Gold
This
web site is dedicated to the men of the Key and their families, and to the 41
for Freedom FBM submarines, anyone else just would not understand. As
George Orwell wrote: "People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only
because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." The
Crew List of the Key contains the names of those men.

From Greg Ott: The
picture on the home page of the Key emergency surfacing was taken in Eluthera
Sound at AUTEC during acoustic trials. The photo was taken from the deck of the
sound trials ship, not the Pulaski. I was on the boat standing OOD and we staged
the picture. The boat came up much closer than anticipated.
Key News 
January 2011- New Key shipmates added in January 2012.
Williams, James 87 - 91; Sadler, John C 71 - 74; lakin, Paul 67 - 68;
Droegemeier, Robert 87 - 88; Brewer, Stephen 91 - 93. Check crew list for details
January 19, 2012 - Just received notice of the passing of
Steve Berry TMC 70 - 75 Gold Crew. Steve passed on January 13, 2012.
Our deepest sympathies go out to Steve's family in Summerville, SC. Steve
has been added to the Eternal Patrol
list. Rest in peace shipmate.
January 11, 2012 - Thinking about going to the 2012 Key
Reunion? Then send in your name and I will put you on the list of possible
attendees. This way other shipmates can see who may attend and also add
their names. Click here to see the
2012 Reunion Attendee List.
December 2011 - New Key shipmates added in December
2011. Pietras, Chris 83 - 85 Active Duty; Merion, Michael 87 - 93 Active
Duty; Andrus, Dave 70 - 71. Check Crew List for details.
December 10, 2011 - While searching www.legacy.com, I came
across the death notices for Clifford B Garlamd an ET, Willian J Donaldson,
probably an officer, and David J MacKool - that served on the Key.
Anyone who knew Clifford, William or David please e-mail me with any details
such as when and what crew he served on. Their obituaries are in Eternal
Patrol. Rest in peace shipmates.
December 9, 2011 - Just received notice from John Trubee of
the passing of Key plank owner Jim Bowen - Gold Crew 66 - 69 QM. Here is
John's e-mail:
Shipmates,
I'm sad to report that our shipmate Jim Bowen
departed on eternal patrol on 9 October.
I have been trying to contact him for a phone visit
and an update on his health for the past few weeks. Having no success I
searched the obituaries of the Augusta Chronicle and learned of his passing.
Jim was a close shipmate and a good friend. We kept
in close contact over these past few years attending reunions, conventions and
visiting each others homes. I enjoyed a few days visit with him and his
Grandson Tyler just this past March. As usual he was optimistic,
good natured and determined to stand his watch for as long as possible.
I sure will miss him!
Jim's obituary can be read in Eternal
Patrol. Our sympathies go out to Jim's family. Rest in peace
shipmate.
November 2011 - New Key shipmates added in November
2011. Somma, Richard 1971; Davis, Roger 84 - 88. Check Crew List for
details.
November 29, 2011 - Just received notice of the passing in
September 2011 of Thomas Springsteen, Gold Crew Storekeeper 69 - 72. Tom's
obituary can be read in Eternal Patrol. Our deepest sympathies go out to
Tom's family and friends. Rest in peace shipmate.
November 10, 2011 - All of you should be receiving an e-mail
next week from Diane Singleman regarding the 2012 reunion in Charleston.
If you don't get it, this probably means we don't have your current e-mail
address. Go to the Crew List Muster Form and send us your current
e-mail. Here is a copy of Diane's message:
Shipmates,
Attached is the information for the next Francis
Scott Key 2012 Reunion. It is going to be in Mt. Pleasant ( Charleston ), SC
from May 9th-13, 2012. Discounted rates for rooms are available for a few nights
before and after these dates. If you have any inclination that you
might attend, please reserve a motel room NOW!! There is no cost to you if
you cancel out. May is the start of their busiest time of the year for vacations
and rooms will go fast. I have 25 rooms blocked for us at the moment; as soon as
we fill this slot, they will give us more rooms; however, if you wait until the
last minute, there may not be any rooms available to us. Removing rooms won't be
a problem, but if there aren't any left, you may have to stay elsewhere at a
much higher rate. The Quality Inn & Suites is the host hotel; I
also have rooms blocked at the Sleep Inn ( just less than 1 mile away ) for
those bringing a pet or those who want to pay a little less for their room.
I am trying something different this year
- our Saturday's. banquet will be a dinner cruise. A short description of the
cruise is on the registration form. For more
info on it go to www.spiritlinecruises.com and click on dinner cruise. I
currently have 100 places saved - I can decrease this amount up to 2 weeks
before our cruise. However, if we need more than this, I may not be able to add
them after Jan. 2012. Therefore, Please email or call me to let me know if you
are possibly planning to come to the reunion.
I have a lot planned for Friday & Saturday and I'm
sure you will all have a great time. I heard on the Today Show that
Charleston, SC was voted the number one vacation destination this year.
Hope to see many old friends and a make a lot of new
ones. If you have any questions, please email diane@ssbn657.com or call me at
518-355-2119. Looking forward to a great reunion again.
Please send me a reply to let me know if you are planning to attend.
Thanks,
Diane Singleman
November 7, 2001 - Received from USSVI Groton Base, the
news of the passing of Donald E. Mueller TM Gold Crew 80 - 86 on October
21, 2011. Our deepest sympathies go out to Don's family and friends.
Rest your oar Don, job well done. Read his obituary in Eternal
Patrol.
November 7, 2011 - Updated Reunion 2012 information as well
as the necessary Registration form is now available by clicking Reunion
2012. See you in Charleston!
KEY
NEWS Archives - Be sure to check out the previous month's news.
REUNION 2012
The
next reunion of the crew of the KEY will be held in 2012 in Charleston, SC May 9
- 13, 2012. Click on Reunion 2012 on the left menu for details.
That's
all the news that's fit to print. We are always adding new material so
check in often. Below most of the section links on the left side of the
page is the date that section was last updated. Check there to see if
anything has been added since your last visit. This is your site so please
contribute content where ever you can. Send your material to ssbn657@comcast.net.
(began 9/14/06)
Dive the Boat
Key Webmaster is Russ Christie MT1 Blue
& Combined Crews
70 - 75 - Please hold your applause.
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