Newsletter #118 – July 2026  

USS CHIVO (SS-341) All Hands Newsletter

Sometimes, late at night I wake, and in those soft silent moments, I remember:
A Sunday walk down the pier with shouldered seabag, worried, anxious, to find my new home.
The boats, they all looked alike, deathly gray and quietly sleeping in nests of mooring lines.
Two boats at the pier head, two more astern of them, and even more aft of them.
I searched and there, a too narrow brow adorned with a canvas insignia and her name.
Topside a sailor, like a sheriff with a holstered 45 slung low on his hip, lazily eyed me.
My new life awaits.

Sometimes, while I bask on the beach and gaze out to sea, I remember:
Monday morning underways, a rush of activity, things coming onboard, things going ashore.
All along the waterfront, boats straining at their mooring lines on the outgoing tide.
Quarters topside, and the word is passed, “Station the maneuvering watch. Rig ship for sea”
Mighty diesels idling, their exhausts splashing and spraying, anxious and ready.
The brow comes off, the lines are singled, then slacked, the river is clear, we cast off.
A blast of the whistle announces that we are free.
An open sea of possibilities lies ahead.

Sometimes, when I smell warm fresh donuts and hot coffee, I remember:
Night steaming on the surface far out at sea, gently, softly rolling, while most of the crew sleeps.
Diesels charging batteries, making minimum turns, a phosphorescent trail marks our wake.
A full moon hangs low in a sky filled with a million more diamonds that ever seen on land.
The night’s blanket is gentle, secure. Even the lookouts and OOD speak in softly lowered voices.
In the darkness its easy to be open. They talk of places they have been, of dreams, hopes, and wishes.
Then a call from below, “Permission to come up.” It’s the night baker, with warm, sticky bear claws.
The world is sweet.

Sometimes, more often now as I grow old, when I watch the sun set, I try to remember:
My last days on board, as part of “the crew,” as an insider, as a brother of the dolphins.
Days when we shared bold adventures, deprivations and triumphs, and kept the secrets.
I cannot remember why I was in such a hurry to leave those days, but leave I did. We all did.
We took a final salute from the topside watch, shouldered our seabag, and crossed the brow.
We went ashore. We were no longer part of the crew and could never go back.
But we can remember. Join us at our reunion.

Our 2026 reunion will be at the Landmark Resort in Myrtle Beach on October 18-21, 2026. That’s three days starting Sunday afternoon and ending Wednesday morning. The Landmark has a variety of rooms at great prices. For example: Ocean front rooms with a king bed or two doubles and a private balcony are only $104 night with all fees included. You’ll be paying less for an ocean front room with a private balcony than you would pay for a Comfort Inn along the highway.  And the Landmark has a variety of rooms to fit every budget from as little as $74 night (incl) to $130 night (incl).  Once again our inclusive prices include all resort fees, booking fees parking, taxes, etc. There is a complete list of room descriptions and rates posted on the web site and in our last news letter.

Reunion Schedule

Banquet Menu - Ranch Baked Chicken, Rice Pilaf, Vegetable Medley, Dinner Rolls, Tossed Salad w/2 dressings, Assorted Deserts, Tea and Water.

There will be free snacks and beverages in our hospitality room. Lots of navy memorabilia and you might want to bring some of your own to display. Plus, I’ve booked great weather for touring around Myrtle Beach on your own. Who could ask for more?

Sharing - Because our numbers are shrinking we are going to share our reunion with another diesel boat. This reduces the overhead costs and doubles the sea stories. We will share our hospitality room, our Memorial Service and our banquet. Registrations for each boat will be handled separately, and since individuals make their own hotel reservations, hot bunking will not be necessary. There is really no downside to sharing, and when we get to the business meeting at our 2026 reunion we will vote if we want to continue sharing.

Possible Reunion Rebates - The reunion registration fee is $20 per person or $30 per couple, and the banquet is $25 per person. As in the past, you mail your check for these fees along with the registration form. However, this could be our last reunion due to declining health and shrinking attendance. Therefore, I will not immediately deposit your checks. I will hold your checks until after the reunion business meeting.

If we decide not to hold a future reunion, I will return your “uncashed” checks to you, and use existing funds to pay for the banquet and other reunion costs. If a future reunion is planned then I will deposit your checks to pay our bills and keep some seed money in the fund for the next reunion.

Two Things You Need to Do - First, complete the reunion registration form and send it with your registration fees to Stan Pollard. The form and Stan’s address are attached to this newsletter. And second, make your hotel reservations at the Landmark Resort.

Landmark Reservations - Our reunion is Sunday to Wednesday October 18-21, 2026 at the Landmark Resort, 1501 South Ocean Boulevard, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 29577. They have a web site at   http://www.landmarkresort.com  Call 855-338-0226 to make reservations - Monday-Friday 9 AM - 9 PM. Saturday - Sunday 9 AM - 5 PM. Group Name: USS Chivo SS-341 You must book at the number above and in our group block to get the discounted rates.

Cut-Off Date - September 18, 2026 - After the cut-off date rooms and discounted rates are no longer guaranteed. Guests will have to book at the best available rate.

* * * From The Quartermaster's Notebook * * *

Donations . . . Donations help to make our reunions possible.

Special thanks to Robert "Dale" & Nancy Work (1961-1962) for their generous contribution.

Checks should be made payable to the “Chivo Reunion Organization” and mailed directly to our Treasurer: Robert Kuphal, 3520 New Hartford Rd., Suite 301 Owensboro KY 42303.

Eternal Patrol . . . Recently we learned that the following shipmates have passed away:

ENC(SS) Stephen T. Bien (1962-1964) departed March 21, 2025.
CSSN(SS) Nicholas P. Dirkx (1957-1958) departed February 04, 2025.
FT3(SS) Russell R. Reichert (1960-19620 departed March 26, 2026.

Binnacle List . . .   These shipmates are facing some serious challenges:

TM2(SS) John & Joanne Hedum (1952-1956)   email: jnjhedum@bellsouth.net
FN(SS) Richard V. Holland (1971 decom)   email: rvholland@hotmail.com
ETRSN(SS) William C. Priest (64-65)   c/o Ruthann Priest,   13230 Elkwood Ct., Midlothian VA 23112-1434

Dolphin Store – Mermaid Judy maintains a limited supply of submarine unique items in the Dolphin Store, and other items she orders direct from venders. That takes extra time. If you want a new shirt, ball cap, three-season jacket, patches, license plate, bumper sticker or any other goody from the Dolphin Store get your order in as soon as possible. Contact Judy Pollard by phone at (910) 477-0822 or by email at lakeslady871@gmail.com

Life is like a 10 speed bicycle. Most of us have gears we never use.

Reunions are all about bringing friends together. That is more important than money.
If you feel that your finances are preventing you from joining us, contact Stan Pollard. We will help, and it will be entirely anonymous.

Remember, September 18, 2026 is the cut-off date for both hotel reservations and reunion registration.

A printable PDF copy of the Reunion Registration form is available here:   2026 Reunion Registration Form.
Note:   You cannot complete this form on line.   Print out the form, complete it and mail it along with check to the address on the form.

A complete list of reunion room rates and descriptions can be found on this web site under the tab "Reunion Hotel."

USS CHIVO (SS-341) All Hands Newsletter

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