Host/Coordinator - Jerry Mouton

We saw the tributes to many veterans on the wall - some of them were famous - all were heros

On October 4th, 2018 the USS Mauna Kea arrived in San Diego, CA for Liberty Call and reported to the Handlery Hotel.  All shipmates enjoyed Liberty until October 7.  On that date, they returned to their various duty assignments.

We toured the San Diego Harbor.  We enjoyed seeing the ships in port, viewing naval bases, watching the seal, and eating lunch on the Hornblower.

Of course, there was a group picture of the shipmates.

We enjoyed the tour...

Jerry Mouton

Jim Cummings

Casey & Barbara Garcia

Dave & Mellie Peach

Jerry Miller & Maribeth Henson

John Sullivan

Tony & Diane Lazzari

Steven & Judy Verebi

Elwood & Lynn Birch

Lee Murphy & Kaiija Clark

David & Susan Cannon

Richard & Sue Hollington

John & Mary Louise Farley

Jack & Barbara Gardner

Ken Kaplan & Barbara Muniz

Mel & Pam Haugerud

Gloria Kopp

Bob Kilmer

Dennis & Colleen Thieme

Rich & MaryEllen Letarte

Paul Snodgrass

Warren & Linda Stowell

Robert Miner

Mike & Lois Hildebrand

Clinton & Sue Harris

Richard & Shirley Steffens

Wayne & Barbara Unrath

Frank & Stephanie Smith

Richard & Sharon States

USS MAUNA KEA AE-22   Reunions

Old Town

La Jolla Cove.

October 4 - 7, 2018

The Hospitality Suite was the gathering place for shipmates to visit and enjoy refreshments.

and those who served in Viet Nam.

While viewing the memorial, shipmate Tony Lazzari realized that one very important veteran was not honored with a tribute - Capt. Warren Sells.

Tony is in the process of applying for a plaque to be placed on the wall in his honor.  This plaque will be financed by contributions from shipmates who served with Capt. Sells, and other MK shipmates who would like to contribute.  Your contribution, made payable to USS Mauna Kea Reunions should be sent to Dick States (see Contact Us page).

We went to the Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial in La Jolla.  The view from the memorial was spectacular.  There were thousands of plaques honoring veterans from all wars. 

DJ Danny Mejia played the music,

                                and we danced........

San Diego Zoo / Balboa Park.

During "open mike", shipmates paid tributes to those who passed away since the last reunion:  Captain Warren Sells, Willie Scott, and Charlie McCain.

Shipmates took advantage of one last time to visit at this reunion...

We had our banquet on Saturday, October 6.  

Host Jerry Mouton was recognized for his hard work in planning this event.  Thanks, Jerry, for planning a great reunion.  This was a difficult task since you live in Louisianna, and the reunion was in California!

Other places shipmates visited in San Diego

Liberty Call - San Diego 12th Reunion

...and we had newly weds - Frank and Stephanie Smith - Congratulations!

These two shipmates represented the "first man on" and the "last man off" in attendance.

Casey Garcia joined the Mauna Kea as a plank owner on its first cruise in 1957.  He served with  Willie Scott, who, sadly, we lost this year.

Frank Smith served on the  Mauna Kea from 1989 to 1992. 

Frank, don't forget that you promised to recruit more shipmates from your time on board...

Hotel Coronado / Coronado Island

Shipmates and Guest

we saw in San Diego...

Jerry Mouton

Mike & Lois Hildebrand

Ken Kaplan & Barbara Miniz

Rich & MaryEllen Letarte

Elwood & Lynn Birch

David & Susan Cannon

Richard & Sue Hollington

David & Mellie Peach

Frank & Stephanie Smith

Richard & Sharon States

Dennis & Colleen Thieme

Steven & Judy Verebi

James Cummings

Aldren & Vanessa Baria (guest of Jim Cummings)

John & Mary Louise Farley

Casey & Barbara Garcia

Jack & Barbara Gardner

Clinton & Susan Harris

Mel & Pam Haugerud

Gloria Kopp (guest of Mel Haugerud)

Bob & Hong Kilmer

Tony & Diane Lazzari

Arlene Gahl (guest of Tony Lazzari)

Moe & Arlene Marlin (guest of Tony Lazzari)

Jerry Miller & Maribeth Henson

Lee Murphy & Kaiija Clark

Pat & Jeanne Pulis

Richard & Shirley Steffens

John Sullivan

Wayne & Barbara Unrath

Paul Clement

Steve & Delita Thummel 

Dave & Barbara Rae

Paul & Pam Snodgrass

Warren & Linda Stowell

Robert Miner

USS Midway

This year, we were happy to have several shipmates who were attending their first MK reunion.  We are glad to see more shipmates who served after 1969 attending.  We want this tradition to continue.  We were also thrilled to have plank owner Casey Garcia and his wife Barbara join us. 

And then we said, "I'll see you in Milwaukee"