The reunion highlight was probably the speakers at the banquet ... Don Walsh, last CO of the Bashaw, explaining and showing slides of his 55 trips to the North Pole and most current role as a guide for tourists on a Russian Nuclear icebreaker to the North Pole; ... Lee Walker EM2(SS) on the Bashaw 1943-1946 recounting fascinating and heartbreaking war time experiences on the Bashaw; ... Ray Brown telling of his experience during the filming of the Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin movie "Sailor Beware" on the Bashaw using the crew as extra's; ... Owen Quarnberg did a great job as banquet MC. A very moving aspect Owen added to the banquet was the "lone sailor's table" display and tribute to our shipmates on eternal patrol - Thanks Owen for a job well done!!

A USS Bashaw Association meeting was held on the night of 13 September 2006 with the following results:

1) The enthusiastic acceptance of a proposal by Al Ferdinandsen to host the next Bashaw Reunion in BALDWIN COUNTY, ALABAMA THE HEART OF THE “REDNECK RIVIERA” in the spring of 2008. To read the proposal click here 2008 Reuion proposal. Contact Al at ALFERDINAN@AOL.COM with encouragment, suggestions and offers to help.

2) Jack Hardy was elected Assistant Treasurer to help Bill Larime as needed and to assume joint ownership and co-signature authority over Association funds.

3) Association dues were suspended indefinitely as it was felt we had adequate funds for future reunion deposits. Donations by members would still be accepted. Dues could be reestablished if warranted during an association meeting at the next reunion.

4) Raphael Portalatin volunteered to help Jim O'Dea with the web site. Raphael will bring the needed technical knowledge to add video and audio clips and general improvements to our site.

5) Norm Weber volunteered to help with the production of DVD "home movies" and pictures of any era Bashaw crew members for distribution at the 2008 reunion. So please continue sending in your pictures and video to Jim O'Dea jeodea@aol.com for inclusion on the DVD

The Niagara Falls reunion concluded with a positive financial result and all tour and banquet deposits will be returned to the Association treasury as well as any excess funds collected.