Members of the Kearsarge Association toured Naval Technical Training Center Lackland, May 5, as part of its semi-annual reunion to reunite Kearsarge Sailors both past and present.

The Kearsarge Association serves to organize reunions for those Sailors and their families who served aboard Kearsarge (CV/CVA/CVS 33). Membership is also open to those Sailors who are serving or have served aboard USS Kearsarge (LHD-3).

Kearsarge (CV 33) was commissioned in 1946 and was the third ship to bear the name. The ship underwent modifications in the 1950s serving initially as an attack carrier (CVA) and then as an anti-submarine carrier (CVS). The ship was decommissioned in 1970 after 24 years of service.

"I am humbled to be in your presence as I am a plank owner of USS Kearsarge (LHD 3)," said NTTC Lackland Commanding Officer Cmdr. Jeffrey Martin. "I remember this very group coming to our commissioning in October 1993 down in Pascagoula, Mississippi. You all shared stories about the Project Mercury Orbital Space Flight recovery of astronaut Walter Schirra and his space capsule, Sigma 7, back in August 1962. This group talked about the importance of the Kearsarge namesake and what would be required to live up to the high standards of what it is to be called a Kearsarge Sailor."

The visitors were given a tour of NTTC Lackland's master-at-arms "A" school where they observed students demonstrate mechanical advantage control holds. They also observed military working dogs and their handlers demonstrate obedience, patrol, and narcotic training.

When asked why reunions like this one are important retired Command Master Chief C. V. Lindley, from Pensacola, Florida, said, "They help keep the Navy spirit alive although service periods varied as much as 20 to 30 years apart. You never lose the camaraderie experienced on a U.S. Navy ship. For Sailors currently serving, it lets them know that those that served before them still care about the Navy and support today's Sailors that are doing the job."

Lindley, who served aboard Kearsarge from December 1959 until September 1961, shared his advice for today's Sailors: be on time, keep your nose clean, do your job, and do not worry about things higher than your pay grade.

"The experience was very humbling," said Senior Chief Master-at-Arms Jason Morris, who served as tour guide for the visiting group. "Being able to interact with Sailors having served over 50 years ago; listening to the specific details of events they could recall with such accuracy such as man overboard incidents, fires, and port visits to name a few. Whether it was for 4 or 30 years of service, these Sailors paved the path in their own blood and sweat to implement policy change and procedures that have positively influenced the Sailors of today."

"It is important we know our heritage and the Sailors who stood the watch before us," said Martin as he thanked the Kearsarge Association for choosing San Antonio and coming to spend time with the Sailors at NTTC Lackland.

Kearsarge Association members spent the week in San Antonio where they toured Joint Base San Antonio and Fort Sam Houston. They also visited The Alamo, Riverwalk, and the National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg, Texas.

Veterans of Kearsarge have reunions every two years to reminisce and catch up. The 2018 reunion is scheduled to take place in Jacksonville, Florida.

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