Reunions of the LST 519 Veterans

Annual reunions have been held since 1990 when 519 veterans and plank owners Herb Arlt, Don Crocker and Gene Gaff organized the USS LST 519 ASSOCIATION and held the first reunion in Corning, NY. There were fourteen former members of the LST 519 ship's company present. Since then, as many as thirty-six veterans (Harrisonburg--1992) have attended these reunions. Most members bring their wives, other family members and friends. This usually doubles the attendance.

The 1996 Annual Reunion was held in Memphis, TN, with thirty-two veterans present. There were seven in attendance for the first time, including a former ship's captain, giving us two former captains present. Seven of those present had not missed a reunion! The total attendance was put at sixty-five when family members were added. One of the highlights of this event was an inspirational tour of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Plymouth, MA, was the port of call for the 1997 reunion, and it was an inspirational delight for those attending this well-prepared affair. This historic setting was a place of absolute beauty, and a creative agenda kept everyone quite busy.

Our recent 1999 reunion was held in Destin on the beautiful Florida Gulf Coast. We had three shipmates attending their first reunion along with four who have never missed a 519 reunion. Also, Mikey Grimshaw, the grandson of a shipmate, was inducted as an honorary member. He had attended five previous reunions. It is amazing how these annual events just keep getting better each year.

The year 2000 reunion is scheduled for the Atlantic City area of New Jersey, followed by Louisville, KY, for the 2001 affair.

• What is an LST?

• About the LST 519 Assn.

• History of the USS LST 519

• U.S. LST Assn.--Our national affiliation

• Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships

• Scuttlebutt--News publication of the U.S. LST Assn.