WHO WE ARE AND HOW TO JOIN
In 1990, three (3) years before USS Forrestal (AVT-59) was decommissioned on 30 September 1993, The Forrestal Reunion Association, Inc. was founded by a small group of former Forrestal Shipmates. Then, in March 1992, we became recognized as an Internal Revenue Section 501(c)(19) Non-Profit, Tax Exempt, Military Veteran Organization. At that time, our official name was changed to The USS Forrestal CVA/CV/AVT-59 Association, Inc. We are currently Incorporated as a Non-Profit entity in South Carolina.
We have no paid positions; everyone is a volunteer. Our purposes are many, but are mainly to promote the common good of our Members and establish a continuing entity which facilitates communication, personal contact, and lasting ties with all who have served honorably for any period and at any time in USS Forrestal (CVA/CV/AVT-59). We are still going strong after 30+ years!
Membership includes our 16-Page Quarterly Newsletter, The Forrestal Spot Sheet, and we have an Annual Reunion of All Hands at a different location each year. The location of future Annual Reunions is decided by the Membership at our Business Meeting during the Annual Reunion. Every five (5) years our Annual Reunion is held in the Washington, D.C. area so as to hold Memorial Services at the Vietnam Wall and in Arlington National Cemetery. The USS Forrestal Mass Grave in Arlington National Cemetery is the final resting place for 18 of the 135 Forrestal Shipmates we lost in Tonkin Gulf off the coast of North Vietnam on 29 July 1967 while preparing for our second combat strike of the day. Our last Washington, D.C. Reunion was in 2022 and our next will be in 2027 which will mark the 60th Anniversary of the Tonkin Gulf event.
Think you’re eligible to join? Or, are you a former Member who would like to return? If so, click on the JOIN Tab, above, to view and print the Membership Application Form options. Then, complete and mail the form appropriate to you with your Check or Money Order to the mailing address shown. We look forward to reconnecting with another Forrestal Shipmate. Over 3,000 have joined to date!
(September 15, 2024)
