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Welcome

Ahoy shipmates. WOW, has it been thirty-nine years since we commissioned her? In my four years in the Navy I never went home. So the Tarawa was my home, and you were my family 24/7/365. That time is so engrained and etched in my mind. The older I get the more I appreciate my time while I was on board her. Throughout the years, from time to time, I would think about what all of you were doing. So I thought - let's have a reunion. Why not? Let's meet in a fabulous place like Las Vegas. So, if you can, clear your calendar August 2-4, 2016 for an exciting three days at Sam's Town Hotel & Gambling Hall in Fabulous Las Vegas sharing sea stores and getting caught up with all of our shipmates. I just had a Tarawa shipmate ask me if I knew the difference between a Fairy Tale and a Sea Story?  He goes on to say, "Fairy Tales start with Once Upon a Time, Sea Stories start with This Ain't no ____."  ...Well, on second thought, maybe I should save that one for the Tarawa Pool Party! I do have some interesting sea stories I would like to share with you, like when I buried two sailors at sea on the Tarawa. You won't believe what really happened that day! And that is not a Fairy Tale!

From time-to-time, please check the Must Read page for important reunion information. It will be updated with the most current MUST READ reunion information.

My wife, Mary Lou, and I will be there August 2-4, 2016. I hope you and your wife will be there, too. I know we will have a GREAT TIME at Sam's Town Hotel & Gambling Hall in Fabulous Las Vegas reliving OUR TIMES on OUR SHIP, the USS Tarawa LHA-1, The Eagle of the Sea.

Respectfully,

OS3 Rick and Mary Lou Holly