A Message From Dom "Big Al" Alvarado

FOUR SUBMARINERS REUNITED AFTER 38 YEARS



Eleven months ago, four buddies who were on board the U.S.S. Razorback (SS-394), were reunited after 38 years. All full-pledge members of U.S.S. Razorback Base, are Marcial (Mars( Pamintuan from La Palma, CA, Ireneo Q. (Rene) Alcala from Chicago, Il., Enrile (Trini) Trinidad from Long Beach, CA. and Dominador (Dom) Alvarado from Roseville, CA. It was really quite amazing how they found each other again after all these years. Thanks to the Internet, they got together and decided to meet at North Little Rock, AR., where their beloved ship was on exhibit at the Museum for the first time on July 3, 2005.

Each one of these submariners were so excited to meet for their first reunion. All three buddies, Mars, Trini and Dom flew in from the West Coast in separate flights. Rene Alcala drove eleven hours in his van with the idea of getting all four buddies and their wives together during their whole stay in North Little Rock.

Quite unexpectedly, a VIP welcome was extended to them by Steve Nawojczyk, from the Mayors of Office of North Little Rock. Braye Cloud from the Mayor’s Office, gave them a tour of the city and an interview was arranged with the historian of NLR National Historical Commission. They wore T-Shirts with their ship’s logo printed in front and the words “Re-live the Memories – Reunion 2005”. It was really awesome and nostalgic for these buddies to see their ship once more, as it was being shown to the public while anchored at the NLR Maritime dock. They looked it over from every nook and corner, reminiscing their wonderful, unforgettable camaraderie while they were on board in the 60’s. To top it all, their visit was covered by the media TV Channels 4 and 16.

Should these submariners decide to have another reunion this year, unfortunately, one will be missing. Rene Alcala passed away last January 5, 2006 due to complication from diabetes. He will be sorely missed, but the three buddies who are left will commemorate their Reunion-2005, God-willing to keep memories alive