Seawolf Association

About the Association

This fraternal organization was formed on 15 June 1987 to perpetuate the name of the elite United States Naval Force designated Helicopter Attack (Light) Squadron Three and seeks to continue and strengthen those friendships begun in Vietnam by personnel attached to this unique gunship unit known as the Seawolves.

Thomas Hayes

President*
thayes@comcast.net
802-356-1875

James Fuller

Vice President*
papafuller1@comcast.net
904-891-2892
Gary Ely
Treasurer*
gleseawoldet9@cox.net
619-443-0985
Bob Bliesner
Chaplin
Mike Dobson
Quartermaster
Craig Jones
CAC/ROH Coordinator
Terry Mize
Public Relations Coordinator
Jack Williamson
Wolfgram Editor

Rick Racich

Website Coordinator
seawolfweb2020@gmail.com
321-213-3545

Don Morgan

Membership Coordinator, seawolf7071@hotmail.com,
936-697-6280

James Myers

Secretary*
jmyers_57@msn.com
937-302-0393
Frank Gale
Kia Family Locator, Challenge Coin Coordinator

Don Thomson

Historian

Rich Lambert

Education Fund,
kauaikat@yahoo.com
Randall Lindberg
UDT/SEAL Museum Coordinator

Clyde Christensen

Veterans Service Director
* Executive Committee Members

Association History

How The Seawolf Association Began

From March 1996 Wolfgram
By Tom Thalmann
Join Today!

Ed. Note) Since I was wondering, I felt that other Seawolves might also be curious as to our origins. So I called Tom, and he was kind enough to provide the following.

I started the Seawolf Association on a single premise. I wanted/needed to meet other Seawolves and I sensed that others would feel the same way as I did.

I have learned that three things are necessary for success:

  • Motivation
  • Knowledge or skills
  • Tools needed to do the job

MOTIVATION: I was active in the local Vietnam Veterans (VVA) chapter. You might say this spurred my interest.

KNOWLEDGE AND TOOLS: I Received a personal computer at work. As my skill with the PC grew, suddenly writing a letter was no longer a painful task; it was easy.

It was the winter of 1986. Armed with an inspiration, a new found writing ability and the investment of a stamp, I laid it all on the line, and wrote a letter to the Vietnam Veterans of America Newsletter locator column.

The journey began. One day a letter arrived from a wolf. I called him that night and we talked. Yes, he knew the addresses of two other Wolves. I wrote them letters and the chain started to grow. First one, then two, now six and so forth.

One of my fondest memories is making first contact with a new Wolf. I would get a lead from someone that went like this. I think Joe so and so lives in Chapel Hill, NC. That night I'd dial information and ask for Joe's number. I was always apprehensive about calling because I was concerned that my call might wake dormant Vietnam memories: I feared disturbing someone and upsetting their lives. My first call went like this. Are you Joe so and so? Were you in the Navy? Are you a Seawolf...? There was a long pause until Joe blurted out YES, followed by a joyful conversation. Even as I type this now, it still brings back some strong emotions.

My search expanded into other veteran's newsletters. Making the first contact was hard on the Wolves I found, too. I laugh at it now, but there was a time when our phone would ring after midnight and my wife would yell "GET UP! Seawolf calling!". Many a time I received calls from Wolves who had to work up the nerve to call me.

Finding Wolves was one thing, pulling it all together was another. I started writing a monthly newsletter (before the days of desktop publishing) which became the Wolfgram. By this time my Seawolf quest was starting to put a strain on out family budget with long distance calls and 100 plus stamps per month. I asked for donations and started collecting stamp money. As I look back on it, that was the start of the Seawolf Association.

Now other Wolves came to the forefront to help. Don Thompson, Seawolf Historian, friend, co-conspirator in the first Kansas City reunion. Tom Olby, friend and partner in crime. Dan Smiley, a hard worker whose efforts I will always appreciate. Howard Jacobs, who laid the financial groundwork for the Seawolf Association. And, of course, Charlie Borgstrom. Charlie was a source of inspiration and a mentor. I'm indebted to his support.

The rest, as they say, is history.