After dive school I spent 3.5 years on the Shen 1987-1990 with two Med cruises, Gitmo, the Azores etc. At the time I didn't know how life changing my tour was going to be. Met so many great people and saw some amazing countries and places. HooYa to all my shipmates.

It has been 30 years since I last stood on her deck and I still have dreams about my time on board. 1989-1992 R-5/R-N.

Aloha Shipmates! Plank owner from 1983 -1988. I was attached to (5) U.S. Naval Ships combined, to include 14 of 20 years of haze grey and underway! The late (AD-44) is my “#1 choice” from the rest of the combatant ships. Reasons, “Restriction Bound” a wake-up call quality time spent on the ship to re-vamp my actions, and made an original song experience that helped me to decide for my future. To be the few to say I served and now am a Retired Navy Veteran. Mahalo, Navy for this journey ride! Onboard my last command; (Late) USS Cushing (DD 985), made an original song entitled; The Cush. The back side of it, “The Fine U.S. Navy Journey ride.” Blessings y’all, take care and be safe!

I want to Thank You for taking the lead and continuing the memory of the OFFICERS and CREW of the TOUGHTENDER!!! I am a Plankowner and the one who started the first TOUGHTENDER website and put together the first two reunions. BTW: Anyone missing T's ordered from the 2nd reunion? DOWNSIZING and I found a box full. I'll have to go through my old files to see who ordered one. You may email me at: therudderrevisited (AT) gmail (DOT) com ... I am also the founder of the above website. "Preserving our history one Rudder at a time" RTC Orlando Bootcamp, 1968-1994 and have a facebook group: The Rudder Revisited - RTC Orlando. I don't get on social media much these days. So email is your best bet. And I am 'assuming' this is Troy who has continued this!? THANK YOU!!!!!!!! I may have other photos you might be interested in for this site. GREAT JOB! BRAVO ZULU Shipmate!!! PS: the Rudder website... I am currently updating information if you went to boot there. Uploads will be coming soon as well as being able to view Rudders (might have yours!)... Blessings to all..............

Some of my best memories in my entire life we're onboard the USS. Shenandoah.

Wonderful memories! Came to Engineering M Div. In Norfolk May 1993. Went to NASCO and we brought the ship back. Not long after Gitmo I left due to injure while playing basketball. Yea, sounds funny to me now to. I remember MM 2 Bennett as a person that changed my life for the good. We were all very young, Maybe only 3-4 in M Div had been on a ship before. Thanks to Paul Bennett pushing us very hard we not only made it, we exceed many reputations that some had for us. That shirt time greatly changed my life and still pushes me to be better and work harder today.

My husband, Capt. Jim Shanahan was the proud CO of Shenandoah from 1990-1992 in Norfolk, Va. it was an exciting, adventurous, rewarding and at times difficult time for all of the crew and spouses. I was proud to be a part of it all. Jim passed away in 2006 from lung cancer. Not too long after his passing I had to downsize my living situation. I was SO fortunate to find the City of Shenandoah , Va., (our sister city) willing to accept the memorabilia that I had from the USS Shenandoah. They have created a BEAUTIFUL memorial section in the town hall to Jim and the ship If you are ever in that area, Please stop by and visit the Town Hall.
My email is Shanahansj@comcast.net if anyone would like to contact me. It was a wonderful crew and families !! Thank you. Sandi

My wife and I were able to come aboard to visit our son when the ship was new. We were able to take a tour of the ship. And that was our first time even coming close to a U.S. Navy ship, let alone going aboard one. Everyone we met was very kind to us and the ship-itself was a huge marvel of engineering. We also got to meet his "Chief" who told us he behaved most of the time. He told us a lot about it in his letters; especially his new bunk-beds. They were smaller than we thought. My wife was able to tour the girls sleeping area, and the kitchen/dining areas, and she was very surprised at the accommodations for the girls on board. Touring the USS Shenandoah was the highlight of our 1st East coast vacation. We are very proud of our son, and we know that he was very proud of his ship. Thank you all for your kindness, and your service to our Navy!