The Navy Nuclear Weapons Association

Nationwide organization of military and civilian participants in the US Navy Department nuclear weapons program during the years 1946 to present.

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Navy Department nuclear weapons

civilian participants in the US Navy Department nuclear weapons program during the years 1946 to present.

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January 2025 Bulletin

Norman L. “Red” Van Houten

I am writing asking for a simple but huge favor. My father (Norman L. “Red” Van Houten) is a veteran of the United States Navy having served from 1957-1960.
He was a nuclear weapons technician serving on the aircraft carrier Bon Homme Richard CV-31/CVA-31. He is also a member of your organization.

On April 15, he and I will be going on the Land of Lincoln Honor flight to Washington D.C. out of Springfield, IL. On the return flight, there will be a “Mail Call”.
This is similar to receiving mail from family and friends while on active duty. I’m asking if you could either write a nice message, a note or a message in a thank
you card or something similar stating how much you appreciate his service for our country. Something from fellow “Nukes” would be fantastic!!

He does NOT know and this will be a surprise happening on the return flight to Springfield. If you are willing and able to do this, fantastic!! You can either
mail it to me or I can pick it up from you. This needs to be in my hands by March 23 since they have to be mailed to the honor flight by March 25. My address
and phone # are below. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call, text or leave a message.

Kevin Van Houten
4891 Smith Rd.
Pleasant Plains, IL 62677

NNWA Memorial Donations

As most of you know we are accepting donations through GoFundMe for our Memorial Obelisk in Albuquerque. We need about $13K for a beautiful stone pillar dedicated to the “Keepers of the Dragon” to be placed in a prominant place on Louisiana Ave for all to commemorate our history. Please click on the button to donate. Thank you in advance…The Board

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The Gray Dragon

Robert A. Mowry

Know About NNWA

The Navy Nuclear Weapons Association (NNWA) is a nationwide organization of military and civilian participants in the US Navy Department nuclear weapons program during the years 1946 to present. Many of our members meet annually in September or October at various locations across the US to reminisce with long-lost friends, provide support with veterans affairs and medical information, visit historical sites, enjoy quality entertainment in hospitable environs, and salute our departed. The NNWA invites you to join our society of cold-War “Keepers of the Dragon”©

We publish semi-annual newsletters with information concerning our unique experiences while in the Navy. We are a not for profit corporation governed by a membership approved By-Laws, an SOP/PDL and an elected Board of Directors We maintain a NNWA roster of all members, their addresses, phone numbers and e-mail addresses, so that you may find some long-lost shipmates.

Board of Directors

Looking For Help?

Bob Daigle is asking if any NWs between 1958-1961 have records of exposure in their records or if they were monitored. Richard Gurule also has questions about exposure records.

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