Information About The
Naval Minewarfare Association (NMA)
 The NMA was formed in 1982 in San Antonio, Texas by a very "SALTY" group of sailors. They had served in various minecraft prior to WW-ll and were quite proud of this special field of endeavor.  You see, each of them were members of the "PEARL HARBOR SURVIVORS  ASSOCIATION", so in a sense, the NMA is an offspring of that well known organization. Like  "Submariners", "TIN-CAN Sailors", "AIRDALES" and BATTLESHIP and CRUISER Sailors,  these men had a burning desire to "bunk with their own kind". And, as a result, this organization  of minecraft sailors was formed. Many of these men had served in the old fourstacker destroyers that had been converted to DMs and DMSs.  Some had served in the coastal and yard minesweepers, and yet, others had been on the larger minelayers of the fleet. So, there was  common ground among them! It might be said that the NMA is an offspring of the men who had 
survived that"day of infamy".  Although the NMA is socially oriented organization , it has great 
purpose! It is  officially recognized by such governmental officers as the postal service and the I.R.S. as a non-profit veterans" organization and must meet certain requirements. Members use a portion of their expense of attending for tax purposes. The NMA has supported the  STATUE  OF LIBERTY FOUNDATION, THE NAVY MEMORIAL, the USS TURKEY PROJECT,  SEASCOUTS and the NMA'S special program, its very own "FLAGSHIP", the USS HAZARD  AM-240, a WW-ll minesweeper which is at freedom park in OMAHA, NEBRASKA.  Available  through the NMA small stores are such items as baseball caps sporting the red white and blue minesweeping logo, replicas of WW-ll mine patch, which the enlisted men wore so proudly on  their shoulders, bumper stickers, also with the red, white and  blue logo and others items related  to the mine specialty.
ANNUAL CONVENTIONS ARE HELD IN A different REGION EACH YEAR BY DIVIDING THE UNITED STATES INTO  THREE REGIONS---EAST, CENTRAL AND WEST. IN 1992, WE WERE AT OKLAHOMA CITY, IN 1993 AT SCOTTSDALE. IN 1994 AT SAN DIEGO. IN 1995 AT HILTON HEAD ISLAND AND IN 1996 AT APPLETON, WISCONSIN AT RENO, NV IN 1997 AT NORTHERN KENTUCKY IN 1998 AND AT SAN ANTONIO, TX. THE NEXT ONE IS AT SAN JOSE, CA IN 2000. THE CONVENTIONS ARE HELD) IN SEPTEMBER OR OCTOBER, WITH A GOOD MANY SHIPS HOLDING THEIR REUNIONS IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE NMA NATIONAL CONVENTION EACH YEAR. THE CONVENTIONS ARE FOUR-DAY AFFAIRS AND ALWAYS FEATURE EXCELLENT TOURS AND ACTIVITIES. ATTENDANCE USUALLY AVERAGES 500--600 ATTENDEES.  
  
More than 3,300 "mine veterans" have become members of the "NMA" since its founding in 
1982, ALL having served in some facet of NAVAL MINEWARFARE. Many ships are represented,
such as AM - AMC- AMS - CM - DM - DMS - MSB- MSC - MSO - PGM - YMS- MCM - MHC - plus  ++ Various share-based mine facilities, depots and schools. The NMA holds a National Convention
/Reunion each year with upwards of 500+ in attendance. Past Conventions have been held in  San Antonio, Colorado Springs, Des Moines. Nashville, Charleston. Omaha, Louisville, Reno,  Norfolk, Oklahoma City, Scottsdale, San Diego, Hilton Head Island, SC and Appleton, Wisconsin. Future Conventions are scheduled for Reno in 1997 and  Northern Kentucky in 1998. As a matter of information, some ships are represented in the NMA by as many as 45 to 50 members. There  are members from all areas, WWII, Korea, Viet Nam, Desert Storm, and  peace time. Accordingly, When you become a member, You will be sent  a Membership Card, an NMA logo pin, (plus a  pendant necklace for the lady), and best of all, a current edition of the NMA "MAGAZINE*, "The  Silent Defenders". All members  receive the award-winning newsletter quarterly. Please do join with us! You'll enjoy this outfit! And, who - knows, how many of your "old shipmates' are already  members).
The NAVAL MINEWARFARE ASSOCIATION is
actively seeking additional new members to add 
to our present thousands of members from hundreds
of ships and stations. Membership is open to all who
served in Naval Minewarfare--ships, schools, 
stations, depots and commands. All areas, wars, 
conflicts and peacetime's. Eighteenth annual National
Convention and ships reunions in 2000. Contact
JIM MINOR, Membership director, NAVAL 
MINEWARFARE ASSOCIATION , 224 Angelus
Drive, Salinas, CA 93906; (831) 449-5352
Fax (831) 449-5352		 
          
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