Read this Recap of the 2025 Reunion in Minneapolis written by TRSMA Board Member, Stan More

Our 29th annual reunion of the HMT Rohna Survivors Memorial Association was held in Minneapolis this past June 2025. Our hotel not only had a direct shuttle to the airport, but was also within walking distance of the Mall of America giving attendees plenty of options for things to do in their free time. We returned to a three-day format this year from Thursday through Saturday ending with our farewell breakfast on Sunday. Most people arrived on Wednesday.

Thursday was a day for free time and socializing in the hospitality suite. In the evening, 15 of us ate at one of the Mall’s restaurants. The Mall was even more impressive than I expected, and included restaurants large enough to seat 15 people without a reservation

Friday there were presentations in the morning. Jason Markiewitz showed a WWII recruiting film narrated by Jimmy Stewart who was in the Air Force during the war. It was not merely an advertisement, but an entire short film giving all kinds of details about what it would be like to be in the Air Force and encouraging men to enlist. It was fascinating. One question asked whether there was a similar recruiting film directed at women. There wasn’t. But Dolly commented that Jimmy Stewart’s film would have worked on her! After that, Michael Walsh showed a film with a collection of interviews he had recorded from the Rohna survivors over the past couple of decades. There were several interviews I had not seen before from survivors I had not met. As always, the first-hand personal stories were exactly what we wanted to hear.

Friday afternoon was free time. Many of us went to the James J. Hill House in St Paul, which is spectacular. There are 36,500 square feet on five floors with 13 bathrooms and 22 fireplaces! There were also free guided tours which added to the enjoyment. Other free time options were the Mill Museum which included a 2-story high box of Bisquick and the history of how important milling was to the development of Minneapolis. I went to the Bakken Museum on Wednesday (having arrived early) which is also in an historic mansion. Wednesday turned out to be the only “summer” day, as the weather turned rainy and cold with windy conditions for the rest of the reunion and it felt like a different season.

Friday night 24 of us ate at The Cadillac Ranch restaurant in the mall. A couple of us tried the mechanical bull. But it was only for photo opts since it wasn’t working. But it was still fun, and the photos looked genuine for both Cynthi and myself.>Saturday, we had our membership meeting in the morning which included a discussion about next year’s reunion. Several cities were proposed, and Colorado Springs was the final choice for 2027. We also received details about a TRSMA special event to be held in Albany, NY on January 26, 2026. There is a NY State resolution by Assemblyman Phil Ramos to honor the Rohna causalities which will include an entire afternoon program. And we also discussed the GI Film Festival that occurred in San Diego the past May. The Rohna Classified documentary was included in that program and received a great response from the audience both during the showing and the question-and-answer period. The film is so well done, and people hearing about this for the first time are amazed.

Saturday night we had our annual banquet, and another chance to visit with everyone. We started with our formal and dignified routine including the Color guard, Pledge of Allegiance, National Anthem, and the always moving, Table of Remembrance for those that are no longer with us. The beautiful quilt made and donated by Jane Downing was won by Melody Jordan. After dinner, our keynote speakers were the daughters of Rohna survivor Al Stefenoni, Deborah Sanchez and Cynthi Stefenoni. They had discovered a hand written first person account of their father’s experience during the sinking of the Rohna while cleaning out the attic. It was the most detailed minute by minute description I have heard from that day. He personalized the event in a dramatic way and made it possible to almost feel what each man was going through on that day. Their presentation included a slide show of family photos set to music which added to his amazing personal story.

We departed after a wonderful Sunday breakfast as usual and an opportunity to say our goodbyes. In 2026, our reunion will be in San Antonio. We will move to different dates next year with that reunion scheduled from April 30th to May 3rd.