B-1’s first reunion brought them back, in 1955, to Chapel Hill. Regular reunions did not begin until  the 1980s. The last was held in 2019, hosted by Simeon Holloway.

1955 Chapel Hill

1981 Norfolk
At the Navy’s first attempt at remembering B-1’s service, each of the members received an honorary degree from the Navy’s School of Music, which had been closed to African Americans during World War II.

1986 Durham & Chapel Hill

1988 Los Angeles

1994 Las Vegas

1998 Gloucester, Virginia

2000 Raleigh

2003 Greenville, North Carolina
B-1 was honored at East Carolina University, where the weekend featured a reception hosted by AKSs from eastern North Carolina prior to a concert in the band’s honor by the U.S. Navy Show Band, led by Chief Musician James Malmgren, and the North Carolina A & T jazz ensemble, directed by Prof. John Henry, Jr., with B-1 vet Huey Lawrence sitting in for a few tunes.

In attendance from B-1: Robert Brower, John Clay, John Gilmer, Wray Herring, Simeon Holloway, Dr. Richard Jones, Roy Lake, Huey Lawrence, John Mason, Calvin Morrow, and Abe Thurman.

Several bandsmen also were interviewed for the university’s special collections. 

2004 Columbus, Georgia

2005 Charlotte

2006 Myrtle Beach

On the steps of Chapel Hil Post Office, 2007

2007 Chapel Hill

2008 Chapel Hill

2010 Durham
The U.S. Navy’s Fleet Forces Jazz Ensemble, led by Senior Chief Musician Jackie Friend, honored B-1 at their 68th reunion with a terrific performance at the Hayti Heritage Center. 

2011 Greensboro

2012 Greensboro
B-1 returned to North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, where they were welcomed by Chancellor Harold Martin and other university dignitaries.

2013 Chapel Hill

2014 Chapel Hill

2015 Chapel Hill & Carrboro

2016 Chapel Hill
Held at the William and Ida Friday Center in Chapel Hill, the banquet evening also featured a choral presentation by students of Pamela E. Carlson (daughter of Walter Carlson) from South Robeson High School in Rowland; a dance presentation by Raleigh students of Anita Carlson McMillan (daughter of John Carlson); and music by Sweet Dreams, the Greensboro-based band that’s led by James Yourse (son of Clarence Yourse)

2017 Washington, DC
B-1’s 75th reunion was a weekend packed with events:
• a private tour of the Smithsonian’s Museum of African American History
• a white glove tour of the Navy’s archives
• a Navy Yard reception
• a public recognition program at the Alexandria Museum of African American History
• a beautiful and moving Sunday morning worship service at Metropolitan AME, with a lunch reception afterwards
     The three B-1 vets who participated–Calvin Morrow, Simeon Holloway, and Jewitt White–were also interviewed by Navy historians for several film documentary projects.

2018 Charlotte
Hosted by Dr. Otto D. Harris, III, family, and friends at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, where Dr. Harris pastor, the weekend also included a tour of the Billy Graham Library and a public reception at the Levine Museum of the New South.

Simeon Holloway, seated, center, with friends, Las Vegas 2019

2019 Las Vegas
Hosted by Smeon Holloway and his terrific extended family and many friends, this turned out to be the last of B-1’s reunions, as Mr. Holloway died soon afterwards, leaving only Calvin Morrow, who was not able to attend this event. 

2020 Planned for San Diego but canceled due to COVID concerns