The Association was founded in the late 1970's by Al LaBaron, a retired Master Chief Electronics Technician and Ben Thompson, an SK1, while both resided in New Hampshire. Ben Thompson was Chief of Police in Lebanon, NH and Al, like a lot of retired CPOs was selling life insurance. The first reunion for the veterans of the SHOWBOAT was held in Jacksonville, FL. As the Association grew, reunions were scheduled in different sections of the country so everyone might have a chance to attend.