Hello shipmates,

 

We hope you�re all having a good summer so far.It has been quite warm here in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia and also quite dry.We need rain badly.So far, our vegetable garden is doing well and we�re getting squash and onions.

 

Hopefully by now, most of you have your hotel reservations made for the reunion.If not, you should make them soon.

 

Wed. November 1 � Sat. November 4

(depart Sun. November 5)

Holiday Inn Beaumont Plaza

3950 I H 10, Beaumont TX

Local Tel:409-842-5995

Toll Free Tel:800-315-2621

Group Rate:$89.00 per night plus tax

If booking online, use Group Booking Code 2-USH

Web Address:http://www.holidayinnbeaumont.com

 

If you will be coming to the reunion in an RV, several of the shipmates will be staying at Gulf Coast RV Resort in Beaumont.It is about two miles from the hotel.

 

Gulf Coast RV Resort

5175 Brooks Rd.

Beaumont, TX

Local Tel:409-842-2285

Toll Free:866-410-7801

Rate:$30.00 per night

Passport America Rate:$15.00 per night

 

Please fill out the signup sheet included in this newsletter.Note that all events must be signed up and paid for in advance.We cannot accept walk-ins.We have to provide headcounts to the coach company, the hotel for banquet and breakfast buffet, the Johnson Space Center and the casino and won�t be able to add any names once the deadline has passed.Deadline for sign-up sheets and payments is Sept. 1.

 

Bob Sipole highly urges people flying to go to one of Houston�s airports, rent a car and drive to Beaumont.The main terminal at Beaumont�s airport was badly damaged in the hurricane and isn�t expected to be operational by the time of the reunion.It might be a good idea to coordinate your arrival time with friends so you can share the cost of a car and ride together.

 

Bob informs us that Continental Air Lines is the dominant carrier at Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH).Southwest Air Lines is the dominant carrier at Hobby Airport (HOU).Both airports are approximately 85 miles from Beaumont.

 

Enterprise Rent-A-Car has given us a special rate for the reunion.They will provide a 10% discount off the best published rate available in the Greater Houston/Beaumont area.Reservations for cars can be made by phone or on the internet.Call 1 800 RENT A CAR or any local rental branch in the US.Enterprise�s website address is http://www.enterprise.com.We will soon have a direct link on the Tucker website to the Enterprise website as well.When making your reservation, use the special Enterprise code number:0690219.

 

There will be a bus trip to the L�Auberge du Lac Casino/Resort in Lake Charles, LA on Wednesday, Nov. 1.In addition to the casino, there are a large shopping center and restaurants.

 

There are a couple of golf courses in the Beaumont area for those who wish to play golf.This will not be an organized outing but Bob Sipole will be able to provide information.

 

On Thursday, Nov. 2, we will have an all-day trip to the Johnson Space Center, including lunch.There are many exhibits to see, including all the different types of space suits used over the years, photos of all crews, some interactive exhibits, and a tram trip to the original Mission Control Center (the one we always used to see on TV, with the tiny computer monitors).

 

On Friday morning there will be a tour to museums in the Beaumont area, which will include Spindletop, the original petroleum exploration area for Texas, and a Memorial service. The banquet will be held Friday night.

 

On Saturday morning, there will be a breakfast buffet.Then in the afternoon will be the business meeting, followed by a raffle.Please bring a small, inexpensive ($5-$10) or hand made item for the raffle.As usual, we will raffle a model of the ship, but it will be a bit different this time.The model will be built after the reunion to the configuration it was when the winner served aboard.Also, the model will be larger this time by 11�.It will be in a display case (wood base with clear plastic cover).Tickets will be $10.00 and you may purchase as many as you like.If you would like tickets, please make a check payable to the Henry W. Tucker Reunion Fund and mail it to us at the address on the last page of this newsletter. Previous winners have been thrilled with their models.The builder really does a good job and pays close attention to detail.Tickets purchased by mail will have to be sent to us no later than October 1, and tickets will be available for sale throughout the reunion.

 

Jack London sent us a replica of a British Naval Compass to raffle off as well.We will be selling raffle tickets for $5.00 each at the reunion (no mail orders please).The compass is in a wooden box.Se photo below.

 

 

We hope to see a large turnout at the reunion and are looking forward to visiting with old friends and making new ones.

 

 

����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Fair winds and smooth sailing.

����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Bill Siler

 


 


 

Please fill out the form below and return with a check payable to Henry W. Tucker Reunion Fund and send to:

 

J.W. Siler, Jr.

835 Claybanks Dr.

Callaway, VA 24067-4524

 

Date

Description

# People

Amt. Encl.

 

 

 

 

Nov 1, Wed.

 

Hospitalityroom open

Check in, pick up name badges and information packets

Trip to Casino�������������������������������������������������������� $15.00pp

Registration/Hospitality fee (snacks and beverages)�� $20.00pp

Free evening

 

 

�����������������

�����������������

 

 

�����������������

�����������������

 

 

 

 

Nov 2, Thurs.

 

Hospitality room open

Trip to Johnson Space Center

����� All day trip including lunch�������������������������������� $37.00pp

Free evening

 

 

�����������������

 

 

 

�����������������

 

 

 

 

 

Nov 3, Fri.

 

Hospitality room open

Memorial Service/Museum Tours����������������������������� $10.00pp

Cocktail Hour

Banquet Buffet (with cash bar)�������������������������������� $35.00pp

����� Includes entertainment by a Cajun comedian and

����� a Cajun band.

 

�����������������

 

�����������������

 

 

 

�����������������

 

�����������������

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nov 4, Sat

 

Hospitality room open

Breakfast Buffet����������������������������������������������������� $20.00pp

Business Meeting and Raffle (please bring an inexpensive item for the raffle, $5-$10)

Free evening

 

�����������������

 

 

 

�����������������

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nov 5, Sun.

Depart Hotel � Fair Winds and Smooth Sailing!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

��������������������������� Total # People and Total Amount Enclosed

 

 

 

Name:�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� # Persons��������������������������

Address:���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� �����������������������������������������

Phone Number:������������������������������������� ����������� ����� Email address:�������������������������������������������������������������

Names of spouse and/or guests������������������������� ����� �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������

 

 

Please remember, we cannot accept walk-ins for any of these events.We must have headcounts and payment in advance.

 

Deadline for signup sheets is September 1, 2006.

 

At check-in you will receive a program booklet with times for all events.


 

Additions to Crew List

 


Crawford, Kenneth J.

SN, 58-59

 

Fortune, Gary W.

CS3, 67-69

 

Fox, Jerald J. �Jerry�

EN2, 67-70

 

Gardenias, Douglas N.

SN, 68-69

 

Grassa, Jr., Joseph J.

MM2, 64-66

 

Holmes, Glenn E.

BMSN, 58-59

 

Lentz, Michael C.

RD3, 59-60

 

Neugebauer, Jerry M.

SK3, 69-71

 

Pearson, Paul R.

SN, 58-62

 

Purcell, Harold E. �Gene�

EM3, 59-62

 

Robbers, Spencer P.

SN, 68-69

 

 



 

 

Sick List

 

LCDR Robert Ammidown (XO 56-58)

Bob Miller received an email from Bob�s wife Lilly.

 

LTJG Rodney Griffiths (54-55)

Bob Miller recently found Rodney and at the time he was in the hospital.

 

If you�d like to send a card or call LCDR Ammidown or LTJG Griffiths, please let us know and we�ll put you in touch with them.Letters, cards and phone calls will be sure to cheer them up.Call or email (contact info. on last page of this newsletter).

 

If you know of anyone who is ill, please contact us so we can put out the word.


 

 

Additions to Memorial List

 


Baker, Jr., Thomas A.

SN1/c, 47-48

 

Beam, Frank A.

PC3, 68-70

 

Bitterman, Allen G.

MM1, 48-55

 

Brennan, Robert E.

YNC 66-68

 

Bruce, James A.

BT1, 69-69

 

Campbell, Hugh C.

YN1, 54-57

 

Carpenter, Jr., Walker H.

ET3, 50-52

 

Clark, Oliver L.

CS3, 48-52

 

Davis, Willie P.

GM1, 50-53

 

DeBarbieris, Roy E.

DK3, 47-50

 

Flanders, David L.

IC3, 62-65

 

Gommengenger, John A. �Jack�

LCDR, 45-46

 

Grogg, John C.

CSSN, 45-46

 

Hale, Gerald D.

FTG2, 57-62

 


Hazen, Frank A.

SN1/c, 45-46

 

Hester, Gerald P.

MM1, 48-51

 

Hiatt, Thomas W.

GM1, 53-55

 

Hodge, Wilbert E.

BT2, 71-73

 

Jackson, Jr., Albert W.

EM3, 47-51

 

Jackson, Jr., Lewis N.

HTC, 71-73

 

Lyda, John C.

BM2, 48-50

 

Mabe, Joseph R.

GMT2, 68-70

 

Neunaber, Alvin

45-?

 

Patricelli, John

DCFN, 48-49

 

Piega, Ovidio S.

HM2, 71-72

 

Pregno, George C.

BM1, 44-47

 

Pressley, Jack

SFP2, 49-51

 

Redick, Fred A.

FN1/c, 45-46

 


Robinson, Bradley A.

STG2, 71-72

 

Schmidt, Robert C.

RD2, 52-54

 

Simpkins, William D.

SFP3, 52-56

 

Smith, Alan C.

LCDR, 48

 

Story, Warren L.

CDR, 69-71

 

Taylor, Rodney G. �Sukana�

MM3, 64-66

 

Taylor, Ross W.

MM2, 57-61

 

Tefkin, Dana G.

LTJG, 56-58

 

Thompson, James L. �Tomo�

RD3, 59-62

 

Vanderslice, Charlie O.

CS2, 61-63

 

Wittkop, Lawrence H.

MMC, 49-51

 

Wood, Stanley R.

SN1/c, 44-46

 


 


 

 

 

Contact Information

 

J.W. "Bill" Siler, Jr. BTC USNR Ret

835 Claybanks Dr.

Callaway, VA24067-4524

 

Tel:540-483-5727

 

Email (Bill): [email protected]

Email (Pat): [email protected]

Website

 

http://www.hwtucker2000.com

 

 

 

 

Baseball Caps

 

We have baseball caps for sale.They are Navy Blue with the ship's name and hull number in gold.Ship profile is in white.

 

The caps come in solid cloth or mesh back.Please specify which you prefer when ordering.

 

To order, send a check for $12.00 per cap (covers postage) payable to:

Henry W. Tucker Reunion Fund

 

Send the check to the address at the left.

 

 

 

 

 

USS Henry W. Tucker DD/DDR 875

Reunion Association

 

Mission

 

The mission of the USS Henry W. Tucker Reunion Association is to bring together shipmates from the entire time the ship was in commission, 1945-1973 as the USS Henry W. Tucker (DD and DDR 875) USN and 1973-1993 as the Marcilio Dias (D25) of the Brazilian Navy.

 

All shipmates of all rates and ranks and their families are considered to be part of the Tucker Family and all are welcome at reunions.This includes widows and children of our departed shipmates.

 

The mission is also to honor those who have gone before, our deceased shipmates.