Hello shipmates,

The Beaumont, Texas reunion is history.� We enjoyed ourselves thoroughly and hope all the other attendees did as well.� There is a lot to see and do in Beaumont and we saw and did most of it.� Our hotel and it�s staff were first rate. �Many thanks to Bob Sipole for putting together a memorable reunion.� We had quite a few first timers at the reunion and we hope they had a good time and will attend future reunions.�

Some highlights of the reunion:�

Several people went to the casino at L�Auberge du Lac in Lake Charles, Louisiana.� Everyone that went had a good time.� Some came back a bit lighter in the wallet than others.�

A member of the American Legion Post�s Women�s Auxiliary cooked a gumbo dinner for the group.� The food was wonderful.� Bob Sipole is a member of the post and received donations for the reunion from the post and the Women�s Auxiliary.� Many thanks to them for their generosity.�

A trip to the Johnson Space Center in Houston.� The exhibits and movies about America�s space program were very interesting.�

Visits to two historic homes in Beaumont which were very interesting.� An afternoon in the museum district to visit the Texas Energy Museum (Spindletop in Beaumont was the first gusher, oil strike, in the US), an art museum and a firefighting museum.� There was a pedestrian area nearby with many restaurants.� Our memorial service was held aboard one of the reserve Navy ships in the Port of Beaumont.�

Our banquet was a delicious buffet.� Our entertainment was a Cajun comedian who had everyone laughing through his entire act.� I�m not sure if Julie Byrne has stopped laughing yet.� He was followed by a Cajun band.� They were very lively and the dance floor was full most of the evening.� Monty and Judy Smith, Chuck and Frances Hughes and Ronnie �Sweetpea� and Jerry Ann Holt were among the best dancers.

Unfortunately, several of the Korean era shipmates and a few family members were quite ill during all or part of the reunion with severe respiratory infections.� Don Moore was hospitalized for a few days in California on his way home but is recuperating at home in Medford, Oregon.� We wish a full recovery to you all.

Chuck Hughes, a shipmate and the man who makes our baseball caps, was at the reunion.� He had sent us a couple of T-shirts to display to see if people might like them.� He also brought two denim shirts with the ship�s name and number embroidered on them for the raffle.� And he was wearing a jacket with embroidery on them.� When people saw them, they immediately asked for information on ordering them.� Chuck has given us a price list and an order form is on the next page.� If you wish to get an item for delivery before Christmas, please call Chuck rather than mailing him the form.

A few highlights from the business meeting:

The next reunion may be in the Seattle, Washington area.� Morgan Barokas� wife Kathleen will do some research and get back to us.� If that doesn�t work out, we might look into Reno, Nevada and one or two other places in the West.� More to come.

There was discussion about forming a non-profit association.� A motion was made to form one, but did not pass.� Another motion was made to have a committee draft a set of by-laws, even though we won�t be formalizing the association.� That motion did not pass, but some of the shipmates will be working on possible by-laws to be brought up at the next reunion.

Jim Shannon won the ship model and was very excited.� Bob LeJeune won the wonderful walking stick made by Dayton Powell.� It had the ship�s name and number down the front and all the shipmates were asked to sign it.� Robert Griffin won a book about ships.� I can�t remember who won the British Naval Compass which was donated by Jack London.� If the winner will let me know, I�ll put it in the next newsletter.

�� Fair winds and smooth sailing.

�� Bill Siler

Chuck Hughes

PO Box 363

Maysville, NC� 28555

910-743-6371

Item	#	Size	Price
T-Shirt (picture of ship on back/name on front) S, M, L, XL�� $12.00 + $3.00 shipping XXL �� $13.00 + $3.00 shipping XXXL�� $15.00 + $3.00 shipping
Sweat Shirt (same as T-Shirt) S, M, L, XL�� $15.00 + $3.00 shipping XXL �� $16.00 + $3.00 shipping XXXL�� $18.00 + $3.00 shipping
Denim Shirt � Short Sleeve S, M, L, XL�� $20.00 + $3.00 shipping XXL �� $21.00 + $3.00 shipping XXXL�� $22.00 + $3.00 shipping
Denim Shirt � Long Sleeve S, M, L, XL�� $23.00 + $3.00 shipping XXL �� $24.00 + $3.00 shipping XXXL�� $25.00 + $3.00 shipping
Jacket � Navy Blue (name on front/back as you want it) S, M, L, XL�� $45.00 + $6.00 shipping XXL �� $47.00 + $6.00 shipping XXXL�� $48.00 + $6.00 shipping
Total

For delivery before Christmas, please order by phone.� Also, jackets should be ordered by phone because the back will be customized.� For those of you who weren�t at the reunion to see the items, they are top quality and excellent workmanship.

Contact Information

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

835 Claybanks Dr.

Callaway, VA� 24067-4524

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 (covers postage) payable to:

�

Henry W. Tucker Reunion Fund

Send 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.