Grand Plaza Hotel - Branson, Mo

Oct 5-8,2008

Chaired by: Mike Wyatt

Attendance: 26 total/15 shipmates

 

Highlights: Shipmates from 1945-1973 enjoyed a 4 day, 3 night packaged coordinated by Gatherings Plus.

A hospitality room was provided throughout the duration where shipmates and guests could gather upon

arrival or at any time we weren't on a tour/trip to talk over 'old sea stories'. A Welcome Aboard Reception

was held at 6PM Sunday. Monday a visit to the Veterans Museum, a guided tour, and lunch took up most

of the afternoon, followed by the Showboat Branson Belle, river boat cruise, dinner, and show on Table

Rock Lake in the evening. Tuesday a business meeting was held and it was determined that the next

reunion will be in Buffalo, NY, Oct, 2010. Details will be available on the USS Dennis J Buckley web site

as they evolve. Our final evening began with a group picture followed by an evening banquet that was

held at the hotel. The banquet began with shipmate Arbie Woolsey reading the names of all of our fallen

shipmates that we are aware of and offering a prayer on their behalf. After a fine meal we were also treated

to a variety show by some local children. Each morning a hot buffet breakfast was available and at

Wednesday's breakfast was were most of us said our final good-by's. Little did we know that we had two

stage performing stars in the Buckley crew. One on the Show Boat and one in the final variety show.

You had to be there. Good sports both.