USS Spangler DE-696
- A Little Bit Of Reunion History - -

After 50+ years of looking in the American Magazine in the reunions listing in 1995, there it was, submitted by Ted Smith.  I called Ted and he told me about the Destroyer Escort Sailors Association.  I promptly joined this organization and gleefully popped off to the convention that year in Hampton, VA expecting a bunch of Spanglermates..  There was two of us from the Spangler, a plank owner from Florida and me." This gentleman has since died.  Anyway I got some names from Ted Smith and DESA and started writing letters to the few names, about twelve I think.  I had some responses and most were of the good idea, "When are you going to do it?" type.  Bill Irwin answered me and suggested a reunion during a DESA convention.  He sent out some mail as he had a much larger list than Ted and I had.  By now a few years and many letters had been sent.  Anyhow Bill suggested that we go ahead and plan for the reunion in Albany during the DESA convention.

We had six men show up, Bill Irwin, Arthur Arts, Bill Hux, Ken Nolan, all WWII plank owners Ed Wessler and me both Korean war veterans.  With family members the total was eleven.  We were all pretty disappointed.  It was suggested that we try again and Indianapolis was offered as a nice central location. Bill Hux said he would check out some motels there, I said I could mail some letters, Bill Irwin moved faster that the eye could see and gave me his address cards, and I got involved. "At the Indianapolis reunion I said I would not do it any more. Dave Norris raised his hand an said he would help.  Dave has done more hat anyone in keeping the reunions going and successful. Each year we ask for volunteers to have the reunion. Don McGill arranged the one in Louisville, Dave and Elana Norris the one in Laughlin, A.J. and Sue Goers the one in St, Louis and this year once again Dave and Elana are doing all the hard work.  The attachment are top Ed Wessler and Bob Ellis, bottom Ed and Bill Irwin. The other photo top is Darrell Hux, Bill's son), Bill Hux and Arthur Arts. Both Bill and Arthur have passed on.  The bottom Photo is Ken Nolan and his wife Frances. Frances is no longer with us.

Albany 2000 DESA Convention

Bob Ellis & Ed Wessler	Ed Wessler & Bill Irwin
Darrell Hux (Bill's son), Bill Hux and Arthur Arts	Ken & Frances Nolan