USS Towers DDG-9 Association Inc. 'News on the 9' 09/14/2026 Edition.
USS Towers DDG-9 Association Inc.
‘News on the 9’
09/14/2026
Well Shipmates, Greetings!
ONE more week until Manitowoc 2026. Looking forward to seeing and meeting our USS Towers DDG-9 Shipmates.
There is a lot of information in this edition of the ‘News on the 9’ . Please check out the usstowers.com ‘News’ tab for the latest Reservation list, Short and Long Versions of the Itinerary and info on our guest speaker Captain Edward J. “Ed” Harrington, USN(Ret) and more.
Here is the current list of Shipmates who have made reservations and the dates. This list also shows who is going to be bringing their spouse and or guest. Remember that the Association is going to pay for the USS Towers Shipmates meal. The Guests meal must be paid through the usstowers.com website. Please look at that list to make sure that the information is correct. If you have already paid for your guest’s meal we will have records of that transaction. We are currently at a total of 66 folks who will be attending the Banquet with 26 of those folks who are guests. Please check the information and make sure your information is correct.
SAIL AWAY OPPORTUNITIES (free)
If you want to pick your time now - just contact Kevin Osgood on Facebook or by email: kosgood@dcmm.org with how many are with you and he will get the manifests started! You’ll still be able to sign up when you get to the hotel - but the sooner we get an idea on numbers the better. Below are the current scheduled voyages:
(more can be added if needed). Each voyage will be about 3 to 3.5 hours.
> Monday 9/21 Early Arrivals: 1600 departure
>Tuesday 9/22: 1300 departure
> Wednesday 9/23: 1600 departure
> Thursday 9/24: 0930 departure
> Friday 9/25: Nothing scheduled
> Saturday 9/26: 1230 departure 1600 return
> Sunday 9/27: Utopia returns to Sturgeon Bay
Willing crew are welcome to come along for this longer voyage! Talk with Kevin Osgood, or Captain Jack at the reunion if you’re interested.
BRING AN ITEM for the AUCTION
Remember to bring an item to be sold at the Auction following the evening meal. Items you can bring can be Navy memorabilia (Challenge Coins, Flags or anything you can think of), USS Towers memorabilia, Hand-made items, Liquor (Brown Liquor is a favorite). All of this will be sold at our auction to support the USS Towers DDG-9 yearly reunion.
Friday nights Attire Alert
From Lori Duffy and other Ladies and Fellas who like SHENANIGANS!
Hello to all the shipmates and CEOs Extraordinaire! Myself and a few of the ladies attending this year’s reunion in Manitowoc have been thinking about bringing a little bit of fun to the banquet and auction on Friday night by dressing up with a disco theme. And it’s whatever the theme means to you. Are you a classic disco diva or a glittery rhinestone cowgirl? Be joyful and unapologetic! All are invited to join in the theme. Does the disco era trigger you? No worries! We can’t wait to see everyone and make new memories at this year’s reunion!
Some ideas for your outfit:
Fun jewelry, glasses and accessories
Shimmery and bold makeup
Platform shoes and boots
Bellbottom pants/flared jeans
Bright patterns
Metallic fabrics and sequins
Shipmates or CEO’s Interested in a Round of Golf??
Anyone interested in Golfing please let me know. Currently we have Mike Duffy, Mark Wood, Ed Harrington and I are looking to play a round Thursday morning. If there is anyone else who is coming that has their golf clubs let me know. More info if there is more interest.
Here are our seats that we have reserved for the Thursday Night Football game:
Below are your official seat locations.
· Section 350, Row 5, Seats 11-12 (2 Seats) on the aisle
· Section 350, Row 6, Seats 11-12 (2 Seats) on the aisle
· Section 350, Row 8, Seats 11-12 (2 Seats) on the aisle
· Section 350, Row 9, Seats 11-12 (2 Seats) on the aisle
· Section 352, Row 5, Seats 7-12 (6 Seats) on the aisle
· Section 432s, Row 3, Seats 5-8 (4 Seats) on the aisle
· Section 436s, Row 3, Seats 5-6 (2 Seats)
· Section 352, Row 8, Seats 1-4 (4 Seats) on the aisle
I will have the e-tickets. I will be contacting each of you to transfer your tickets to you.
Banquet Update:
We have signed a contract with Eden Catering to provide our banquet dinner. Shipmates’ meals are paid for by the Association. Shipmates can pay for their guests through the Ship’s Store at usstowers.com. The cost of this year's banquet is $32.00 for each guest you bring.
Here is the menu:
USS Towers DDG-9 Association Inc. Reunion Banquet Menu 25 Sep 2026
Hors D’oeuvres
Party Trays:
Homemade Meatballs (Old Fashioned)
Mexican Roll-ups
Cheese & Sausage Tray
Fresh Fruit Tray
Veggies & Dip Tray
Premium Served Buffet
Entrees:
Baked Chicken
Tenderloin Tips with Mushroom Gravy
Side Dishes n Salads:
Au Gratin Potatoes
California Blend Vegetables
Glazed Carrots
Tossed Salad Bar with Assorted Dressing Packets
Bread:
Dinner Rolls with Butter
Dessert
Peanut Butter Brownies
Chocolate Éclair Torte
Below is the Short Version of the itinerary for the 2026 Manitowoc, Wisconsin reunion.
USS Towers DDG-9 Association Inc
2026 Reunion Manitowoc, WI Summary
9/22 Day 1-Tuesday Evening
1700-Hospitality Room will be opened. Association will provide Pizza and Refreshments.
S/V Utopia Sail Ride: 1300 departure
9/23 Day 2-Wednesday
0600-0900 Breakfast
Gather in lobby Between 0800-0830 for carpool to Door County Maritime Museum. Door County Maritime Museum, Sturgeon Bay, WI-120 N. Madison Ave, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
S/V Utopia Sail Rides – 1600 departure
The Hospitality Room will be available 24/7.
9/24 Day 3-Thursday
0600-0900-Breakfast
Daytime: Wisconsin Maritime Museum (USS Cobia) Manitowoc, WI-75 Maritime Drive, Manitowoc, WI 54220
S/V Utopia Sail Rides – 0930 departure
Evening: Atlanta Falcons Vs Green Bay Packers - Confirmed. Will be working on time to leave and Carpooling.
The Hospitality Room will be open 24/7.
9/25 Day 4-Friday
0600-0900-Breakfast
Morning 0700 Muster for those Shipmates to attend a memorial service for USS Westchester County
Morning anytime - Wisconsin Maritime Museum (USS Cobia) Manitowoc, WI-75 Maritime Drive, Manitowoc, WI 54220
1630 – Everyone brings their auction items to the Hospitality/Banquet Room it will be open.
1700 – Guest Speaker: Captain Edward Harrington, USN(Ret). Start Banquet. Buffet will be open from 1700-1900. Bring your favorite beverage from the hospitality room or the Bar will be Open for drinks.
1900ish – Start the festivities with our Auction at the Hospitality/Banquet Room.
9/26 Day 5-Saturday
0600-0900-Breakfast
0900 - Association Business Meeting in the Hospitality Room
Afternoon Free Time
S/V Utopia Sail Rides – 1230 departure and 1600 Return
The Hospitality Room will Be opened after the Business meeting has concluded.
9/27 Day 6-Sunday
Bon Voyage.
Below is the Long Version of the itinerary for the 2026 Manitowoc, Wisconsin reunion. Below are additional details for Shipmates and CEO’s to explore each day.
USS Towers DDG-9 Association Inc
2026 Reunion Manitowoc, WI Summary
9/22 Day 1-Tuesday Evening
1700-Hospitality Room will be opened. Association will provide Pizza and Refreshments.
S/V Utopia Sail Rides – 1300 departure
9/23 Day 2-Wednesday
0600-0900 Breakfast
Gather in lobby Between 0800-0830 for carpool to Door County Maritime Museum. Door County Maritime Museum, Sturgeon Bay, WI-120 N. Madison Ave, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
Road trip to Door County Maritime Museum in Sturgeon Bay Wisconsin.
It's a bit less than 90-minutes drive along the shore of Lake Michigan to visit Sturgeon Bay. The Maritime Museum there has 33,000 square feet of exhibits, and a ten-story observation tower filled with exhibits that share the deep maritime history of NE Wisconsin and the Door Peninsula. The museum has a 107 year old 149' long tugboat that was initially built for WWI but wasn't completed until the shooting stopped. It later served in WWII on the North Pacific and on the Great Lakes as a salvage and towing tug with the Roen Steamship Company. The tug was working up until 2003 when it was donated to the museum and underwent a 5-year restoration effort. Sturgeon Bay built hundreds of ships for the war effort in the 1940's and also built the last three classes of USN minesweepers - including the Avenger Class that is still serving today.
More at: https://dcmm.org/door-county-maritime-museum/
S/V Utopia Sail Ride: 1600 departure
The Hospitality Room will be available 24/7.
9/24 Day 3-Thursday
0600-0900-Breakfast
Daytime: Wisconsin Maritime Museum (USS Cobia) Manitowoc, WI-75 Maritime Drive, Manitowoc, WI 54220
S/V Utopia Sail Rides – 0930 departure
Evening: Atlanta Falcons Vs Green Bay Packers - Confirmed. Will be working on time to leave and Carpooling.
Packers Football
Thursday Night Football in Green Bay. This is your chance to go early and experience the traditions of historic Lambeau Field. Visit the Packers Hall of Fame, or just wander the tailgate crowd and experience Packer Nation. Across the street from Lambeau is TITLE TOWN, restaurants, bars, golf simulators, live music and more on gameday. Parking on gameday is expensive, expect to pay between $20 and $50 and even park in people's yards as Lambeau Field is in the middle of a residential neighborhood! More at: https://www.packershofandtours.com/
The Hospitality Room will be open 24/7.
9/25 Day 4-Friday
0600-0900-Breakfast
Morning 0700 Muster for those Shipmates to attend a memorial service for USS Westchester County @ Door County Maritime Museum, Sturgeon Bay, WI-120 N. Madison Ave, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235. USS Westchester County - an amphib that suffered the worst single casualty incident of the Vietnam War. They are having their reunion at the same time we are. The memorial service is at 0930.
Morning anytime - Wisconsin Maritime Museum (USS Cobia) Manitowoc, WI-75 Maritime Drive, Manitowoc, WI 54220
Restored World War II submarine, a 19th-century shipbuilding town.
1630 – Everyone brings their auction items to the Hospitality/Banquet Room it will be open.
1700 – Guest Speaker: Captain Edward Harrington, USN(Ret) Start Banquet. Buffet will be open from 1700-1900. Bring your favorite beverage from the hospitality room or the Bar will be Open for drinks.
1900ish – Start the festivities with our Auction at the Hospitality/Banquet Room.
9/26 Day 5-Saturday
0600-0900-Breakfast
0900 - Association Business Meeting in the Hospitality Room
Afternoon Free Time
S/V Utopia Sail Rides – 1230 departure and 1600 Return
The Hospitality Room will Be opened after the Business meeting has concluded.
9/27 Day 6-Sunday
Bon Voyage.
The tentative schedule above includes the Door County Maritime Museum, the Wisconsin Maritime Museum (USS Cobia), S/V Utopia sailing opportunities. Sign-up on Facebook and there will be sign in sheets in the Hospitality Room for sailing opportunities.
Door County Maritime Museum, Sturgeon Bay, WI-120 N. Madison Ave, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
Waterfront museum with exhibits exploring the area’s maritime history & a restored tugboat. carpool will leave hotel approximately 0800-0830. It is approximately a 1 hour and 20 minute ride. Please let me know who is going up and if you need a ride. Please would you also let me know if you can take passengers.
Wisconsin Maritime Museum (USS Cobia) Manitowoc, WI-75 Maritime Drive, Manitowoc, WI 54220
Restored World War II submarine, a 19th-century shipbuilding town.
3. The Patriot Racing Project is a veteran-focused nonprofit Door County Pulse that uses the Utopia, a historic 1946 tall ship and schooner, to help military veterans transition into civilian life WBAY. The organization teaches veterans hands-on trades and connects them through on-water healing missions and hands-on restoration work WBAY. [1, 2, 3] The classic sailboat was built at Peterson Shipyard in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin WBAY. Recently, it completed an extensive 180-mile circumnavigation of the Door Peninsula before returning to its new permanent home port at the Door County Maritime Museum WBAY. [1]
Key details of the program include:
· The Mission: Founded in 2023 by former U.S. Marine Jack Gage, the project uses sailing and hands-on craftsmanship (such as carpentry and electrical repair) to give veterans skills that translate directly to civilian jobs WBAY. [1]
· The Ship: The Utopia is one of the last surviving Great Lakes Schooners, measuring an impressive historic scale SV Utopia - A 1946 Great Lakes Schooner. [1]
· The Museum Partnership: Patriot Racing Project and the Door County Maritime Museum work together to restore classic vessels while fostering a community space for veterans WBAY.
THINGS TO DO IN GREEN BAY (45-minutes away)
National Railroad Museum (Green Bay)
· Not far from the stadium district you will find the National Railroad Museum. https://nationalrrmuseum.org/ With roots dating back to 1956, the National Railroad Museum has grown to become one of the largest, oldest, and most well-respected rail museums in the United States. We have over 70 pieces of rolling stock, 100,000+ artifacts, seasonal train rides, indoor and outdoor exhibits, operating/display tracks, special events, rental opportunities, and more.
The Automobile Gallery
· We are proud to present more than 100 years of automotive history and beauty ranging from an ultra-rare 113-year-old Cadillac Model T Touring Car to the space-age 2020 Ford GT Supercar. Whether you are an avid collector, an enthusiast, or just a fan of history, The Automobile Gallery is sure to educate, entertain and inspire you. More at: https://theautomobilegallery.org/
Nevil Public Museum / Downtown Green Bay
· More at: https://www.nevillepublicmuseum.org/
Brooks & Dunn @ the Resch Center
· September 26th @ 7PM More at: https://www.reschcomplex.com/events/detail/brooks-dunn-neon-moon-tour-2026
·
OSHKOSH - EAA Aviation Museum (1hr 20mins away)
· A PREMIER WORLD CLASS AVIATION MUSEUM
· More at:https://www.eaa.org/eaa-museum
Food recommendations from the Packers
Breakfast
Leaps & Bounds Café
1950 S Ridge Rd., Green Bay, WI 54304
(888) 456-4537
The Creamery Downtown
114 Pine St., Green Bay, WI 54301
(920) 489-8437
Delilah’s
115 N Adams St., Green Bay, WI 54301
(920) 489-2532
Lunch
Hinterland Brewery
1001 Lombardi Access Rd., Ashwaubenon, WI 54304
(920) 438-8050
The Turn
1025 Lombardi Ave. Suite 120, Ashwaubenon, WI 54304
(888) 902-8876
Plae Bistro
1671 Hoffman Rd. #10, Green Bay, WI 54311
(920) 632-7065
Dinner
Republic Chophouse
218 N Adams St., Green Bay, WI 54301
(920) 430-7900
The Union Hotel
200 N Broadway, De Pere, WI 54115
(920) 336-6131
Tavern in The Sky
1950 S Ridge Rd., Green Bay, WI 54304
(888) 456-4537
Breweries
Cocoon Brewing
2233 Kaftan Wy., De Pere, WI 54115
(920) 425-4888
Copper State Brewing Co.
313 Dousman St., Green Bay, WI 54303
(920) 489-8575
Titletown Brewing Co.
320 N Broadway, Green Bay, WI 54303
(920) 437-2337
THINGS TO DO IN MANITOWOC AND NEARBY
· Sputnik @ the Art Museum
· Sadly Towers will miss "Spunik Fest" which happens on September 17th - but you can still see pieces of the famed Soviet spacecraft that crashed in Manitowoc in September of 1962. The exhibit is within the Rahr-West Art Museum in downtown Manitowoc. More can be found here: https://www.manitowoc.org/2557/Rahr-West-Art-Museum
· Manitowoc Lincoln Park Zoo
· More information at https://www.manitowoc.org/2559/Zoo
· Breweries & Wineries in Manitowoc
· There are more than a few. More info here: https://www.visitmanitowoc.com/things-to-do/breweries-wine-bars/
· Manitowoc's TOWER TAVERN
· Just because of the name - and the good food there - let's bring a Towers photo (I have one) and go make this place ours one night! More at: https://towertavernmanitowoc.com/
· Want to do something else?
· Something different? Check out this Manitowoc site for all your options: https://www.visitmanitowoc.com/
HOT TOPICS With Important Information
Please go to the usstowers.com website and click on the “News’ tab at the top. We have the Latest Reservation list, Short and Long Versions of the Itinerary and info on our guest speaker Captain Edward J. “Ed” Harrington, USN(Ret) and more.
Golden Corral Information
Golden Corral has two locations within about an hours drive from Manitowoc, WI. I will ask for Shipmates who would want to attend.
Golden Corral-2590 Holmgren Way Ste 1, Green Bay, WI 54304
Golden Corral-1169 N Westhill Blvd, Appleton, WI 54914
Roster Update:
Names on the Roster: 593
Names Verified: 180
I am continuing to contact everyone by Telephone, Email, Facebook, or Messenger so that I can confirm the information that I have on all our active members. We will use this information to print out our name tags used during the reunion.
If you do not get the ‘News on the 9’ please send us your Email address, First and last name, what years you served and your home City/State to usstowersddgnine@gmail.com
Please visit our Facebook page: USS Towers (DDG-9) https://www.facebook.com/groups/65196440936/
Reunion Information is in the ‘Events’ section of the USS Towers (DDG-9) Facebook page
Please visit our Associations website at usstowers.com
Looking forward to seeing everyone next week. This will be the last update to the “News on the 9” concerning the 2026 Manitowoc, WI reunion.
Very Respectfully
Bob Whapeles, President
USS Towers DDG-9 Association Inc.