06/23/2025
Well Shipmates, Greetings,
I hope you and your CEO’s are doing well.
I will update the Association on the usstowers.com ‘Ship’s Store’ in a soon to be released ‘News on the 9’. More to follow in the upcoming days.
I have updated this Edition of the ‘News on the 9′ with many lists, for the events that we will be attending. Please take a look at these lists and if you think that you have been missed or if you have not yet emailed the Association with what events you want to attend please do so as soon as possible. We are working with all of the event venue’s to purchase tickets online. The New Orleans Steam Boat Company has given us a Promo Code: Towers so that we can get 15% off all of their River boats and Associated venues such as the Gray Line New Orleans which operates Swamp and Airboat tours. I will have more information soon for this and the other vendors.
IMPORTANT UPDATE!!!!!
Hop On Hop Off Prices. Still working on 4-day pass so please email us and let us know if you are interested!!!
1-Day – $39.75
2-Day – $43.75
3-Day – $51.00
I will update all of the information below for the Hop On Hop Off.
I will need all Association members that are coming to the Reunion to let me know the dates/days you want to obtain.
I need to know how many would like to purchase 4-day pass from 24-27 September 2025. I am working to with the Marketing Director to get an accurate number of Shipmates who are interested in getting 4-day passes. Please email usstowersddgnine@gmail.com with how many 4-day passes that you would need.
MAKE YOUR RESEVATIONS NOW!!!!!
News on the 2025 New Orleans, LA (NOLA) Reunion
The USS Towers DDG-9 Association Inc, signed a contract with Embassy Suites New Orleans Convention Center to host the 2025 USS Towers DDG-9 Association Inc reunion from 23 September to 28 September 2025.
The Address: 315 Julia Street, New Orleans, LA 70130
The Hotel: 504-525-1993
The Rate: $145
Pet-Friendly and 24/7 Valet Parking
From Embassy Suites New Orleans Convention Center, 315 Julia Street, New Orleans, LA Staff,
On behalf of Embassy Suites, we are thrilled to extend our warmest thanks for selecting our hotel as the venue for your upcoming USS Towers Reunion. We are excited to host such a special event and look forward to making it a memorable experience for everyone involved. I have attached your booking link for your guest to start booking.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION! PLEASE READ BEFORE USING THIS LINK!!!
Press down control key and Left click to activate the link. You will get the following which covers the 3 days before and the 3 days after the reunion dates of 23-28 September 2025. You will press the Edit Stay and put in the dates you plan to attend.
Once you have updated your information with the dates you plan to attend and how many guests you will have, press the Update button and follow the prompts and make your reservations. If you want to come earlier or stay later then September 20-29, you will need to contact Embassy Suites @ 504-378-4032 and work with Embassy Suites New Orleans Convention Center staff. I am sure they will work with us. Shipmates we have until August 21, 2025, to get your reservation in using the Group Rate of $145 a night.
Current list of Shipmates who have made reservations:
If you do not see your name on this list please let us know by responding to the Association email: usstowersddgnine@gmail.com and we will work with the Embassy Suites to get you on their list.
Below is the tentative itinerary for the 2025 NOLA Reunion in summary. I will cover each day below this summary so that we can publish this summary for the Hotel to display for us in their lobby.
USS Towers DDG-9 Association Inc
2025 Reunion New Orleans, LA Summary
9/23 Day 1-Tuesday Evening
1700-Hospitality Room #XXX on the sixth floor will be opened. The association will provide the Pizza.
9/24 Day 2-Wednesday
0600-0900-Breakfast
0900-Gather to leave and catch the Hop on Hop Off at Stop 17 across from the Hotel.
1400-1600 Golden Corral – 3920 Williams Blvd #884, Kenner, LA 70065
1700-1830 Embassy Suites Happy Hour.
The Hospitality Room will be available. (Hospitality room will have room passes. We will work with the hotel management to find how many passes we can hold or if they have a better solution.)
9/25 Day 3-Thursday
0600-0900-Breakfast
Steamboat Natchez/Riverboat City of New Orleans Daytime Jazz/Lunch Cruise
Get Off Hop On Hop Off Stop #1 – Boats are tied up at Toulouse Street Wharf, behind Jax Brewery.
MORNING CRUISE-$65.00 per person
Calliope Concert: 10:30am – 10:45am
Boarding Time: 11:00am
Dockside: 11:00am – 11:30am
Cruising: 11:30am – 1:30pm
Please note, they have two lunch seatings –
First Lunch Seating: 11:00am – 12:00pm
Second Lunch Seating: 12:15pm – 1:15pm
AFTERNOON CRUISE-$65.00 per person
Calliope Concert: 1:45pm – 2:00pm
Boarding Time: 2:00pm
Dockside: 2:00pm – 2:30pm
Cruising: 2:30pm – 4:30pm
Please note, they have two lunch seatings –
First Lunch Seating: 2:00pm – 3:00pm
Second Lunch Seating: 3:15pm – 4:15pm
1700-1830 Embassy Suites Happy Hour.
The Hospitality Room will be open.
9/26 Day 4-Friday
0600-0900-Breakfast
0900-1700 World War II Museum Tour
1630 – Everyone brings their auction items to the Hospitality/Banquet Room it will be open.
1700 – 2200/2300 – Cash Bar Open in the Hospitality/Banquet Room
1730 – Start the festivities with our Banquet and Action at the Hospitality/Banquet Room.
9/27 Day 5-Saturday
0600-0900-Breakfast
0900 – Association Business Meeting in the Hospitality Room
Afternoon Free Time
1700-1830 Embassy Suites Happy Hour.
9/28 Day 6-Sunday
Bon Voyage.
Wednesday Information
Hop On Hop Off – citysightseeingneworleans.com
Hours of Operation: 0930-1730
I have confirmed the cost for the group on 3, 2 and 1 day passes. I need to have all Shipmates that are interested in a 4 day pass package please shoot an email to usstowersddgnine@gmail.com and let me know. I need this information very soon (Need this by June 18, 2025) so that City Sight Seeing New Orleans can determine the interest in a 4-day pass.
I am working with the Director of Marketing to give you and a time to purchase tickets. I am going to see that they give us a Promo code to use to pay for the tickets online. More info will follow. The information below will update you on the new cost of the passes and give you an Overview of 3, 2 and 1 day passes.
I will also, be updating this area with what to see or do at the various Hop On Hop Off stops. Below the overviews I have a list of the stops. I am also, looking into the Jean Lafitte Swamp and Airboat Tours. More to follow.
Recommend the 3-day pass. Below is an overview of what you get. Cost $62.50 Now $51.00
1) Unlimited Hop-On Hop-Off Touring
Hop-On and Hop-Off as you wish over a 72 hour window (3 consecutive days.) Our Hop-On Hop-Off Tour Services are already a flexible and convenient sightseeing tour of New Orleans. With this package, you can go with the flow and enjoy the tour on your schedule. Hop-On when ready, Hop-Off at your leisure.
Every loop is a refreshed experience with the live guides providing exciting and educational commentary. You might pass the same sights so get ready for a new twist from our fun and joyous team! With 19 stops to Hop-Off and enjoy, discover shops, bars, parks, and so much more along the route.
2) Garden District Guided Walking Tour
Explore the splendor and elegance of The Garden District – one of New Orlean’s most sophisticated, historic, and elegant neighborhoods! Walk with one of City Sightseeing’s experienced and licensed local tour guides through tree-lined historic streets radiating with grace and opulence. Learn about Greek Revival, Italianate, and other architectural styles that characterize the area – and we can’t forget to mention a few celebrity homes along this beautiful stroll with great photographers.
At less than a mile, this tour takes roughly 45 minutes to complete. This walk is ADA accessible and strollers are welcome. Walking Tours depart 5 times a day, every day of the week, and are First-Come, First-Serve (no advance reservations.)
MEET YOUR TOUR GUIDE
Meet your Tour Guide at Stop 12, at 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm or 3pm on any day your ticket is valid!
3) French Quarter Guided Walking Tour
Let us guide you through the heart of the French Quarter, and point out to you the best sights! You will marvel at the history and architecture of America’s most fascinating neighborhood. This Walking Tour (complete distance less than 1 mile) includes Jackson Square, the St. Louis Cathedral, Pirates Alley and a visit to the most classic French Quarter Courtyard. The rich and storied past of New Orleans will fascinate and entertain, framed by the unique Spanish, Caribbean, French and American influences that define the city and today’s New Orleans culture.
This beautiful stroll is less than a mile, and takes roughly 45 minutes to complete. This walk is ADA accessible and strollers are welcome.
Walking Tours depart 5 times a day, Every day of the week, and are First-Come, First-Serve (no advance reservations.)
MEET YOUR TOUR GUIDE
Meet your Tour Guide at Stop 1, at 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm or 3pm on any day your ticket is valid!
Information on the 2-day Pass Cost $53.25 Now $43.75
DOUBLE VALUE, DOUBLE FUN
With this package, you receive a Double-Deal! Enjoy 2 Days of unlimited sightseeing. You can Hop-On and Hop-Off as you wish over a 48 hour window (2 consecutive days.) Why do I need 2 days? Every loop is a new experience with the live guides providing exciting and educational commentary. You might pass the same sights so get ready for a new twist from our fun and joyous team! Hop-Off to discover shops, bars, parks, and more along the route.
Our Hop-On Hop-Off Tour Services are already a flexible and convenient sightseeing tour of New Orleans. In this package, You can go with the flow and enjoy the tour on your schedule. Hop-On when ready, Hop-Off at your leisure.
Garden District Guided Walking Tour
As you experience the most exciting and educational tour of our city, Hop-Off at Stop 12 for a Guided Walking Tour of New Orleans most elegant neighborhood – The Garden District.
Stroll along with one of City Sightseeing’s experienced local tour guides. The tree-lined historic streets radiate with grace and opulence. You’ll learn about Greek Revival, Italianate, and other architectural styles that characterize the area – and you may be surprised to learn which celebrity homes you’ll see along the way!
This beautiful stroll is less than a mile, and takes roughly 45 minutes to complete. Walk is ADA accessible and strollers are welcome. Walking Tours depart 5 times a day, every day of the week, and are First-Come, First-Serve (no advance reservations.)
MEET YOUR TOUR GUIDE
Meet your Tour Guide at Stop 12, at 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm or 3pm on any day your ticket is valid!
Information on a 1-day Pass Cost $45.25 Now $39.75
New Orleans City Tour on Open-Top Deck
City Sightseeing New Orleans Hop-On Hop-Off highlights the best there is to see & do in New Orleans. Limited on Time? This is the way to start your journey and get the most out of every minute! Our team is excited to welcome you & share all 300 years of history, architecture, and culture through entertaining stories and fun anecdotes!
TOUR AT YOUR OWN PACE
Unlimited Rides – Hop ON & OFF as many times as desired! Valid period starts at the time tickets are printed…Expires 1 or 2 or 3 consecutive days later.
LIVE GUIDED CITY TOUR
Experienced tour guides offer historic and interesting commentary and answer questions. One on every bus and for every walking tour!
DAILY TOURS
Continuous Loop Tour so YOU can decide what time your tour begins and ends. Tour loop is 1 hour 30 minutes.
Buses Visit Each Stop Every 25 minutes
Stay as long as YOU like at each location. You can always catch the next bus! To complete a Full Tour Loop, Hop-On from any stop before 4:00 PM.
RESTAURANT AND ATTRACTION DEALS
Hop-Off and present your ticket to receive deals and discounts at various attractions, restaurants, and gift shops all along the route!
Hop On Hop Off Stops
1 – JACKSON SQUARE – 700 Decatur St.
City Sightseeing Shop & Ticket Office
French Quarter Walking Tour
St. Louis Cathedral & LA State Museums
Steamboat Natchez and Riverboat City of New Orleans Cruise on Toulouse Street Wharf behind Jax Brewery in the French Quarter
2 – FRENCH MARKET – N. Peters St. & Ursulines Ave.
Farmers Market & Flea Market
NOLA Jazz Museum – LA State Museum
3 – MARIGNY BYWATER – Elysian Fields & Royal St.
Frenchmen Street Music Clubs
Crescent Park
JAMNola – Bywater Brew Pub – Much More
4 – TREME – Rampart & Ursulines Ave.
St. Augustine Church
Tomb of the Unknown Slave
Armstrong Park & Congo Square
5 – BASIN ST. STATION Visitor Center – 501 Basin St.
St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 – Tours Offered Daily
City Sightseeing Ticket Desk
Travel Counselors, Restrooms, Gift Shop, Coffee Shop, and more!
Jean Lafitte Swamp Tour Pick Up Location
6 – CANAL STREET – 500 Canal St.
Bourbon Street, Royal Street, Chartres Street
Canal Street Hotels
7 – CAESARS CASINO – Poydras & S. Peters
American Italian Cultural Museum
Italian Piazza
8 – POYDRAS @ LOYOLA – 1100 Poydras Street
Walk-On’s
Copper Vine
9 – ST. CHARLES @ LAFAYETTE – 545 St. Charles Ave.
Gallier Hall
Cafe at the Square
St. Patrick’s Church of 1840
10 – THE NATIONAL WWII MUSEUM – 945 Magazine St.
Ogden Museum of Southern Art
Contemporary Arts Center
Confederate Civil War Museum
11 – MAGAZINE STREET – Magazine St. & Jackson Ave.
Magazine Street Shops and Restaurants
12 – GARDEN DISTRICT on MAGAZINE STREET – Magazine St. & Washington Ave.
Magazine Street Shops and Restaurants
Garden District Walking Tour (Guided Tour, Experience Package)
Sno-La Snowballs
13 – MAGAZINE STREET – Magazine St. & Ninth St.
Magazine Street Shops and Restaurants
14 – ST. CHARLES AVENUE – Louisiana Ave. & St. Charles Ave.
St. Charles Avenue Streetcar
15 – ST. CHARLES AVENUE – 2020 St. Charles Ave.
St. Charles Avenue Streetcar
16 – CONVENTION CENTER – in front of Hall E
Convention Center
Mardi Gras World 10 minutes Walking
17 – ARTS DISTRICT – Julia St. & S. Peters St.
The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk
Julia Street Shops and Galleries
Civil Right’s Museum – LA State Museum
Embassy Suites New Orleans Convention Center
18 – RIVERFRONT | Foot of Canal St. – 2 Canal St.
Paddlewheeler Creole Queen
VUE Orleans Observation Deck
Audubon Aquarium & Insectarium
Shop’s at Canal Place
Mississippi River
Thursday Information
Jazz/Lunch Riverboat Cruise – neworleanssteamboatcompany.com
Cost: $65.00 per person
I am working with the sales manager who has already in the process of generating a Promo Code: Towers that we can use to buy our cruise tickets, and we can use that Promo Code for any of their other services to get a 15% discount. Their Gray Line New Orleans does have Swamp & Bayou Tours and Airboat Tours for those interested.
This two-hour Mississippi River cruise from the heart of the French Quarter shows you why the city was founded on the beautiful crescent of the lower Mississippi River. Let us show you New Orleans, one of the world’s most active ports, from the best view in the city – aboard The Steamboat NATCHEZ and Riverboat City of New Orleans!
Get Off Hop On Hop Off Stop #1 – Boats are tied up at Toulouse Street Wharf, behind Jax Brewery.
MORNING CRUISE
Calliope Concert: 10:30am – 10:45am
Boarding Time: 11:00am
Dockside: 11:00am – 11:30am
Cruising: 11:30am – 1:30pm
Please note, we have two lunch seatings –
First Lunch Seating: 11:00am – 12:00pm
Second Lunch Seating: 12:15pm – 1:15pm
AFTERNOON CRUISE
Calliope Concert: 1:45pm – 2:00pm
Boarding Time: 2:00pm
Dockside: 2:00pm – 2:30pm
Cruising: 2:30pm – 4:30pm
Please note, we have two lunch seatings –
First Lunch Seating: 2:00pm – 3:00pm
Second Lunch Seating: 3:15pm – 4:15pm
Cruise Features:
- Group Rates available for 10 or more adults
- Optional Casual Lunch sampler – prepared fresh on board (menu subject to change due to availability)
- Optional upgrade to a “party package experience” – includes a meal, a reserved and decorated dining table, three alcoholic beverages for adults (unlimited soda & juice for anyone under 21), lanigappe items, and a special sweet treat!
- Live narration of historical facts and highlights of the port
- Riverboat Gift Shop for souvenirs
- Beverage packages available for purchase at check-out
- Children under 6 cruise free with paid adult
- Departs daily from the Toulouse Street Wharf behind Jax Brewery in the French Quarter
- Cocktail, beer and wine options are available for purchase onboard
- Duke Heitger’s Steamboat Stompers Jazz Trio plays each Harbor Cruise
- Non-smoking vessel-both indoors and on the outside decks
The following is a list of those who want to attend the early cruise or the later afternoon cruise. If you are interested in changing the time you would like to go please let use know. I will be asking for you all to make your reservations in a few weeks.
Friday’s Information
National WWII Museum – nationalww2museum.org
Open 0900 – 1700
I am currently working with the group sales to have the ability for us to individually purchase tickets under a group rate for now I have an update to pricing and what is offered below.
The National WWII Museum is a remarkable must-see attraction in New Orleans that illuminates the American experience during World War II. Ranked the #1 attraction in New Orleans on Trip Advisor and recipient three years in a row of the Travelers’ Choice Award, the Museum brings history to life with moving personal stories and powerful interactive displays. Conveniently located in downtown New Orleans, only six blocks (9-10 minute walk) from the hotel or Hop On Hop Off Stop 10. Group Rates
(Rates for 10 people or more)
Here is the list of Shipmates coming to the WWII Museum:
UPDATE FROM WWII Museum Sales
It was a pleasure speaking with you. We would be delighted to have your group join us at the Museum in September!
Each guest will need a Museum Campus Pass, which will give your group access to all permanent and special exhibits. The group rate will be as follows:
- Adult:$34
- Senior: $29
- Student (K-College): $22
- Military: $22
The Museum offers two 4D Films that require an additional ticket. One film can be added to your campus pass for an additional $9 per person, or both films can be added for an additional $12 per person.
- Beyond All Boundaries (48min): Exclusive 4D Film produced and narrated by Tom Hanks. This is the Museum’s flagship attraction.
- Freedom Theater (35min): Our newest 4D Film from that same team that created Beyond All Boundaries based on FDR’s iconic Four Freedoms speech and highlighting the subject matter of new capstone Liberation Pavilion.
Rates subject to change. Sales tax will be added to all ticket purchases at checkout. I will need to know who will be attending the WWII Museum and who is interested in procuring additional Theater/Film tickets. Please shoot an email to usstowersddgnine@gmail.com and let us know so that we can work with sales to purchase tickets online.
Banquet Dinners List:
We are going to calculate the Banquet Dinner rate for those who will be buying dinner for guests. Once we know that rate we will be able to pay for our guest’s dinner through our Ship’s Store on usstowers.com website. I will make that announcement by email and Facebook.
1630 – Everyone brings their auction items to the Hospitality/Banquet Room it will be open.
1700 – 2200/2300 – Cash Bar Open in the Hospitality/Banquet Room
1730 – Start the festivities with our Banquet and Action at the Hospitality/Banquet Room.
Golden Corral List
Swamp Tour List
If you are interested in arranging a swamp tour or airboat ride we will get a 15% discount by using the Promo Code of: Towers. Please let us know so that we can report those shipmates who would like to go and arrange for a date and time. The link to the Gray Line New Orleans is https://www.graylineneworleans.com/swamp-tours/
Here is the list of Shipmates who are interested:
I will need the following information from our Shipmates coming to the Reunion.
I am working on a spreadsheet that is a list of our Shipmates who have already made their reservations. We will be able to update this list from the reservation list that we will get from the hotel. This spreadsheet will also have the information that we will use for printing out Name Badges for the Reunion, Reunion Event Schedule with attendance and to update our membership roster. It will have Last and First Name, Hometown, Spouse/Guest (Please let us know if your Spouse/Guest is not coming. We will be printing them a Name Badge also), Highest Rank you held in the Navy, Rank/Rate while on the USS Towers and Years that you were aboard. I will need to keep this list updated so that we can get the Name Badges printed before the reunion. I will only be sending this list to those who have made their reservations with the Embassy Suites Hotel. If you do not get this list, it is because we do not have a record from the hotel that you have made reservations, in which case please shot me or Thomas Drew a message or email and we will make sure that the Hotel gets you on the USS Towers Reunion list. I will have that list plus questions on who will be attending the various events on the next ‘News on the 9’. Please take a look at the itinerary and get ready to tell me what you are attending.
HOT TOPICS Important Information
– RESERVE YOUR ROOMS NOW: Shipmates, we have the information needed to reserve your room for the USS Towers DDG-9, 2025 Reunion in New Orleans, Louisiana and Shipmates have already started to reserve their rooms. I do ask that everyone reserve their rooms as early as you can. We want to be able to not only fill up the Block of rooms that we have reserved but, to also be able to know that early enough so that we can negotiate another block of rooms at that discounted group rate we have currently negotiated if needed. Anyone that waits until the last minute to reserve a room could potentially not be eligible for the discounted group rate if the reservation is not made by August 21, 2025. It is early…. I realize this but, want to be able to setup the tours as early as we can so that we can lock in prices at the cheapest rate we can. We will do our very best to keep any prices that our Shipmates must incur to a minimum. I have attached the booking link for Shipmates to start booking.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION! PLEASE READ BEFORE USING THIS LINK!!!
Press down control key and Left click to activate the link. You will get the following which covers the 3 days before and the 3 days after the reunion dates of 23-28 September 2025. You will press the Edit Stay and put in the dates you plan to attend.
Roster Update:
Names on the Roster: 580
Names Verified: 165
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
I have to say this has been a very busy couple of months for the USS Towers DDG-9 Association Inc. I will continue to put in the time needed to get our Association Website so that it is useful and has lots of good memories and a Ships Store that works for our shipmates. I am still very excited about the things we are doing and the direction the Association is going in. It is awesome to work with the Executive Board in keeping the tradition of the USS Towers DDG-9 Reunions going forward. I will report further on the venues we have on the schedule and what updates have been made to the USS Towers DDG-9 Association Inc. website, when I pen the next ‘News on the 9’!!!
Very Respectfully
Bob Whapeles, President
USS Towers DDG-9 Association Inc.
usstowersddgnine@gmail.com
usstowers.com