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“The Tripoli Reunion News”
December 2002
Greetings Tripolinos!
Where has the time gone? The
2003 Tripoli Reunion is less than a
year away and I am already starting to
panic. So much has happened in the
world since the 2001 Reunion I
thought I would bring you up to date
on how this impacted me, and how it
impacted the 2003 Reunion planning.
One week after the reunion, we
went on vacation to Florida with our
neighbors for some much-needed
time away from job and day-to-day
stress in general. Upon our return, we
checked our telephone voice mail and
we were surprised to find two telephone
messages from the Federal
Bureau of Investigation (F.B.I.) in
which they indicated they wanted to
“talk” with me (not over the phone either)
about the “Tripoli Reunion”. My
wife and daughter were shaken by the
messages and the fact that the F.B.I.
had been to our house to “talk” with
me. After one neighbor noticed a couple
of people looking around the outside
of our house, the news spread to
the rest of our neighbors which gave
them all of the material they needed to
harass me. They also thought it was
funny to act like they didn’t know me
for a couple of weeks (or, at least I
think they were joking).
There isn’t much point in boring
you with the details of my “talk”/
meeting with the F.B.I. except that
they kept insisting, “I had nothing to
worry about.” Yet, I was concerned
and asked them, “If I have nothing to
worry about, why do you need to
speak with me in person?” They advised,
“It was a matter of national security.”
The F.B.I. said they received a tip
that “I might be accepting money from
Qaddafi for the reunion”, or “we could
be a conduit for exchanging ‘high tech’
information" (I am not kidding!). I assured
them we were not receiving
funds (I offered to let them review our
expenditures and bank account), and I
explained the purpose of the reunion
and how I got to be president (I assured
them it had nothing to with
power, influence, prestige or
intelligence).
While the whole series of events
surrounding my interview with the F.B.
I. was extremely comical at times, it
was not as amusing after 11 September.
Strange as it may seem this brings
us to planning the 2003 Tripoli Reunion.
The reunion committee always
tries to be mindful and considerate of
what we believe and hear the general
membership want from the reunion.
Don Ray has written an excellent column
on this matter in this newsletter.
We believe most every one wants us
to simply offer a forum to meet and
renew old friendships and acquaintances
in keeping with Dale Scott’s original
intent of the reunion format. We
purposely try to keep it simple and
inexpensive.
That said, we have heard
some complain there isn’t enough to
do and that they are bored with the
location/facility/Houston. Therefore,
we considered moving the reunion to
New Orleans, San Antonio or Dallas.
The committee jointly developed a set
of criteria to more effectively evaluate
the cities and hotels. We solicited initial
pricing indications form the Hyatt
hotels in each city because we have
had a long relationship and track record,
which is helpful when negotiating
pricing. Obviously, New Orleans
and San Antonio are exciting places,
but they are extremely expensive, and
we did not feel comfortable spending
your money until we could discuss
these options with you at the next reunion.
Dallas was intriguing due to the
estimated cost, proximity to Houston
and the fact that the reunions began in
Dallas. Unfortunately after touring the
Hyatt facility, it obviously was too
large and impersonal.
Undaunted, we contacted three
other hotels, visited the facilities, gave
them the reunion parameters and
asked them to provide quotations. All
things considered, we are extremely
pleased to confirm the 2003 Tripoli
Reunion will again be held at the Hyatt
Regency Houston Intercontinental
Airport from 17 to 21 July 2003. In
view of last year’s, events we also
thought it would be a good idea to be
in familiar surroundings (familiarity is
good for now). Moreover, moving the
reunion, we feel, should be your decision.
Now we must quickly make
plans for this reunion. Anyone that
saw the slide show last year about
Ghadames and heard the absolutely
perfect musical accompaniment couldn’t
help but be transported back to
Libya. We expect to arrange a similar
slide show again for the Saturday afternoon
reception. Additionally in an
effort to recreate the Bowl-arena’s
belly dancing show, we are hoping to
have a similar show for the Saturday
night dance (any volunteers will be
welcome). Speaking of the Saturday
night dance, it was incredibly fun last
year, which we hope to duplicate with
the same D.J., and we have several
ex-Tripolinos offering to form a band
to play live. We also are planning to
raffle a free room and perhaps two,
depending on the interest. Please
read the newsletter for details on the
free room, pre registration prices and
other reunion information.
We are excited about the
2003 Tripoli Reunion (as the early indications
and feedback are very good)
and we cannot express how much joy
you bring to everyone by your attendance.
Encourage your family and
friends to attend. Seasons Greetings!
We look forward to seeing you there!
Best regards,
Gary Reinsch
President
Tripoli Reunion Association
P.S. Molly and Claire, where are you?
We miss you!!

Friend Fest 2003
Well folks, we’re starting
the countdown to
the next TRIPOLI RE-
UNION but there is still
plenty of time to plan.
It will be July 17 th -20 th ,
2003 at the Hyatt Regency
Houston Airport Hotel.
(Same location as the previous reunion.)
Room rates will be approximately
$70/night and preregistration
will be approximately
$25.
Let me clarify the confusion that
seems to surround the two reunions:
The TRIPOLI REUNION
It is NOT an “Oil Company” thing.
It IS an excuse for all of us that
spent time in Libya to get together,
every other year, and visit. To
spell it out more clearly I mean
PARENTS (Oil Company, Military,
Embassy, etc) STUDENTS (Oil
Company School, Wheelus)
TEACHERS … EVERYBODY!
The only “planned” events are a
group gathering Saturday afternoon
and a dance that night. We
try to keep costs low so no one has
an excuse not to come. Room
rates are reasonable in hopes that
most, if not all of you wills stay at
the hotel. (I really want to implore
“locals” to stay at the hotel; it will
help keep costs low and give us a
chance to visit longer.) We normally
go to the pool after the bar
closes and gab some more. Some
stay ‘till the wee wee hours of the
morning. If you happen to be on a
budget (like most of us), bring your
cooler filled with KFC, sandwiches
and of course, your beverage of
choice. Come to the Hyatt for a
mini vacation away from yard work
and chores!
I’ve heard people say: “I don’t remember
anyone or anything about
Libya, it was too long ago.” Give
us a couple of days next year and I
think we can change that.
Come meet old friends and revive
those memories of weevils in your
cereal, camels’ heads in the meat
market and hamburgers made from
“mystery meat”. Places called
Suq-al-Juma, Ghadamas, Sabratha,
Guys and Joe’s and
Chicken on Wheels. Where the
golf course “greens” were oiled
sand and the TEEN CLUB was not
a “place to go” but a way of life!!!
We’ll sit in and around the pool after
dark and remember the warm
Mediterranean and the equally
warm “Bebsi Cola”. Remember
that first love and good friends that
were there to help you through
your first broken heart, and Christmas
thousands of miles away from
family.
THE WHEELUS REUNION.
We now refer to it as the All
Schools Reunion. It is open to all
teachers and ex-students that did,
would or should have gone to
Wheelus. If you like a structured
get together, this is your cup of tea.
The group that puts this on really
goes all out. There are dinners
and cocktail parties and the locations
have been excellent. (Dallas,
New Orleans, San Antonio.) In the
past, the groups have been a bit
smaller so you get a chance to visit
a little more intimately. We always
have a great time.
Rumor has it that the reunion might
be held at Moody Gardens in Galveston,
TX in cool weather of
2004. (Even more time to plan).
The decisions are not yet final and
are subject to change; I’ll keep you
posted as details become more
concrete. Hey, here’s an idea!!!!!
LET’S GO TO THEM BOTH!!!!!
Will I see you there? Come on, I’m
not beyond begging!!!
PLEAZZZZZZZZZZ!?
Now that the BI’NESS is done, it’s
time for a little B.S. It looks like
bunches of you in the class of ’70
are turning the BIG FIVE-OH this
year. Well, Happy Birthday to you
and to every one that celebrated a
birthday (what ever your age) in
2002! Just remember, no matter
how bad it gets, every year above
ground is a good year.
Best regards,
Don Ray
POSTCARDS
FROM THE EDGE
If do not pre-register or plan to attend,
please fill out the enclosed
post card so we will be able to
have your current information for
our address book.
If you are pre-registering there is
no need to fill out the postcard, the
information needed will be provided
on the registration form.
Please feel free to let your overseas
family and friends know that
we have a Tripoli Reunion Address
Book for anyone that is interested.
Page 2
“The Tripoli Reunion News”

December 2002
Tripoli Reunion 2003
The Tripoli Reunion is being held in Houston, Texas at the
Hyatt Regency Houston Airport
15747 John F. Kennedy Blvd.
Houston, Texas 77032
Phone: (281) 987-1234—Fax: (281) 590-8461
Room rates: Single Occupancy: $70.00—Double Occupancy: $70.00—Triple Occupancy: $70.00—
Quad Occupancy: $70.00—Suite: $325.00
Dates: July 17-21, 2003
The only organized event will be a get together Saturday afternoon and a dance that evening.
You can Pre-register now by filling out and mailing the form below to:
Tripoli Reunion
P.O. Box 924523
Houston, Texas 77292-4523
Debbie Piwetz’s Phone: (713) 688-6511
Gary Reinsch’s Phone: (281) 937-0656
Tripoli Reunion 2003 Early Registration Form
The early registration cost is $25.00 per person
($30.00 at the door)
Yes, I
Name
plan on attending the Reunion.
Address
Phone Number:
Maiden Name (if applicable):
Email:
Guest(s) Name(s):
I would like to enter the raffle with
(# of tickets) at $5.00 each
(If you pre-register with two tickets you will receive a free raffle ticket)
GRAND TOTAL ENCLOSED: $
Volume 1
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Tripoli Reunion
P.O. Box 924523
Houston, Texas 77292-4523