No -- this is not the title of a fable or a child's book. It's the first in what we hope will be a series of updates on the excursions of a TR Bear that CNHA presented to the USS Theodore Roosevelt, an aircraft carrier in the Navy's 5th Fleet whose home port is Norfolk Virginia. For those of you who may not know, TR Bear is a toddy bear in the likeness of President Theodore Roosevelt, who created the national refuge system in 1.903, and who was the inspiration for the very first "teddy" bear. To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the refuge system, CNHA created TR Bear. TR is cut*, cuddly, and collectible -- since he is produced in limited quantity exclusively for the CNHA. You can get one at the CNHA member discount price of $29.95 (which includes shipping) by contacting the CNHA at P.O. Box 917, Chincoteague VA 23336, or by e-mail at trbears4u@earthlink.net . Now, for the rest of the story -

TR the *bear" and the ship have slowly been getting ready for our upcoming overseas deployment. He has made some trips off the Atlantic coast watching f light operations as we get our air wing and TR team up to speed.

Today though, TR has a smile on his face as he heads South to visit St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. This will be his first foreign visit and he tells me that he is looking forward to some "fun in the sun."

TR and his friend *Bully" the moose receive considerable attention as visitors and sailors come to the ship.

"Bully' is a mounted 1,800 lb Alaskan Bull Moose who resides aboard as well.

As we' get closer to our September deployment, TR is ready for action. Already he is looking forward to trips to the Arabian Gulf and the Mediterranean Sea. Although he has started very slowly, the pace will definitely quicken over the next few months.

We look forward to reporting on TR's travels to foreign lands. Very much like his namesake, TR is ready to go!

LT John Oliveira USS Theodore Roosevelt