Hi Shipmates,
We had a great reunion due to Sister’s great effort and Larry even helped a little. Thanks again, a big “Well Done”.
Also, thanks to Roy Hoffman, Under his leadership the association added new members, the treasury grew and we had a successful fun reunion.
I am looking forward to a great year for our association. We have a whole year to locate more of our shipmates and many of them are now retired or empty nester and can more easily attend the reunion. I have thoroughly enjoyed the reunions and if we can convey that message to our shipmates I believe that many more will join us.
When we voted to have the next reunion in South Dakota I was a little skeptical. I thought I had better check it out So, last June we met the Weavers there. They are very familiar with the area and gave us the grand tour and man was I surprised. There is a lot to do there and the area is beautiful.
Hope to see all the regulars and many first timers there,
Bob Franklin, Mess cook extrordinare
NEXT REUNION 22-26 SEPTEMBER 2013, RAPID CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA
Lodging at the Grand Gateway Hotel
1721 North Lacrosse Street
Rapid City, SD 57701
866 742 1300 or 605 342 1300
Room Rate $89.00 plus tax. Same price for the 20th , 21st, 27th and 28th.
Sunday, September 22nd, 2013: Registration in Hospitality room
Monday, September 23, 2013: Black Hills tour, Breakfast, supper and evening show included. Board bus at 0700. Travel to Fort Hays (about 20 minutes) for breakfast. Re-board bus for tour of Mt. Rushmore, Black Hills and Custer State Park where we will eat lunch (on our own) at Custer lodge. Continue touring after lunch with a stop at Crazy Horse Memorial. Return to Fort Hays for supper and show. The bus makes several stops along the way for pictures, shopping, and restroom breaks. Return to hotel.
Tuesday, September 24, 2013: Free Day: The hotel can provide a shuttle to city tour, shops, museums, Black Hills gold shops, and shopping mall. Also, transportation can be arranged to Wall Drugs.
Wednesday, September 25, 2013: Memorial Service Board bus at 0815. Memorial Service at Black Hill VA Cemetery, site seeing through Spearfish Canyon, then spend the afternoon in Deadwood. Lunch will be on our own.
Thursday, September 26, 2013: Business Meeting 0900 Business meeting for shipmates and guests. Afternoon free. 1800 Banquet and auction.