WILD WEST '58 REUNION
(August 3, 2011 update)
The
registration form and other information are provided later in this announcement.
During
our planning efforts we have attempted to accomplish a few general goals,
including:
o Keeping the overall costs
as reasonable as possible.
o Convenience - proximity of
hotel to class events and tourist attractions.
o
Providing plenty of
"free time" to enjoy whatever we want to do; especially
good for spouses who may want something else to do aside from listening to our
old sea stories (again).
o Last, but most important, providing an opportunity for quality fellowship with Classmates. Outlandish embellishment of old stories not only allowed, but encouraged.
There are two things we are requesting that everyone do at the
earliest opportunity
(1)
Call the hotel directly and reserve your room at 619-358-6010),
and then..
(2) Fill out and return the registration form - on this same website - with your check for the items and events indicated, to Mike Chapple (address given at the end of the registration form). (Go to registration form)
Schedule of Events:
Wed 7 Sep 2011 Early-bird registration (Thursday golfers, etc.
Thurs 8 Sep (all-day) General Registration - Holiday Inn On The Bay
Thurs
8 Sep (a.m.)
Golf and other events as individually arranged.
Thurs
8 Sep (6:30 p.m.) Welcoming
Reception at Holiday Inn poolside (with heavy hors d'oeuvres and cash bar)
Fri 9 Sep (6:30-10 p.m.) Class Dinner - Harbor Cruise (cash bar)
Sat 10 Sep (p.m.) Company/battalion parties
Sun
11 Sep (10:00 a.m.) Memorial
Service at Veterans Memorial in Balboa Park, followed by farewells and
reminders for everyone to meet again at our 55th reunion in Annapolis in 2013.
Sunday
and beyond: Optional (informal)
continuation of reunion as individually desired and arranged. Chuck
Smith has invited out-of-towners remaining overnight Sunday to join him and
local classmates at his home in Bonita when he celebrates his 75th birthday.
More information will be promulgated later on this via email to reu
Outside
of the events shown above, the unscheduled periods of time are
"free-time" to allow attendees to be on their own, to do touring or
whatever else they may desire. We have included a list of other optional
events available in the area.
The
time frame of the reunion was selected based on it being after the Labor Day
weekend, the city being maybe a little less crowded at that time, and that it
would not interfere with the Air Force-Navy game the first weekend in October.
The
Holiday Inn On The Bay, as mentioned above, was chosen for location convenience
and relatively moderate cost, including the fact that they have worked with us
better in giving us the best deal. We checked with other hotels, but the more
elaborate ones were a higher cost than we wanted to commit to. In short,
Holiday Inn On The Bay seemed to have the best combination of the features we
desired. For those familiar with the SD area, the hotel is located in
the Embarcadero area, on the landward side of Harbor Drive just across the road
from the Star of India, and Anthony's Fish Grotto, and just a short walk to the
aircraft carrier Midway.
Hotel
information.
Reunion
Registration. Includes name tag
and tee shirt to be provided at our hotel hospitality suite. $20.00 per person.
Welcoming
Reception. At the hotel
poolside. $25.00 per person (heavy
hors d'oeuvres with cash bar).
Golf.
We will be having a Class golf outing on Thursday 8 September at the Sea
and Air Golf Course at North Island Naval Air Station.
Tee Time is 10:30. Cost will
be $34.00 (green fee and cart) and club rental $11.00.
For those desiring to play, please add the required amount to the check
that you send to Mike Chapple with the registration form.
Marty McCullough is our Golf Coordinator, and may be reached at
619-435-2627. We will be
coordinating entry onto the Air Station for those without a military ID card.
Following
are a few of the tourist attractions in town. Some have admission and
other costs associated with them.
-
USS MIDWAY - part of the Maritime museum group of ships, across Harbor
Drive from the hotel. Group tours or events may be scheduled. Other
ships include the Star of India, the Californian (State sailing ship), a Soviet
diesel submarine from the Cold War era, and the Berkeley, a restored ferry.
The MIDWAY is a primary SD "landmark", and we consider it a must-visit
destination for anyone, especially for those having served on board an aircraft
carrier. For aviators, the flight deck is large enough to accommodate all
the hand-waving desired.
-
Sea Port Village - about three blocks away. Good
for walking around, picture-taking and tourist-type
shopping.
-
Old Town Trolley tour. Good way to see some of SD and Coronado.
Trolley will make pick-ups at hotel.
-
Beaches - San Diego, Coronado, and La Jolla.
-
SD Zoo - A large zoo, with the opportunity for lots of walking if desired
. There are tour buses inside the zoo to hop-on/hop-off between exhibits.
-
San Diego Zoo Safari Park. About
35 miles north of downtown SD.
Walking tours
(self-conducted) of several areas of San Diego, including the Embarcadero and
Gaslamp, may be of interest to those who want some extra exercise and a closer
and more personal view of the city.
Weather.
Yes, San Diego historically has great weather, and we expect that to
continue during the reunion. Normal
weather here consists of moderate temperatures with low humidity and very little
chance of rain. Warm (short sleeves)
during the day, but quite cool (sweaters or jackets) after sundown.
However, this will also be the time of year that we may have what
are called "Santa Ana" conditions, when very hot, dry winds run in
from the desert. Sometimes this
lasts for a couple of days. Temperatures
during this condition can get above 100F.
As
a suggestion, since the San Diego area is the home of many USNA alumni of all
classes, and possibly old squadron or ship friends, this might be a good
opportunity to visit them. (Who
knows, we may be able to arrange for a few "wild men" for select '55
and '56-ers. Third Battalion classmates would get first choice).
Well, that's pretty much it. Please think it over soon and let us know with your completed registration form.
The
WWR '58 Committee