Plan-of-the-Day has been updated. Main update involves the change on Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings with the breakfasts, Saturday’s business meeting and Sunday’s church service, all of which will take place in the hotel ball room on those days. The hospitality room will be used solely as a hospitality room. Updates in red.
Request: Due to wind and rain, the very short walk from the DoubleTree Hotel to the Village Bread Cafe for our Friday night banquet, Memorial Service, will be problematic for some. Will those willing to use their personal vehicle to transport some people this short 500-foot distance to allow them to exit the hotel and enter the Cafe building under cover, and to do transport from the Cafe to the hotel at the end, let Bob Orleck know during Thursday’s completion of registration in the DeLeon room.
Destroyer USS ORLECK DD 886 Association
2022 Jacksonville Reunion Schedule
November 10th, 11th, and 12th
Plan-of-the Day (POD)
This reunion was prepared and together as was reported on the first draft of the POD, but the weather had other plans.
The JAX Veterans Day Parade has been canceled by the Mayor of Jacksonville but even before that, I realized that the rain situation would be too much for us to handle. So, I put into motion some changes that came about because I found a great friend in a provider by the name of Kelly Harris. I have worked with him to put together the best possible modification of this reunion so it will be close to our hotel and will provide for our needs that were lost as a result of the storm. It is more than just providing. It makes this reunion.
Kelly owns the Village Bread Café, which can be found by walking to the right on the River Walk down from the DoubleTree. The walk goes a short distance to a 30 story building and you can follow the concrete path right to the entry and inside you will find the Café. There is no name outside but you will have no problem finding the Café after you enter the doors.
For those arriving early, I have arranged with Kelly to offer the “USS ORLECK DD 886 sailor breakfast” for $9.99 (eggs, bacon, hashbrowns, toast and coffee). In addition, we will be using this fine location and Kelly’s catering business to present you with a light lunch on Friday and later with an awesome event.
Things can still change, so stay alert to announcements and on-line directions as the reunion proceeds. Changes can occur anytime during the reunion. These will be brought to your attention in diverse ways so always have your eyes and ears open. If you are in doubt, ask! Call or text Bob at 802-565-0340.
Thursday – November 10, 2022
07:00 AM At Village Bread Café ask for the special USS ORLECK’s sailor’s breakfast and enjoy eggs the way you like them, bacon, hashbrowns, toast and coffee for just $9.99 per person. This has Bob Orleck’s personal endorsement.
09:00 AM Hospitality Room opens, and Shipmate interview conducted by Jerry Smith begin. (Sign up)
10:00 AM Finalization of registration begins
12:30 PM V’S Pizza service begins in Hospitality Room
4:00 PM Hospitality room closes to prepare for dinner
5:30 PM Beer, wine and cheese reception.
6:00 PM Dinner is served in hotel ball room
6:45 PM Welcoming by President Ben Loder
6:55 PM Prayer by Chaplain Joe Correia
7:10 PM Remarks by Bob Orleck be a drawing for free night’s stay at hotel. (Must be present to win)
7:30 PM Rear Admiral John Bepko requested the floor
7:40 PM Jerry Smith-Guest Speaker
8:10 PM Entertainment by Marie Mazziotti Airline canceled flight
Friday – November 11, 2022
6:30-8:30 Breakfast in hotel ball room.
Hospitality Room remains open for fun and fellowship.
11:00 AM Lite Lunch at the Village Bread Café and free time after that until you will return to the Village Bread Café for a great event. (½ sandwich and soup is offering). Free time after breakfast until 2:30 PM.
2:30 PM Short walk back to the Village Bread Café (ride in personal vehicles-see request above) with an event that includes your Memorial Service, Marie Mazziotti, a disk jockey playing 60’s and 70’s hits and a fine dinner that features for entrees, rib eye steak, salmon, and chicken with mango sauce as well as wonderful accompaniments. Signature bread pudding brings people from far and wide to eat here. There will be a drawing for free night stay at hotel. (You must be present to win)
6:30 PM Board River Taxi at DT for Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts for a special symphony Requiem Concert (be alert to changes in this transportation)
9:00 PM Symphony over, board River Taxi for return to the DoubleTree and Marriott Hotels
Saturday – November 12, 2022
7:00-9:00 AM Breakfast in ballroom
8:00-9:00 AM Actors Gary and Michelle entertaining with a virtual St. Augustine Tour
Colonial presenter and Flagler presenter. *At this dinner we will have a drawing for free nights at the hotel.
9:00 AM Business meeting in hotel ball room
8:00 AM Salute to Veterans Run 5k 2022 at pier of USS ORLECK *
11:00 AM River Taxi will be providing trips over to the USS ORLECK.
1:00 PM Box lunch provided.
2:30 PM Board River Taxi from DoubleTree for one hour narrated sightseeing tour then to the DoubleTree
4:50 PM Short walk next door to the Museum of Natural History (MOSH) and be seated for dinner.
5:30 PM Dinner is served at MOSH
6:30 PM A special guest from the past will be in visitation with us. (Gary Sass presenter)
7:00 PM Planetarium program followed by coffee and dessert to die for.
8:30 PM Return to the DoubleTree by River Taxi in a 15-minute loop romantic moonlight cruise.
*You will not be able to be at the entertainment and the Salute to Veterans Run since they both begin at the same time.
Sunday – November 13th, 2022
6:30 AM-8:30 AM Buffet breakfast in ball room.
8:30 AM-9:15 AM Church service led by our Chaplain Joe Correia.
9:15 AM Reunion official concluded.
11:00 AM Checkout time.