Reunion 2014 – San Diego

Airport Shuttle for San Diego Reunion

 

There will be a free shuttle to you from the Airport to the Hotel to begin the reunion and from the Hotel to the Airport at the end of the reunion.  The airport is not a far distance from the hotel.  I believe it is 4 miles but the hotel does not have a hotel shuttle back and forth.  I was surprised but I guess with a 1000 rooms they would need a fleet of vehicles and drivers.

I am working on options for this transportation and will be reporting  the details on that when I have them.  I am certain I have worked out a plan where you will have an easy to access shuttle ride form the airport to the hotel and from the hotel to the airport and it will be of no extra charge to you.  It will be included in the registration you pay your Association for the reunion event.

Any questions about this call me at 802-728-9806 or email reunion@ussorleck.com

 

Make Reunion Hotel Reservations Here

 
Make Hotel Reservations Here

Rates are open for making reservations one year before the event which is now.   Please make your reservations now.  Your rate per room night is $99 and you are entitled to that same rate 3 days prior to and 3 days following the dates of the reunion on a space available basis.

Convention rates are open one year prior to event and can be made by web link or.  Convention rates of $99 are extended 3 days prior to and 3 days following the dates of the function on a space available basis.

One night room deposit shall be paid to confirm a reservation.  Check in time is 3 PM and checkout time is 11 AM, if rooms are available prior then the attendees may check-in.  Attendees will pay their own rooms, tax and incidentals incurred by them at hotel.

Make Reservation by Phone:  Call  toll free number 1-800-772-8527.  This number takes you right to the hotel and not to a national number where the agent might have no idea about the reunion event.    Things have changed and the hotel is under new management.  This number now will at times when reservations is closed at the hotel, take you to a national number.   The sad part is that they do not seem to be able to recognize that we have an event coming up at the Town and Country at San Diego (they answer for many hotels) and they cannot even refer us to the reservation number at the hospital.  So here is what you need to do.  If you get no satisfaction call back and ask for the sales department during business hours.  If you have any problems at all then contact Bob at 802-728-9806.  In fact contact Bob in any event so he can work to cure the problems.  When you do get someone at the hotel make sure that you inform them that you are calling for reservations for the DESTROYER USS ORLECK ASSOCIATION reunion to be held August 11-15, 2014.

 

 

Plan of the Day

 

SAN DIEGO REUNION PLAN OF THE DAY

(last updated on August 9, 2014)

Important notice:  Our group was supposed to be located totally in the Regency Tower.  Somehow this did not happen and people have been assigned to other buildings.  We have reduced the inconvenience as much as possible and hope you enjoy your stay.  Most of your days will be spent away from rooms anyway.  If you have any questions ask Bob.  His room is 2124.  Also his cell is 802-565-0340.  You can call him any time day or night if you have a problem.  If you are not satisfied with your location you can reach out to the front desk and ask for the manager on duty and see if there have been any openings developed in the Regency Tower.  The likelihood of rooms opening is greater tomorrow August 10 than on August 9.   If those rooms become available and you want to move, let the front desk clearly know and they can accomplish that for you.

August 10, 2014 (Sunday) Plan of the day

Action Items:

  1. Breakfast by coupon.
  2.  The hospitality room will be open depending on having a volunteer to monitor the room!

Information Items:

  1. The reunion has not begun officially but you might like to gather in our beautiful hospitality room so it will be open for your use. There may or may not be refreshments there that day so plan to bring your own.  The room may open as early as 3 PM on Sunday but the room will only be kept open during this time if there is a volunteer to monitor the room so be willing to volunteer from time to time please.
  2. There is an elevator that takes us to the hospitality room and when it is not being used or when we cannot find someone to take responsibility for the security of the room it will be locked. In fact the elevator will probably be shutdown for that floor as well.
  3. If you are registered at the hotel before or after the reunion ends a coupon should have been provided to you for your breakfast each morning you are there.  From the 11th-15th breakfast will be served each morning in the hospitality room but for you who have registered before those dates or are stay after those dates, you will need the coupons for breakfast in the Terrace Cafe.  If you are not offered these coupons when you check in, make sure to ask for them.  .

August 11, 2013 (Monday) Plan of the day

Action Items:

  1. 6:30 AM-8:30 AM breakfast will be served in the hospitality room
  2. 6:30 AM-4:00 PM the hospitality room will be open.
  3. 11:00 AM-Registration finalization officially begins in hospitality room.
  4. 1200 PM-Pizza, soda and snacks will be available in hospitality room. Serve yourself. No Charge.
  5. 4:00 PM the registration ends.
  6. 4:00 PM-to end of banquet-hospitality room closed.
  7. 4:00 PM-5:30 PM rest and get ready to attend banquet in Regency Ball Room.
  8. 5:30 PM-6:30 PM there will be a beer, wine and hors d’oeuvress reception in Regency Ball Room
  9. 6:30 PM– Cash bar will be open.
  10. 6:30 PM-Please be seated for dinner.
  11. 6:30 PM-6:45 PM-Sea Cadets Color Guard,  POW/MIA table recognition (XO Phil King)
  12. 6:30 PM-Chaplain will offer a dinner prayer.
  13. 6:45 PM dinner is served (place your dinner selection tent cards on table for wait staff)
  14. 7:30 PM-9:30 PM Evening program.
  15. End of banquet-11:59 the hospitality room will be open if we have a volunteer.

Information Items

  1. During Hospitality Room opening you will receive your name badge, a packet of information that will have up-to-the-minute information on the reunion and how you can best negotiate through the event and take advantage of what is offered to you.
  2. The pizza lunch is provided to you as part of your registration packet so please feel free to enjoy it as well as any snacks and drinks provided. You have paid for it.
  3. At 4:00 PM the hospitality room will be locked so everyone can have the opportunity to finalize check-in at the hotel, rest and get ready for our evening dinner event.
  4. The hotel has graciously provided us with a no charge beer, wine and hors’ devourer’s reception for one hour prior to our dinner.
  5. Throughout the reception and dinner we will be treated to the wonderful classical guitar sounds of Miles Moynier
  6. There will be dinner choices of Steak, Salmon, Chicken or Vegetarian. You have made that choice when registering. Be sure to place your dinner selection tent card on your table in front of your plate.
  7. After dinner is complete, there will be a speaking program.
  8. In addition to our special program where a number of our sailors will speak we will have a drawing for the early registration room nights and will have an auction of the “monkey fist” and other items to raise funds that are necessary to make this reunion a success.
  9. The hospitality room will be open after the dinner program if there is someone willing to take responsibility for the security of the room.

August 12, 2014 (Tuesday) Plan of the day

Action Items:

  1. 6:30 AM-8:30 AM Breakfast in Hospitality Room
  2. 6:30 AM-8:45 AM hospitality room will be open.
  3. 8:45 AM hospitality room will be closed so all can prepare to board buses.
  4. 9:15 AM Board Buses
  5. 9:30 AM the buses depart for the San Diego Maritime Museum
  6. 10:00 AM-11:30 AM-Self guided tour of San Diego Maritime Museum
  7. 11:30 AM-Luncheon at Maritime Museum
  8. 12:45 PM we will board buses
  9. 1:00 PM the buses depart for USS MIDWAY
  10. 1:15 PM or upon arrival gather on pier of USS MIDWAY for group photo op.
  11. 2:30 PM-3:30 PM Memorial Service on flight deck.
  12. 3:30-5:15 PM self guided tour of USS MIDWAY
  13. 5:30 PM board buses for Town and Country
  14. Dinner on your own.
  15. 8:00 PM-12:00 PM hospitality open if we have a volunter..

Information Items:

  1. The day will begin at the San Diego Maritime Museum where you will spend the morning touring the ships and other fine exhibits.
  2. We will have a catered lunch at the Museum and then board buses to take us to the USS MIDWAY.
  3. Upon arrival we will go immediately to the designated area where a group photo will be taken and then upon completion of photo immediately to the area where the Memorial Service will begin for our Memorial Service that will be led by our Chaplain Joe Correia.  Do not begin touring until the Memorial Service is completed.  If you have a few minutes before the Service begins, please be patient and stay in the area.
  4. For those wondering how they will get to the flight deck, there is an elevator that will take you right to the top. For those needing wheel chairs, we will work to arrange that if you let us know.

August 13, 2014 (Wednesday) Plan of the day

Action Items:

  1. 6:30-8:30 AM breakfast in the hospitality room.
  2. 6:30 AM-12:00 PM hospitality room will be open
  3. 8:30-10:00 AM business meeting in hospitality room.
  4. 10:00 AM presentation about Destroyer USS ORLECK Association website.
  5. 10:00 AM-12:30 is free time for those not choosing the website presentation.
  6. 12:00-2:00 PM Luncheon with great local entertainment served outside at “Charlie’s Patio”.
  7. 2:00-remainder of day-free time-dinner on your own
  8. 2:30-4:30 PM continuation of recording of shipmate time aboard for posterity. (Hospitality Room)
  9. 2:30 PM-4:30 PM Hospitality Room open.
  10. 4:30-11:59 PM the hospitality Room may be open. (this is very tentative depending on volunteers)

Information Items:

  1. The day is really yours to stay around the beautiful grounds of the Town and Country in the morning, have a breakfast in the hospitality room followed by our business meeting to elect officers and to decide where the next reunion will be.
  2. During your free time in the morning you will have choices. You could walk to the upscale Shopping Center, Fashion Valley Mall, just minutes’ walk from the hotel or just spend time in the hospitality room or other hotel areas. During the time after the business meeting until the luncheon at Charlie’s Patio there will be a presentation of the Association website and its many features by Bob Orleck. If you leave the resort area, you should not plan to go too far afield because of the great lunch at 12:00 that is a part of your paid package.  It is not just a lunch but a special lunch.
  3. At 12:00 this fine lunch including beautiful Spanish music from our talented Miles Moynier. The menu consists of:

Southwest Caesar Salad (Fresh Parmesan and Garlic Croutons)

Town and Country Taco Bar (Spiced Chicken & Beef, Soft Corn & Flour Tortillas, Refried Beans & Mexican Rice, Shredded Lettuce, Diced Tomatoes, Red Onions, Sliced Black Olives, Mild and Hot Peppers, Shredded Jack & Cheddar Cheeses, Sliced Radishes, Cilantro Sprigs, Sour Cream, and our famous Salsa

Chef’s Mexican Sweet Table (plus Freshly Brewed Coffee, Decaffeinated Coffee & Tea)

  1. The remainder of the day is yours. You could come to the hospitality room if you would like to record for posterity a audio/video recollection of your time aboard USS ORLECK. There will be a sign-up sheet for this at the registration table on Monday when we finalize registration. Or you could spend the rest of the day all to yourself in San Diego. This is a great time to get away and see some of what San Diego offers. Would suggest a trip to “old town” for dinner and fun. There are great shopping centers close by also, You can get assistance from the hotel concierge. Some things you can walk to or possibly line up the hotel shuttle if it is available or you can ride the MTS that will take you about anywhere you want to go in the city.
  2. There is a fine golf course next door to the hotel and a special rate package is available if you are interested.
  3. Dinner is on your own. Trellises at the hotel is a wonderful restaurant with fine dining and there is a discount from your passport that was provided. Worth doing at least once. There are some specials that we will make known to you on this night.

August 14, 2014 (Thursday) Plan of the day

Action Items:

  1. 6:30-8:30 AM Breakfast in the hospitality room.
  2. 9:30 AM-Board buses to 32nd Street Naval Base
  3. 10:00 AM-12:00 PM-Tour live Navy ships.
  4. 12:00 PM-Board buses
  5. 1230-1:45 PM-Lunch at Tom Ham’s Lighthouse Restaurant.
  6. 1:45 -Board buses and tour of San Diego.
  7. 3:00-4:15 PM-Visit to San Diego Veteran’s Museum and a special ceremony.
  8. 4:30 PM-Board buses for continuation of tour.
  9. 5:30 PM Board the Hornblower “Adventure”for San Diego Bay dinner cruise.
  10. 6:00-8:45 PM–Dinner on the private for us only Hornblower Adventure yacht and entertainment with Jeff Abbit, “below average” juggler, magician and comedian.
  11. 9:00 PM-Board buses and return to the Town and Country.
  12. 9:30 PM -12:00 AM-Hospitality room open.

Information Items:

  1. We will get fueled up in the hospitality room with breakfast. Take special note of the breakfast hours. They can vary from day to day.
  2. At 9:15 we will board buses to take us for tours of live Navy Ships at 32nd street.  At present we have been assigned three different ships to tour. The USS LAKE CHAMPLAIN (CG 57), the USS SAMPSON (DDG 102) and the USS RUSHMORE (LSD 47). Upon registration you can choose which ship you want to visit (only one ship per person) on a first come first serve basis. There will be colored stickers that designate the ship you chose and that color will correspond to the bus you will ride. You are use the same bus the entire day.
  3. We have arranged lunch at Tom Ham’s Lighthouse restaurant where you can sit, enjoy great food right on the water.
  4. We have a charted a vessel, the Hornblower Adventure, a 300 passenger yacht to ourselves for a three hour dinner cruise. Because we have the entire yacht we can control the agenda and make sure we are at the active Navy ships at the close of day.
  5. The dinner cruise will be a highlight for those who have come and gone from San Diego Bay on USS ORLECK or other ships. We should be able to witness “evening colors” when 5 minutes before the sun sets the bugle “First Call” is sounded, the word “Execute” (aboard ship) and the bugle call ‘Retreat” is played. The Ensign is started down slowly. All within earshot face the ensign and salute during the playing of “Retreat” or the National Anthem then 3 blasts is sounded on the ship’s whistle.
  6. We have fine entertainment despite the expectation lowering name of our comedian, juggler and magician.  His task will be to mix and mingle with you and hopefully dazzle you with his talents.   There will be no program on the ship and his work will be done right at your table or where he encounters you on the yacht.

August 15, 2014 (Friday) Plan of the day

Action Items:

  1. 0630-0830 Breakfast in the hospitality room.
  2. 0830-0930 Church Service
  3. 0930-Good-byes until we meet again.

Information Items:

Have a safe trip home.

Registration Form Information

 

2014 San Diego Registration Form Information

Go back to San Diego Reunion Information

REGISTRATION FORM

We want to encourage you to register early.  It helps so much in the planning.  If you need to withdraw from the reunion for any reason up to 5 days prior to the event you will receive a full refund.  If you withdraw within 5 days of the reunion you will be refunded the full amount if possible.  The only amount not refundable if withdrawal is during that 5 day period is any amount that your Association paid for your attendance that could not be recouped.  So you can see there is no need to wait until you figure out if you will be free to attend or the need to wait for any eventuality.

The cost per person for the events actually exceeds the regular registration rate of $299 per person.  We charge less for children to encourage folks to bring theirs and their grandchildren.   The incentives for early registration have to be paid for in some way.  We do get some concessions from the hotel which help but we still need other sources.   With incidental costs and the special things we need to raise extra money.  To enable us to do that we make up the difference with our auctions, raffles and sales of merchandise and hotel incentives. Your willingness and generosity in the past to bring and sell items, offer them for raffle and auction and pay dues and gifts has enabled us to maintain a modest bank account of about $5000 that we use if necessary to supplement the reunion events or pay for any unexpected situation.  We are hopeful to come out of this reunion with that amount and maybe a little more so we are set for the next reunion.  We are not about money but we are about having quality reunions at the most affordable rate possible, however, as much as we would prefer to charge nothing there must be a fee to cover the costs.   $299 is the the regular rate for adults.  $199 for children 5 up to 13 and under 5 are not charged.  We have some incentives to help make the reunion even more affordable that will also encourage early registration.   The early registration involves two approaches, early registration rates as well as eligibility for winning free room nights at the hotel.

Early registration rates are $279 for adults all inclusive for those registering by January 31, 2014.  Adult registration rates for those registering after January 31, 2014 will pay the regular registration rate of $299.

Early registration drawing for free room nights at Town and Country.  There will be 4 such drawings, one on each night of the reunion.  On night one a lucky person will win 4 room nights, on night two a person will win 3 room nights, on day 3 and 4 someone will win 2 room nights on each of those evenings.  Those registering before November 1, 2013 will be eligible for the 1st night drawing and any who do not win will be eligible for subsequent drawings.  Those registering before February 1, 2014 will be eligible for the 2nd night drawing and any who do not win will be eligible for subsequent drawings.  Those registering before April 1, 2014 will be eligible for drawings on nights 3 and 4 along with those from the other nights who did not win on those nights.

This form is for your registration for the events of the reunion, including your breakfasts, 4 lunches, 2 banquets, reunion transportation, event admission, entertainment, refreshments in hospitality room, name badges, and all the materials that are related to the reunions.

You will need to make reservations at the hotel directly for your rooms. You are responsible for your room real and any incidental costs you incur while there.

I have provided the above for instructive value and encouragement for you to register early and to get your friends to do the same.  You will see the link to the registration form below this sentence.

REGISTRATION FORM 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

San Diego Reunion (golf anyone?)

 
The Riverwalk Golf Course

 

 

The Riverwalk Golf Course

Adjacent to the Town and Country, a beautiful and challenging golf course includes:

  • $69.00 for hotel guests and $95.00 for non hotel guests
  • 27-hole championship golf course
  • Website to book tee times online
  • Lighted double-sided driving range with target greens
  • New clubhouse with a fully equipped golf shop
  • Elegant restaurant and tournament banquet area
  • Premium rental equipment
  • Tee times available through the hotel concierge

San Diego Chosen to be 2014 Reunion

 

Time has passed all too quickly since our last reunion in Northern Kentucky.   It has been over one year since we said “goodbye” to each other and promised that we would get together once again in two years in San Diego.  Some will not be able to keep that promise for reasons out of their contol.   One thing that we do not want to happen is for someone not to come because the message about the upcoming reunion did not reach them or if it did, did not interest them.  We are going to San Diego again and that in and of itself should drive people to get their reservations made at the hotel and get their registrations into the Association.  Fill out the registration form and send it to DESTROYER USS ORLECK DD 886 ASSOCIATION, P.O. BOX 213, Randolph, VT 05060.  Contact the hotel and make your reservations now.

It is best to register early because there will be some incentives to do so.  Early registration helps us plan for the events and insures that the things we contracted for will be sufficient for the numbers who register.  If for any reason you have to withdraw later, you can do so without penalty and you can cancel your hotel reservation up to 48 hours before the reunion begins.  So what have you got to lose?  Early registration will make you eligible for free nights stay at our Town and Country during the reunion.  Early registrants will also get a reduced rate.

I have provided a way for you to share these posts, copy them or e-mail them to others.  Below each post you will see those options. Just click on one and follow the instructions.  By doing this, we can get the word out to lots of folks.  Also please forward on the notice to be posted in newspapers, military magazines, website advertising reunions and anywhere else you can think of.    You will be seeing many more posts on this upcoming reunion so come and visit daily.  Leave comments on most posts, post on the guestbook or go to the forum and post.  You can also post on our facebook page.  Lets not leave any stone unturned looking for shipmates and getting the word to them about this San Diego reunion.

 

San Diego Reunion Press Release

 
Spread the word

The DESTROYER USS ORLECK DD 886 ASSOCIATION will meet in reunion August 11-15, 2014 in San Diego at the Town and Country Resort.  For information and registration forms contact Bob Orleck, P.O. Box 213, Randolph, Vermont 05060 or email to reunion@ussorleck.com.  You can also find complete information and forms at http://www.ussorleck.com.  You can call Bob for information at 802-728-9806 if you need more or need clarification.

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