Valley Forge Pennsylvania Reunion 2003

Well shipmates, we are headed to the Keystone State in 2003. I think we have worked out just about the best package possible. The contract is signed with the hotel, and registration packages have already started to come in. My highest priority in selecting a hotel has always been the enthusiasm and professionalism of the staff and the condition of the property. I also wanted to keep the 2003 room rate in the $80.00 - $90.00 range so as many crewmembers as possible would be able to afford to attend. We visited quite a few hotels while we were in Valley Forge and many of them were excellent prospects. The very last property we looked at was the Sheraton Park Ridge Hotel and Conference Center. It was a last minute addition from the CVB, in fact, we were on our way back to Virginia Beach when the front desk handed us a note from Holli at the CVB

Unfortunately, the sales manager at the Park ridge was not available and since I showed up without an appointment, I was unable to do any negotiating. But, I did tour the property and from what I saw, I was certain that if the rates were reasonable, the Park Ridge was going to be the site of the 2003 reunion. The lobby area is impressive, it is clean and well lit with plenty of room to sit and relax while you wait for friends to arrive. The sleeping rooms are also clean and spacious with all of the amenities you would expect from a fine hotel

Our basic itinerary for 2003 is still the same. Initially, at the request of several crewmembers, I tried to arrange for an evening out, something nice, with a bit of entertainment where we could have a good meal and relax with our wives, sweethearts or girlfriends. With the Buffet Dinner on Friday and the Banquet Dinner on Saturday, I attempted to arrange a visit to Lily Langtry's Dinner Theater on Thursday evening. Unfortunately, Lily's is booked for a private function that evening, so that plan didn't materialize. Wednesday will still be an early check in day, hospitality will open at noon with free snacks and refreshments, soft drinks and beer of course. As always, our Historian, Dave Donaldson will impress us with his display of memorabilia from the past. I'm not suggesting that Dave is older than I am, but I can't think of a better person to act as the Association Historian. We have again had 2003 Reunion Ball Caps made, this year in white as well as the standard blue, and as always, they will be free (with the purchase of $20.00 in Raffle Table Tickets). We will be giving away free nights on the Raffle, along with the usual assortment of great prizes, including another Dumas Model of the Crockett. I still have one Dancing Ostrich left (trying to find more), and that will also be on the raffle table

Following Friday's tour you will be able to relax in the Hospitality Room until 6:00, then the bar opens for attitude adjustment, followed by the Buffet Dinner. We will again be entertaining ourselves following the Buffet, then for most it will be back to, you guessed it, the Hospitality Room for snacks, refreshments and sea stories

Once our speaker is finished, we will have the raffle table drawing and draw the three lucky winners of the 50-50 drawing. As always, I plan to have a live band following the banquet. This will be our sixth reunion and it is my hope that it will be the best one yet. I try to plan a reunion that everyone attending will enjoy. I like to include interesting tours that are both entertaining and educational. It is my hope philosophy that if I can arrange a great reunion for you each year, then you will allow me to plan your annual vacation for you and your family. There is no question about it, attending our reunions is expensive, but I try my best to give you the best week of vacation for the least amount of money possible. A good hotel is essential. We could look at a Day's Inn or another economy motel, but we would lose the ability to have a Hospitality Room and the fine meals that I try to arrange each year. Staying at a hotel such as the Park Ridge ensures that we are catered to by a professional staff who are dedicated to making certain that we enjoy ourselves during our stay

Let's face it, if the boys spend a week of vacation just sitting around, drinking beer and telling sea stories, their wives will find a better way to spend their week. Don't get me wrong, I like beer, I like relaxing and embellishing a bit about my time in the Navy, but I also know that if my wife doesn't enjoy herself at the reunion, then I will be coming alone. I often miss some of the tours due to other responsibilities having to do with the reunion, but Nancy looks forward to seeing the sights. I bring this up because the prices we pay for the tours is based on the number of participants that I guarantee in the contract with the tour company. If we guarantee a minimum of 30 for a tour, we pay more per person than if we guarantee a minimum of 35. We pay even less if we guarantee a minimum of 40. The problem is that if we fail to meet our minimum, we have to pay for the empty seats. I am not suggesting that you purchase a tour that you cannot afford, I am just saying that we spend quite a bit of time arranging some excellent tours and if at all possible, you might want to consider joining us.

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