VP-4 2007 SAN DIEGO REUNION

GENERAL INFORMATION

San Diego, California                  October 12-14, 2007

LODGING & HEADQUARTERS—CROWNE PLAZA SAN DIEGO (FORMERLY RED LION HANALEI HOTEL)

This change of ownership will take place on 1 April 2007.  All existing agreements will be honored.

We encourage people to stay at the Crowne Plaza San Diego (Formerly Red Lion Hanalei Hotel)in Mission Valley.  It is central to all activities, maximizes your time with friends and minimizes driving after the events.  The Crowne Plaza is ideally situated and close to popular attractions such as historic Old Town, downtown, Sea World, the San Diego Zoo and a diverse selection of shopping.  Swim in the heated pool, relax in their large whirlpool spa, indulge in a massage or one of their other spa services, or work out in the fitness center.  The agenda for the weekend will provide you a great opportunity to socialize and "catch up" with old friends and squadron mates in a very enjoyable "Hawaiian Theme" setting.

We have reserved 80 rooms at a great rate of $105 plus tax.  However, after the cut off date of September 21^st those rates will no longer be available.  Should you want to arrive a day or two early or stay over for a couple days the hotel will honor the reunion rate for three days prior to and after the event. 

            Reservations can be made by calling 800-882-0858 and requesting the special group rate for “PATRON4VET”.  You can also reserve your room on-line before 1 April 2007 by going to the Crowne Plaza web site; www.hanaleihotel.com; select online reservations; select group reservations; type in PATRON4VET and then fill in your information.  The new Crowne Plaza web site address will be provided as soon as the Hanalei staff has the information, but in the interim, the address provided above should be used.  The web site also has good written and visual descriptions of the hotel services and surrounding area attractions.

TRANSPORTATION:  Airport shuttle service is available from Cloud 9 Shuttle.  The hotel provides complimentary shuttle service to Old Town, Fashion Valley Mall, Riverwalk Golf Course and the trolley stop.  For those with airport rental cars, take I-5 North to I-8 East and exit Taylor Street/Hotel Circle and cross over the freeway to Hotel Circle North.  We have negotiated a special parking rate of $1 per day.

ARRIVAL:  Thursday afternoon we will have a welcome table set up in the Crowne Plaza lobby.  On Friday afternoon we will have the welcome table set up in the courtyard adjacent to the Hospitality Suite.  Check with the Hotel Registration receptionist for directions.  You will receive a folder with details of the weekend’s activities.  We will move the welcome table to the Maritime Museum prior to the Friday evening reception, for those arriving late or not staying in the hotel.

WEATHER:  Usually mild in early-mid October.  Possibly cool in the evenings.  Average daytime temperature is 70-75 and the overnight low is around 52.  Recommend you bring clothes for a layered look for best flexibility.  A jacket is recommended for the reception when going topside on the ships to view the harbor and San Diego skyline.

HOSPITALITY SUITE:  A hospitality suite will be provided on the ground level with a patio that opens onto the pool and lawn area of the courtyard.  It will be stocked with wine, beer (regular/lite), sodas (regular/diet), coffee (regular/decaf), juices (orange, grapefruit, cranberry), tea bags, and peanuts/pretzels.  BYOB if you desire something stronger to drink.  Hours for the hospitality suite will be: Friday-9 am to 4:30 pm; Saturday-7 am to 5 pm; Sunday-7 am to 10:30 am. 

WELCOME RECEPTION:  Will be held at the San Diego Maritime Museum on Friday evening from 6:30 to 9:30 PM.  The Maritime Museum of San Diego features one of the finest collections of historic ships in the world, including ; the world’s oldest active ship Star of India; the 1898 steam ferry Berkeley, the 1904 steam yacht Media and the California which is a replica of a mid 19^th century revenue cutter.  The H.M.S. Surprise, on loan from 20^th Century Fox Studios who used it in filming “Captain and Commander”, is expected to still be at the museum.  Additionally, the museum received a Soviet Foxtrot Class Submarine, which will be open for display directly adjacent to the Berkeley and should be a special treat for a group of old submarine hunters!  The reception is held on the Berkeley ferryboat which has two open air decks, offering your choice of downtown skyline or sunset views of the harbor.  The venue is heavy hors d’oeuvres, sufficient to replace dinner.  A cash bar will be available for those desiring to purchase liquid refreshments.  The Museum is located on Harbor Drive opposite the County Administration Building.  Attendees are encouraged to ride share or sign up for the bus service.  The museum is about a 10-15 minute drive from the Crowne Plaza Hotel.  Driving instructions from the Hotel to the Museum will be provided in your welcome packet.  Parking is available at the metered spaces along Harbor Drive (free after 6:00 pm) or in the USS Midway or Administrative Building parking lots for $7.  For those of you in the local area or arriving late in the day, registration packets will be available when you check-in for the reception.  The evening air on the bay can be a little cool and you will certainly want to go topside to view the beautiful skyline, so Sport Coat/Blazer or sweaters for men and sweaters, jacket, or light wrap for women is suggested.  Those who desire to tour the ships might want to wear flat shoes since moving through the Foxtrot submarine will require passing through very small diameter hatches that require you to step over the raised bottom of the hatch (affectionately referred to as “knee knockers”).  You might also want to remember your camera!  The museum is equipped with a lift to the upper deck for those who cannot negotiate the stairs.

NOTE:  Those of you who desire to tour the Soviet Foxtrot Class submarine or other museum ships early, arrangements have been made for you to arrive as early as 5:30 PM to tour the ships prior to the start of the reception!

GOLF TOURNAMENT:  To be held on Saturday morning at the Admiral Baker Golf Course, which is very convenient to the hotel.  A map to the course will be provided in your welcome packet.  Prizes will be presented following the golf.  Lunch is on your own at the 19^th hole.  Please refer to the Golf Registration sheet for details on how to sign up for the scramble and how to list your desired partner(s).  Please send in the golf registration with your reunion registration, so we can organize the teams.  Those not specifying partners will be assigned to a group.   We will try to get a shotgun start if enough people sign up.  Team assignments will be posted on Friday at the Hospitality Suite and included in your welcome package.  We need a minimum of 32 players to keep our reserved tee time.  If we do not get the minimum number, the tournament will be cancelled and fees refunded.  Those that want to play will be on their own, although assistance will be provided in reserving times if requested.  Golf club rental is available, so don’t miss this opportunity because you don’t want to lug your clubs with you.  Please contact Chip Landon at (407)-616-9620/landonc@earthlink.net or Bill Broadwell (619) 713-2321/broadwell@cox.net with questions.

SIGHTSEEING & LOCAL ACTIVITIES:  We have included a separate document in the welcome packet with thumbnail sketches about some of San Diego’s more popular attractions and information about the availability of military discount rates.  Needless to say, there are more things to do in San Diego than you will have time.  Additional brochures and information about San Diego attractions are available in the Crowne Plaza lobby.

SATURDAY NIGHT BANQUET:  One of the Crowne Plaza’s beautiful Ballroom’s will be the site of the Saturday night dinner.  Weather permitting, cocktails may be enjoyed poolside in the beautiful tropical setting.  Dinner will offer three choices of entrée.  Please indicate your preferences on the registration form.  The evening starts with a no-host cocktail hour from 6 to 7 PM.  Then we will move into the Ballroom for the banquet  Recall the music of our history with hit tunes from your Active Duty Squadron Days.  Dance to the Big Band, Oldie-but-Goodies collection of your lively Musical Master of Ceremonies, Charlie Bradley!  There will be a line dance lesson and Name-That-Tune Contest.  Great meal, wine, dancing and reminiscing with the best!

SUNDAY BRUNCH:  Some of you may want to have a farewell get-together with your own special group on Sunday morning.  There are places within the Crowne Plaza and nearby which can accommodate groups.  Groups larger than four should make advance reservations.

CANCELLATIONS:  In past years we have had a frenzy of additions and subtractions within the last few days (and even hours) of the reunion.  We reserve the right to withhold refunds to anyone canceling within two weeks of the event if it is not deemed an emergency and/or will jeopardize the committee meeting our financial obligations.  The $15 Administrative fee is not refundable.

REGISTRATION:  The Board of Directors request that you return your registration form and check as soon as possible.  It is a great help to us in planning the events to get as early indication as possible of the numbers of attendees.  Remember, the deadline for getting the special room rate is September 21, 2007.  However, since we have only reserved 80 rooms, the sooner you reserve them the earlier we will know if we need to commit for more.

For additional information contact:

Bill Broadwell

6213 Spruce Lake Avenue

San Diego, CA 92119-3345

619-713-2321/619-916-9231 (cell)

broadwell@cox.net

HELP US GET OUT THE WORD:  Please pass along word about the reunion to everyone on your VP-4 e-mail, mailing and phone lists.  We have a large data base; but it isn’t always up to date and may not contain all of your friends and contacts.  Help us make this a successful reunion by encouraging your squadron mates and friends to attend!

SOUVENIRS:  Steve Andruszkewicz has agreed to market the remaining VP-4 souvenirs the association has in its inventory.  Once this is sold, our goal is to have a professional vendor take over this function.  Anyone interested in purchasing the following should contact Steve at vp4reunion2005@aol.com or (818) 652-9942 for size availability and shipping costs.