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The weekend at Mystic, CT was a true Navy weekend. Haze gray sky, haze gray sea, rain and wind. This prevented our trip to The Sea Port and the Schooner trip. Some brave shipmates braved the weather and toured the Sea Port on their own. The rest either went out shopping, just riding around or staying in the hospitality room exchanging sea stories. The second day we went to the USS Nautilus Museum and the sub base. We took the bus to the piers and saw the subs that where in port, (a highly secure area), and our guide gave us a lot of information that the normal visitor would never get. We ate lunch in the main galley. Our wives asked if that was the same type of meal that we would get aboard the ship? When we said that meals on base are always better than on ship, we saw the sympathetic look in their eyes. At our banquet we had a guest speaker, a Chief submariner who gave us a very informal talk about the submarine service and answered our questions as far as national security would allow. Even with the bad weather and the cancellation of some of our trips the weekend was one of the best. Our thanks go our to Richard Frank and his wife Edie for all their hard work for this successful reunion. We all know that behind every good man, there stands a good woman, and that is very true where Edie is concerned - her hard work in taking care of the refreshments for all our time in the Hospitality Room, especially Friday night's event were greatly appreciated by all who attended.
At this time I am pleased to inform you that we have a Hotel that I believe will more than satisfy our Reunion requirements.
However, I have ONE BIG REQUEST for all of you, and that is to make all your reservations now, because this takes the guesswork out of our reunion planning and makes my job easier. Please call the hotel directly, and mention the USS Caloosahatchee when making your reservations. Please send the reservation sheet and your fees ASAP.
The Quality Suites Convention CenterQuote:
"Quality Suites is conveniently located adjacent to the new site of the Tanger Outlet Mall and Center Pointe Shopping featuring over 120 stores and restaurants. We are just minutes from the dining and shopping of Downtown Charleston, the history and beauty of the plantations in West Ashley, the balmy breezes of the Isle of Palms beaches in Mount Pleasant.
Our spacious two-room suites have generous living rooms, kitchenettes, and separate sleeping areas with one king bed or two double beds, complete with balconies. Additional amenities include a work desk and dining area, complimentary wireless Internet access, same day valet service and guest laundry, outdoor pool with whirlpool, and an onsite business center. And it includes (for your hospitality suite) the Mark Clark meeting room with more than 900 Sq ft.
Our complimentary hot low-country breakfast everyday and Monday-Saturday - Manager's Cocktail Reception are the perfect way to begin and end your day. Served in the Ashley Coffee House and in our grand atrium, groups and individuals have the opportunity to mingle or unwind. For added value, Quality Suites offers plentiful, complimentary parking to our guests, as well as a courtesy shuttle providing complimentary service to and from Charleston International Airport."
OUR dates of: October 18, 19, 20, 2007 are available at $92.00 per night single /double. Taxes are currently 12.5%. At this time there are 3 handicapped rooms available. This rate is also available for those who might wish to arrive early, or extend their stay.
Yours truly,
Richard Frank
Our shipmate Mark Bienz has made arrangements with the Navy Dept. (his employer) to give us a tour of the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Charleston. The tour will include the lab and then maybe a ride over to the "Assembly line" where they are doing the HUMVEE or MRAP work.
This activity is approximately 6 miles from the Hotel. Transportation depends on the number of participants attending. Do we rent a bus or use private cars? Also, government security issues must be satisfied. Everyone entering the facility will need to present a photo I.D. We will need all information on all who plan to attend to verify that all attendees are U.S. citizens no later than September 30th.
COST: $5.00 per person
You are on your own for dinner. However, our Hospitality Room (the Mark Clark Meeting Room) will be open for you to bring your "stuff".
(approximate time for bus departure from hotel)
Tour Patriots Point, the world's largest naval and maritime museum. Visit the Aircraft Carrier YORKTOWN, the famous fighting lady of World War II; the destroyer LAFFEY, a participant in the World War II D-Day landings at Normandy; the submarine, CLAMAGORE, one of the Navy's last diesel powered submarines; and the Coast Guard Cutter, INGHAM, which was in active service until decommissioned and given to Patriots Point in 1989. While at Patriots Point enjoy a traditional lunch in the CPO Mess.
11:55 AM Group to meet under the American flag on Hangar Deck of the YorktownPrice: $50.00 Per Person (Includes $15 admission to Patriot's Point, lunch and bus transportation)
----------------or----------------Tour Patriots Point, the world's largest naval and maritime museum. Visit the Aircraft Carrier YORKTOWN, the famous fighting lady of World War II; the destroyer LAFFEY, a participant in the World War II D-Day landings at Normandy; the submarine, CLAMAGORE, one of the Navy's last diesel powered submarines; and the Coast Guard Cutter, INGHAM, which was in active service until decommissioned and given to Patriots Point in 1989. Enjoy a traditional lunch in the CPO Mess on the Yorktown before boarding the General Beauregard for your Fort Sumter Tour. As you cruise through Charleston's beautiful harbor, you will view the beautiful homes along the Battery and watch the sea gulls and the dolphins play in the harbor. Upon arrival at Fort Sumter, where the Civil War began, rangers from the National Park Service will give you an informative introduction before you begin your tour of this famous bastion and its marvelous museum.
Price: $65.00 Per Person (Includes $15 Admission to Patriot's Point, lunch, $15 fee for Fort Sumter Tour and bus transportation)
Price: $5.00 Per Person
Our always fun get together in the hospitality room for a night of friendship, our most popular sea stories and photo sharing. Ladies - If possible please bring your special dessert or treat.
PLEASE BRING YOUR MEMORABLIA - We will scan your pictures allowing them to be shared, this event stretches into the early hours and we provide the mid-rats and beverages.
Tour Charleston's beautiful old historic district and enjoy the charming ambience found in centuries past. During your tour you will stop at one of the many historic churches, take a stroll in one of our neighborhood parks, and drive through the Military College of South Carolina known as the Citadel. View the lovely antebellum homes along the Battery, 18th century Rainbow Row, and magnificent public buildings for which Charleston is known. Throughout the tour, your guide will introduce you to stories of the past and present magnificent public buildings and other points of interest. You tour will end in the Old City Market where you can spend time shopping and browsing, as well as have lunch in one of the many fine restaurants Charleston has to offer.
11:15 AM Free time in the Old City Market for lunch on your own, shopping and browsingPrice: $30.00 Per Person
Menu has not been determined
Price: $30.00 Per Person
IMPORTANT NOTE - If you are definitely planning to attend the reunion, it would be most helpful in planning each day's activities if we know as soon as possible how many plan to attend each event.
The dues money helps with the expenses to run this Association and the reunion. The dues are now only $20.00 per year. All members who pay the full dues will be considered Shipmates in Good Standing, and receive all the newsletters, an annual updated roster, and an up-to-date dues card and can attend the reunion weekend. I have talked to other ship reunion organizations and they all say that we are a bargain. Some have dues as much as $80 and the reunions cost a lot more. We do our best to keep the cost low and give you more bang for the buck.
OR
For $10.00 you can be an associate member and receive the newsletter and notification on the reunions. Please consider sending your dues as soon as possible.
Checks should be made out to: USS CALOOSAHATCHEE REUNION ASSOCIATION and mailed to:
USS Caloosahatchee Reunion Association
c/o Paul Scheerer
4424 Raspe Ave.
Baltimore, Maryland 21206-1925
Please be sure to let me know when you have a change of address or change your e-mail. Each time we do a mailing, we get quite a few letters returned by the post office, or e-mails returned because of a wrong address. If you know of a shipmate who is not in our database please send me their info.
My E-mail address for the USS CALOOSAHATCHEE REUNION ASSOCIATION is caloosreunion@comcast.net. This address is for reunion business only. Please do not send jokes or Spam
Thanks to shipmate Jim Martino there is a web site that he has personally started; it is
www.usscaloosahatchee.org. Jim is asking for information and pictures to help build a better site.
You can e-mail him at webmaster@usscaloosahatchee.org
If you have any questions, you can call me (410-488-7169), write or e-mail me (caloosreunion@comcast.net)
Or call Richard Frank @ 914 277 4317 or e-mail at sommers.rgf@verizon.net
PLEASE RETURN THIS PAGE WITH YOUR CHECK
(made payable to USS Caloosahatchee Reunion Assoc.)
Name___________________________________________
Spouse/Guest__________________________
Address___________________________________________________________________
City/State/Zip_______________________________________________________________
Phone No.____________________________________
E-mail Address_______________________________________________
I/We do not plan to attend the reunion _____________
I/We plan to attend the reunion _____________ and I/We will attend the following events:
__Thursday ($5 per person X ___number of participants) $ ____________
__ Friday PATRIOTS PT ($50 per person X ______ participants) $_____________
-OR-
___Friday PAT.PT & FT SUM. ($65 per person X________participants) $_____________
___Friday Night Barbeque ($5 per person X ________ participants $_____________
___Saturday Tour ($30 per person X ______ participants) $_____________
___Saturday Banquet ($30 per person X ______ participants) $_____________
TOTAL $ ____________
======================================================================_______ $20.00 for Dues for the Year 1/1/2007 - 12/31/2007
OR
______$10.00 for Associate Dues for the Year 2007
Comment__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
mail to:
USS Caloosahatchee Reunion Association
c/o Paul Scheerer
4424 Raspe Ave.
Baltimore, Maryland 21206-1925