San Diego, CA
2003 “All Hands” Reunion

The 2003 Patron 28 “All Hands” Reunion will be held in San Diego, California on August 14, 15 and 16.  The events will include a VP-28 Association business meeting, election of 2004 Association officers, hospitality suite, Callaway golf tournament, squadron memorabilia, self-guided tours, “a day in the park”, a buffet in a Hawaiian setting, Joe Deuerling at the piano with luau torches by the pool and capped off with a banquet in the Kona Coast ballroom.

1.     Hotel: The reunion hotel is the Red Lion Hanalei Hotel located at 2270 Hotel Circle North in Mission Valley. Log onto the hotel web site for the many details (www.hanaleihotel.com). A block of rooms have been set aside for the event and will available until 30 days prior to the reunion, July 14^th. The room rate is $99 per day for single up to four per room occupancy. For reservations at the Hanalei, call 1-(800) 882-0858 and use the code (Patron 28) for the $99 per day rate. The same rate applies for 3 days prior and 3 days after the reunion. Reservation request after July 14^th will be subject to availability. There is a 72 hour cancellation notice requirement. All reunion lodging accommodations are separate from the “reunion package”.

2.     Hospitality: The gathering place will be the hospitality suite and next to it on the Lanai by the pool. There will be a cash bar, a display area for various types of information and plenty of tables with umbrellas. You’ll be able to “kick it down a notch” and relax under the palm trees by the pool.

3.     VP-Association: The business meeting will cover web site progress and needs, election of 2004 officers and review of the planning for the current reunion. The new officers will then select the 2004 reunion site and announce it at Saturday banquet.

4.     Golf: A Callaway golf tournament will be held at the MCAS Miramar Golf Course. The green fees are $35 (retired military) and $43 (all others), which includes prize fees and  carts. This will be pre-paid on the Registration Form. We have currently reserved 48 slots so make your golfing interest known on the registration form.

5.     A Day In The Park; Although here are many self-guided tours to enjoy, a group will car pool to Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo for most of the day. This means you see and eat what you want (no animals, please) as the event is a no host affair. There will be more details on the web site later.

6.     Reunion Photos: Photographer Dennis Way with take pictures on Friday (15^th) prior to the buffet and deliver them to the purchasers on Saturday (16^th) prior to the banquet. There will be pictures taken of 1) shipmates, 2) spouses and 3) group. Refer to the registration form for prices and choices. Anyone wishing to purchase a photo but not able to attend the reunion, just fill out the appropriate information on the registration form and be sure to include address information. All pictures must be pre-paid.

7.     Squadron Memorabilia: Cann Art  will be present on two days of the reunion to offer items with the squadron logo printed on them. This includes coffee mugs, squadron patch, hats, t-shirts and polo shirts. You will be able to purchase at the reunion or order for later delivery. The items and the prices will be published on the website later (with pictures).

8.     Buffet: The buffet will be poolside on the Lanai on Friday (15^th) and includes three entrees, a variety of salads and vegetables and  dessert. Stay after the buffet and hear Joe Deuerling on the piano, poolside, under the light of Luau torches. If you remember Pensacola, this will be an evening to add to the memories.

9.     Banquet: A banquet dinner will be held on Saturday (16^th) in the Kona Coast ballroom. Joe Deuerling will again play during the cocktail time. The dinner entree choices will be beef or chicken, so make certain you indicate your choice on the registration form. There will be a time for recognizing the efforts of the reunion and the new President/ Planner will announce the host city for the 2004 reunion.

The Reunion Committee: The Committee has been working long and hard to provide you the best reunion possible. The members are: Bob Self, planner; Howard Brubaker, advisor; Del Ritchhart, hospitality; Jim Peoples, golf; Dennis Olson, finance; Sam Miller, newsletter; Bob Lightbody, membership; Pat Brubaker and Carmen Peoples, a day in the park. We need an additional 3-4 people (could be two couples) to handle the registration on Thursday (14^th) and Friday (15^th).

It is important, over the next few months, to use the Search Method that’s on the web site to locate those long lost shipmates. The committee simply does not have the time available. So we’re passing that responsibility off to the shipmates. We need detailed address information with phone numbers and email addresses when available. The more new names on the Roster, the larger the reunion.

2003 Reunion Paid List