2009 All Hands Reunion Detailed Announcement 
October 4 - 8, 2009
Welcome to the Sunshine State. The 2009 All Hands Reunion will be held in St Augustine, FL from Sunday, October 4th to Thursday the 8th, and offers great tours, small town Florida hospitality and opportunities to relax with old friends. The focus tour this year is a trip to NAS Jacksonville where the future home of the Boeing P-8 Poseidon is being created in the form of a large new ramp and hangar complex.

Reunion Coordinator - Mike Chalut – Ph home-(904) 522-1276        

HOTEL The Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites Historic has been chosen as the reunion location with a block of 50 rooms reserved for VP-28 Shipmates and their guests. Hotel accommodations will be separate from the Reunion Registration and must be arranged by you. We have purposely set the dates for the reunion to fall in the less expensive Sunday to Thursday timeframe.  Please reserve your room soon -you can cancel without penalty later if you have to change your plans. 

 Rates are as follows:

Address: 1302 North Ponce de Leon Blvd, St. Augustine, FL 32084
Reservations:  1-800-569-8008 (code: VP2)
Event Name:  VP 28 Patrol Squadron Reunion
Reservation cutoff date:  September 13, 2009
Website:  www.staugustinehi.com  (view their virtual tour)
Parking: Free and plentiful

 Airport Transportation – “Airport Express” is available for those flying  into Jacksonville International Airport.  It is a one hour trip to the hotel and costs $45 for the 1^st two people and $5 for each additional up to six. Reserve the van pick-up prior to arrival at (904) 824-9400.  Lower airline fares may be available by flying into Orlando International and renting a car for the 2hr ride to St. Augustine.  The Orlando/Sanford Airport is 1.5hr from St Aug.   

TOURS – St. Augustine is a tourist paradise, with historic “oldest city” attractions, relaxing beach environment and relative close proximity to Disney World, Daytona Beach and Kennedy Space Center. Check out the enclosed web links to see the sights that interest you most.  There is lots of nice shopping on nearby St. George Street, the Prime Outlet Mall and the many quaint antique shops just one block from the hotel.   Order maps and visitor information at:   www.staugustine.com

Train Tour of St Augustine –Monday-$14.  This will give everyone an overview of the Ancient City with a one hour guided tour.  Your ticket allows you to ride the Red Train without charge for three days. Trains run every 20min. from 8:30 to 5:00 daily with 22 stops throughout St. Augustine.  You can get on as often as you like while sightseeing and enjoying the many excellent restaurants in town.  There is also complimentary pick-up & return to our hotel.  View their web site at: www.redtrains.com  to get excited about all the attractions you can visit and the ease of getting around town.  Be sure to check this site for links to most St. Augustine places of interest.

VP Tour –NAS Jacksonville –Tuesday morning.  VP has come a long way since we flew P-2s and P-3As back in the 50’s and 60’s.  Can you believe that the P-3 has been in service for FORTY SIX years!!  But its days are numbered as it’s about to be relieved by a derivative of the Boeing 737-400.    This tour will give you an “insider’s” view of the future VP community.  Lunch will be at the “O” Club on the scenic St. John’s River.   

Sunset Cruise on Matanzas Bay – 18:45 Tuesday night, Cost- $10.
Relax and enjoy a narrated cruise aboard Victory III for an incomparable way to view St. Augustine’s historical landmarks and natural sights of interest.

The sunsets this time of year are fabulous. www.scenic-cruise.com

 Banquet The Hawaiian Luau banquet and reunion gathering will be held on Wednesday night, October 7th in the hotel’s Flagler Room. Cost is $30 per person and includes a two entrée buffet (plus roasted pig), salad, carbohydrate, vegetable, beverage and dessert. This large, nicely appointed room will also be our hospitality suite and is on the same floor (the 2^nd) as our personal rooms.  It will be the gathering place for reminiscing about the early days, sharing cruise books, aviation memorabilia and visiting with old friends getting misty eyed over a cold one.    

 Photos John Lewis has volunteered as a roving photographer and will put together an inexpensive photo CD like he did in San Antonio.  Sign up for this option at the reunion, plus come prepared to shoot and share your own digital snapshots.

GOLF A golf tournament will be held Wednesday.  Indicate your intention to golf on the registration form and pay on day of event.  Coordination will be finalized during the first two days of the reunion.  The World Golf Hall of Fame (15 min away) is a must see for the avid golfer. www.wgv.com