VP-28 Reunion - San Diego, CA 
 October 25-29, 2016  

All Hands Reunion Announcement 

We Return to San Diego After 13 Years!

"For decades, San Diego has been known as a 'sleepy' little town or the 'cul de sac' of California or even more often, a 'military town'. Over the years, each of those descriptions have had merit. But, San Diego is now 'growing up'. Some say it is finally grown up. Some say it has grown too much. And somewhere in the middle is the same San Diego it has always been." Regardless of the above description of the San Diego community, many Hawaiian Warriors have distinct memories of their time in San Diego. Possibly a boot camp experience at NTC or the training flights and maintenance instruction at VP-31. You may cherish the good times at the VP-28 Reunion in 2003 with the wonderful performance of the Polyneasian Dance troop. We can't relive those memories, but we can certainly create some new ones by attending this year's reunion.



Reunion Coordinator - Peter Lindberg - Cell 831-359-0787   

  
HOTEL - The Crown Plaza San Diego - Mission Valley is our reunion location with a block of 20 rooms reserved for VP-28 Shipmates and guests. This property may look familiar to you. It was called the Red Lion Hanalei during our 2003 Reunion. Link to Hotel Photos   Your Hotel  booking is separate from the Reunion Registration and must be arranged by YOU.  We have taken a decidedly conservative approach to our hotel room count this year.  Please send in your Reunion Registration early so we can gauge demand and increase the number of rooms if needed.  Remember: You can cancel without penalty later if you must change your plans.

Crown Plaza Hotel San Diego Information
Occupancy = King or Double Beds Daily Group Rate = $105*
Hotel Shuttle to Old Town Train Station Complementary
Hotel Parking $6.00/Day (See Below)
     *The group rate of $105 is honored for 3 days before and after the Reunion.

Book Your  Hotel Reservations:
By Phone - 1-888-233-9527 (7:00am - 11:00pm EST)
On The Internet - Click Here

IMPORTANT: When booking your reservations use
Group Code (Patrol Squadron 28 [VP-28] Reunion 2016)
to receive the Discounted Rate of $105. Get a confirmation number 
to avoid any problems at check-in.

Reservation cutoff date: October 4, 2016
Additional Hotel Information:
The Hotel has 13 Handicap accessible rooms available upon request.

The $6.00 daily parking fee will be waived if you are member of the IHG Rewards Program. You may consider joining this no fee program if you'll be parking.

Cancellation Policy: Cancellations must be made 48 hours prior to check-in date or you will be billed for one night's room rate and tax.
 

Crown Plaza San Diego - Mission Valley
2270 Hotel Circle North | San Diego, CA 92108 | 1-619-297-1101

 

Getting Around in San Diego

Airport Transportation:
Our hotel is located in Mission Valley 5 miles north of the Airport.  The hotel does NOT provide free Airport shuttle service. The good news is that VP-28 WILL provide a 15-passenger van to use as our airport shuttle.  The van will be available Tuesday and Saturday.  If you wish to use the VP-28 shuttle, indicate your San Diego Int'l. arrival and departure times on your Registration Form.  Your second option is to take a cab directly from the airport to the hotel (approx. $20 each way).  And third option is to take a short cab ride to the light rail station that goes north to the Old Town or Mission Valley Shopping Center stops where the Crown Plaza shuttle is available.

All Other San Diego Destinations: The Crown Plaza provides free transport to and from two nearby light rail Metro Transit Stations. The Metro system is an easy ride to many San Diego attractions.

 

Reunion Agenda

Tuesday, October 25 - Arrival/Check in Day

Most people will travel on Tuesday, arriving in the afternoon and checking into the Crown Plaza San Diego Hotel and the VP-28 Hospitality Suite.  No formal activities are planned for Tuesday.

Wednesday, October 26 - Feet on the Ground Day in San Diego

Wednesday is reserved for exploration and relaxation. An abundance of activities are available in San Diego and are readily accessible via public light rail.  Also, you may choose to purchase an Old Town Trolley Tour ticket which will give you a narrated 2 hour 25 mile tour of San Diego highlights with 10 points of interest, plus hop-on/hop-off privileges for the day. If 15 or more people sign up we get a group rate of $31.

Thursday, October 27 - USS Midway (CV-41) Tour [9:30am]

Thursday will be a trip to the USS Midway. Commissioned at the end of WWII, Midway was a bridge to the jet age of carrier operations and served until 1992.  Midway was in the Pacific Fleet during the time all of us served in VP-28 and you undoubtedly operated with her several times.  After spending her last years in Yokosuka in Japan, she is now a beautifully preserved museum ship.  Midway is the only carrier museum ship NOT of the Essex class (WWII).  Click for Midway Website

Getting to the Midway from the Hotel
To minimize costs and maximize convenience we are offering three travel options.

  • Option One - Take the Hotel Shuttle to the Metro Station and Metro Trolley to the Midway stop.
  • Option Two - Take the VP-28 Shuttle Bus to the Midway.  $10 Round-trip per person.
  • Option Three - Drive your personal vehicle to the Midway and give a lift to a fellow shipmate.

Please Note:  If you drive your car to the Midway, parking is $10 for 12 hours.

Friday, October 28 -  Hospitality Room Open

Friday is another open day to tour as desired, take the Hotel Shuttle to shopping venues or kick back and relax.  By now you should be more familiar with the downtown area and choose to more fully discover the array of restaurants and attractions available.  Our Hospitality Suite will be poolside and serve as a gathering place for reminiscing about the early days, sharing cruise books, aviation memorabilia and provide an excellent venue for visiting with old friends.  

Friday Afternoon -  Squadron Meeting  [4:00pm]

Friday Night -  Hawaiian Warrior Banquet at Poolside Garden  [6:00pm]

Your choice of: Entrée London Broil, Lemon Caper Chicken, Baked Mahi Mahi, Portobello Ravioli accompanied by Tossed Green Salad, Fresh Seasonal Vegetables, Rolls & Butter, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Rice Pilaf, and Black Forest Cake. - Bon Appétit

Friday Night -  Heali'is Polynesian Review  on Outdoor Stage [8:30pm]

Special Treat This Year:  A repeat performance of the Heali'i Polyneasian Review!  This entertaining after-dinner Polyneasian Floor Show will feature 5 dancers and 2 Tahitian drummers.  It's a great show and should bring back fond memories of Waikiki entertainment.

Saturday, October 29 - Departure

Departure day for most shipmates.  "Fair winds and following seas" to all until we meet again.

  

Fill out your Reunion Registration Form Now!  

 		 Click Here to Register

     Who has signed up to attend?  Click here for listing.