Reunion 2010

Let's hope the next reunion will be held in the Fall or Spring.

It seems like the reunions are usually held in the middle of summer when it
is the hottest and most expensive timeframe at most places.

2010 Pas

I can tell you're from the west coast Del... I had to travel to Ft. Worth, Reno, all over as did we all. I like the heart land in the middle of the country. Still have to travel, but it's more reasonable!;)

reunion 2010

I go for Vegas or Reno--It was nice weather at last Reno trip--airline tickets aren't any cheaper flying half-way across country than going all the way.

I would cast my vote for Reno. The 2000 reunion in San Diego was terrible and after the treatment we received in San Francisco when we came home from Nam I sure as hell don't want to go back there for a reunion. Besides they would probadly protest us there and Seattle. SF

Fly??

I was hoping to drive and tow my bike....It's a toss up money wise, but they won't let me check my Harley as baggage! LOL!:D

Reunion 2010

I live in South Texas. I have been to Pensacola, Las Vega, San Diego, Reno, FT. Worth and now DC. I think the board should really consider Oklahoma City. Not quite centered but close. The Rodeo Cowboys Assn. used to hold the National Finals there. There are a lot of Hotel rooms, plenty of sight-seeing tours. Also I would like to see the reunion held in the fall. Say late September or November. Maybe around the 10th. What a birthday party we could have with all the Marines in our Assocation.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Semper Fi

Reunion 2010 - We need a 3 point rotation established

I'd like to see us establish a rotation of Left Coast, Middle of Country, East Coast.

Left Coast and Middle of Country reunions IMHO should be later in the year as many of us are getting older and the August heat is hard on the bodies. Personally, I like the heat but not all of us were so blessed as being born Native Texans.

Left Coast:
I didn't get much out of the last Reno because I'm not a casino type. I'd like Lake Taho better as I want to get out and see stuff.

San Diego would be great and if they indeed have cleaned up their act at that last reunion site there, then we can zip over to MCRD for a graduation ceremony and a stroll around the grounds, bus over to Miramar or generally see San Diego, including the zoo.

Middle of Country:
I feel reunions in the middle are important in the rotation. Many members talk about the rising costs hurting their wallets. Some cannot afford to travel to the coasts. Oklahoma City, Fort Worth (hotel situation resolved now), Tulsa, ?Denver?, New Orleans are all possible locations.

Middle locations may better allow us to fly in restored aircraft a lot more easier than trying to get these old birds flown/hauled coast to coast.

I don't live in San Antone but I bet I could get that city interested in us - lots to see & do - all walking distance from hotels on the riverwalk and a good convention center - again, not in August!

East Coast:
W. DC is awesome and we haven't even arrived yet.

Pensacola Beach is nice with the base nearby. Too bad the locals don't want to work with us. What about Mobile?

What about something near Marine bases in NC?

What's in the Boston/Philly area? I know both afford me the opportunity to dine myself into oblivion - damn fine eating in both places. Both offer more historical sites to visit that time would even allow.

Anybody know why the 77x squadrons are not better represented? I cannot believe the Red Dogs aren't all over these reunions. I thoroughly enjoyed their documentary on the Military Channel. These guys need to get together. I'd sure like to meet and thank our reservists for serving so well.

Personally I would prefer Minneapolis so I wouldn't have to travel or New Orleans so I could ride the train again like I did Christmas leave of 64 back to Memphis. I went to a martial arts tournament near New Orleans a few years back and was treated real well.

Reunion 2010

I agree that we should rotate the region - east, middle, west. I also agree with those that would like to have the reunion held at a time when it is not so hot, or frigid, or when it is hurricane season, or tornado season.

I think it's the West Coast's turn in 2010 since it will follow Washington, DC (2008) and Ft Worth (2006). My vote would be for SEATTLE. But if I really had my say so, I'd vote for Anchorage, Alaska. Hunting and fishing and the Great Alaskan Bush :D. For those who have been there, you what I'm talking about. :rolleyes: 😉

But wherever it will be held at I think the membership should be informed about the location and dates at least 18 months in advance so that we have time to plan our schedule and budget.

Semper Fi,

del Rosario
HMM-365
Vietnam 1964-65

Reunion 2010

Since we are considering locations for the 2010 reunion, I would recommend either Orlando, or Tampa, Fl. in Nov. or May.

Many, many, hotels and attractions in either area. The two cities are seperated by about 45 miles.

Both airports are Primo, easy in, easy out. Thousands of military retirees reside here and would welcome us for our venue.

Hotel rates are reasonable compared to past reunions, I can't say the same for Disneyworld, as they just raised their prices to $85.00 for a one day ticket.

Something to consider

Seattle in a heartbeat. They are almost as liberal and gay as SanFran but hell, it's close for me.....
S/F
Bill WQeaver

Reno was my first reunion, it was great, my wife won a bunch of money and she shared it with me. The Hilton in Reno seemed to be large enough to handle our reunion with ease. Vegas and Seattle can be exspensive.

2010 Reunion

I live on the East Coast and have traveled to the West Coast and down to Pensacola as well as to the squadron reunions all over. I would like to see it in the middle of the country-Vegas would be OK. Or Maybe closer East to Branson, MO. Someplace that is family oriented.

Frankly I have had my fill of Florida.

But then again it is all about getting together with folks that have the common bond of Marine Corps,Flying machines, and the war. So it really doesn't matter where we go as long as the beer is cold and we can party without having to dance around incoming!
😉
Semper Fi- Dennis Blackwell

2010 Reunion

For my Money and my two cents worth I have enjoyed being wherever we can all get together. To be fair to everyone the middle of the country someplace might be a good thing. Vegas or maybe a little more east to Branson MO might be good spots. Both are geared toward families and the incoming is self-inflicted. Frankly, as long as the beer is cold and the rooms don't leak (this should disqualify Pensacola) I am for it. After all its all about being with folks that have similar war experiences, fellow Marines, and of course linked by Marine aircraft.
Semper Fi!
Dennis Blackwell
262-68-69

delRosario;22091 wrote: I was wondering if the general membership of this association has any say on where the reunions will be held. Strictly my thoughts, I'd like to see the next reunion (2010) be held on the West Coast at one of five places, not necessarily in the order I write down.

San Diego: MCRD San Diego, MCAS Miramar, and Camp Pendleton in the area makes this site a very attractive place for our get-together.

San Francisco: The Marine Memorial Club and the naval bases in the area and the tourist attractions in a very compact and easy to get around city might make this place a good reunion site. And the Golden Gate, which was the site of many farewells and welcome-homes.

Seattle: Very convention-oriented city, beautiful setting, the Sound, the Cascades, the Olympics, Boeing Aerospace Museum, Sand Point, Bremerton. If you haven't been there, you'll love your first visit.

Reno

Las Vegas

Anyway, just my thoughts.

Semper Fi,

del Rosario
HMM-365
Vietnam 1964-65

The Association reunion planners should qualify for hazardous duty pay or at least get the Combat Action Ribbon for their work because no matter where the reunions will be, or in what hotel, and what activities are programmed, etc., not everyone will be completely satisfied with the package. The average reunion attendee has little or no clue on how much work it takes to put one of these conventions together, nor are the planners given their just due for their work and sacrifices to give us the great get-togethers.

That said, here's some suggestions:

Sheraton Seattle Hotel - 1258 guest rooms, meeting/banquet capacity 2200

Westin Seattle Hotel - 891 guest rooms, meeting/banquet capacity 2000

San Francisco Marriott Hotel - 1498 guest rooms, meeting/banquet space 100,000 sqft

Las Vegas - several hotels with similar or greater capacity

Reno - same same LV

Good luck to the next reunion planners and reunion coordinator!

s/f
del Rosario
HMM-365
Vietnam 1964-65

Do not come to SF.........why put American dollars into a sanctuary city?.......Pelosi, Feinstein, Boxer, etc........I've lived here 62 years....SF does not qualify for our hard working dollars.........no sweat, G.I........send the money elsewhere............

West coast is definitely San Diego.............MCRD/Miramar/Camp Pendleton...........
So, if you decide on the West Coast...........San Diego is the site!!!

OohRah!!!

/Bill.

Reunion 2010 in Seattle

I want to make a pitch for Seattle to be the site of the next reunion.

Here's some reasons why I think Seattle should receive top consideration:

1. Convention facilities and guest accomodations: There are several hotels that can easily hold the number we usually turn out.

2. Accessibility: Seattle is served by most major airlines into SeaTac or Boeing Field. Amtrac serves Seattle on a regular and daily schedule. The interstate freeways provide driveable possibilities from most of California and the West. Renton Airport provides very good service for fly-ins.

3. Weather: No extremes in temperature, no matter what season. No hurricanes or typhoons.

4. Public transportation: Public bus and trolley service are excellent throughout the city, especially in the downtown area.

5. Museum of Flight: Boeing Field museum holds a fantastic array of historic aircraft and space vehicles.

6. Year-round fishing: Puget Sound offers fishing year-round for salmon. Fishing boats can be chartered for large groups. Halibut, bottom fish, rock fish, and other species are available most of the year. How about a Popasmoke Salmon Derby?

7. Pike Place Market: Those who can't fish or cut bait can purchase salmon here and have it shipped anywhere. No one will ever know you can't catch fish.

8. USS Turner Joy: Docked in Bremerton and open to the public is this historic destroyer. I was in DaNang when the action took place in the Gulf of Tonkin between our ships, the Turner Joy and the Maddox, being attacked by North Vietnamese PT boats. Read your history to know how intimately tied in this ship is with your service in Vietnam.

9. Puget Sound: One of the most beautiful natural settings surrounding a beautiful city. Not only fishing but sailing, cruising, dining or picnicking along its shore can be an exhilirating experience.

10. Photography: The Cascades, the Olympics, the waters surrounding the city, the iconic Seattle Space Needle, the cultural and ethnic districts, Pioneer Place, just a few places and things to explore and photograph.

11. Ride the Duck: Tour the streets of the city in a Duck (actually a WWII vintage DUKW) which culminates in the vehicle going into the water of Puget Sound.

Lastly, Seattle is more accessible to potential Popasmoke members from the great state of Alaska.

s/f
del Rosario
HMM-365
Vietnam 1964-65

Reunion

It appears to me, the brass do rotate the reunion. Have been since I've been attending reunions.

The East coast is probably two reunions away seeing as we just did DC. My recommendation for the next Wast coast reunion would be Foxwoods Casino's. It has 6,000 rooms!

For those who do not like to bet their money, there is plenty to do in the Connecticut area. We have Mystic Seaport, Groton Sub base, many museums, night spots...trips to Boston or NYC would be easy and are within less than 2 hrs travel time...Springfield Armory is right up the road and a great museum...New England Air Museum is right up the road, lots of golf courses, boating and fishing trips....airport is close, easy access in and out of the area

Just a place to consider. Pretty friendly with the tribal chiefs when I was mayor and I think they would be more than happy to help us put something together...be happy to talk with them...great publicity for them also as they are always looking for something new...and they have great free acts there to boot and the Mohegan Sun Casino is right up the road...both are very impressive places. I could also get the State to do some things for us also...CT is a real service/veterans state. And if we timed it right, we could hold the reunion while the New England Air Show is being held (end of September)...a great show.

Just something to think about for a future reunion.

S/F Gordon

reunion 2010

GMello may have a good idea of Foxwoods---if Vegas or Reno are out. Just hope its not like DC--smack dab in GAY SECTION. Poor Bruce couldn't wear his Pink blazer, and the bars near motel kept running us off--Guess gay jokes didn't go over well.

2010 Reunion

I'm all for the fall/winter months.. Agree with above about enuff of Florida and the Gulf coast especially New Orleans. It ain't a good place no more except for the food and it's still the best anywhere. Another agree with above is the Left coast this time and the east, center and left rotation.
I'm gonna nominate Las Vegas for one good reason. All of you check out Allegiant Airlines. They fly MD80 and 82's from probably fourty some citys all over the US to Las Vegas. It is obviously a casino subsidized thing and nearly ALL flights are direct with the best prices you gonna get anywhere.

Allegiantairlines.com

Allen Ford
usmarine757@hotmail.com

Pop a smoke re union re: 2010

OKC...should be looked at...not because we're close to there (100 miles), but because the USMC is widely supported thru out the state. AMTRAK, Greyhound, Jefferson Lines, etal, come thru there. Hell's bell's, if you need camping space, we've 900 acres of well sites and ponds on our little ranch alone...snakes included...LOL ! All sorts of churches and casinos as well...take your pick.
If you wanna see some of the dumb stuff you were willing to do as a Marine...there's young cowboys doing the very same shtuff...and just as serious about it...

Hooper