DC/2010 - BRAD'S BLOG

95^th Bomb Group - 2010 Annual Reunion
Washington, DC
August 25^th –29^th, 2010

Update: August 13, 2010  Trip Ticket  Info Below:

Hello Fellow 95^th Bomb Group Members,

Here’s some important Washington DC travel information that will be helpful to you as we make our way to Washington DC in the next couple of weeks for our reunion (Please print and bring with you) :

Instructions for Getting to the Sheraton National hotel from DCA airport ONLY: (transportation from other area airports is on your own.)

Complementary shuttle van service from 5:00 am to 11:00 pm from:

Door #’s 5 or 9 & Terminal A out side of baggage claim area.

Departs every 30 minutes at 15 and 45 past the hour from Washington National Airport and Pentagon City, Fashion Center.

5:00 am to 12:15 am National Airport Monday thru Sunday

5:00 am to 11:15 pm Metro Pentagon City Monday thru Sunday

Departs every 30 minutes, on the hour and 30 of the hour from the Hotel to the Reagan National Airport/Pentagon City Fashion Center.

You are then about a 10-15 minute ride to the Sheraton National at:

900 South Orme St. Arlington, VA. 22204   phone #703-521-1900

Other Pertinent Information:

• We're closing in fast to August 25th.  We have 20 Vets & 120 family members registered with the hotel so far, very exciting!!

• If you have a Name Tag Lanyard from previous reunions please bring it with you.

• Upon arrival to the hotel lobby look for our registration desk and you will be greeted by our reunion team with a welcome package.

• Day & Overnight PARKING is COMPLIMENTARY.

• It’s August in DC, so it could be hot & humid & light clothing is always a good idea. Bring a hat & light jacket in case of afternoon shower or protection from the sun.

• All evening meals are casual, so dress as you like.

• For Saturday’s Dinner Dance the theme is Big Band, so if you want to dress in 40’s clothing, be our guest.

• Memorial Breakfast, Business Casual attire suggested. (Many of us will be departing for Arlington Cemetery so there is limited time for a quick change if needed).

• The PX will be open at all times while we are in session.  If you have any 95th photos, artifacts or memorabilia to share please bring along.

• The Red Feather Club will be hosted by the Rothman crew, Irv & Nina, Gary & Peggy on Wednesday, Thursday & Friday starting at 5 pm in Mezzanine Ballroom.

• The hotel is lovely and very accommodating.  We have a lot of nice events and activities planned throughout the course of the week so bring your happy self and enjoy our time together.

• Tour changes that may be different than your registration form indicates are:

Friday’s Field Trip is to the Library of Congress, then Air Force Memorial.

Saturday’s Field Trip is to Arlington Cemetery, WW2 & FDR Memorials.

• Meal Changes that may be different than your registration form indicates are:

Pasta night is now Thursday night & The Potomac River Indoor Picnic on Friday & is a theme dinner. If anyone needs to update their registration just let us know.

• All meals have a Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten Free & Fish Option.  Please e-mail Brad with special needs by 8/15/10.

• NEW TOUR OPTION An interesting new tour opportunity from the Archive Team has arisen.  Any Vet or family members who would like to learn more about a particular mission or see what goes on at the National Archives & what our Archive Team tirelessly does to add this valuable information to our resources.  It is also a great opportunity for those who are looking to get involved in something 95th, especially those that live in the Northeast/ Mid-Atlantic, we could always use the help.  (Since this is a late addition, these small group trips will be on Thursday & Friday and overlap with the other optional tours.  Just let us know if you are interested and we'll coordinate with you individually.  For those who cannot make the trip but would like a copy of a 1 particular mission, let us know and we will bring it to you).

Another One:

• If anyone is interested in Visiting Congresswoman & 95^th BG Legacy Member -Mary Bono Mack’s office in the capital, her tour coordinator, Amber Willis is actually the best contact for tours. You’ll need to contact her to acquire a request form and note that you are with the 95^th BG.    As a side note, the White House tours will not be available as they require 40 business days for security reasons.  They usually only set up tours for those in the Congresswoman’s district, so just to be safe, the notation will let Amber know this is a special exception. Once the forms are complete, they can fax them into our office at: (202) 225-2961 or email them to Amber at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Please let them know if you all need anything else!

And there's more....

• Other side trips for those extending their stay in Metro DC or wishing to do something different, try these:  Norman Rockwell Exhibit at the Museum of American Art, National Portrait Gallery, The Holocaust Museum, American Indian Museum, Corcoran Art Museum, Spy Museum and for many more  visit www.washingtonpost.com/gog Other obvious choices: Smithsonian Institute, The White House, The Capitol, Washington, Jefferson & Lincoln Memorials.

Update: July 29th, 2010

The Great News is that everyone is so excited that we are receiving an overwhelming response for the reunion.

The not so great news is; we've filled up our block of rooms and the hotel is sold out.  So if anyone has booked a room and knows they cannot make it,  DO NOT CANCEL IT! Contact Brad immediately and he will be able to remove your name and credit card info and can reassign the room to another member.   If you have already spoken directly to Brad then you are covered. 

However... more good news is on the horizon: I've scrambled and arranged for additional rooms at the nearby Sheraton Suites in nearby Old Town Alexandria (5.5 miles away) with complimentary Reagan airport shuttle service that will also connect you to the Sheraton National's shuttle bus.   I have been able to reserve -9- King Suite Rooms at a rate of $162.10/night+tax($18.85) that includes a sleeper sofa and daily breakfast for 2.  Available from 8/25-8/29. (Rooms are first come, first served with no more rooms when they are gone.)  These rooms can be canceled up until 5pm on 8/24. Contact Brad directly @ 440-937-9663 and he will help you with one of these limited time offer rooms.

Although the rates were cheaper at the Sheraton Crystal City that I mentioned on 7/26, the Sheraton Suites in Old Town offers us greater flexibility.  I would have had to commit non-refundable Foundation resources and I in good conscience, could not do that at the expense of the Foundation.  I hope that you will understand.

An interesting new tour opportunity from the Archive Team has arisen.  Any Vet or family members who would like to learn more about a particular mission or see what goes on at the National Archives & what our Archive Team tirelessly does to add this valuable information to our resources.  It is also a great opportunity for those who are looking to get involved in something 95th, especially those that live in the Northeast/ Mid-Atlantic, we could always use the help.    ( Since this is a late addition, these small group trips will be on Thursday & Friday and overlap with the other optional tours.  Just let us know if you are interested and we'll coordinate with you individually.  For those who cannot make the trip but would like a copy of a 1 particular mission, let us know and we will bring it to you).

“What's in store for us Brad”, you ask?

Well, back by popular demand is the second installment of the new smash hit: the “95^th Bomb Group History Lesson 101” is now class #102.  Evening Fireside chats of course. Some fun excursions to Mt. Vernon, the new Air & Space Museum, Library of Congress near Dulles, The Library of Congress for a Private Tour and Lecture about the 95th's own artifacts, WWII & FDR Memorials, Arlington Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknowns and National Mall.  An evening under the stars listening to a performance by the renowned Air Force Band and the Singing Sergeants at the Air Force Memorial.  The Lady’s Squadron Breakfast. The Post Exchange-“PX”. A Swing Dinner Dance plus other nightly group dinners.  The Annual POW/MIA Memorial Breakfast and who can help but to the love the Red Feather Club!

Questions?  CLICK HERE FOR MORE REUNION INFORMATION

See you there,

BRAD