WASHINGTON DC
Reunion 2008 – Catch the Spirit
16th Reunion 2008 Schedule of Events and Itineraries
September 25th thru September 29th
Thursday Sep 25 Arrival (Anytime after 3 PM) Hotel check-in and Reunion check-in
Hospitality Room open to all attendees.
Friday Sep 26 8:45 AM Travel into History
We start our day with a drive to historic Mount Vernon, the home of our first President, George Washington. The tour begins art the Ford Orientation Center. A 20-minute action-adventure movie, We Fight to be Free, is shown in a pair of luxury theaters. The film depicts a heroic and charismatic Washington at pivotal moments in his life. We can then move on to tour the centerpiece of this visit, George Washington's home; an original building filled with 18th-century treasures, many of them owned by Washington. The Mansion house sits high above the Potomac River with a stunning view of the Maryland shore. We will tour more than a dozen outbuildings including the slave quarters, kitchen, stables, and greenhouse. We can stroll through four different gardens that showcase heirloom plants known to have been at Mount Vernon in the late 1700s, hike the Forest Trail, and explore the George Washington: Pioneer Farmer site, a four-acre working farm that includes a re-creation of Washington's 16-sided treading barn. And we can attend a wreath laying ceremony at the tomb where George and Martha Washington rest in peace.
At 11:45 we will have lunch at the Mount Vernon Inn.
At 1:00 PM we will board the busses to travel to the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, the new National Air and Space Museum. Here we will walk among aircraft and small artifacts in display cases located on the floor, and view aircraft hanging from the arched ceiling on elevated skywalks. Among the aviation artifacts on display are the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, the fastest jet in the world; the Boeing B-29 Superfortress Enola Gay and numerous military and commercial aircraft. In addition, we can view the Space Shuttle Enterprise and other space artifacts, including the Gemini VII space capsule.
Saturday Sep 27 8:30 AM VESOLE Plaque Presentation and Memorials
Today we head for the U.S. Navy Memorial where we will hold our Memorial Service and formal presentation of the USS Vesole Plaque. We will drive by the White House along the way. Upon arrival at the Navy Memorial we can view the SEAPOWER movie, check for friends and relatives in the Navy Log or enter our own names for the rest of history or shop at the Memorial’s excellent Ship’s Store. At 11:00 AM, the memorial service will commence in the auditorium.After the Memorial service is completed, lunch on your own at any of the nearby restaurants.At 1:30 PM we board the buses and visit the World War II Memorial, the Korean War Memorial and the Viet Nam Memorial. Then we’ll head for Arlington National Cemetery where we will view the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and visit the John F. Kennedy Gravesite.
Sunday Sep 28 10:00 AM Our Annual Meeting ( 2 hours)
7:00 -11:00 PM Dinner Dance
A photo session at 6:00 PM will precede dinner.
Monday Sep 29 8:00 to 10:00 AM Our Farewell Buffet Breakfast
Last good-byes until the 2009 CRUISE Reunion.
