2011 REUNION - Chicago 4-7 August

[Dennis Smith]

(October 2009) At our official association meeting in Charleston, a motion was voted on and passed to hold our next reunion in the general Chicago area in the summer of 2011. There is much work that has been done and is still being done. Dennis Smith continues as the reunion coordinator and Wally Kozin has volunteered as the "host city planner". In June we did a walk-through tour of our host hotel, The Hilton hotel, Northbrook IL, and it is a really great location for our reunion.
Again we are negotiating for an all-inclusive package. It will include 3 nights room at the Hilton, full hot breakfast every day in the hotels famous restaurant, a banquet dinner, hospitality room, new ships ball cap, custom coffee mug and extras. 2011 is the 100th anniversary of the Greatlakes Boot Camp. This reunion will include an all day tour bus to the Greatlakes RTC (Recruit Training Command) and NTC (Naval Training Command). We will attend a bootcamp graduation as invited veterans with special seating. Lunch will be in the Port-O-Call restaurant overlooking the lake then on to the Greatlakes Naval Station museam.
There is so much to say but there are as many ends to tie up also. come back often for updates.
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July 31 update--- I am tieing up my next trip to the Hilton to try to finalize the costs. Sometimes I get the feeling that AL CAPONE is still in charge; but that is good for us (more to come on the Chicago Mafia). I want to make it clear that a Hilton in Chicago in August on a weekend does not compete with prices at a HolidayInn in Charleston in October midweek, but we will still have a great rate. $485 is out of the question, but as I remember, I spent close to $900 in St Louis (can that be ? ) and that too is out of the question. Keep in mind that the price you get will be 'all inclusive', that means taxes, parking, internet etc, your checkout bill will be ZERO. And, this reunion will include the 1 day tour to Great Lakes !
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[Mike Pensinger]

Please make it over a weekend so those of us with jobs can make it this time

[Dennis Smith]

REUNION 2011 CHICAGO
The reunion will be in the HILTON HOTEL CHICAGO/NORTHBROOK 2855 N Milwaukee Ave, Northbrook IL 60062
We will be enjoying a full hot breakfast, every day, in the hotel restaurant. The hotel has agreed to provide free airport shuttle to and from the hotel. The rooms are comfortable and have all that you expect from a Hilton. Each room will accomodate 2 adults and 2 children. All rooms have a refrigerator. There is an indoor pool, whirpool, sauna and exercise room. Internet use is usually a daily charge, you will get unlimited internet for free. Parking is free.

We will have a hospitality room from Thursday morning through Sunday morning.

The hotel bar has a daily beer special for $2.00 and a daily mixed drink special at a great price.

[Dennis Smith]

A weekend in 2011 is planned for the 2011 reunion. The summer months are also planned. We are planning for July or early August time, but that is controlled by many factors. Please keep coming back here for updates.

[Paul Goudsmit]

Please make a note to keep me posted on Chicago. Not the greatest place in summer but better then winters . Was born there and lived around there as a kid from time to time (Michigan City, Park Ridge, Skokie, etc.). L O N G time since I've been back. For us "old" folks, you can catch the train there too, if you don't want to fly. Lot's to do and see. Good tourist city. Be careful of the hotels . . there are some dives in good areas and some 4 - 5 star prices in bad areas if I recall. If you need advice on a perticular hotel, I may be able to get my company contacts to check it out for you. We probably have a crewmember that lives there too.
Looking forward to hearing more

[Robert Klepps]

Chicago works for me! I have to agree with Mike. Let's carry it through the weekend. We'll probably get a better turn out.

[Dennis Smith]

More information about Boot Camp:
Washington tells recruiters to "recruit" and each week the new recruits are sent to Greatlakes for training. To start Recruit Training they need 800 to 1000 new recruits. occasionally there are not enough to start and the recruits hold over for a week. When this happens there will not be a graduation on one Friday. This happened in June 2010. This situation rarely happens but the Recruit Training Command does not know when it will happen. we will only know 8 weeks in advance if there will be a graduation.
Greatlakes is not an "Open Base". Civilian access is by invitation and not guaranteed. World or National situations could cause the security level to elevate and we could be caught sitting in the tour bus at the gate without access to the base.
I do not feel that either of the 2 situations will occur, but it is better to be prepared. I do have two alternate plans if needed.
Reminder: You MUST have a government issued (ie: drivers license) photo ID in your possession to enter any military base.

[Paul Goudsmit]

What about children?

[Dennis Smith]

"What about children?".
Oh WOW! that sure is an open question. But I assume you are talking about bringing children to the reunion. I am a strong believer that reunions are a 'family affair'. I will ask you to please let me know the ages and number as far in advance as possible. The hotel and tour companies are after our ADULT attendees, I try to have them accept youngsters and will only charge actual additional costs. Within about a month I should have actual dollar costs, but I do feel that there will NOT be an additional room charge for children. The tour companies are a little more set in their charges but I will do my 'Navy Best' to keep all charges to the minimum. We had children in San Diego and I convinced the hotel staff that they only shared an adults meal (not necessarily true) and we were not charged for their food.
A weekend in Chicago in a Hilton in August will be more costly than Charleston in October midweek, but please rest assured that Wally and I are working this very hard and promise you our very best efforts. There are many tricks to get the best deal, we are using them all and inventing a few of our own'.
The Hilton has a great indoor pool, Hot whirl pool and a sauna. Becky and I had a 1600 mile drive round trip on our walk-through, we stayed over and used the facilities. Oh yes, we are looking forward to a return, and those Hilton mattress are 'to die for', a little bit of overnight heaven. As to the food . . . OMG! Perhaps I should repeat that: As to the food . . . OMG! Do your dieting beforehand, this will be a true culinary treat.
see you in ChiTown;
Dennis

[Wally Kozin]

Now that we have the dates set, I ask all of our members to contact their fellow shipmates and ask them to attend. We would like a large attendance. Please do not assume these other shipmates know about the reunion. Last reunion, I did not contact anybody. Not this time. I want to see my old shipmates.