Dear Shipmates,

We are ready to have you register for the reunion!  The following document is the official USS Waddell DDG-24 reunion packet from Military Locator and Reunion Service, Inc..  ML&RS has been retained to coordinate the USS Waddell DDG-24's first ship's reunion.  The following document is only for informational purposes only as this website is not where you will register for our reunion.  Contact ML&RS immediately with your contact information (name, address, phone, etc.) so that they can mail you a complete reunion packet (introductory letter, questionnaire and registration form).  Any questions with regard to the schedule, events, or pricing should be directed to them.  I strongly encourage everyone to attend this reunion.  Furthermore, I encourage you to register immediately so that we can anticipate attendance and react appropriately.  This will be a "once in a lifetime" event!

Rick Bennett - President

USS Waddell DDG-24 Association

www.usswaddell.com

bennett@usswaddell.com

HERE IT IS!  INFORMATION THAT YOU'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR!

YOUR 2001 USS WADDELL DDG-24 REUNION PACKET.

Welcome to the Military Locator & Reunion Service, Inc reunion family.  We sincerely appreciate the opportunity to be part of your first reunion.  You will soon receive an introductory letter describing our company, the services we provide, and questionnaire in a previous correspondence.

We have worked closely with the group leadership in developing a reunion that will be a significant event in your life.  Friendships formed in the military service are unique, probably the strongest of a lifetime. The reunion will give you an opportunity to renew those friendships, make new friends with crewmembers who served at a different time and to create memories and traditions for future reunions. It may sound trite, but there is only one “first” reunion. No matter when and where other reunions may be held, no matter how many people will attend in the future, the first one will always be special. You don't want to miss it!

Since this is our first reunion together, please take a moment and read the administrative guidelines that are designed to insure that you have adequate information, or know where to have your questions answered.

1) All reservations (including hotel) must be made through Military Locator & Reunion Service, Inc.  Reservations are accepted via mail, fax or phone.  Reservations by fax or phone require a credit card (MasterCard or VISA only.)  The hotel will not accept individual reservations if you identify yourself as a member of USS WADDELL, and if you do not identify yourself as a member, you will not receive the discounted reunion rates.   

2) A $100.00 per person deposit must accompany your reservation. The balance will be collected at the reservation table on site. VISA and MASTERCARD are the ONLY credit cards accepted. Persons paying both the initial deposit and final on site payment by the preferred method - personal check, travelers check, money order, or cash (on site only) will be given a two percent (2%) discount from the total reunion price. The discount will be applied when you check in at the reunion, so you don't have to do anything. To give you an idea of how much the discount will be, if your initial deposit is made by check or travelers check, your confirmation letter will show both the discounted and non-discounted balances due.

3) Reservations must be received on or before July 31, 2001.  Reservations received August 1, 2001 or later will be accommodated on a space available basis - with the probability of not receiving reunion rates.  "Walk-Ins” will be accommodated on a space available basis at regular hotel rates.

4) Cancellations and Refunds: Cancellations received on or before the cut off date (July 31) will receive a full refund of their deposit. Cancellations received between August 1 and August 26 will receive a full refund of their deposit minus a $25.00 cancellation fee, plus the cost of any events already paid for by ML & RS,  Inc, and the cost of any events for which guaranteed numbers have been provided. There will be NO REFUNDS - FOR ANYTHING- FOR ANY REASON after August 26, 2001.  Special cancellation rules apply to the John Brown cruise, read them separately.  Last minute emergencies do happen. For this reason the full payment will not be accepted with you reservation. Send only the required deposit and tour costs!

5) The host hotel is the Holiday Inn Inner Harbor located at 301 West Lombard St, Baltimore, MD. Complimentary Airport shuttle service is not available.  Commercial transportation is available at the airport terminal. One company offering this service is “BWI Super Shuttle.”   Advance reservations can be made by calling 410-859-5588, or you can wait at their curbside pick-up.  Rental Cars are available at the terminal. There is a charge for parking at the hotel which is not included in the reunion price (we have no way of knowing who will fly and who will drive.)  A map or directions to the hotel will be included in your reservation confirmation letter. Mobile home/camper parking cannot be accommodated. Carry over reunion rates are available 72 hours before or after the reunion. See registration form if you need extra nights. Time your arrival so as to arrive before the 5:00 PM Welcome Reception. Normal check-in time is 3:00 PM, but every effort will be made to have rooms ready earlier.  

6) In an effort to help you control your costs, you have the opportunity to select from one of several different “options.” Pick the option that best fits the activities that you wish to participate in. If neither option is exactly what you want, call the ML &RS, Inc office at 1-828-256-6008 and a customer service representative will tailor the reunion just for you. Please remember, this is your reunion and there is nothing you have to do.

7) Due to liability considerations, private alcoholic beverages cannot be allowed in the hospitality room.

PLAN OF THE DAYS

Thursday August 30:

12:00 Noon-5:00PM: Registration table open. All Thursday arrivals should register before checking in the hotel. Late Thursday arrivals will be registered after 5:00 PM or Friday morning. Hospitality Room opens, stocked with coffee, soft drinks and snacks. Relax here and get reacquainted with old friends, make new ones and wait to see who's coming next.  Private alcoholic beverages are not permitted in the hospitality room. This is not negotiable!

5:00PM: Welcome Reception with cash bar and hors d'oeuvres. This is the first “planned” event and it is where the reunion starts. Introductions and announcements pertaining to the next day's schedule will be made. You don't want to miss this activity.  Dinner tonight is on your own. The hospitality room will re-open after the reception. Cost of the Reception is included in Option A only.

Friday August 31:

6:30AM-8:30AM: Breakfast is on your own. Eat at your leisure, keeping in mind when the association business meeting begins.

8:30AM: Hospitality room opens with fresh coffee. Snacks will be served around 2:00PM.

9:00AM: Business Meeting for crewmembers.

9:00AM: Registration resumes for late Thursday or Friday arrivals.           

10:30AM: Optional tour of the US Naval Academy at Annapolis and other points of interest departs. At the Academy you can see where our Nation's finest young men and women live and study. You will also see the crypt of John Paul Jones and learn some of his life. We may be able to view the noontime parade. A stop will be made for lunch, but it's on your own. You'll return to the hotel around 5:00 PM. There is a minimum of thirty-five persons for this trip to take place.  If less than 35 persons are registered on the cut-off date, July 31, the trip will be cancelled, or the balance due adjusted to make up the difference. Cost of this tour is not included in either option. You must register for it separately, see the registration form.

10:30AM: Free time for anyone not going on tour. Relax in the hospitality room, shop, stroll the inner harbor, or anything you please.

6:00PM: Cocktail Hour with a cash bar begins. Finger foods will be served at 7:00PM. The food served here will be sufficient for snacks for everyone, but when it's gone, it will not be replenished. For the sake of those in the back of the line, please remember this is not intended to be your dinner.  This is purely a social evening. There will be a DJ playing your favorite music for your listening and dancing pleasure. Cost of this evening's "fun festival" is included in Options A and B.

Saturday September 1:

6:30AM-8:00AM: Breakfast will be on your own again this morning. Eat at your leisure, keeping in mind when the John Brown Liberty Ship cruise begins. As a reminder, to those going on the cruise, if you want to wait to eat, a continental breakfast will be served on the ship. Also, if you are going on the cruise, and not staying at the Holiday Inn, you may not park in the hotel parking garage.

9:00AM: John Brown Liberty Ship Cruise departs Holiday Inn Inner Harbor.  This is an exciting and once in a lifetime event! Information provided by the Liberty Ship indicates that a continental breakfast will be served on the ship. Lunch and beverages (including beer) are included in the cruise price.  Also, the cruise will be a WW II re-enactment with General Patton, President Roosevelt look-alikes; music from the WW II era, featuring music by Glenn Miller and the Andrews Sisters and a mock aerial attack. The cruise itself will be in the Chesapeake Bay. There is no minimum number for this cruise; however the final price (which includes bus transportation to and from the hotel) will be determined by the number of participants.  This is an optional trip and the cost is not included in either option. You must register and pay (in advance) for the cruise separately.  See the registration form for details. Reservations are made on a first-come, first-served basis until the cruise is full. Early registration is recommended.

10:00AM: Hospitality room opens for late arrivals or those not going on the tour. 

7:00PM: Pre-banquet cocktail hour with cash bar & photo session. Relax in the company of your old and new friends. Be sure to have your photo taken for inclusion in the post-reunion book.

8:00PM:  USS WADDELL Banquet. Enjoy your last night in a more formal setting.  Coat and tie recommended for the gentlemen and corresponding dress for the ladies. If you can still wear a complete uniform, please do so.  Cost of the banquet is included in all options.

Sunday September 2:

REGISTRATION INFORMATION AND WORKSHEET

In addition to the events/activities listed in the four options, each option also includes all taxes and gratuities (except for the bus driver and tour guide), all set-up/clean-up/bartender fees, banquet and memorial service  programs, registration fee (which covers the postage, printing mailing and set-up work already done by ML & RS, Inc), name and city tags, hospitality room with coffee, cold drinks and snacks, a roster of attendees and a full time ML & RS, Inc representative.

FULL OPTIONS

If you want either of the full Options, please circle your choice and enter the cost below.

Option A:  (Arrive Thursday, depart Sunday) : Lodging Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights;  Welcome Reception on Thursday evening,  Friday evening “fun festival ”with finger food and DJ, Banquet Saturday night, Sunday breakfast (plus items listed above.)   Cost: $728.52 per couple or $551.76  per single (before discount for payment by check, travelers check, money order or cash).   

Option B:  (Arrive after 1200 noon Friday and depart Sunday): Lodging Friday and Saturday nights, Friday evening “fun festival” with finger food and DJ, Banquet Saturday night, Sunday Breakfast, (plus items listed above.) Cost:$537.90 per couple or $393.95 per single (before discount for payment by check, travelers check, money order or cash).   

Option C:   (Arrive after noon on Saturday and depart Sunday): Lodging Saturday night, Banquet Saturday night, Breakfast Sunday morning (plus items listed above.)  Cost: $327.20 per couple or $226.10 per single (before discount for
payment by check, travelers check, money order or cash).   

Option D:  (Arrive after 4:00 PM Saturday)  Banquet Only   Cost: $147.80 per couple or $73.90 per single (before discount for payment by check, travelers check, money order or cash).   

TOUR INFORMATION

Tour costs (for either day) are NOT included in the package prices. You must register for each one separately. For a description of the tours, please see the itinerary.

Friday's Naval Academy Tour:  Depart from hotel at 1030 AM: Cost is $32.00 per person.

$32.00X _____ (# persons) =                                                                                 $ _________

Saturday's John Brown Liberty Ship Cruise: Depart from hotel at 9:00 AM. Cost is $135.00 per person.

$135.00X ____ (# persons) =                                                                                 $__________        

Special note: The John Brown Liberty Ship trip must be paid for in advance.  You must add that cost to your deposit. There is a $25.00 cancellation fee for canceling after you have registered.  There will be no refunds after August 1st for any reason. This is the Brown's policy, NOT ML& RS, Inc. Also, the price of the bus transportation which is part of the $135.00 may  need to
be slightly adjusted depending upon the total number of passengers.

Worksheet                                                           

1) Enter the cost of your selected Option here:                                                       $ _________

2) From above, enter the total cost of the tours you wish to participate in:                  $ _________

3) Add lines one and two and enter here:                                                                $ _________

PO Drawer 11399
Hickory NC 28603
Phone: 828-256-6008
Fax: 828-256-6559
Email: Brenda Eckard