USS BLANDY REUNION  IN PHOENIX, AZ OCTOBER 10 THRU 14, 2012

Hello Shipmates!

            Our plans for the next reunion are well underway. The contract for the hotel has been signed and all we need now is people to come and fill the rooms. We will be staying at the Crowne Plaza San Marcos Golf Resort, located in downtown Chandler, Az (a Phoenix suburb). Yes, if you’re a golfer, bring your clubs and try out the 18 hole course, special rates for hotel guests. The historic hotel will be celebrating it’s Centennial, as will the State of Arizona. So there may be additional activities/events going on during your stay that we don’t know about at this time. The hotel is providing a nice large hospitality room, with bar, at no charge to our association, for our gathering.

            You can begin making your reservations anytime. The rooms will be $99 plus tax per night. The hotel will also honor that price 3 days before and 3 days after our scheduled reunion. Cut off date to make your reservation at this price is September 3, 2012.

You can call: 1-888-233-9527

 

The hotel looks just like it is pictured on the web site. (www.SanMarcosResort.com) it’s located in the heart of downtown Chandler. There are small shops, and restaurants within a one or two block walk. The Chamber of Commerce is just across the street, as is a Farmers Market on Thursday evening. The hotel itself does not offer a free breakfast, however there is a nice restaurant on premises, which does breakfast, lunch and has great dinner specials each evening. The hotel also has a free shuttle for it’s guests, that will go in a 5 mile radius. It will not take you to the airport, but can take you to the Mall (3 miles away), or to Walmart (1.5 miles away) and such. Also available in the hotel lobby is Hertz Local Edition Rental cars.

            For those of you flying into Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (22 miles away), shuttles are available to the hotel. Super Shuttle charges $21 plus $4 service fee each way, per person or $42 plus $4 service fee round trip, per person; call toll free 1-877-770-4826. Arizona Value Shuttle charges $24 for the 1st person and $6 for each additional person, each way; call toll free 1-800-548-6541. Cabs are also available for over $45 each way from airport.

            Thursday October 11, 2012 has no scheduled events, enjoy the sights and weather of our “Valley of the Sun”. Check in at the hospitality room at your convenience and visit with your shipmates.

Friday October 12, 2012 we’re planning an all-day bus trip to the Grand Canyon, seating is limited, so be sure to sign up early. The round trip will take up to 15/16 hours. It will tentatively leave about 6 AM and be back about 10 PM. Very reasonably priced.

Saturday October 13, 2012 we will have our Memorial Service and Business Meeting in the afternoon at the hotel. That evening we’ll be going to the Rockin’ R Ranch for a Chuckwagon Supper and Western Stage Show. So wear your western duds if you like—it’ll be great for pictures! This will be our final scheduled event for the reunion.

 For those of you who served on the Blandy during the Cuban Missile Crisis, our reunion will be during the 50th Anniversary of that event.

Also Wesley Bolin Plaza and the State Capital Museum in Phoenix on Washington St and 17th Avenue may be of interest to you, as it contains artifacts from the USS Arizona, including the signal mast and anchor. The Museum itself is open Monday thru Friday 9-4; the adjacent Plaza is always open.

For those not going to the Grand Canyon on Friday, and others extending your stay out west, there is a multitude of things to see and do in the area. So come on out and enjoy our Arizona sunshine and western hospitality. We’re looking forward to making your visit memorable. If we can answer any questions or help in any way contact me or Linda at: 480-234-3536 or 480-288-1745 or e-mail: pagespalace@msn.com     So start reserving those dates for our:

 

USS BLANDY REUNION 2012

OCTOBER 10-thru 14

Frank Page

President Blandy Association

 

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