60^th Reunion
Cancelled

60^th Reunion

Attached is the current registration list. Many have registered – but many have not.
Send any changes you want made to the current list.
Hotel reservations have been made for all that indicated they will or might attend.
Things are looking up for a safe reunion, so if you have not registered, do so.
If you see Classmates or widows that are not signed up, encourage them to join us.

For purposes of the registration, assume that by May it will be safe to have the reunion.
Just make your current best choice now – you will be able to make changes as time goes by.
Attached are references that explain the options and help you make your current choices.

We send a special invitation to widows – Please join us.

We ask Classmates/wives to contact close widow friends and encourage them to attend. 

Once you are ready, use the following link to access our Reunion Registration Survey 

Once you are ready, use the following link to access our Reunion Registration Survey

Fill out REGISTRATION form

 If you have questions contact us at

61reunion@cfl.rr.com

Your 60th Reunion Planning Committee
Bob Cairns, Gene Witherspoon, Phil Mallory, Joe Fishburne, Ed Brown, Peter Gleichenhaus

Latest 60th Reunion Information

Warm regards Class of 1961 and associates: 

Hard to believe, but we are now less than four months away from our 60th.   

In February 2019 we did an initial survey to get an early indication of interest to help plan for the 60th.  The interest was outstanding, with 300+ indicating preliminary interest in the 60th.  We used the data collected in that survey to do the planning for the 60th, including selecting the same hotel we used for the 55th.  Here is the skinny.

  *  Base Days:  Thursday 13 May - Tuesday 18 May 2021

  *  Early Arrival/Late Departure optional 

KEY PRINCIPLES FOR THE 60^TH 

The key planning principles for the 60^th flow directly from the features and attributes of the 55^th.  Here are the primary ones from the 55th that will be incorporated for the 60^th.

1. Reunion Plan Based on Class Preferences

a. We use internet-based surveys to survey all classmates and widows to get their inputs for planning the reunion.

b. From these surveys, we determine where attendees want to go for the reunion and when they want to go there. 

c. We learn what they liked about past reunions, what they did not like, and what they would like to see for the 60^th.

2. An Outstanding Hotel for Our Preferences

a.  Marriott, Park Ridge, NJ.  This was our hotel for the 55^th.  Once again, this hotel offered the best value and best met our requirements for the 60th. 

b. It offered the lowest overall price.  The service and support for the 55^th was outstanding and based on the very positive responses we got it promises to be the same for the 60^th.  It has been remodeled thruout since the 55^th and includes all walk-in shower rooms.  Several key attributes for the Park Ridge are shown in the following table.

 3. More Time to Relax, Socialize, and Tour

a. For the 55^th, the Class felt that past reunions’ agendas were too full and folks had to rush from one event to the next – they wanted more time to relax and socialize.

b. For the 55^th we had a five-night/four-day event base period with options for extending before or after the base period, multiplying the free time available many-fold when compared to past reunions.

c. Similar plan for 60^th.

4. Private Places to Meet, Relax, and Enjoy Old Friends

a. Prior to the 55^th, we had no hospitality room for past reunions. 

b. For the 55^th, we had four comfortably furnished hospitality rooms that were stocked with food and beverages. 

c. Similar plan for 60^th.  All one can eat and drink available 24 hours a day included in their social package.

5. A Flexible Itinerary

a. Numerous options for day trips, tours, or visits – none mandatory – every event is optional.

b. A lot of free time for attendees to pick and choose what they want to do.

6. A Streamlined Transportation Plan

a. Buses are optional.  POVs are transportation options for all events.  Attendees only pay if they use the bus.

b. Buses load and leave when full rather than wait to convoy.

c. Employ staggered departure times based on different groups’ needs – cuts down on waiting around at the destination.

7. Lower Costs

a. For the 55^th, the cumulative cost savings for the Class as a whole was about $100,000 when compared to the prices for the 50^th reunion for like items.  For the 60^th, we plan many cost saving initiatives similar to the 55^th;

b. These include: tax-free room price $10 lower than room for the 50^th, breakfast buffet discount, free WiFi, hospitality rooms we stock with snacks and beverages, Class supplied wines at dinner with reduced corkage fee, 15% cost discount from posted hotel catered dinner prices, buses optional – pay only if they request a bus, classmates for photography rather than professional photographer, electronic Welcome Packets rather than hard copy, memorabilia by request only, and free hotel shuttle available all days for use within 3 miles of the hotel.

8. A la Carte Pricing –

a. All items are optional.

b. Only pay for what you use 

9. A Memorial Room to Remember Our Deceased Classmates

a. This is a dedicated room at the hotel with a tribute for each of our deceased classmates on the walls of the room. 

b. It is a quiet room, separate from the hospitality room, in which folks can walk the walls and think about and remember guys they knew. 

c. For the 55^th, additional items were in the room, such as the Howitzers, Registers, 50^th Yearbook, cadet uniforms, tar buckets, etc.  Similar plan for 60^th

The purpose of this survey is to remind everyone of the event dates and obtain updates of the preliminary headcounts.  We will do another survey about six months before the reunion to get your detailed preferences and plans.  

A “Do not plan to attend” response is important to us for planning purposes. 

Please respond as soon as you can.  Use the following link to fill out your response.

Fill out form

 If you have any questions or additional comments contact us at 61reunion@cfl.rr.com

Hard to Believe, But it is Time to Start the Planning for the 60^th Reunion.

The purpose of this initial survey is to begin the process for collecting your preferences for the 60th Reunion.  We need to know now whether you plan to attend.