AHOY Shipmates! 

Welcome to the spring newsletter. First, I would like to thank all of my shipmates and friends who attended the reunion at Providence, RI. Even though part of our tours was cancelled due to the government shut down, a great time was had by all. Friday night we had our first pizza party instead of the usual buffet, I must say it was a great success and plan on having it at our future reunions.

For those of you who do not know, the USS Glacier jacket is now available on our website or by contacting me directly. The main difference is we now have our own supplier and a new embroidery shop that is very close to my home, which means we can fill orders more timely. We have various jacket sizes in stock now ready to ship.

The Glacier reunion committee and officers are sad to report that Savannah, GA cannot meet our demands or requirements for our 2015 reunion. Of the three hotels that responded to us only the Desoto Hilton met our room rate requirements ($109.00) but did not have our preferred dates and did not include breakfast ($16.00). Valet parking would be $15.00 per night and airport shuttle $30.00. The Hilton Garden Inn offered a room rate of $ 164.00 plus taxes plus a hospitality room rental charge. The Inn at Ellis Square also offered a rate of $109.00 plus taxes plus a continental breakfast. They would charge $100.00 for the hospitality room and $420.00 for the Saturday night banquet room but we would have to utilize an outside catering company.

As you know, we have been working with Armed Forces Reunion, Inc. (AFRI) to help us find an affordable hotel/city that is reunion friendly and give us the best cost for our members in order for us to keep up our good attendance. We have selected the Holiday Inn Virginia Beach- Norfolk Hotel and convention Center, Virginia Beach, VA and have just signed their contract for September 23-27, 2015. They have just been through a complete renovation and have met all of our demands. Our rate will be $99.00 plus taxes, complimentary airport shuttle and hotel parking, complimentary hot breakfast in the dining room, free hospitality room with daily ice and clean up, Good food and beverage prices for our Friday pizza night and Saturday banquet as well. In addition, the hotel has a Wednesday night welcome reception provided by the hotel. Now this is a hotel that wants our business and is willing to work with us and AFRI.

Hope to see you there.

Respectfully,

Gordon Wagoner
President
USS Glacier Association

2015 – Norfolk, VA

2013 – Providence, RI
2011 – Branson, MO
2009 – Bloomington, MN
2007 – Nashville, TN
2005 – Philadelphia, PA
2003 – Las Vegas, NV
2001 – Charleston, SC
1999 – ST. Louis, MO
1997 – Myrtle Beach, SC
1995 – Boston, MA
1993 – Norfolk, VA

Remember our Historian (Woody Benner), for any Glacier memorabilia that you may wish to donate to our Association!