NASGI REUNION 2000 Comments

Only 3 from our Onelist group made it this year with Pete coming the farthest from California. We had over 200 in attendance with only 4 or so canceling but about 6 arrived unplanned.

I simply can't say enough about the effort the Reunion Team made on all our behalf. Marcia & I joined the committee and spouses for an impromptu dinner Thursday night.

Friday we had about 60 attending the Dinner Theatre production of Arsenic and Old Lace. Another 40 and we would have had exclusive occupancy, but as it was we had tables directly in front and across the entire stage. Both meal and performance was great.

Saturday was really event filled. They opened the small base museum for us. (It is normally only open on Sunday for about 4 hours). The morning started with Golf for a few, a Boat Cruise/Luncheon on the Clinton River and Lake St Clair, (there was about 25 on the cruise), and of course the Main Event that night. (Over 200)

Our material concerning the Web Site, the Township's new facility, the space reserved for museum displays, efforts to acquire the old tin hanger and an aircraft, and possible memorial was distributed at registration.

The banquette facility was comfortably filled. Several mini reunions also took place. Two brothers were reunited after several years and around 12 VS 733 shipmates had a reunion after 39 years. The music was excellent as was the meal. I personally needed more time to get around and see more people.

During the entire affair the room was filled with a buzz of enjoyment. That is until I was given the opportunity to make our presentation. I was surprised. After I was introduced you could hear a pin drop. The caterers stopped their activity and all eyes stared. I wanted to check my fly. I covered all the highlights and asked for help obtaining artifacts (things) for the real museum and graphic material for the web. Also explained the growth potential the Tin Hanger might afford for display purposes. And, I reviewed the evolution of proposals concerning the intended Memorial, from Bush to the Flower Garden. At the conclusion, the room erupted in spontaneous applause which was not anticipated. During the course of the evening I got lots of feed back which I'll cover later.

Sunday morning Marcia and I joined the reunion Committee and their spouses for a breakfast post mortem. While they had not yet recovered from this years event, they were already talking about options for next time.