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2023 Blue Spader Reunion

by | Apr 7, 2023 | news

2023 Reunion Information

August 2 – August 5, 2023

WHEN:

Wednesday, August 2 through
Saturday, August 5, 2023

 

WHERE:

Fort Lauderdale, FL

HOTEL:

The Sonesta Hotel
999 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304

Click Button
To download the 2023 Reunion Registration Form

Registration Form

Mail registration to:
26th infantry Regiment Association
ATTN: MATT BARTEL
875 Gip Manning Rd
Clarksville, TN 37042

To make hotel reservations online click the button below  OR call the hotel directly at 1-800-766-3782 and identify yourself as being with the 26th Infantry Regiment Association (group code # 072323INFG) to get the group rate of $179 per room per night.

Rooms at these highly discounted rates are first-come first-serve so please book your rooms early as we only have a limited quantity. (Rooms during this period are normally over $300 per night).

Click Here to Book Your Room Online

OR

Call 1-800-766-3782

The Sonesta is very supportive of military service members and veterans, and they have worked with us to provide a great value of benefits for our group, including:

  • Discounted Room Rates (over $300 value)
  • A waived resort fee ($180 value)
  • 50% discount on overnight valet parking ($200 value)
  • 10% off drinks at the Sonesta bar
  • 2 beach towels and two beach chairs daily per room

TRANSPORTATION: The closest airport is the Fort Lauderdale International Airport (FLL). The hotel is approximately 9 miles from the airport and takes about 25-30 minutes to drive depending on traffic. There is not a dedicated Sonesta hotel shuttle but there are ample taxi and ride sharing services available and rental cars are also an option.

REUNION CHECK-IN: Wednesday afternoon and upon arrival Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Check in will be in the Command Post (CP) which will be held in the “Horizons” rooms on the Penthouse Level. The hotel front desk staff will provide you an information sheet upon check in to orient you to the hotel and where the CP is located.

COMMAND POST, SILENT AUCTION, SUPPLY ROOM: The CP will be in the Horizon room on the Penthouse Level at the Sonesta and the views of the Florida coastline are spectacular. The Silent Auction and Supply Room will be in the same room as the CP. Just like in Las Vegas two years ago, we are not able to bring our own Association purchased drinks and snacks into the CP. Instead, we will be providing a cash bar along with several drink tickets to each registered attendee. The cash bar will be available for several hours in the evening and the hotel bar downstairs will provide 10% discounts on drinks to those with a reunion badge.

SILENT AUCTION: Please bring your items to the silent auction so we can raise money for the association. You can bring items with you or mail them ahead of time. We will provide the mailing address as we get closer to the reunion.

WELCOME RECEPTION: 5:00 – 7:00 pm Thursday evening in the Horizon Room. Join us for heavy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar as we officially kick off the 2023 reunion.

BANQUET: The Saturday evening reception and banquet will be held at the Sonesta Hotel in the Infinity Banquet Room. We will have a plated dinner to include entre selections of beef, chicken, or vegetarian. This is always a special event!

TOURS: We do not have any formally planned group tours during the reunion to give people the maximum amount of flexibility to enjoy your trip and do what suits you and your family in South Florida.

Here are some great activities, tours, and events in the area to consider:

Fort Lauderdale Beach. The Sonesta Hotel is right across the street from a great stretch of south Florida beach. Your hotel key will get you two chairs and an umbrella at no cost.

Hugh Taylor Birch State Park. ‘State Park and Oasis” right across the street to the north of the hotel. A great way to experience natural Florida! Floridastateparks.org

Bonnet House Museum & Gardens. “Early 20th Century Florida experience and museum dedicated to historic and environmental preservation.” Several hundred yards away to the south of the hotel. Bonnethouse.org

Jungle Queen Cruises. 12-130pm and 230-4pm. “90 minute narrated sightseeing cruises down the New River, sailing through Millionaire’s Row” Junglequeen.com

Jungle Queen Island Dinner & Cruise. 6 – 10pm. “Tropical Island all-you-can-eat BBQ dinner, variety show, & sightseeing cruise to a private island” Junglequeen.com

Alligator Tours. “Airboat tours of the Everglades & Alligator Show” Airboatevergladestours.com

Everglades Holiday Park. “Gator presentations, airboat tours, and more” Evergladesholidaypark.com

Water Taxi. “There’s no better way to experience Fort Lauderdale than from the water and no easier way to do that than on a Water Taxi” Watertaxi.com

These are not 26th Infantry Regiment Association organized or sponsored activities and are just a sample of the great opportunities to enhance your reunion experience and vacation.

SCHEDULE of EVENTS

Wed, August 2nd:

  • Command Post (CP) in Horizons: 3pm – 9pm (cash bar in the evening)

Thu, August 3rd:

  • CP, Silent Auction, Supply Room in Horizons: 9-10am & 4-9pm (cash bar in the evening)
  • Explore South Florida
  • Welcome reception w/ hors d’oeuvres in Horizons: (5-7pm)

Fri, August 4th:

  • Explore South Florida
  • CP, Silent Auction, Supply Room in Horizons: 9-10am & 4-9pm (cash bar in the evening)

Sat, August 5th:

  • CP, Silent Auction, Supply Room in Horizons: 9-10am
  • Annual Business Meeting in Horizons: 10-1130am
  • Silent Auction last chance: 11am-12pm
  • Silent Auction Closes: 12pm
  • No later than pick up Silent Auction Items: 2pm
  • Explore South Florida
  • Pre-banquet reception in Impressions on the Penthouse Level: 6-7pm
  • Formal banquet at in Infinity on the Penthouse Level: 7-9pm
  • Post banquet festivities / Cash Bar in
  • Horizons on the Penthouse Level: 9pm–1030pm

Sun, August 6th:

  • Check out and travel safely home

2022 Blue Spader Reunion

by | Feb 3, 2022 | news

WHEN:

Wednesday, July 20th through Saturday, July 23rd, 2022

 

WHERE:

Alexandria, Virginia

HOTEL:

Embassy Suites, 1900 Diagonal Road,
Alexandria, Virginia

Click Here
To download the 2022 Blue Spader Reunion Registration Form

Mail registration to:
26th infantry Regiment Association
875 Gip Manning Rd
Clarksville, TN 37042

Embassy Suites is a 288-room full-service hotel located on west end of Old Town Alexandria. It is a 3-minute walk to the King Street Metro that will go to key sites in DC in around 20 minutes. All rooms are two-room suites and come with a foldout couch. Options are Single ($169), Double ($189), or King Executive Suite ($189) + tax. Two ways to make reservations: 1. Call the reserva?ons center at 1-800-445-8667 and reference our group code, IRR;

Two ways to make reservations:

1. Call the reservations center at 1-800-445-8667 and reference our group code, IRR;
2. Book online via your group’s personalized webpage:
3. https//book.passkey.com/go/26thInfantryRegimental 

Parking is an additional $16/ night for attendees who use the registration code above. This is peak season in the national capital region. Rooms at these discounted rates are first come first serve so please book your rooms as early as possible before the room block runs out.

NOTE: HARD CUTOFF DATE FOR RESERVING THIS HOTEL RATE IS
15 JUNE, 2022

TRANSPORTATION: The closest airport is the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). There is no airport hotel shuttle but there are taxi and ride sharing services and a Metro stop (King Street Station) two stops from the Airport via the Blue/Yellow Line – King Street Metro stop is 3 minute walk from the Embassy Suites lobby door.

 

Click Here to download the
2022 Blue Spader Reunion Registration Form

SCHEDULE of EVENTS:

Wednesday, 20 July 2022
• Arrive Hotel / Check-In
• Informal evening Meet-and-Greet at the Command Post

Thursday, 21 July 2022
• Hosted U.S Army National Museum Tour & 26th Infantry Plaque Dedication
• Silent Auction / Supply Room
• Welcome Reception / Gold Star Family Recognition w/ heavy hors d’oeuvres
• Command Post

Friday, 22 July 2022
• No-host Tomb of the Unknown Soldier visit & Have fun in the National Capital Region
• Silent Auction / Supply Room
• Command Post

Saturday, 23 July 2022
• Association Business Meeting in the morning
• Close out Silent Auction and pick up winnings
• Formal Banquet Dinner in the evening

TOURS:
We have one formal tour planned. On Thursday, July 21st, we will visit the U.S. Army National Museum & Conduct a 26th Infantry Plaque unveiling and dedication. After the dedication we will have an opportunity to tour this amazing recently opened museum. Don’t miss this great opportunity to visit this new national treasure. On Friday, July 22nd, we will arrange for a no-host visit to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. Please indicate your interest on the registration form. Other than
these tours, we hope everyone will take time to enjoy the great attractions in the National Capital Region and Old Town Alexandria. The city has a free trolley service from hotel door to Old Town (~1.2 miles) that runs every 15 minutes.

 

BANQUET:
The Saturday evening banquet will be held at the Embassy Suites Hotel in one of the Banquet Rooms. We will have a plated dinner to include entre selections of beef, chicken, or vegetarian options.

COMMAND POST, SILENT AUCTION, SUPPLY ROOM:
The CP will be in a suite upstairs in the evenings thanks to the generosity of our Reunion Coordinator, Randy Dragon. Please bring fun adult beverages to share with your fellow Blue Spaders. The Silent Auction and Blue Spader Supply Room will be open several hours per day in one of the hotel Banquet rooms.

SILENT AUCTION:
Please bring your items to the silent auction so we can raise money for the
association. This is always a great part of the reunions because of the incredible generosity and creativity of our members who bring items to donate.

2021 Blue Spader Reunion

by | Dec 31, 2020 | news

WHEN:
Wednesday, June 23 through Saturday, June 26, 2021

WHERE:
Las Vegas, NV

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HOTEL:
The Luxor Hotel
3900 S Las Vegas Blvd
Las Vegas, NV 891190

To make hotel reservations, book online CLICK HERE. OR call the hotel directly at
(702) 262-4450 or toll free at (800) 926-4737 and identify yourself as being with the 26th Infantry Regiment Association and group code GBLU0621LX to get the group rate. The guest room rate for those attending the reunion varies by night according to the following schedule (this includes a discounted resort fee and state taxes).

TRANSPORTATION: The closest airport is the McCarran International Airport (LAS). The hotel is approximately 3.0 miles from the airport. There is not a dedicated Luxor hotel shuttle but there are ample taxi and ride sharing services available.

REUNION CHECK-IN:
1:00 pm – 5:00 pm Wednesday through Friday.
Check in will be in the CP which will be held in the “Egyptian 1,2,3” room at the Luxor.

Click Here to Download Registration Form

WEDNESDAY: June 23, 2021.

  • Hospitality room (CP): 1pm–10pm (cash bar in the evening)

THURSDAY: June 24, 2021

  • Hospitality room (CP, Silent Auction, Supply Room): 9am–10pm (cash bar in the evening)
  • Welcome reception w/ hors d’oeuvres (6–8pm)
  • Have fun in Las Vegas
  • ay with Soldiers.

FRIDAY: June 25, 2021

  • Hospitality room (CP, Silent Auction, Supply Room): 9am–10pm (cash bar in the evening)
  • Have fun in Las Vegas

SATURDAY: June 26, 2021

  • Hospitality room (CP, Silent Auction, Supply Room): 9am–10pm (cash bar in the evening)
  • Annual Meeting: 10–11am (coffee)Hospitality room (CP, Silent Auction, Supply Room): 9am–10pm (cash bar in the evening)
  • Have fun in Las Vegas
  • Have fun in Las Vegas
  • Formal banquet at the Luxor: 7–9pm

TOURS: We do not have any formally planned group tours during the reunion to give people the maximum amount of flexibility to enjoy your trip and do what suits you. The following link provides information to help determine what you’d like to do while you’re in Las Vegas. Visitlasvegas.com Please take advantage of your stay in this iconic city and enjoy. These are not 26th Infantry Regiment Association organized or sponsored activities.

BANQUET: The Saturday evening banquet will be held at the Luxor Hotel in the Egyptian Banquet Rooms. We will have a plated dinner to include entre selections of a beef / chicken combo plate or a vegetarian plate.

COMMAND POST, SILENT AUCTION, SUPPLY ROOM: Wednesday through Saturday in the “Egyptian 1,2,3” room at the Luxor. Unlike previous years, we are not able to bring our own Association purchased drinks and snacks into the CP. Instead, we will be providing a cash bar along with several drink tickets to each registered attendee. The cash bar will be available during the evening hours. The Silent Auction and Supply Room will be in the same room as the CP throughout the reunion.

SILENT AUCTION: Please bring your items to the silent auction so we can raise money for the association. You can bring items with you or mail them ahead of time. We will provide the mailing address at a later date as we get closer to the reunion.

2020 Reunion Cancelled

by | Mar 23, 2020 | news

blue spaders
26th Infantry Regiment Association

March 22, 2020

Hello Blue Spaders,

In light of recent events, we have made a decision to cancel our 2020 Annual Reunion in Las Vegas.  As of now, our reunions will move forward one year, so we will hold our 2021 reunion in Las Vegas and our 2022 reunion will take place in Washington DC.  

We still plan to hold a 2020 Business meeting and are finalizing plans to create a telephonic or video conference which members can join from their homes.  More details will follow as this develops. 

Given this decision, there are a few things you will need to do… 

First, if you reserved a room (s) or made travel arrangements, you will need to contact the hotel and airline or bus line to cancel or reschedule as necessary.  Don’t forget to cancel rental cars and other reservations. 

Second, if you have already registered, you have two options:  1) We will send you a check with your payment amount and you can re-register next year, or 2) We will keep your registration payment for next year at the 2020 rate.  We will contact each registered attendee to determine their preference. 

We hope that you remain in contact with one another throughout these unusual circumstances. As conditions improve and we are able to gather in larger groups we hope the informal Blue Spader regional get-togethers will continue as they did earlier this year.

Finally, please take care of yourselves and one another throughout this COVID-19 event. Stay safe and follow the guidelines for your state and region. There are many resources available, to include the CDC guidelines. We hope to see everyone at the 2021 Reunion.  We will provide more information as needed in the months ahead.  

Bob Scurlock
Honorary Colonel of the Regiment

Steven McClaflin
Honorary Command Sergeant Major of the Regiment

Click here to download a copy of notice

2019 Blue Spader Reunion

by | Dec 20, 2018 | news

WHEN:
Wednesday, June 19th through Saturday, June 22nd, 2019

WHERE:
Clarksville, Tennessee and Fort Campbell, Kentucky

 

HOTEL:
Riverview Inn
50 College Street
Clarksville, Tennessee 37040

To make hotel reservations, call the hotel directly at (877) 487-4837, identify yourself as being with the 26th Infantry Regiment Association to get the group rate. The guest room rate for those attending the reunion is $115.15 which includes taxes and breakfast.

TRANSPORTATION: Nashville International Airport (BNA) is approximately 47 miles away. Shuttle fares are approximately $45-65 one way, Taxi is between $110-140.

 

REUNION CHECK-IN: 1000-1700 Wednesday through Friday

TOURS: All tours will be ticketed events and individuals must sign up and pay for each tour as part of the reunion registration process. The following provides an overview of the tours on Thursday and Friday.

Click Here to Download Registration Form

THURSDAY TOUR/EVENT: June 20th, 2019.

Day with Soldiers.

The active duty Soldiers of the 1st Battalion 26th Infantry host Association members and their guest to a day at FT. Campbell, Kentucky. The events will consist of static displays and a tour of the battalion headquarters. For those interested, there will also be a tour of the newly refurbished Pratt Museum. Lunch will be provided for those who want it at 2nd Brigade “Strike” Dining facility. Cost will be $6 per person, so please bring cash for this. Each Association member will be matched with a Soldier to tour with them for the entire day. Just like the reunion back in 2016, this will be the time to build rapport and keep the link between our Blue Spader Veterans and the Active Duty Soldiers because Once a Blue Spader, Always a Blue Spader.

 

Welcome Dinner
Join us for the “Taste of the South” buffet at the Riverview. There will be pulled pork, fried chicken, and several other “fixins”. After the welcome dinner, spouse are invited to the Volunteer Room for the Spouses’ Annual gathering. There will be desserts, coffee and tea.

FRIDAY TOUR(S): June 21st, 2019.

FT. Donelson, National Cemetery Tour, and Old Glory Distillery Tour.
The Fort Donelson National Battlefield gives us the opportunity to explore the 1862 battlefield and to understand why this campaign was so important in the American Civil War. We will also visit the National Cemetery where Soldiers from the battle of FT. Donelson and other Soldiers, including four Blue Spaders, are laid to rest. The Blue Spaders at this cemetery represent members from the Philippines’ War, WWI, WWII and Vietnam.

We’ll return to Clarksville where we will have a catered lunch provided by Mission BBQ at the Old Glory Distillery. After lunch, we will take a tour of the facility and be given the opportunity to taste their small batch spirits. There is also a gift store for any purchases you may want to make.

SATURDAY SCHEDULE: June 22nd, 2019

This is the final official day of the reunion which will start with the annual business meeting in the morning. The silent auction will end at noon then you can pick up any items you’ve won between 1400- 1600. That evening, we will cap off the reunion with our annual banquet where we will again have time with the Soldiers from the battalion.

During the day, you can walk right across the street to visit the Clarksville Downtown Market. This open air market features local farmers, artisans and businesses who offer fresh grown produce, food items and handcrafted products.

If you want to really take in the scenery, you will enjoy the Cumberland River Walk and McGregor Park which includes a riverfront promenade, wharf, amphitheatre, and the overlook plaza.

0600-0900- Breakfast
0800-1300- Clarksville Downtown Market (less than a block from hotel) 0900-1100- Annual Business Meeting
1100-1200- Silent Auction Last Chance before closing at noon
1200-1700- Command Post Operations
1400-1700- Pickup silent auction items
1800-2100- Banquet-Reception followed by dinner
Chicken-Pecan crusted chicken breast
Beef- Apricot and ginger glazed flank steak Vegetarian-Bean cassoulet with great northern beans

2130-UTC- Command Post Operations

COMMAND POST, SUPPLY ROOM, SILENT AUCTION: Wednesday through Friday, open at noon. On Saturday, the Silent Auction is open for one hour from 11 to noon.
Command Post is open on Saturday from noon until the banquet and then open again after the banquet until midnight.