Reunion Information and Registration

2015 REUNION INFORMATION PAGE

Hilton Lisle/Naperville       June 17 – 20 2015

To make hotel reservations. Call  800-445-8667 (630-505-0900 local hotel)  Identify yourself as being with the 26th Infantry Regiment Association reunion AND cite Group Code: “CIRA.”   The guest room rate for those attending the 26th Infantry Regiment Association reunion is $109.89 (includes taxes and Breakfast Buffet for two guests per room).  Group rate is available 3 days pre & 3 days post reunion.  Parking is free.  If you encounter any problems making this reservation ask to be connected Ms. Jennifer Matthews, Sales Manager.  Then please call (703) 599-6480 to inform the Association

Airport Shuttle: The Hilton Lisle/Naperville has a partnership fare with Windy City Limousine for transportation to/from both airports:  You must make reservations ahead of time, either by phone or website: You will pay upfront and all will be set for you upon arrival into town! Just call the local number when you retrieved your baggage and you are curb side, they will send the next car:  847-916-9300 or 866-949-4639, www.windycitylimos.com

Group Code:  HILTLI; Shuttle Rates to/from O’Hare and Midway Airports; One person  $34, Each additional traveler in the same car $10

 

Reunion Check in:  10 AM to 5 PM Wednesday through Friday

Tours  Thursday and Friday.   All Tours board buses at 9 AM.  Thursday Tour will return at 3 PM; Friday Tours will return at 4 PM.  (Ticketed Events)

Thursday Tour: June 18. The Main Exhibit Hall of the First Division Museum presents the history of the 1st Infantry Division, from its prehistory in the Revolutionary War, Civil War, Spanish American War and Mexican Punitive Expedition, to its activation in World War I. Inside, visitors find 10,000 square feet of state of the art interactive and experiential exhibits. They learn about the Big Red One and its roles in World War I, where it led America onto the international stage, and World War II, as it fought its way across North Africa, through Sicily, onto OMAHA Beach and across Europe. Visitors discover the 1st Division’s critical task during the Cold War: standing as a deterrent between the Soviet Union and a free Europe. They also learn of the hardships and sacrifices endured in Vietnam, where the Fighting First spent five years. Visitors follow the division to Desert Storm, where the Big Red One again served valiantly. An outdoor BBQ lunch will be served by the Museum.

 

Friday Tours June 19 (Select one)

  1. U-505 Submarine & Chicago’s Lakefront.  Tour the German submarine captured on June 4, 1944 off the coast of West Africa.  The on-board tour is NOT handicap accessible.  Lunch on your own at the Museum of Science and Industry.

 

  1. Chicago Drive Tour & River Cruise  Enjoy the historic and significant sights of a fully narrated driving tour of the City.  Then take a cruise on the Chicago River and learn about the architecture of Chicago’s awe inspiring buildings, see the Magnificent Mile, the new Millennium Park and the landmark Water Tower that survived the great fire.  Lunch on your own at Pompei in Little Italy.

Hotel Meals

Thursday’s Dinner Buffet will be 6:00 – 8:00 PM  Dinner Buffet

in “The Woods” (Redwood & Rosewood Rooms) (Ticketed Event)

Soup du Jour, Chef’s Selected Salad, Potato, Rice, or Pasta, Seasonal Vegetables, Shrimp & Scallops with Cavatelli Pasta and, Red Pepper-Fennel Sauce, Chicken Piccata, Selection of Petite Pastries & Desserts

Saturday’s Blue Spader Banquet will be6:00 – 6:30 PM  Cocktail Reception;  6:30 – 9:30 PM  Blue Spader Banquet in the Majestic Ballroom

Baby Spinach Salad with Strawberries, Mandarin Oranges,

Wonton Chips & Honey-Lime Vinaigrette

Citrus-Marinated Chicken    -or-     Roast New York Strip Loin

Baked Potato

Vegetable Medley

Fresh Baked Rolls and Butter

Key Lime Pie

Regular and Decaffeinated Coffee

Hot or Iced Tea

Command Post, Supply Room, and Silent Auction Wednesday through Friday open at Noon.  Silent Auction open from 11AM until noon on Saturday.  Command Post and Supply Room open at Noon on Saturday.  Supply Room will close for Dinner on Thursday and Friday and at 5 PM on Saturday.  Command Post will close during the Buffet Dinner on Thursday and the Blue Spader banquet on Saturday.  Command Post will close at 11:59 PM on Saturday.

Saturday June 20rd 9:00 – 11:00 AM  Association Annual Business Meeting (Coffee service)

11:00 – 12:00 PM  Silent Auction last chance before closing at Noon.

6:00 – 6:30 PM  Cocktail Reception (cash bar)

6:30 – 9:30 PM  Blue Spader Banquet in the Majestic Ballroom  (Ticketed Event)

11:59 PM  Command Post Closes

26th Infantry Regiment Association 2015 Reunion Registration

PRINT     PRINT    PRINT    PRINT    PRINT    PRINT     PRINT    PRINT    PRINT   

 

NAME:_______________________________________________________________

ADDRESS:____________________________________________________________PHONE:_____________________________E-MAIL:__________________________

Membership #_________  Dues Status______________(from Newsletter Label)

 

REUNION: 17-20 June 2015.          REGISTRATION CLOSES MAY 17TH 2015

REGISTRATION: MEMBERS/FAMILY/GUEST  $15 EACH OVER AGE OF 12:  $_____

NON-ASSOCIATION MEMBERS AND PARTY  $25 PER PERSON                    $_____

 

First Division Museum     $ 45  PER PERSON  X ___People    =                      $_____

 

Dinner Buffet                    $ 35  PER PERSON   X ___People   =                     $_____

 

U-505 & Museum Tour     $ 70  PER PERSON  X___People   =                       $_____

 

City Tour & River Cruise    $ 70 PER PERSON  X___People   =                       $_____

 

Banquet   Chicken            $ 35 PER PERSON   X___People   =                       $_____

Banquet   Beef                  $ 40 PER PERSON   X___People   =                       $_____

 

TOTAL: $______

IS THIS YOUR FIRST BLUE SPADER REUNION?_______

 

WHEN_____AND WHERE_________DID YOU SERVE WITH THE BLUE SPADERS?

WHAT COMPANY WERE YOU ASSIGNED TO?____________

 

PRINT NAMES AS YOU WANT THEM TO APPEAR ON REUNION BADGES

1___________________________ 2.__________________________

 

3.___________________________ 4. _________________________

 

VOLUNTEERS ARE ALWAYS NEEDED TO MAKE A REUNION A SUCCESS.

PLEASE CONSIDER VOLUNTEERING A FEW HOURS TO ONE OF THESE TASKS:

BUS CAPTAINS_____;  TICKET TAKERS___________SIGN-IN DESK_________

SUPPLY ROOM ASSISTANT____BARTENDER____SILENT AUCTION ASST.______

 

MAIL THIS COMPLETED FORM WITH CHECK (*)  MADE PAYABLE TO

26th INFANTRY REGIMENT ASSOCIATION

88 HILLSIDE BLVD.,  # 301

DALY CITY, CA 94014                      MUST BE RECEIVED BEFORE MAY 17th

 

* = Payment made also be made using your PayPal account.  If using PayPal, also email this completed form to: < TomGalvin.26thInfantry@gmail.com >

Reunion 2014 Report

Asheville, NC, experienced great weather; the Biltmore Estate was impressive and shared some delicious wine; the Blue Ridge Parkway was beautiful and displayed many local artistic treasures; and a few Blue Spaders lit up the blue spader reuniongolf links. The Crowne Plaza Tennis and Golf Resort was a gracious and accommodating venue for our August gathering.

Many first time reunion attendees and several new members joined us in Asheville. Camaraderie was nonstop in the CP; our Silent Auction was a success and the Supply Room provided convenient access to Blue Spader gear.

The Saturday morning, Association Annual Business Meeting was highlighted by the election of Brigadier General (Retired) Randy Dragon to serve as the new Honorary Colonel of the 26th Infantry Regiment. Meeting reports showed the Association to be in good financial shape and the need to attract and retain new members. HSGMOR Mike Abbey reported signing up 423, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Soldiers to one year deployment memberships upon their return from Afghanistan. Charlie Company Veterans provided an overview of the 2015 Cantigny Reunion. Paul Herbert, Executive Director of the First Infantry Division Museum at Cantigny, described the museum mission and operations with insights into what we will see next June.

Bravo Company Veterans have stepped forward as the pointmen for our 2016 reunion. They are looking at potential sites, to include the Fort Campbell, KY, area, where the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry is scheduled to reactivate in early 2015.

If you have reunion pictures to share send them to brownjmiii@aol.com and we will place them in the gallery.