Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.
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).
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
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
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;
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.
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.
WHEN: Wednesday, June 23 through Saturday, June 26, 2021
WHERE: Las Vegas, NV
[divider scroll_text=”SCROLL_TEXT”]
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.
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.
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
WHEN:
Wednesday, June 19th through Saturday, June 22nd, 2019
WHERE: Clarksville, Tennessee and Fort Campbell, Kentucky
[divider scroll_text=”SCROLL_TEXT”]
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.
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.
Located at: 7201 Scott Padgett Parkway, Concord, North Carolina, 28027 To make hotel reservations, call the hotel directly at (704) 453-2600 or book online at the following link: Hotel Reservations Click Here.
If you book your reservation by phone, 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 $129.00 (plus taxes; includes breakfast buffet for two guests per room).
TRANSPORTATION: Charlotte Douglass International Airport (CLT) is approximately 15 miles south of the airport. Taxi fares are approximately $45 one way. A map and directions can be found at the following link: Directions to Courtyard by Marriott
Concord Regional Airport features Allegiant Air, a low-cost airline flying to limited cities, and is approximately 5 miles from the hotel. Click Here for a map and directions.
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 by day on Thursday and Friday.
THURSDAY TOUR(S): June 21st, 2018.
Kings Mountain National Military Park. Thomas Jefferson called it “The turn of the tide of success.” The battle of Kings Mountain, fought October 7th, 1780, was an important American victory during the Revolutionary War. The battle was the first major patriot victory to occur after the British invasion of Charleston, SC in May 1780. The park preserves the site of this important battle. We will travel by bus to the National Military Park. Upon arrival, we will have an opportunity to watch a short movie on site, tour the museum and battlefield park, and will have a box lunch at a local picnic area. We will return to the hotel in the mid afternoon for some downtime before heading to the second activity for the day.
Charlotte Knights Minor League Baseball. The Blue Spaders will watch the Charlotte Knights play the Toledo Mud Hens in our own picnic area above the left field wall. Attendance includes a ticket to the game, an all-you-can-eat buffet dinner, and non-alcoholic drinks during the game. We will leave the hotel at approximately 6pm for a game start time of 7:05pm. We will return by bus at the end of the game.
FRIDAY TOUR: June 22nd, 2018.
Veterans Monument of Valor/ NASCAR Day . The Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority honors veterans groups that visit the city with a personalized plaque on the Mark Syrkin Monument of Valor. We will attend a short dedication ceremony where a bronze plaque will be placed on the Monument of Valor to commemorate the Blue Spader’s service to our country. After we place the monument, we will tour the NASCAR Hall of Fame. The NASCAR HoF honors the icons of the sport and is a high tech venue designed to educate and entertain race fans and non-race fans alike. Following lunch on site, we will take a tour of Charlotte Motor Speedway. The tour cost includes transportation, tickets to the NASCAR Museum, Speedway Tour, and the Monument of Valor Dedication. There are a number of options for lunch to include the Pit Stop Café in the museum and local establishments nearby. After the Speedway tour, we will return to the hotel for the day.
SATURDAY SCHEDULE: June 23rd, 2018
0900-1100 Annual Business Meeting (Coffee Service) 1100-1200 Silent Auction Last Chance before closing at noon
1200-1700 Command Post Operations 1700– Load buses for Banquet at the Speedway Club 1800-2100 Banquet Reception followed by dinner
Dinner menu includes four choices for the main dish: Fish – Grilled Mahi Topped with Mango Salsa Beef – Filet grilled and served with sautéed mushrooms and demi glaze Chicken – Pan seared chicken breast with mushroom marsala sauce Vegetarian – Grilled vegetable ravioli with sautéed spinach and pesto cream
2100– Load buses for return to the hotel 2130-2400 Command Post Operations
COMMAND POST, SUPPLY ROOM, SILENT AUCTION: Wednesday through Friday, open at noon. Silent Auction open form 11 to noon on Saturday as well. Command Post open on Saturday from noon until the banquet and then open again after the banquet until midnight.
