USS CALLAGHAN
06 Newsletter
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USS CALLAGHAN 06 Newsletter
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USS Callaghan DD 792 61st Reunion
Welcome USS Callaghan DDG 994 Shipmates
August 23 to August 26, 2006 At the Holiday Inn Select In Fredericksburg, Virginia
http://www.hiselectfred.com
Call for reservations: 1-800-682-1049 or 540-786-8321 Use the reservation code provided in your email or newsletter. Reservations for all events must be received by July 20th, 2006
~~~~~~~~~~ Schedule of Events Click HERE for Events signup form ~~~~~ Day 1 ~~~~~ Wednesday, Aug. 23 Check in and Hospitality Bring all your stuff!! Pictures, letters, news articles, etc., etc. Author, David Sears, is coming to the reunion. He would like to interview you for his new book. Mr. Sears wrote The Last Epic Naval Battle: Voices from Leyte GulfYou can check him out at: http://www.dlsearsbooks.com ~~~~~ Day 2 ~~~~~ Thursday, Aug. 24 Narrated Trolley Tour of Old Town Fredericksburg We leave the hotel at 10 am. The Fredericksburg Trolley will pick us up at the hotel. The tour is around 1 hr and 15 min. An excellent overview of Old Town Fredericksburg. The Fredericksburg Visitors Center has a film, maps and general information about the area. Luncheon River Boat Cruise on the Rappahannock River 12 - 2 PM The trolley will take the cruisers to the dock, pick them up when they return and bring them back to the Fredericksburg Visitors’ Center for the rest of the day. Cruise of the scenic Rappahannock River on the "City of Fredericksburg," a 100-foot, double deck paddle wheel boat reminiscent of Fredericksburg's days as a steamboat landing. See some of the Civil War sites from the river, and Ferry Farm, George Washington’s boyhood home. Allow 2 1/2 hours for the luncheon cruise Everyone meets at the visitors’ center at 4pm for a ride back to the hotel. (If you want- if you don’t want, OK) Some Historical Sites in Fredericksburg (Some have admission charges, some don’t) Mary Washington House Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop (very interesting) Kenmore Plantation House Rising Sun Tavern Fredericksburg Area Museum and Cultural Center James Monroe Museum and memorial library Masonic Museum Old Stone Warehouse John Paul 'Jones' House National Bank of Fredericksburg Fredericksburg Court House Battle of Fredericksburg Pontoon Bridge Crossing Confederate Cemetery Fredericksburg National Cemetery (Union Soldiers) ~~~~~ Day 3 ~~~~~ Friday, Aug. 25
Washington DC Tour bus leaves the hotel at 7:00-7:30am Tour of Arlington National Cemetery - narrated tram ride Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown & Iwo Jima Monument (That’s THE Iwo Jima Monument – AWESOME!) Lunch at Union Station Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Navy Memorial, Lone Sailor Statue After the ceremony visit the Navy Memorial Museum, gift shops, Navy Log Tour of Washington DC’s buildings and monuments We will drive by the White House, Supreme Court, Congress and other buildings, and stop to explore the most significant monuments – The Lincoln memorial, Jefferson Memorial, FDR Memorial, the Vietnam Wall, Korean War memorial and of course the new WWII Memorial. This will be a long day. The tour bus will have all the “necessities” and is wheelchair accessible, air conditioned, etc. So you can snooze in comfort on the way in and back. We should be back at the hotel by 6pm or thereabouts. The monuments are not difficult to navigate. Some, like the Vietnam Wall are easy walks. All are wheelchair accessible. Buildings with lots of steps, like the Lincoln and Jefferson, are wheelchair accessible via elevators. They also have restrooms, museums and gift shops. Open air memorials – Vietnam, Korean War Veterans – have wheelchairs available for loan on a first come first serve basis. There are concession stands outdoors, but I advise everyone to carry a bottle of water in August. ~~~~~ Day 4 ~~~~~ Saturday, Aug. 26 Free Day in Fredericksburg Go antiquing, shopping, revisit the historic sites and places you may have missed the first time. Or anything you like – battlefields, George Washington’s Ferry Farm across the river (archeological site) - take the train back into DC. But be sure to be back in time for the Reunion Dinner at the Holiday Inn, Palm Room – 6 pm Business meeting - Speakers pending Hopefully the Fredericksburg trolley will shuttle us - 2 hours in the morning and 2 hours in the afternoon, having those who want to come back to the hotel there by 4pm. Also the Fredericksburg bus (FRED) regularly stops in front of the hotel and goes into town and back on its loop. We will have the most current bus schedule on hand. But for sure, there will be at least one or two ( + ? ) motor vehicles at our disposal. Battlefields A lot of folks expressed interest in the Civil War Battlefields and will probably want to visit them on this free day. The battlefields are everywhere, but kind of spread out. You can visit them in your car. However, I found a company that has a nice, reasonably priced tour of the local battlefields. Chop Chop Shuttle & Tour will pick you up at the hotel around 8 or 9am and take you to the four significant battlefields in this area - Fredericksburg Battlefield, Chancellorsville, Wilderness and Spotsylvania Battlefields. The Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville have complete visitor centers, with educational films, museums, and gift shops. The tour is around 5 hours. So you should be back at the hotel around 1 or 2 pm. It only takes 4 adults to make a group for this tour. Chop Chop Shuttle also has airport shuttles – info. follows ~~~~~ Day 5 ~~~~~ Sunday, Aug. 27 Check out day Hospitality Suite
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Notes Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Navy Memorial, Lone Sailor Statue The ceremony includes the presentation of colors by the US Navy Ceremonial Guard, remarks by a senior Representative of the USNMF, presentation of the wreath at the Lone Sailor Statue (by Senior USNMF representative and two members of the reunion group) followed by Taps performed by a member of the US Navy Band. Members of the reunion will read the names of shipmates passed and toll the bell. Fredericksburg The Fredericksburg Trolley is one of the most popular things in town. It is a leisurely ride through old town, and an excellent historical overview. Later you can go to the individual sites on your own. Most of the historical buildings are in easy walking distance from the visitors’ center. The trolley doesn't make stops. However, after the tour and drop off at the dock it will take you to the spot of your choice. For instance, if you want to go to Kenmore, which is pretty far from downtown, the walk back will be mostly downslope. You can plan your trip back to include other sites; the Confederate Cemetery is near Kenmore. There is a good map at the visitors’ center for this. Sometimes the Kenmore house or parts of it are closed. There is a lot of archeological and restorative work going on there. But the property has a museum, outbuildings, beautiful gardens, and a gift shop. Guided tours of Kenmore begin at 10:30 AM and start every 45 minutes thereafter. The last tour of the day is at 4:30 PM. Across the river are Belmont, Ferry Farm and Chatham Manor, Union headquarters and field hospital during the Battle of Fredericksburg where Clara Barton and Walt Whitman cared for the wounded. Belmont is the home and studio of artist, Gari Melcher. This beautiful home (and garden) dates back to the 1790s. Some of these places have admission fees, ranging from $5.00 - $8.00 for adults. The visitors’ center offers a ‘Pass’ to 9 of the most visited historical landmarks - around a 40% discount and good for forever. You don’t have to use it all in one day. They look like passports and you receive a distinctive stamp from each attraction (Keepsakes). It may or may not be advantageous to get this package, depending on what you want to do and see. The individual locations also offer various discounts for seniors, AAA and students. I have listed all the options on the price page. If you decide you want the Pass to Historic Fredericksburg include in your sign-up form and I can get them for you ahead of time. Keep in mind that Belmont and Ferry Farm are across the river. (And I have a car . . . anyone else driving?) Chatham Manor is part of the Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park and the National Park Service. But admission to the house is $3.00. Chatham is not part of the Battlefield Tour offered by Chop Chop Shuttle and Tours. Five of the ten rooms contain exhibits. Interiors of the outbuildings are not open to the public. All of the battlefields are run by the National Parks Service and for $4.00 a person you can get a 7 day Battlefield Pass to tour all the parks. According the internet this pass includes Chatham. I will check into it. Do you have a national parks pass? It might come in handy. And if you extend your visit the Shenandoah National Park is not far from here. Riverboat What can I say? It’s cool. Easy going. Lots of historical insights from the river’s point of view. Washington DC Security in DC is tight. Things have changed a lot since 9/11. Even the park-like monuments that are out in the open have or are constructing various security measures like cement blockades that can stop a vehicle. This won’t hinder our plans. But if you plan to go back to DC, you should check into this. For instance, if you want to tour the White House there are even tighter security procedures in place now days. Also make sure that there will be a tour on the day you plan to visit. You can arrange this with your state Senator, but it really is an involved process nowadays. There is so much preplanning and security things that you have to really – REALLY – have to want to do this to put up with the hassle. And touring the U.S. Capitol Building isn’t much easier. If you wanted to take in one or two of the museums the security isn’t so tough. Note: if you go into The Air and Space Museum –YOU AIN’T COMIN’ OUT TOO SOON!! You just can’t see all there is to see in DC in one day, or even a week! The Washington Monument - http://www.nps.gov/wamo/experience/experience.htm - can be a hassle if you want to go up in it. You have to have tickets in advance, and they screen visitors carefully – probably pat you down, look into bags, and stuff like that. Holiday Inn Select The hotel has an outdoor pool, fitness center, easy access - all indoor corridors, Internet, same day dry cleaning/laundry, coin-op laundry, pet friendly rooms (extra fee), 2 restaurants, a bar, night club, concierge and room service. There are several restaurants directly across from the hotel. The mall has lots of stores, movie theaters, an ice skating rink, amusement center and many more restaurants. Room Amenities: Radio, Alarm Clock, Cable TV, Internet Access, Data port, modem connection, coffee maker, hairdryer, iron/ironing board, in room movies, free newspaper, voice mail, desk. Shannon’s Lounge – a high energy night club featuring live top 40 bands 5 nights a week, Tuesday through Thursday 8:00 PM - 1:00 AM, Friday & Saturday - 8:00 PM - 2:00 AM. DRESS CODE: No hats, caps, tee shirts, athletic wear tank tops or sport jerseys. Jeans, tennis shoes and shorts are acceptable as long as they are neat and clean. (GEEEZE! – I have been here before – it’s loud, crowded, and young. WHOOPEE!) The Palm Lounge is more intimate with soft seating and TV. Monday - Saturday 4:00 PM Airports and shuttles Washington Dulles International Airport: located in Dulles, Virginia - approximately 57 - 58 miles from Fredericksburg. Transportation options from here can get pretty rugged. The Washington Flyer taxi (the only taxi out of Dulles) and the Washington Flyer Coach Service do not come down this far. Neither does the Super Shuttle (Blue Vans). If you can get them to it will probably cost a small fortune. Car rentals are available at the airport. Chop Chop Shuttle does come down this far. You have to make a reservation, minimum one day prior for the shuttle to stop at a particular hotel or airport. They do not serve the Richmond or Baltimore airports at this time. However, they will do so on a request basis. Reagan National Airport: located in Arlington County, Across the Potomac River from DC is the closest airport about 52 miles. Washington, DC, Virginia and Maryland taxicabs are available at the exits of each terminal. We’re not on it, but judging from the rate map, it will probably cost $80.00 to $100.00 – OR MORE - to take a cab to Fredericksburg. Rental Cars are located in Parking Garage A on airport the rental cars are accessible via Courtesy Airport Shuttles. Hours: 6 a.m. - 11 p.m. daily. Again, Chop Chop Shuttle looks like the best deal from here, especially if you buddy-up. Richmond International Airport: 63.94 miles from Fredericksburg. There is a lot of construction going on there, but it is a nice airport. Taxis are curbside, adjacent to the North Garage, from first flight departure to last flight arrival. Rental Cars are located on the lower level of the terminal building behind the escalators. Groome Transportation has a shuttle service from Richmond to Fredericksburg. By car for 3 persons plus luggage it is $150.00 - $50.00 each. But by van, a group of 8 people is $171.00. That’s a little over $21.00 each. Not bad. It is the same price going back to the airport. The van has 10 seats. It all depends on how much luggage you have. 8 – 10 people coming into Richmond can do this. It seems things are always changing with these companies. I recommend calling them for the latest rates, schedules, etc.
Chop Chop Shuttle & Tour 17321 Jefferson Davis Highway Suite 308 Dumfries, VA 22026 703-441-9999 or 888-363-2467 Website: http://www.chopchopshuttleandtour.com Right now there is no on line reservations. Check back with them. Or call between 9:00am - 9:00pm (EST) Monday - Sunday. (703)441-9999 or outside local area (888)363-2467 Scheduled Shuttle Service per person rate to Fredericksburg: From Ronald Reagan National Airport: Single $75 - 2 persons $40 - 3+ persons $35 From Washington - Dulles Airport: Single- $85.00 2 persons- $45 3+ persons- $40 Limited seating - Call 24 hours to reserve Major credit card required for reservations - MasterCard Visa American Express 24 hour cancellation and "no show" policy in effect. Custom Transport Service Rate + $10.00 charge for each additional person. From Ronald Reagan National Airport: $75.00 + $10.00 per additional person From Washington - Dulles Airport: $85.00 + $10.00 per additional person Call 24 hours to reserve Major credit card required for reservations - MasterCard Visa American Express 24 hour cancellation and "no show" policy in effect. Although not required, minimum prior day notice is strongly recommended for all transports. Service and prices are subject to change. ~~~~~ h ~~~~~ Groome Transportation Richmond: 1 804 222-7226 http://www.groometransportation.com (Not much info. at the website - no prices schedules.) All Major Credit Cards Accepted Make reservations in advance. At least 24 hrs notice for cancellations. May I suggest buddying up? Coordinate schedules. Someone will have to reserve the shuttle with a credit card. Then make the shuttle reservation as soon as possible and check back with them to confirm it. You might have to wait at the airport for awhile (have breakfast, lunch, cruise the shops) but it would be worth it. With schedules being what they are there might be two or three groups that can do this. Click HERE for the signup form
That’s it for now. Happy spring and God bless . . .
DJ and Roddy Bachman
~~~~~~~~~~ Membership Dues
At the 60th Reunion business meeting in Bath, Maine it was decided that the dues will be raised to $30.00. Please click HERE for the form and send it along with your dues.
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