Calling All Blue Stars

ANNOUNCING THE 2^nd ANNUAL OCTOBER BLUE STAR REUNION

The 2^nd Annual Blue Star October Reunion will be held in Gettysburg, PA. The festivities are scheduled to begin on Thursday, October 30 and close on Sunday, November 2^nd with a trip to The Wall in Washington, DC.

As many may know, our 1^st Annual Blue Star October Reunion was held in Ozark, AL last year and hosted by Bob Bunting, former Commanding Officer and retired Mayor of Ozark. An active duty unit graciously hosted a visit to Ft. Rucker and was arranged by Bob for the Blue Stars. Bob Bunting will also be in attendance in Gettysburg this year.

For those who missed our most recent gathering in San Antonio this past July, here’s a great opportunity to join us at a great location that may be a little closer to home or at a better time of year. For those of you who were able to be in San Antonio, here’s another opportunity to get together again.

Tony Terrana and Cliff Whiting have done a great job in putting this reunion together. Future plans include to hopefully maintain the fall reunion as an annual event. This can only be accomplished with your support.

HOST HOTEL

The Downtown Battlefield Holiday Inn will be our host hotel. Room rates will be $83.00, plus tax, per night. The Downtown Battlefield Holiday Inn’s reservation line is (717) 334-6211. When making your reservation, ask for the Blue Star or BST rate.

For those flying in, you have several options. The Harrisburg International Airport is located 49 miles northeast of Gettysburg and the closest airport to Gettysburg. Baltimore-Washington (BWI) is located 62 miles southeast of Gettysburg. Washington Dulles is located 79 miles south of Gettysburg. Philadelphia is the furthest away and is located 145 miles east of Gettysburg. Gettysburg is easily accessible from any of these airports and, depending on airfares, you have some good options.

TOC

Of course there will be a TOC J. A TOC will up and running for the duration of the reunion. The TOC will be located on the Lobby level in the hotel. We are requesting that everyone bring your favorite beverage and snacks to the TOC and maybe a little to share. The Blue Star Aviation Association has donated $500 towards the cost of the TOC.

PROPOSED AGENDA

Oct. 30, Thursday:  Check-in. Meet and greet at the TOC. Explore the many historic sites located throughout the Gettysburg area. Many of the sites are located in-town and can easily be reached via a walking tour. Enjoy the many restaurants (everything from McDonalds to extremely fine dining) and shops all within walking distance of the hotel.

Oct. 31, Friday 9:00 AM:  Drive to the new Gettysburg National Military Park Visitors Center. This new facility contains the Cyclorama painting of Pickett's Charge, a Civil War museum and many interactive displays. In the afternoon, free personalized auto tours of the Battlefield conducted by Tony.

7:30 PM: Company Formation at the TOC. Pledge to the flag and a reading the names of our honored dead.  Our guest speaker, James Getty, nationally known Lincoln portrayer, will give us his customized presentation followed by a time for every Blue Star to share his thoughts with the group.

Nov. 1, Saturday 9:00 AM: Golf Outing. Play a round on the number 6th rated course in PA. A beautiful landscaped links course, "The Links at Gettysburg" (www.thelinksatgettysburg.com) has it all. Magnificent architecture, superior playing conditions and signature service distinguishes The Links - a perennial "Four Star" rated facility by Golf Digest. Green fees are $45.  Interested? Contact Cliff Whiting - Cell 703-444-6640 or email - ccwhiting@aol.com

1:30 PM: Brief walking tour of the Gettysburg National Military Cemetery with Tony.

6:00 PM: No host bar. Cocktails at Springhouse Tavern (located in the lower level of the Dobbin House)

7:00 PM: Banquet at the historic Dobbin House, built 1776 (www.dobbinhouse.com). This fabulous restaurant, located within walking distance of our hotel, has agreed to let everyone order from the full menu with separate checks. Please let Tony know, as soon as possible if you will be attending and how many there will be for dinner so we can at least give them a heads-up for planning purposes.

Nov. 2, Sunday 10:00 AM: Hotel checkout is 11:00 AM.  Plans include a car caravan to the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, DC. (We could go to The Wall anytime or another day. It is only 90 minutes away.)

If you are planning to attend, please contact Tony to let him know who you are and how many in your party. This information is needed as soon as possible for planning purposes. Tony’s contact information is:

Tony Terrana at CE48AVN@aol.com

Home 724-339-3543 

Cell 724-448-0670. 

Address 105 Clinton Ave., Lower Burrell, PA 15068

UPCOMING EVENTS

The annual Blue Star July reunion (2009) will be held in Philadelphia this year from July 1^st through July 5^th. The host hotel will be the Philadelphia Marriott located in center city. This will be another great opportunity for all of you folks located back east to get together with some old friends. More information on this reunion event will be forth coming and posted on our website and to you via the Newsletter.

BLUE STAR AVIATION ASSOCIATION

Your Blue Star Aviation Association is alive and well. Over the past year we have had the honor to pay tribute to several members who passed away and to support our reunion activities. We can only continue to do this with your support. If you haven’t yet taken the time to join our Association or taken the time to send in your 2008/2009 annual dues, please do so. You can download an application be going to our website at www.48ahc.org and sending it to:

Bobby Schulze

PO Box 142

Baileytown, AL 35019-0142

If you’re already a member but need to send your annual dues in, please send them to Bobby at the above address. Our annual dues are only $25 and go a long way in defraying some of our expenses. As our treasury grows, we can do even more to support these events and honor those who pass. I am hoping to begin to acquire flag cases to send to the families of our deceased members with an etched glass front as a tribute to their service with the Blue Stars or supporting unit.

Hope to see many of you in Gettysburg in October.

Carl Cortez

Blue Star 237

Joker 90

(562) 305-8461

ccortez@scseng.com