Hints for Reunion 2024 Attendees (Amended, 1)

Greetings Marines and all Reunion Attendees on this 23 August 2024.  This is a corrected version of an email sent earlier.  See revised #7 & #8 below.

Our Reunion is in it's final stages of shaping up.  Here are some hints that could make a great experience even better.

1.   Please wear your name badges at all 2/3 VVA functions.  Like the Hospitality Room, Welcome Buffet, traveling on trolleys or shuttle, etc.  Wear your badge in the hotel as you see fit.

2.   It'll help the Association if you bring your checkbook.  Cash is the less preferred way to pay the Association for items purchased at Auction..  Bring your items for the Association's Annual Auction.  We won't have a cash bar at the Auction this year.  Instead, we'll hold the Auction in the Hospitality Room!  AND we'll have at least two 50/50 drawings where you can drop all the cash you like.

3.  I'm hoping we just got the final OK to raffle off 2.5 rooms at the Welcome Buffet.  Anyone who books a room(s) for the period 9/4-9/8 (check out) will have their name entered into the raffle.  Two lucky Reunion Attendees will get all 4 nights free of charge.  One half-lucky Reunion Attendee will get their 4 night room at 50% off.  If a winner chooses to check out early, their prize is forfeited and will go to an alternate instead.

4.  Those of you who'll be driving to Embassy Suites (Airport) (and a stones through from I-95) might want to bring along a lawn chair, folding chair, etc. or two.  There is SOME outside seating at the hotel but not very much.  We're all praying for great weather so we can enjoy the sun and fresh air.

5.  I'm not a big fan of indoor pools.  This one isn't big and the last time I saw it (March), I'd paint it if it was mine.

6.  Especially if you're gonna stroll or even just lounge in the Georgia Sun, consider bringing canteens, bug juice, sun screen, hats and SPF clothing.  If walking and hiking are on your to-do-list, consider appropriate foot wear.  If you venture near the Riverfront, you may find some inclined cobble-stone streets.  If a small sidewalk is provided on either or both sides of the street, consider using it.  Over centuries of foot traffic, cobblestones get "polished" and become very smooth.  Add a bit or morning dew or drizzle to the equation and humans take flight.

7.  Armed Forces Reunions, Inc. has confirmed the following:

    A.  Wait staff for the Welcome Dinner and Annual Banquet have their tips built into the costs of dinners.  The drivers of trolleys and the shuttle also have a gratuity built into their earnings.  

    B.  Bell hops, chamber maids, breakfast staff, the cash bar and lobby bartenders DO NOT get tips built into their salary.  

    C.  The guides and staff from ARMED FORCES REUNIONS, INC. have not been tipped.  An Armed Forces Reunion Representative will accompany each private trolley on 9/5/24.  

8.  For those of you who paid up to use the shuttle (9/6), you may want to make sure I have your cell phone number.  There is a plan in the works for you to get text updates to make shuttle use easier for you.  If you want to take part, kindly get your cell phone number to me now; don't wait until you get to Savannah.

9.  This email is targeted specifically to Reunion Attendees.  If you're not getting this email directly to your inbox let me know.