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2015 Reunion

2015 Reunion Registration Form
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Your Reunion Committee has been hard at work since the last reunion to bring you another exceptional reunion.

Be sure to book your reservation for the hotel early

AND

your tour and banquet selections must be made and submitted before August 20 2015.

Alert!  From our Local Coordinator Jerry:

Members are encouraged to fly into Dulles International Airport (IAD) where the Sheraton-Reston runs a free shuttle service.

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) is over 25 miles from the Sheraton-Reston.  It's an expensive taxi ride.  One could take the Metro between Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and the Wiehle-Reston East Station and get a free shuttle to the hotel.  That would take about an hour an involve switching Metro lines which can be very confusing.

The Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI), which often has lower airfares, is even further away and there is no direct Metro connection.

 


Dates September 23 through 27, 2015
Banquet will be Saturday, September 26th.
Location Reston, Virginia
Hotel

Sheraton Reston & Westin Reston Heights

11810 Sunrise Valley Road

Reston, Virginia 20191

Main Number: (703) 620-9000

Hotel Reservations: (800) 561-9186

 

Free shuttle to and from Dulles International Airport (IAD).  Complimentary shuttles to the Reston Town Center.

 

Wiehle Avenue Metro Station (Silver Line).

Room Rates

Reunion Room Rate is $95 - singles and doubles (tax not included)

Room rate includes:

-complimentary full buffet breakfast

-complimentary parking

 

Hotel is 100% ADA compliant - If you have need for a handicap room you should book early.

 

When booking your room be sure to ask for the USS Collett Reunion Rate.  The reunion rate is available 3 days prior to and 3 days after the reunion dates.

 

If you have any problems making reservations for earlier and/or later dates contact Leslie at (703)262-5931.

 

Trip Advisor rates this hotel 4 out of 5 stars.


Tour Information

 

Day One, Thursday, September 24

7:30am Breakfast at the hotel.

8:30am Depart on motor coaches (meet your guide at pre-arranged location).

 

Stop at the National World War II Memorial.

This memorial honors the 16 million who served in the armed forces of the U.S. during World War II; the more than 400,000 who died, and the millions who supported the war effort from home. Symbolic of the defining event of the 20th Century, the memorial is a monument to the spirit, sacrifice, and commitment of the American people to the common defense of the nation and to the broader causes of peace and freedom from tyranny throughout the world.

 

Stop at The Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

This privately funded memorial has drawn millions who have come to touch the over 50,000 names, make pencil rubbings and leave flowers, letters, flags and personal mementos.

 

Stop at The Lincoln Memorial.

Overlooking the Reflecting Pool, was patterned on a classic Greek temple. Inside, inscriptions from his Gettysburg Address and Second inaugural Address flank the 19-foot marble statue of our 16th President.

 

Stop at The Korean War Veterans Memorial.

The triangular field contains nineteen ground troopers, clad in foul weather ponchos, fully equipped for battle. Representing those who supported the ground troops are hundreds of faces etched on a polished granite wall. These 19 soldiers when reflected off the granite wall represents 38 soldiers corresponding to the 38th parallel in Korea.

 

11:15am Take coach to Smithsonian Museum drop off location.

 

11:30am Enjoy lunch on your own in one of the many museum cafés -There are also many nearby restaurants and cafés in Penn Quarter, a revitalized arts and entertainment district with new restaurants, hotels, nightclubs, museums, theaters and trendy stores.

After Lunch you can (on foot) visit your choice of the Smithsonian Institution’s museums on the National Mall.

***OPTIONAL - FOR THOSE WHO THINK THE DAY WILL BE TOO LONG! THERE WILL BE A 2:30 BUS TO RETURN TO THE HOTEL!***

PLEASE BE ADVISED

THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTIONS SECURITY POLICY IS: ALL BAGS, PURSES, ATTACHES, SHOPPING BAGS SATCHELS, SUITCASES, ETC., WILL BE HAND SEARCHED. TO EXPEDITE THIS PLEASE BRING ONLY A SMALL PURSE OR FANNY PACK.   BACKPACKS, DAYPACKS OR LUGGAGE WILL NOT BE ALLOWED IN THE MUSEUMS. MOST LOCKER ROOMS HAVE BEEN CLOSED. DO NOT BRING SHARP ITEMS INTO THE MUSEUMS, SUCH AS KNIVES (INCLUDING POCKET), SCREWDRIVERS, CORKSCREWS, SCISSORS, ETC UNLESS YOU LIKE PUTTING UP WITH SECURITY HASSLE!

 

ADMISSION IS FREE OF CHARGE AT ALL SMITHSONIAN MUSEUMS.

 

National Air & Space Museum.

Experience the history of flight at one of the world’s most visited museum, from the plane flown by the Wright brothers to the Apollo 11 command module. This Museum features an incredible collection of aviation and space technology treasures.

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden.

This donut-shaped building boasts a collection of 19th and 20th century paintings and sculptures.

 

National Museum of African Art

This is the only museum in the United States dedicated exclusively to the collection, exhibition and study of the traditional arts of sub-Saharan Africa.

 

National Museum of American History.

The new central atrium with skylights dramatically opening the building. A grand staircase connects the 1st and second floors. Galleries with over 3 million objects including new galleries and exhibitions never displayed before. A special state-of-the-art gallery displaying the original Star Spangled Banner. This very popular collection tops the list of must-sees for any visitor with a taste for true Americana.  See the flag that inspired the Star Spangled Banner, Dorothy’s Ruby Red Slippers, First Ladies’ inaugural gowns, quilts, cars, locomotives, and much, much more.

 

National Museum of Natural History.

The Hope Diamond and dinosaur fossils and the world’s largest African bush elephant top the amazing natural treasures on display along with a live insect zoo.

 

National Museum of the American Indian

Experience something of a unique nature and welcoming spirit of this museum.  From the American Southwest, Hawaii, Canada, South and Central America you will feel the spirit of these native people. See items from the great American pyramid builders to the beautiful craftsmanship of the North, Certral and South America’s indigenous people.

 

National Gallery of Art

Houses an outstanding collection of masterpieces that trace the development of Western art from the Middle Ages to the present. The original West Building concentrates primarily on European works from the 13th century, while its contemporary counterpart, the East Building, highlights works of modern artists.  James McNeil Whistler’s “Peacock Room” highlights the Freer Gallery of Art, world-renown collection of Asian, and 19th and early 20th century American art.

 

Arthur M. Sackler Gallery

This is an international collection features masterpieces of Asian and Near Eastern art from the beginning of civilizationto the present.

 

Be back at the departure point by 4:30 for return to hotel.

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Day Two, Friday, September 25

7:30am Breakfast at the hotel

8:30am Depart on motor coach (Meet your Guide at pre-arranged location).

 

9:30am visit Arlington National Cemetery.

Here we will witness the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns.  No land in America is more sacred than this square mile. It is America’s shrine to valor and sacrifice. This is the final resting place for President John F. Kennedy, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Robert F. Kennedy, Edward Moore (Ted) Kennedy, Audie Murphy, prize fighter Joe Louis, and thousands of soldiers from every major U.S. war. The Cemetery is the former plantation and home of Civil War General Robert E. Lee’s Arlington House, Space Shuttle Challenger Astronauts’ Memorial, and Monuments to nearly every major sacrifice that affected our country are located within these 612 acres. The Tomb of the Unknowns speaks of a nation’s debt to the many whose ultimate sacrifice helped make a nation free.

Arlington averages 27 funerals a day. The crews, service members, and grounds keepers follow an elaborate choreography to ensure that each funeral feels like it is the only one taking place.

 

12:00 pm

Visit the Naval Memorial on Pennsylvania Avenue and take part in a wreath-laying ceremony.

 

Lunch: Box (included with fee) lunches at the Navy Memorial.

 

1:30pm

Arrive at Garfield Statue on the West Front of Capitol Hill.

 

***OPTIONAL _ FOR THOSE WHO THINK THE DAY WILL BE TOO LONG! THERE WILL BE A 2:00 BUS TO RETURN TO THE HOTEL!***

 

2:00pm Arrive at the Capitol Visitor Center on Capitol Hill.

Security check points are located at the front of the building and groups will be subject to high security procedures.

The Capitol Visitor Center (CVC) welcomes visitors to the seat of American government. At nearly 580,000 square feet, the CVC is the largest project in the Capitol’s 215-year history and is approximately three quarters the size of the Capitol itself.  The entire facility is located underground on the east side of the Capitol so as not to detract from the appearance of the Capitol. Features include an exhibition gallery highlighting the House & Senate while in-session, orientation theaters, a 550-seat cafeteria, gift shops, and restrooms all within a secure public environment that will provide visitors shelter from the unpredictable D.C. weather.

 

2:20pm

Tour the United States Capitol

The most recognized symbol of democratic government in the world, the U.S. Capitol has housed Congress since 1800 and is one of the most imposing public buildings in the world. The Capitol is where Congress meets to write the laws of our nation, and where presidents are inaugurated. Its ceilings are decorated with historic images, and its halls are lined with statuary and paintings representing great events and people in the nation’s history.  Group must arrive twenty minutes prior to tour time to complete the required security and screening process. The tour of the historic Capitol building is a walking tour, so please wear comfortable shoes. Escalators and elevators are located near the public stairways.  Groups must present the Reservation Confirmation at the registration desk in order to receive tour passes.

 

3:20pm

Visit the United States Library of Congress.

Explore. Discover. Be Inspired! Established as an act of Congress is 1800, The Library of Congress is the largest national library in the world with more than 100 million items in three buildings. The original Library of Congress Building (now called the Thomas Jefferson Building) is perhaps Washington’s most richly ornamented building. If for any reason an inside tour is not available or the wait in line is extremely long your guide will conduct a tour outside the buildings.

 

4:20pm

Photo opportunity of the Supreme Court Building.

Within the walls of this white marble monument the third branch of government exercises its mandate to protect and interpret the spirit of the Constitution.

 

4:30pm Depart for hotel

 

5:45pm Arrive at Sheraton-Reston

From Andy Braddick, one of our local reunion coordinators:  Hi All, It may be worth a note that there is a kiosk at the WWII memorial where you can look up the names of any relative who served in WWII. I did and it was a thrill to see the names of my 3 uncles.

Also, My last 2 cents:  The Cold War Museum at the Navy Yard has a pretty good run down of the Viet Nam War. It is open 7 days a week from 1000-1700.  It is next door to the Navy Museum that has a very fine display of Navy History.  We can get a guide to show us around.  More info at:

http://www.navyhistory.org/navy-museum/cold-war-gallery/

Enjoy Washington, Andy B.

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Day Three, Saturday, September 26

7:30am

Breakfast at the hotel

 

8:30am

Depart on (Meet your Guide at pre-arranged location).

 

9:30am

Stop for a photo opportunity of The White House.

Take a walking tour through Lafayette Park originally called "President's Park." Lafayette Park has been used as a racetrack, a graveyard, a zoo, a slave market, an encampment for soldiers during the War of 1812, and many political protests and celebrations.  Andrew Jackson Downing landscaped Lafayette Park in 1851 in the picturesque style. Today's plan, with its five large statues, dates from the 1930s. In the center stands Clark Mills' equestrian statue of President Andrew Jackson, erected in 1853. In the four corners are statues of foreign Revolutionary War heroes: the Marquis de Lafayette and Comte de Rochambeau of France, Tadeusz Kościuszko of Poland, and the Baron von Steuben of Prussia.

 

10:30am

Visit the National Archives.

The spacious rotunda of the National Archives contains the original Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.  For the first time in modern history, all the pages of these documents are on display to the public.  All the displays have been made accessible for viewing by individuals in wheel chairs and children.

 

12:30pm

Depart for hotel.

 

1:00pm

On way to hotel - option to drive by or stop at the Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima Statue). One of the largest bronze statues ever cast depicts the American Flag being raised on Mount Suribachi during World War II and commemorates all Marines who have died in battle since 1775.  The views of Washington from this memorial are spectacular.

 

1:30pm Depart for hotel

 

2:30pm Arrive Sheraton-Reston

Time to relax for a while and get ready for the banquet.

 

Saturday Night Banquet

 

 

Metro
and other Info

From Our Historian Frank Olderr

How to use the Metro – if you are inclined you can get from the hotel in Reston to downtown locations in Washington DC by using the Metro (the light rail line) per Jerry

Mendenhall.  Take a shuttle or your car from the hotel to the Wiehle Reston East Metro Station of the “Silver Line” of the Metro in Reston (about 1.5 miles east of the hotel). At the station, buy a fare card (also called a paper card) for the amount required for a round trip for where you want to go. (Or you can buy a Smart-Card which makes sense if you plan to use it for more than 2 rides.) Get on the Metro and go. If you want more info before you come to the reunion, visit www.wmata.com on the Internet.  I would suggest something different and a little enticing!

 

Dog Tag Bakery

The Dog Tag Bakery in Washington DC has one mission: help disabled veterans returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan ease into the next chapter of their lives. Their work-study program combines education with the experience necessary for vets to succeed as civilians, according to the bakery’s website.  The building includes a bakery, kitchen and classroom space. In addition to being a local bakery, they also offer catering and mail orders, allowing vets to manage a nationwide business. Vets are rotated through the storefront to learn all aspects of running a small business. For an overview of what to expect before you come to the reunion, see their website www.dogtagbakery.com which includes a menu. All proceeds support the bakery’s veteran programs. If you think you’d like to visit, check the menu first which includes prices.

The bakery is located in the Georgetown area at 3206 Grace Street NW. Take the Silver line of the Metro to Foggy Bottom station. The bakery is about 0.75 miles northwest from the Foggy Bottom Metro station. You can then walk or take the #31 bus to the corner of M Street NW & Wisconsin Ave NW which is only 0.13 miles away from the bakery.

Hours are: 8AM -6PM Tues; 7AM–7PM Wed–Fri; 8AM–8PM

Sat: 8AM–6PM Sun (closed on Mon). Phone (202) 407-9609.

 

 

Airport Dulles International Airport