2009 Washington, DC Reunion Details
June 4-7, 2009
Three actions needed NOW at the bottom of this page!
In order to assure that we will have sufficient room availability at the discounted rate, it will be necessary for me to enter into a contract. I have done the best that I can to negotiate this contract with the most favorable (and flexible) terms possible which include:
- Discounted rate of $159 per night (plus 14.5 percent tax)
- Block of 40 rooms for Thursday, June 4th through Saturday, June 6th (check out on Sunday morning)
- Block of 5 rooms at the $159 rate for Wednesday, June 3rd and Sunday, June 7th (for those that want an extended stay)
- Discounted rate of $20 per day parking fee for those that drive
- As long as we occupy 24 of the 40 room block, there is no penalty.
- For each room below 24, the penalty is $477.
- A hospitality suite (meeting room) is available to our group for $250 per day but no beverages or food is allowed unless purchased from the hotel.
- As an alternative, the Presidential Suite is available to be used as our hospitality room for $400 per day which would allow us to stock our own food and beverages. Ray Greene is going to check out the Presidential Suite when he is in D.C. early in 2009 to make certain that it is large enough for our purposes … otherwise, we will have to fall back to the alternative.
- Each attendee will be required to call the hotel (1-800-492-5195 Monday through Friday between 8 AM and 6 PM) to book their room reservation. In order to obtain the discounted $159 rate, please tell the reservation agent that you are booking a room for the “First Radio Battalion Marine Reunion”.
- A credit card number (or check for first night room and tax) will be required to reserve a room from the 1st Radio Bn block. An attendee canceling a reservation less than 24 hours before the arrival date will be liable for one night’s room and tax.
- After checking in, an attendee will be subject to a $75 early departure fee if he/she decides to leave early (not staying the full number of nights booked).
- The block of rooms can be cancelled without penalty on or before January 14, 2009. Thereafter, a total cancellation of the event is subject to a severe penalty which grows in amount as we get closer to June 4th.
Unfortunately, Washington D.C. is a very expensive venue for a reunion, especially with a convenient downtown hotel location. Accordingly, I have structured the contract to try to lock down as many rooms as possible to assure that we have enough rooms at the low rate to accommodate as many attendees as possible. I may be able to increase the 40 room block if the demand is there and known early enough. The closer we get to the June 4th reunion date, the more difficult this will be. Without the contract for a block of rooms, the room rate would be at least $200 and perhaps higher and the parking rate would be at least $28 per day. Since my signature will be on the contract and my credit card number on file with the hotel, I will be dinged for the “below 24 rooms” penalty. While I like you guys (a lot), I am planning to “cancel” the reunion before January 14, 2009 if we do not get enough bookings to assure that 24 rooms will be filled. I will then attempt to renegotiate the contract but have no assurance that we will get a discounted rate as low as $159.
The Double Tree Hotel is only 3 miles from Reagan National Airport for those of you flying in. Cabfare is approximately $17. A super shuttle is available for $12 (I’ll try to get more details on this but if this is a per head charge, a cab seems to be a better deal for those traveling with a spouse/significant other). The Metro fee is $2.05 per person. The Blue Line from the airport to the McPherson Square Station will still leave you a walk of 0.6 miles to the hotel. For a total fee of $2.50, you can get a bus transfer from the McPherson Station that will get you within 0.2 miles of the hotel.
The preliminary schedule of events is detailed below. The proposed event schedule (and approximate costs) will be firmed up as soon as I get official sign ups so that I will have the numbers to lock down reservations.
- Thursday, June 4, 2009. Check-in. Everyone is on their own for dinner. The hotel is right in the middle of the D.C. restaurant district which will give abundant choices for those that wish to leave the hotel for dinner. The hospitality room will serve as the official gathering/meetin’ place.
- Friday, June 5, 2009. Approximate 9 AM departure for the Marine Corps Museum at Quantico with return to the hotel by approximately 4 PM. Bus transportation will be provided for those that do not have access to automobiles and those that just want to avoid the D.C. traffic. Everyone is on their own for an early dinner. Approximate 7:30 PM departure for the Marine Barracks at 8th & I for the Friday Evening Parade which begins at 8:45 AM. Bus transportation will be provided for those that do not wish to drive or take public transportation (cab or Metro). After the Evening Parade, those opting for the bus transportation will get a night-time driving tour of the D.C. sites before returning to the hotel. Tthe estimated cost of bus transportation to quantico and 8th & i is $30 per person (based on 50 riders). See (a) (b) and (c) below for other relevant information.
- Saturday, June 6, 2009. We are attempting to arrange for some organized tours to include: Saturday morning: either the White House or the Capitol. Saturday afternoon: a walking/metro tour of the memorials and Arlington cemetery. Of course, Saturday can also be used to explore D.C. on your own. Approximate 7 PM group dinner at a place to be determined.
- Sunday, June 7, 2009. Check out.
PLEASE NOTE that the Evening Parade and White House tour are subject to being able to get a firm reservation which will be pursued as soon as we get an official headcount for each (see below).
Checks will be required from each of the attendees for the common costs, group dinner and bus seats in an amount to be determined once all of the costs are known. For your planning purposes, the costs can be approximated as follows:
DO NOT SEND YOUR CHECK AT THIS TIME. In 2009, when the headcount has been firmed up, there will be a follow up email detailing the amount of the check and where it should be sent.
(a) The National Museum of the Marine Corps is located in the town of Triangle, VA just off I-95, 36 miles south of Washington, D.C.
From I-95 heading south, take Exit 150A to Route 1 (Jefferson Davis Highway); turn right (south) onto Route 1; travel approximately ¼ mile; the Museum’s entrance is on the right. There is no charge for parking at the Museum. Museum parking for handi-capped visitors and oversized vehicles is available.
(b) Guests may park at Maritime Plaza, where a free shuttle service is provided to and from the Barracks.
(c) Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., is within easy walking distance (four blocks south) of the Metro's Eastern Market exit (blue/orange lines) at Pennsylvania and 8th Street, SE. A variety of restaurants and shops are conveniently located along the way to the "Oldest Post of the Corps."
Here is a map of most points of interest
For now, we need you to do several things as soon as humanly possible so that the planning can be firmed up:
- Call the Doubletree 1-800-492-5195 to make reservations if you are staying there.
- Email Tim at tplundberg@mindspring.com
- Complete below questions here. Fill in as much as you know now, do it again if your information changes.
Confirm and commit to your attendance by replying to this email.
Will you be staying at the hotel or elsewhere?
If staying at the hotel, please call the Doubletree to book your room.
Please provide the names of those that will be coming to the reunion with you.
Please provide your cell phone number if you carry one so that we can locate you if you get lost.
How many will be joining the group going to the Marine Corps Museum at Quantico?
How many bus seats will you need for Quantico?
How many will be joining the group going for the Evening Parade at 8th & I?
How many bus seats will you need for 8th & I?
How many will be joining the group for the White House tour? Please provide NAME/DOB/SSN for each person.
How many will be joining the group for the Capitol Tour if the White House tour cannot be arranged?
How many will be joining the group for the tour of the memorials and Arlington cemetery?
How many will be joining the group for dinner on Saturday evening?
I will be pursuing reservations for the Evening Parade and White House tour based on those signing up on or before January 14, 2009.
Thanks for your cooperation. I am looking forward to seeing all of you in D.C.
Semper Fi,
Tim Lundberg