Okay Classmates,
We are now getting into striking range of our reunion, only 13 days and a wake up. For some of you that is only 2 or 3 more showers (you know who you guys are). As expected, the numbers are TOTALLY impressive and seem to keep growing. Thursday night at Fado’s has us at 411 people as of today, the Friday dinner banquet is at 473 and the Saturday Tailgate is at 840. We have the reunion shirts and caps in production and all the final plans are being put into place. As of today, I have a room at the Westin Hotel for Reunion weekend, access to a house in downtown Annapolis for the weekend (check out this link if you might be interested, a classmate reserved this on AirBNB and cannot use it: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/2346962 ). I also have access to a few rooms at the Hilton Garden Inn, the Country Inn and Suites of Annapolis and the Marriott Springhill Suites. If you need a room PLEASE contact me as these rooms will have to be cancelled soon and turned back into the hotels.
Dress code? This is a popular topic. Guys, for Thursday evening it is casual. Friday evening is billed as “business casual”. Truth be told, I am going to throw on a sports coat and an open collar but dress slacks and a golf or dress shirt seems quite appropriate. I am sure your dates can figure out how to make you look even sharper. We will have a photographer to take couples and group photos at the dinner and tailgate. Saturday is usual game and tailgate attire. For me, that means jeans or khakis and a USNA or Class of ’85 golf shirt or pullover. Come ready to PARTY!
If you signed up to purchase a bottle of Woodford Reserve Bourbon, I now have the capablilty to take credit card transactions at the registration desk in addition to cash and checks for those. The price was $50 each and they will be available for pick up at registration. We will have a few items from the class store for sale at various events as well as some extra tee shirts and a special 30th Reunion Edition of the “Beat Army Golden Lager” Tee shirts for sale to celebrate that beer being served at all of our events courtesty of classmate Dave Marquis.
We are down to the wire on registrations and I know some of you are now just finding that you are able to attend, good news: YOU STILL CAN! I can accept event registrations up until the 25th of September and a VERY limited number of walk ups at certain events. Register today and all things pertaining to our reunion are posted on our class website: http://1985.usnaclasses.com. We will publish our bus schedule and use this website for reunion updates as well as weekly Class Tailgate updates with links to buy reunion apparel or other things class or USNA related. Please bookmark our site and make it a regular stop.
I have good news on the Home Game Class Tailgate front: I have heard your reviews from the first home game in the new era of “Old School Tailgating” and have contracted with the Stadium caterers to deliver an iced keg of craft beer for each home tailgate. So… if you are a beer drinker, leave the BYOB at home and we will provide COLD beer and cups. I am looking at a larger class tent that will be set up and taken down professionally at all home tailgates. You may see other classes with these larger/nicer tents and soon ’85 will have one. We have purchsed a small sound system to pipe in Navy game broadcasts and music. It even has a microphone for anyone wanting to test their pipes. We will do a larger tailgate for all Homecoming games and have some special events planned for various other home games; PLEASE check the class website for those updates as I will stop sending out these emails after the 30th Reunion is over. It will be the Class website and our USNA ’85 Facebook group for comms going forward.
Like I said: 13 days and a wake up!! I can sense everyone is ready to get to Annapolis as much as I am. Thanks for everyone who is participating and everyone who has helped me put this together. Come ready to have fun and enjoy a really well attended and well organized event. If you need to add events, you can do so by going to your original registration profile and just add and pay for an event (if it is a pay event). As always, PLEASE contact me if you have questions, need a room, need babysitting (provided at the Westin on Friday evening). If you need to cancel, I have process refunds up until September 25th. If you have extra rooms or game tickets, I will also help you transfer those to other classmates. See you all in a few days. Cheers and Go Navy, Beat ECU. Bob Smith ’85
PS During the reunion weekend, all persons riding the shuttle busses will have to “de-bus” at Gate One and be screened through security. Busses will then be available in the Yard to return you back to the Westin. Make your plans according to this extra security. If you are legal to drive on a military base, you can drive on the Yard but be warned, PARKING IS VERY LIMITED due to major construction ongoing. Also, if you are in town on Wednesday the 30th of September, there is a Class “Meeting” at Ram’s Head Tavern at 1700, 30 seconds of business and hours of pub appreciation. Check the back patio if the weather is nice.