Classmates, Widows and Friends of the Class of 1954: Your response to the initial information concerning the proposed Class Reunion was overwhelming. More than 130 classmates or widows have indicated that they “will attend” or “probably will attend” the April 28-May 1, 2011 gathering in San Antonio. We could have 200-260 members of the class family in San Antonio. 

Hotel: We have reserved rooms at the Historic Menger Hotel. The Menger is located in downtown San Antonio, across the street from the Alamo and less than two blocks from River Walk. The rate is $120.00 a night plus tax and is applicable for three days before and three days after the official Reunion period. Please follow the instructions contained in this letter and make your reservations soonest. 

Reunion schedule: We are planning a schedule that is more flexible and less exhausting than is often the case for most West Point reunions. After all, we are not the youngsters we sometimes picture ourselves to be. The only events that we expect the entire class to attend are the three evening meals and the Memorial Service at the Alamo. On Friday, we will offer a special honor to our Air Force classmates. They will be honored guests at an enlisted graduation parade/ceremony at Lackland AFB followed by an opportunity to tour basic training facilities and to have lunch with the Military Training Instructors and the basic trainees. This is the first time our Air Force classmates have been so separately recognized. The reviewing officers will be General Jim Dalton, our ranking Air Force Classmate and Colonel Jack Miller, our Class President. Army classmates are encouraged to attend this event as well. 

On Friday and Saturday, we will offer several tours of interesting San Antonio historical and cultural attractions. Additionally, we will provide information and assistance so that you can do your own touring either walking or using the trolley car, street car, or bus systems. Each of these systems can be accessed at or within a block of the Menger. They provide a circular ride around downtown that facilitates visiting the downtown attractions. Some of the most interesting attractions include the Institute of Texas Culture (an historical museum), Hemisfair Park, LaVillita (the first village at San Antonio), Market Square, the Alamo, Riverboat Ride, Tower of Americas, King William Historical District, Main Plaza and the Spanish Governor’s palace. You can walk a block and a half to Riverwalk to stroll along its banks to sample the many shops or to ride a barge along it.

For classmates who are interested in a major historical attraction about an hour from downtown San Antonio or in golf, we offer two options that require them to arrive a day early. On Thursday, April 28^th, we will offer a tour of historical Fredericksburg, a quaint old town settled in the mid-nineteenth century by German immigrants. The tour will focus on the historically fascinating War of the Pacific Museum. Fredericksburg also offers some unusual shopping opportunities. The tour includes lunch. In the second option, golfers will be provided an organized outing at the Fort Sam Houston golf course. Local classmates will get you to and from the golf course. Both of these options require you to arrive on Wednesday, April 27^th, one day before the arrival of the rest of the class. 

If you are arriving by air, we suggest that you do not need a rental car. Shuttle service is readily available for the 15 to 20 minute ride from the airport to the Menger Hotel.  Downtown San Antonio is easy to get around but terrible for parking. The hotel offers only valet parking for $18 a day. There are public lots about two blocks distant for daily rates of $5-$8. Between the transportation that we will provide for class events and organized tours, and the public options and short distances for self-guided tours, there really isn’t a need for a car. 

This letter, and much more information, is available on the ’54 website (http://www.usma1954.org/Reunion/2011Reunion.htm).  Finally, we will mail the Reunion Registration form to you in early January 2011.

Contact any of us if you have any questions.  Next year in San Antonio!

JACK CHARLES                FRANK HART                    EDDICE JESSEE

wmchas@aol.com            frankhart9@aol.com        eddicejessee@gmail.com

JOHN LOHMAN                JOE PEISINGER                MARY JEAN SPENCE

jlohman@sbcglobal.com  popjoe10@satx.rr.com    mjspence2003@yahoo.com

________________________________________________________

Class of 1954 2011 Reunion Hotel Reservations

Call the Historic Menger Hotel Reservation system at 1-800-345-9285.

Inform the Reservation Specialist that you are attending the West Point Class of 1954 Reunion.  Booking #60601558.

Ask for the New Wing and give the dates for which you wish to reserve a room(s).

SAN ANTONIO REUNION SCHEDULE

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Early arrival for those who plan to take Fredericksburg tour or who plan to golf 

Thursday, April 28, 2011

        Fredericksburg tour for early arrivals

        Golf for early arrivals

        Arrival date for the regular reunion events

       *Evening Cocktail Buffet at the Menger Hotel

Friday, April 29, 2011

        Parade at Lackland AFB, tour of Lackland and lunch

         (Honors Air Force classmates; all classmates encouraged to attend)

        Half Day Tour of Selected San Antonio sites

        Self-guided tours

       *Evening Dinner at off-site Restaurant

         (Seating by Army branch/Air Force Pilot Trng Base) 

Saturday, April 30, 2011

       *Class Memorial Service at the Alamo

        Tour of the Alamo

        Half Day tour of Selected Art & Historical Museums

        Self-guided tours

       *Evening Dinner at the Menger Hotel

        (Seating by Company/Battalion) 

Sunday, May 1, 2010

        Breakfast at Menger Hotel

        Departures

* Denotes events for the entire class