WWII Veterans Reunion Ideas

[flaco]

The girlfriend is hosting her dad's VP-11 Squadron reunion this spring here in Austin. They were the squadron of PBY seaplanes that were attacked at Kaneohe Bay by the Japanese on their way to bomb Pearl Harbor. First casualties for both sides occurred there. We are looking for hotels that are affordable, preferably downtown, and are elderly/military friendly.

Her list of hotels to check out and price is:

Embassy Suites
Double Tree
Sheraton
Hilton
Omni
Radisson
Hyatt
Renaissance @ Arboretum

The list of activities we have been considering is:

Fredricksburg and Nimitz museum (will definitely be doing this as they fought in the Pacific Theater).

Capitol

LBJ Library

Bullock (if you're not from Texas would you care to see this?)

Blanton

Paddleboat tour and bats (I guess the bats will be back in May).

We will need a van or chartered bus to take them to Fredricksburg.


Any suggestions?

TIA

 

[jmatt]

An evening at Scholtz Garten if it's nice out. Maybe even bring in someone to play some music.

Maybe the Vanishing Texas water tour?

An Express and/or Lonhorn baseball game, possibly with recognition?

 

[flaco]

Oh, I really like the baseball game idea. Thanks.

 

[Austin Orange]

San Antonio is much more military friendly, with several bases there. If Fredricksberg is the marquee site for this group, it might be a better locale. Riverwalk, Alamo, etc...... Old folks stuff.

Camp Mabry has a military museum that has old equipment and photos there. Old Vets love that stuff.

LBJ Ranch is on the way out to Fredrickburg. National Park, I believe.

The Hilton at the Bergsrtrom Airport served as a strategic air command center during the Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf War and Desert Storm for the Air Force from 1969 to closing. Hotel

 

[TexasEd]

Look into the Commemorative air force and see if they will be having a show around that time.:

The Link

They have several squadrons in Texas: San Marcos, Georgetown, Burnet, etc...

Call some of them up, I would bet they are more than happy to support this reunion with an open house or something if they are not at a show.

 

[accuratehorn]

Yeah, the Hilton at the airport was built to be nuclear bomb resistant. It is held up by a system of piers on some kind of unique anchoring devices. Those guys would probably find that interesting, although the hotel is not central.
Fredricksburg is a must, and as stated, the LBJ Ranch has a tour on the way. Salt Lick BBQ on the way home?

 

[ScoPro]

Nimitz Museum is a great idea as is a tour of the Alamo & Capitol. But remember these veterans are getting along in years and need rest time between visiting different venues - particularly a road trip to Fredricksburg or San Antone.

Nix on a baseball game....it would bore those folks & take a lot of time.


You might want to call somebody at the Hump Pilots Association to ask for a few tips:


The Link

 

[bevocbs]

I disagree about nixing a baseball game. Most of the people in that age range that I know LOVE baseball - any baseball.

 

[ScoPro]

Well, the Express team does sell beer to go with their hot dogs.

Maybe get one of the more spry gentlemen to throw out the first pitch.

 

[Texas_Rocks]

My GF's uncle hosted 3 or 4 reunions for members of his 101st Airborne unit out at his Spicewood ranch. Those guys were always pretty comfortable sitting around, eating good Texas Q, drinking 1 or 2 cold ones and chatting it up until bedtime.

I really like the Nimitz Museum idea, but these guys usually don't need much beyond what they all have in common after that.

 

[ScoPro]

Well, I guess that leaves out strippers.

 

[jmatt]

Maybe you can score one of the luxury boxes at Dell. I wouldn't be surprised if you could get a business or something to give theirs up for one night...

That way, if it's too hot, they can be inside in the AC...