The 2009 Patrol Gunboat Association will be held in Virginia Beach, Virginia. 

THE REUNION.........

The Founder's Inn and Spa will be hosting the 2009 Patrol Gunboat Association Reunion. Primary dates for the 2009 Reunion are from Wednesday, August 12 through Sunday, August 16, 2009. We have arranged for a three tiered rate for this years reunion.  The special group rate is $109.00 for single, double, triple quad.  This rate does not include breakfast.  The rate with breakfast included is $114.00 for a single, $126.00 for a double.  To book your room, call the hotel at (757) 424-5511 and ask for "Reservations". When you call, let the hotel know that you are with Patrol Gunboat Association.  

Wednesday will be our first reunion day, the hospitality room will open at noon and Nancy should be ready to start checking people in by 3:00.  Once you get checked in and get your registration package and tickets, you will receive your free Virginia Beach Reunion gift and of course get the opportunity to get a free ball cap (with the purchase of $20.00 in raffle tickets).  Naturally there will be cold beer, soft drinks and snacks available for you while you enjoy the day visiting with friends and shipmates from the Gunboats.

THURSDAY TOUR

Thursday we head out for our first tour. We will depart via motor coach with our tour guide for the charming town of Williamsburg. Our guide will provide interesting and informative narration during our ride about the historic Virginia Peninsula and the Hampton Roads area. Once we arrive in Williamsburg, we will step back into the 18th century while strolling through the streets of Colonial Williamsburg. Our historical interpreter will guide us through the past and the events that helped shape America’s history as we enjoy a one and one half hour leisurely walking tour through the restored area of this lovely colonial capital city (Actual distance is approximately 4-5 blocks). Following our overview tour, we can enjoy free time to shop and browse in the many unique specialty shops in Merchants Square. High quality apparel, gifts, jewelry, unusual quilts, beautiful furniture and holiday decorations are but a few of the offerings found in this quaint, picturesque shopping area. Next we will enjoy lunch on our own in one of the Colonial Taverns or in Merchants Square. Our guide will point out all of the dining options as we pass through town.

THE MARINER'S MUSEUM

Following lunch, we will visit the Mariner’s Museum, one of the largest and most comprehensive maritime history museums in the world, housing a treasure trove of more than 35,000 items inspired by human experiences with the sea.  For 70 years this museum has illustrated the spirit of seafaring adventure, assembling an internationally renowned and diverse collection of maritime artifacts - including figureheads, scrimshaw, handcrafted ship models, decorative arts, prints and paintings with a nautical theme, and small craft from around the world.  We can browse in the Museum Shop, which features an extensive collection of maritime books and gifts that are sure to please nautical enthusiasts of all ages and interests.   The USS Monitor Exhibit opened in 2007. This $30 million exhibit includes artifacts, history and accounts of the career of the USS Monitor displayed in a 63,500 square foot space. The center's galleries are re-creations of times and places - turning points of experience, re-living the Civil War battle of the iron-clads, USS Monitor and the CSS Virginia, which was to change Naval warfare forever. This exhibit is world class and one of the country's premier Civil War attractions. We should be returning to the hotel around 4:30.

THURSDAY DINING OUT

Thursday evening we will be going to the Virginia Beach Comedy Club for dinner and a show.   This is not exactly a group event because we will not be chartering busses to get us there. Of course everyone is welcome to join us. We will be car pooling from the hotel to get there so if you are driving to the reunion and plan to attend the dining out, if you have an empty seat, plan on taking your shipmate along. I am blocking a section of the club for the group so we can eat and enjoy the show together. The food there is excellent and the entertainment is usually top notch. I should add that it is usually a "Mature Audience Theme" however. Currently the schedule has Jim Breuer from Saturday Night Live headlining the show that night. Appropriate attire for the Dining Out would consist of Dress Uniforms or sport coat and tie. I am fortunate in that all of my uniforms still fit, so I would be able to wear whatever the group feels is most appropriate. I am open to input from anyone who wants to make suggestions. As it stands right now, I would vote for Dress Whites. Feel free to contact me and offer your suggestions.  Of course the hospitality room will be open for those who decide not to attend the dining out.

FRIDAY TOUR

Friday we head out on our motor coach with our guide to enjoy beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay as we ride through Virginia Beach. We will see the historic lighthouses and the First Landing Cross at Cape Henry where the English colonists first came ashore in 1607. Walk out on the overlook to see where the bay and the ocean meet, and where the famous Battle of the Capes took place during the Revolutionary War. Ride down the resort strip and past the Tidewater Veterans Memorial, a unique structure which pays homage to veterans everywhere.

NAVAL STATION NORFOLK TOUR

Tour the Norfolk Naval Base, which is part of Naval Station Norfolk, the largest naval installation in the world. Home port to 78 ships, ranging in size from aircraft carriers to submarines, 26 aircraft squadrons comprised of 133 aircraft and headquarters of the Atlantic Fleet, this naval complex occupies over 8,000 acres of land and is home to more than 100,000 military personnel. Your tour will take you past the 14 piers and through the Naval Air Station. You will also drive by the historic homes built for the 1907 Jamestown Exposition on “Admiral’s Row” which now house the flag officers. Next we will enjoy lunch at one of the clubs on base (Lunch is included in the price of the tour).

RIDING NORFOLK CITY TOUR

When we leave the Naval Base we will learn about Norfolk’s colorful 325 year history as we ride through the lovely historic district and restored areas. View the stately homes along the Hague, old St. Paul’s Church, the Moses Myers House, the MacArthur Memorial, the Chrysler Museum of Art, the historic Freemason District, Nauticus, the Battleship Wisconsin, the restored waterfront area, as well as many other points of interest.

VICTORY ROVER HARBOR CRUISE

Finally we will board the Victory Rover for a two hour cruise through the bustling Hampton Roads Harbor, one of the largest in the world. Enjoy fascinating and entertaining commentary along the way aboard this naval themed vessel. You will thrill to the sight of aircraft carriers, nuclear submarines, guided missile cruisers and all of the other ships that form the world's most powerful armada. Light snacks will be available on board.  We expect to return to the hotel around 4:00.

FRIDAY BUFFET DINNER

Friday night will be our first group dinner with a buffet served in one of the hotel banquet rooms.  Following dinner, relax in the hospitality room with snacks, soft drinks, cold beer and great companionship with great friends and shipmates.

SATURDAY BUSINESS MEETING

Saturday morning we will take a few minutes and discuss the future of the Association at our 2009 Patrol Gunboat Association Business Meeting. Topics will include finances, membership issues and the date and location of the 2010 reunion. We will also be taking questions and comments from the membership. Those who attended the Buffalo or the Seattle reunion may remember the trip to the cemetery. I am still working on this for the Virginia Beach reunion and if it can be arranged we will attempt to do it again. Otherwise we will have free time following the business meeting until we gather for the banquet dinner.

SATURDAY BANQUET DINNER

The bar will open at 6:00 and everyone should be seated in the banquet room in time for us to start the opening ceremony promptly at 7:00. I am still working on arranging a guest speaker as well as entertainment for the evening following dinner. We will also be drawing the winning tickets for the annual raffle table drawing as well as the winning 50-50 tickets. Remember, for the 50-50 cash prize, you do not need to be present to win.

Sunday morning many of us will meet in the hotel lobby to share some hugs as we promise to meet again at the next annual Patrol Gunboat Association reunion. The hospitality room will close at noon.

If you would like a copy of the reunion itinerary and registration forms, click on Download to view forms with Adobe Reader. These forms can be printed and mailed once filled out. Use your back button to return to this page.

Updated by Terry W. McManuels