2010 Reunion Information

Here is the latest 2010 Altair Reunion information from our reunion chairman Joe Basso.

The Nashville reunion will be held at the Holiday Inn Select Opryland/Airport from Thursday, October 21st through Sunday, October 24th. Nashville, TN ~ October 21st – 24th, 2010

Travel & Leisure Magazine recently named Nashville America’s Friendliest City! Not only is Music City friendly, it has also been named the 4th Best American City for Holiday Travel. The USS Altair Reunion tours will give you a chance to experience some of the top attractions in Nashville. Tours include a group dinner at one of Nashville’s most unique restaurants and tickets to the famous Grand Ol Opry show. Saturday, don’t miss the city tour which will highlight some of Nashville’s most popular attractions. Your reunion program hits all of Nashville’s most famous attractions, while allowing plenty of time to relax and catch up with your friends.

Hotel Information:
The reunion dates are from Thursday, October 21st through Sunday, October 24th. You will be staying at the Holiday Inn Select Opryland/Airport which is located at 2200 Elm Hill Pike, Nashville, TN 37214.

Reservation Information:
The room rate is just $99.00 plus tax per night based on single or double occupancy. Rate includes complimentary breakfast buffet daily. Please make your hotel reservations NOW by calling (615) 883-9770 between 9-4 pm EST and ask for in-house reservations. For those of you who would like to arrive early, the same room rate is available 2 days prior to the start of the reunion, and 2 days after the reunion. You may cancel up until 48 hours before arrival at no penalty. Be sure to ask for the USS Altair Reunion rate to assure you are associated with your group. You may request specific room types when you call to make your reservations (handicap accessible room, etc.). These are on a first come basis. The hotel check-in time is 3:00pm. Please, don’t expect to get into your room before then. They will ask you for a deposit or credit card number to guarantee your room reservation. The hotel is holding rooms until they sell out or September 10th, 2010, whichever comes first.

Transportation & Directions:
The closest airport is Nashville International (BNA). The hotel offers complimentary shuttle service from the Nashville International Airport. Upon arrival, use the courtesy phone located in the baggage claim. For those of you driving to the reunion, the hotel offers plenty of free parking. The hotel is conveniently located off Interstate 40, at the Broadway exit. Ask hotel for detailed directions when making your reservations.

Travel safely and we will ….
See you in Nashville!

Please call the hotel and make your reservations making sure you are getting the Altair special rate.

USS ALTAIR AKS 32 ~ 2010 REUNION EVENTS:

EVENT A: GROUP DINNER & GRAND OLE OPRY SHOW
Friday, October 22nd (4:00pm-10:00pm)
This spectacular evening begins at the Cock of the Walk Restaurant, where you will have a private area reserved just for the USS Altair. Known as one of Nashville’s most unique restaurants, you will dine on their famous golden fried catfish, and other southern specialties. The large barn-like restaurant is well known around Nashville for having the best seafood in town. The restaurant takes its unusual name from an old flatboat man’s term for the top boatman. Following dinner, board your coach for the short drive to the Grand Ole Opry Show. This is the show that made Nashville famous! The one, the only, the Opry. You never know which celebrities will turn up and perform, but one thing is for certain, it’s always a great show, with something for everyone. Music, dancing, and lots of laughs, make this variety show a Nashville tradition and a crowd favorite. You’ll have great seats, so come see what all the fuss is about!
Please note: You will be required to walk down 6 steps to your seat for the show. All Opry seats are benches with backs, similar to church pews.

EVENT B: BEST OF NASHVILLE CITY TOUR
Saturday, October 23rd (9:00am-2:00pm)
This is not your typical, routine city tour, but an entertaining look at all the sights that make up Nashville. Enjoy a driving tour of the landmarks of the city including Historic Downtown, Fort Nashborough, the State Capitol, the Parthenon and Music Row. The tour includes some of the homes and recording studios of celebrity stars of television and radio. You’ll also have time downtown to explore and have lunch on your own. Bring your camera and comfortable shoes. This will be a great day!

BANQUET DINNER:
Saturday, October 23rd (7:00pm at Hotel)
Join all of your friends for your Banquet Dinner at the Hotel. Dinner will be served at 7:00pm. Please make your entrée selection on the reservation form.

OPTIONAL TOUR CANCELLATION INSURANCE:
Protect yourself from unforeseen expenses caused by sickness, injury or any other causes that impact your travel plans. This insurance enables a refund of Tour & Banquet expenses up until three (3) days before the start of your reunion. If you need to cancel – please call our office immediately (817-251-3551) for a cancellation number. If you have not purchased cancellation insurance all tour and meal money is non-refundable 6 weeks prior to the reunion.

Important Reunion Notes:
~ Tours may be cancelled if a minimum of 30 people per bus is not met. In this case, full refunds will be given.
~ Please understand that a certain amount of walking is necessary from the bus to attractions and in some
instances, to also see the attractions. Please consider your abilities before purchasing tours.
~ Be sure to bring photo identification (like a driver’s license) on all events.
~ All tour times are subject to change. A final itinerary is available at registration

Tour reservations are contained in a PDF file that will be emailed or faxed to you by Dick Braun at dbraun at msbservices . com upon request

Another great auction will be held Saturday evening at the banquet; and, the valuable item you bring does not have to be Naval related item! (I hope a shipmate brings an original J-38 key!)

The Hospitality Room opens on Thursday. There will be a $25 charge PER PERSON for the cost of the hospitality room and all the "GOODIES."
Please send your check to:

Joseph Basso, 16 Edgemere Drive, Matawan, NJ 07747

or

John Thomas, 2632 Oak Leaf Circle, Helena, AL 35022

Joe Basso can be reached at jomapakg032 [at] verizon.net

Best Regards to All and See Ya in Nashville!

Charles

Sick List

Greetings Altair Crew. I received the following email from Dick Stader who wanted me to pass the info about the "Altair Sick List."

"Charles, just thought I would send you this information that I got yesterday on Dave Poland; his daughter called me yesterday to let me know that he (Dave) was having some chest pain on Tuesday, 5 Jan., and so she took him to the hospital to have him checked out; and he is there now with four heart blockages waiting to have bypass surgery next Wednesday 13 Jan. I talked to him last night and he says he is doing fine and feeling no more pain; but, because he takes Plavix, they need to wait a week before they can do surgery. His phone number is 757-388-8471 (repeating 757-388-8471) at the hospital in case any shipmate would like to give him a call; I am sure he would enjoy hearing from any of our shipmates.

Best Regards to you and Lillie.

Dick"

Best Regards To All..........Charles

December 2009 by Charles Brecheisen

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

FINANCES: The beginning December cash balance was $1136.15; the beginning December saving account balance was $3822.71. There was no income nor expenses leaving a total balance of $4958.86.

DUES: There were 83 dues paying shipmates in 2009. THANK YOU! Dues are $10 per year and due again for 2010 sent to me. Thank you again!

SHIPMATES: There are 462 Altair Shipmates!!!! Let's get more!!!

SHIPMATES PASSING: The following shipmates passed:

Perry Charles Hahn, EM3, 1963-1965; Passed November 20, 2009

Gerald (Jerry) Pelton, DP3, 1967-1968; Passed January 21, 2003

Allen D. Post, MMC, 1962-1964; Passed October 18, 2009

Our condolences to their families.

All for now. If you have any questions or comments, please reply to cmbaltairaks32 [at] fastmail.us

Let's all have a Blessed, Happy, Healthy and a prosperous 2010!

Best Regards To All...........Charles