We would like to do something different at our next reunion. Our reunion committee was thinking about having one of our dinners on a cruise ship, they have special package deals for dinner cruises. We were also thinking about having the final banquet dinner on a cruise ship so that everyone can enjoy it.

Almost every major city that is near a major waterway has cruise ships that offer dinner cruises. I think that the most popular line is the "Spirit" Line. There is the Spirit of Saint Louis, the Spirit of Norfolk, Spirit of San Francisco and I am certain many others. From my experience, all offer fine food and excellent entertainment. They can however be expensive. Remember, the smart planner tries to make sure that the majority of his guests are able to participate in the maximum number of reunion events.

Here are some things to remember. First, if you do a dinner cruise, the cost will almost always be more than if you had your meal at the hotel. The cost of the dinner cruise includes the cost of the meal obviously. It must also include the cost of the entertainment, and usually the cost of transportation for your guests to get to the ship. For those guests who drive to the reunion, that may not be a problem, but for those guests who traveled to the reunion by air, that would mean car pooling or a cab. As the planner or planning committee, you should also keep in mind that if drinks are served on the dinner cruise, then there is the risk of an alcohol related accident on the trip back to the hotel. I am not saying that a dinner cruise is a bad idea, I am just pointing out some things for you to keep in mind. One final note regarding the banquet dinner. Most groups end their reunions with a final banquet dinner. This is the last event of the reunion and usually the most formal event. Often a guest speaker is arranged as well as entertainment following the dinner. If you arrange for your last event of the reunion to take place on a cruise ship, remember that your group will be only a small part of those present, unless of course you have a very large group. Having the formal banquet dinner at the hotel allows you to ensure that the focus is on the group, and the command that they represent. It becomes a "Just Us" event. Additionally, those members of the group who are able to only attend the banquet dinner will not be able to get together with the group if they are on a cruise ship. The agenda on the cruise is planned and scheduled by the ship, not by the reunion planner or planning committee.

We want to have a special layout for the banquet dinner with a display table to pay tribute to both our fallen comrades as well as those who can't attend the reunion due to medical problems. What suggestions do you have for our banquet dinner format?

Several years ago the majority of military reunions represented World War II groups. As Vietnam Era Veterans grow older, many now want to get together for an entertaining reunion while at the same time, pay tribute to the casualties of that war. This is something that only a veteran would understand. One thing that we have noticed with military reunion groups, those that are successful tend to try to make the reunion upbeat and entertaining for all who attend, while at the same time taking a few moments to remember those who gave their all while serving our country. We feel that the ideal time to do this is during the banquet dinner. The banquet is usually the last event of the reunion. The below format has worked well for us at every event we have planned. When a Color Guard Detail parades the Colors, they enter the banquet room and proceed to the front of the head table. Depending on the number of personnel in the Colors Detail, they can either form up directly in front of or on either side of the Missing Comrade Table. Following the National Anthem, they retire the Colors. Other Association displays along with raffle table items can be placed on tables to the left and right of the head table. This leaves the head table unobstructed during the banquet.

Missing Comrade Table:

This table will be a small round table with a complete setting for one, with the water glass inverted. The table cloth will be white. In the center of the table will be a single red rose, displayed in a vase, the vase will be tied with a single red ribbon. A slice of lemon and a small amount of salt will be placed on the plate. A small bible will be placed on the table next to the rose.

Explanation of the Missing Comrade Table:

As you entered the Banquet room you may have noticed a table at the front. It is reserved to honor our missing comrades. This table setting represents our service members missing from each of the five services - Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard and Civilians. This table honors them, it symbolizes that they are here with us, even if only in spirit. All Americans should never forget our brave men and women who answered our nations call and served the cause of freedom in a special way. This table is round, to show our everlasting concern for our men still missing. The cloth is white, symbolizing the purity of their motives when answering the call to duty. The single red rose, displayed in a vase, reminds us of the life of each of the missing, and their loved ones and friends who keep the faith while still awaiting answers. The vase is tied with a red ribbon, a symbol of our continued determination to account for our missing. A slice of lemon on the bread plate is to remind us of the bitter fate of those captured and missing in a foreign land. A pinch of salt symbolizes the tears endured by those missing and their families who seek answers. The Bible represents the strength gained through faith to sustain those lost from our country, founded as one nation under God. The glass is inverted, to symbolize their inability to share this evenings toast. The chair remains empty. Let us raise our glasses in a toast to honor America's POW/MIA's and to the success of our efforts to account for them.

We have an Association store that sells things like patches, hats and pins and other memorabilia from our command. Is it possible to arrange for a special room where the store operator can open a few hours each day and sell these items?

When any group negotiates a contract with the hotel, there is an agreed upon number of complimentary nights for the group. This is often determined by a "Comp Ratio", usually in the area of 1:40 to 1:50, and it is based on the number of paid nights purchased by the reunion group. These comp nights are for complimentary sleeping rooms only. Usually the contract also specifies the number of banquet rooms for group meal functions, meeting space for group meetings and the hospitality room for use by the members during the reunion. If the group wants to run an Association Store out of a sleeping room in the hotel, that can be arranged, however this room will normally count against the number of comp nights received. Another drawback to having the store in a sleeping room is that the store operator is then unable to enjoy the reunion during store hours. Our suggestion is to have the Association Store located in or very close to the Hospitality Room where the MRTR Representative can assist the store operator during registration hours. There are several advantages to this. First off, the Association Store will not take up one of your comp nights. Second, the store will be in a central location where most of your members will be spending their time. You are then able to keep better control of your members, rather than having them roaming the hotel looking for the store. Finally, your store operator will be able to spend more time with your members in the hospitality room, rather than having to spend time in the store during open hours. Remember, he is there to enjoy the reunion too.

Will the MRTR Representative operate our store for us?

The RTR Site Representative is there it ensure that the reunion goes exactly as planned. He or she acts as a liaison between the hotel and the reunion group. Site representatives represent the group and report directly to the Reunion Chairman. As such, they cannot act as the store operator, however if the Association Store is located in the hospitality room, they can assist the store operator during registration periods. We try to arrange the hospitality room so that once your members arrive, they first check in with the MRTR Site Representative to receive their registration package. The Site Representative will verify that all items are in the package, explain exactly what functions your guests have paid for and verify that all tickets are in order. We explain the assigned seating procedures and go over the reunion itinerary. If there are items that your group wishes us to distribute to your members, they will be given to them at this time. Their next stop would be at the Association store to purchase tickets for raffle table drawings, ball caps and other memorabilia.

What other items will MRTR provide us for our reunion?

Our goal is to make your reunion a success. We also want it to be professionally done. That is the reason you hire professionals to assist you. Most groups operate on a limited budget. Items such as flags are very expensive. MRTR has a large inventory of flags, the National Ensign, Flags from all the services, state flags and POW/MIA flags. Each flag includes a brass base and oak flagpole along with the appropriate standard for the top of the pole. Our inventory includes both six foot and eight flags and table top flag sets. We provide the appropriate flags at no charge for every group we work with. We also provide brass ticket drums for raffle table and other event drawings. We do many reunions so if there is something your group wants, chances are we have it or can get it for you to use at no charge.

Your staff suggests that we not publish a list of people who have registered for the reunion. I would think that a list of attendees would make others decide to go when they find friends are planning to attend. Why do you suggest that we not publish the names of attendees when they register?

Here is a paste from a recent email concerning this subject:

Where is the list of the Attendees for the reunion? I don't see anything on Classmates.com. Please inform, I have been to many reunions but I would not attend one where the list of attendees and availability to communicate in advance with them is not offered.

First, if everyone waited until a list of attendees was published, then there would be no reunion. Everyone would be waiting to see who was on the list before they registered.

Here was my response to that particular email message:

"Deb: I will tell you the same thing I have told dozens of others. If you want to contact someone, let me know who and I will pass the information on to them, they can contact you if they desire. I normally tell anyone planning a reunion that it is unproductive to publish a list of attendees. First, many people wait until the last minute to register so many attendees would get listed at or close to the cut off date..." "...After almost 2 years of planning and effort, close to $2,000.00 for newletters, advertising and postage and more that several thousand email messages...", "...We got you $189.00 per night rooms for $89.00, an excellent hotel, good food and entertaining tours. That is what should make you attend. Of course, meeting up with old acquaintenances would be great, but in my opinion meeting new ones is almost as good...", ..."This a reprint from the USS William V. Pratt newsletter.

WILL FRED BE THERE?

I just wanted to take a moment to talk about a shipmate friend of mine from the Canberra Association. Before I tell you about George though, I wanted to tell you about Fred. Fred is the fictitious name of the one guy that so many former crewmembers ask me about. As each reunion draws closer, I receive calls from former crewmembers that want to know if Fred or Harry or Bill will be attending. As I listen to these calls, I wonder how very special the relationship must have been for someone to decide that they will attend a reunion only if some other particular crewmember is attending.

Every ship has one or two specific crewmembers that everyone wants to see. Perhaps a favorite chief or CO, maybe someone that was close to the family or someone that helped you out of a jam while you were onboard. Each time I hear someone tell me that they want to attend the reunion, but only if "Fred" is planning to come, I think about George.

George is a former crewmember from the USS Canberra. He is a World War Two Veteran who has made many of the Canberra's Reunions. A career sailor, he is involved in several reunions. I first met George in Virginia Beach, at a Canberra Reunion. All I knew about him was that he wanted to know if I played Acey Ducey. If I did, then we would get along fine, as long as I was willing to play a game or two with him sometime during the reunion. Since that first reunion, I have made a point of always bringing along an Acey Ducey board and getting in as many games as possible. I met a total stranger at that first reunion and he has grown to be one of my favorite people. Time takes it's toll on all of us; George is no exception. It appears that he may not make many more reunions due to some health problems. The reason I am telling you this story is so that you will understand my frustration when I hear statements like "I will only attend if Fred is coming." How very glad I am that I attended my first Canberra Reunion and had the opportunity to meet George. It saddens me to think that we may not have many more games of Acey Ducey to play. His friendship and camaraderie is something that I will always cherish. George is a great friend, his spirit and sense of humor always makes my day. Both my wife and I missed him at this year's Canberra Reunion and we sincerely hope his health improves. Had I failed to attend that first reunion where I met him, I would have missed the opportunity to find a good friend and a true shipmate.

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Copyright © 2007 MRTR. All rights reserved. Revised: 02/21/07.