POD

Reunion Info Update and Announcements

Posted 16 September 2009

DDG 104 Tour

The USS Sterett DDG 104 is providing a tour of the ship to our Reunion Members on Saturday between 1:00 and 3:00 PM. Buses will be provided at the hotel to transport personnel to the Naval Station and back to the Hotel. The buses will begin boarding at 12:30 PM and will depart for the base at about 1:00 PM.

Guests will be cleared by Naval Personnel at the Naval Station Main Gate, at the entry point of the pier, and at the Sterett Quarterdeck. All guest are requested to have a picture ID Card and cooperate fully with the security personnel to avoid delays.

For everyone, this is a reminder that getting around on a Naval Combatant is a job designed for young, fit sailors and that climbing and descending ladders that are steep may be a bit of a challenge for those not experienced. The passageways are narrow and you will have to step over the edge of hatches frequently. DDG 104 has a pressurized interior, so it will be necessary to pass through decompression chambers to go into and out of the skin of the ship. Guests that are uncomfortable with tight spaces or have physical handicaps/limitations may wish to reconsider taking this tour, or decide to limit their participation to the outside of the superstructure and to the main deck.

Guests are requested to wear slacks or shorts and rubber soled shoes such as sports shoes. High heels and sandals are not a good choice. You will need both hands to navigate the ladders, so we suggest leaving your purse or hand-bags behind. Cameras are okay but should be hung with a strap over your neck. A photographer is coming to take photos that will be shared with everyone.

A note to the Vets --- you will be amazed!!!!

Dave Spear 2009 Reunion Committee

Posted 20 August 2009

The following is information for shipmates and their guests attending the USS Sterett Reunion 24 – 27 September 2009 in San Diego CA:

The Town and Country Hotel in Mission Valley does not have a courtesy van to and from the airport, so it is necessary for each party to make personal transportation arrangements. There are shuttle vans (for hire) and taxi cabs both at the airport and at the hotel. Rental Cars are also available at the airport. The Hotel also charges for parking, so please be prepared for that extra charge.

The Reunion Committee is setting up a Hospitality Center (Called the Quarterdeck) at the hotel that will be manned by Association staff personnel. Signs will be posted in the hotel lobby giving the location of this “Quarterdeck”. There will be a ship’s store available here as well. Please check in at the Quarterdeck when you arrive and get your information on the tours, banquet, name tags, etc. This is also a spot to meet old shipmates and tell sea stories. The tentative hours for the Quarterdeck to be open are:

Thursday, 24 Sept ’09 – 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM

Friday, 25 Sept ’09 – 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM

Saturday, 26 Sept – 8:00 AM to 12:30

PM Sunday, 27 Sept – 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM

Visit to the USS Sterett DDG 104: The Sterett will be at the US Naval Station at 32nd Street and will host a visit by our reunion personnel on Saturday afternoon, 26 Sept.

Free bus transportation will be arranged from the hotel. Please check in with the Reunion Hospitality Center (Quarterdeck) for the latest plan details.

For those that wish to provide your own transportation (e.g., shipmates that live in San Diego or those that will rent a car), please drive to the 32ND street Naval Station and join and be there by 1:00 PM. You will need a Retired ID Card to get you on the base.

(For more on the DDG 104 Ship Tour see the 16 September 2009 posting above)

OTHER TOURS: We have arranged for a couple of tours that originate at the hotel. On Friday is a tour of the San Diego Zoo and on Saturday morning is a San Diego City Tour. The price per person for these tours is expected to be about $32 per person (we have asked for a group discount). We have a rough count of interested persons and have given this to the hotel, but each party should contact the hotel directly to make final reservations. It is anticipated that each will make their payment after they arrive at the hotel. To contact the hotel for reservations please contact them at:

EMAIL – concierge@towncountry.com

Or by Telephone - 619-291-7131 and ask for “group tours”.

General Information. There is a light rail “Trolley” public transportation station that is just to the north of the Hotel (easy walking distance). This provides mass transportation throughout San Diego and is a good source to get to Downtown, the Embarcadero, the Gas Lamp district or even to the Padres new stadium (Petco Park). The Fashion Valley shopping center is also an easy walk from the hotel.

For those shipmates that are considering a longer San Diego vacation, the Blue Angels are flying their annual show at Miramar October 2 – 4, the following weekend.

2009 USS Sterett Reunion POD