REUNION INFORMATION
UPCOMING REUNION
- Saturday September 28 to Wednesday October 2, 2024 in San Diego
- Are you coming? Please answer this one reunion question.
- *as of 4/8 - Yes 71
APRIL 25 - MAJOR REUNION UPDATE:
1) The 'Welcome Reception' was originally intended to be an informal gathering with the crew paying individually for drinks and food, but because of the number of people attending in 2024, we may need more room. We can hang out in the hotel bar area and order individually if we have 35 or less. A paid event at The Butcher Shop next door is the best option for a larger group; they are offering a Taco Bar for $53.20 per person in a banquet room.
2) I am switching the boat/vendor for our 3-hour whale watching cruise on Monday September 30. We are now paying a flat rate for the vessel, which means the more people that attend, the cheaper it is per person. IMPORTANT NOTE: The 80’ vessel has a maximum capacity of 130. If everyone brings a significant other, we have too many. Never thought I would have to worry about this, but first-come-first-served.
3) Navy veteran-owned business, Mike Hess Brewing, has offered extra food to go along with one flat price for our group lunch on October 1. The more people having lunch, the cheaper it will be per person.
A simple HTML version of the flyer can be found here.
When you are ready, call me at (619) 750-6390 and we will go over all the details (what events you will attend, transportation, money, etc.). This is when I officially add you to my attendee list.
FUTURE REUNIONS
- 2026 Midwest, East Coast, or San Diego?
- How about Kalispell, MT or Warwick, RI?
Any reunion organized by me will be for all rates, all years.
There may be other reunions I am not aware of. Are you planning a ship reunion? Want that information listed here? Please EMail me the details.
PAST REUNIONS
FUNDRAISING
For details on the various ways you can contribute, please go here.
TapRoom in Pacific Beach, San Diego, will be the location for two more fundraising events; Wednesday April 3 and Saturday June 8. TapRoom will donate 20% of sales when our fundraiser is mentioned, and will be good for dine-in, takeout, or delivery. On April 3, four members of the crew who live locally got together at TapRoom for food, drink, and company. Click here for the TapRoom flyer.
Thank you to Panda Express for their support of our 2024 reunion. They donated 28% of nationwide sales when our code was used ordering online for pickup or delivery. Our fundraising days were November 10, January 24, and March 20.
It is important for every crew member, whether attendance is planned or not, to help promote our reunions and fundraising efforts. Not only are you helping those who will be attending, but you will be keeping the USS Anchorage (LSD 36) story alive.
Besides our UPDATED FundRazr page, I reach out to a long list of businesses asking for financial donations or the donation of an item to be used as a giveaway. Wouldn't it be nice if we found a corporate sponsor to fund our entire reunion? Or just the food? How about a giveaway for each attendee?
Our 2024 reunion FundRazr has raised $873.61 as of April 25.
Our 2022 reunion FundRazr raised $2305.40 of our $5000.00 goal.
PLANNING REUNIONS
There are several things to be considered when planning our reunions: Should it be held on the West Coast, East Coast, or in the Midwest? What time of year and what weather can we expect at the selected location? How much money will the crew pay for travel, hotel, and food? Will the crew pre-pay to cover deposits required? How many will show?
Airfare - 2022 was the first time we had an ‘Official Airline’. I have reached out to Alaska, American, Delta, Southwest, and United. The best airline to work with while offering the best discount for our group has been United.
Car Rental - Discounts always depend on dates and length of rental. Best discounts have come from Avis/Budget. Rates are normally available 2-3 days before and/or after reunion event.
Hotel - I normally sign an agreement for an initial block of 10-15 rooms but have the ability to increase if necessary. I research the top hotel chains and any unique properties found locally. I look at room price, local room taxes, parking fees, cancelation policies, logistics, amenities, and of course comfort. Room rates are normally available 2-3 days before and/or after reunion event.
Event Transportation - Transportation will be provided to/from reunion events for those staying at the official hotel; the cost will depend on the number of people needing transportation. The quotes I receive for transportation are always high, so personal vehicles are used whenever possible.
Event Prices - For the main reunion event, I consider the venue and its amenities, deposit needed, food minimum, and especially the number of attendees required to meet that minimum. I always try and select group events that are fun and/or interesting while also keeping the prices affordable.
Event Tickets - To eliminate a per ticket fee and my card processing fee, I offer the following options; Venmo, Checks, or I will add my processing fee of .0375% to a card transaction.
Feel free to EMail or call Michael at (619) 750-6390 if you have any questions or comments.
"Thoroughly enjoyed my first LSD-36 reunion in 2022. The Bay Club was an excellent choice for a host hotel for the reunion. Accommodations and location were perfect for such an event. Even ran into the reunion coordinator the night before the first official event and shared a couple at the hotel bar! The 'Welcome' social hour, 'Main Event' dinner and 'Group Breakfast' were great times to rekindle old relationships. A highlight for me was the tour of the same-named US Navy replacement ship. All-in-all, a great time!" Plank Owner LTJG George Mellen (8/68-6/71)
“My wife and I had a great time at the USS Anchorage 2022 reunion. Seeing shipmates that i have not seen in almost 50 years was definitely worth the trip. The venue and activities were excellently planned- what fun! I hope more of my friends will attend the 2024 reunion - they won’t regret it.” QM3 Alan Bescan (5/73-12/76)
In October 2022, my wife and I, along with our children and grandchild, attended a USS Anchorage (LSD-36) reunion in San Diego, California. This reunion was organized and presented by former crewmember Mike McGrath. This was the third Anchorage reunion I had attended since my retirement from the US Navy in 1987. Mike ensured this was a memorable reunion with a variety of activities including a harbor cruise, a crew breakfast, and a ships tour of the new USS Anchorage. (LPD-23). The reunion brought back many positive memories of my tour onboard not only for me, but for my son who was only 13 years old when he participated in a “Tiger Cruise” on Anchorage after a Westpac deployment. I would like to thank Mike for his dedication to Anchorage reunions and I look forward to future reunions. MA Dave Rios (1/85-8/87)
