REUNION INFORMATION

FUNDRAISING

For details on the various ways you can contribute, please go here.

Besides our main FundRazr page, we have also held fundraising events at Panda Express and TapRoom. Panda Express donated 28% of nationwide sales when our code was used on three fundraising days; November 10, January 24, and March 20. TapRoom in Pacific Beach, San Diego, donated 20% of sales when our fundraiser was mentioned on April 3 and June 8.

We raised $2712.21; 54% of our goal in 2024. In 2022, we raised $2305.40 of our $5000.00 goal.

Along with our fundraising events, I also 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?

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.

PLANNING REUNIONS

LET'S MAKE OUR REUNIONS EPIC!

Our reunions are about the stories, the camaraderie, the shared experiences – that's what makes them special. By working together, we can create reunions that honor our service and strengthen our bonds. Planning takes time (ideally a year or so). We need to consider:

Location: West Coast, Midwest, or East Coast.
Date: Spring or fall and what is the expected weather.
Budget: Let's be upfront about costs for travel, hotel, and food. This will help everyone plan accordingly.
Pre-payment: Sharing financial responsibility can be easier. Would pre-paying for deposits work for everyone?
Attendance: Having a headcount will help us with venue selection and activities. Our attendance keeps growing! In 2013, we had 15 crewmates, in 2022 it was 26, and over 70 have said yes for 2024.

Up to now, the location has been easy. This year marks my fourth ship reunion here in San Diego. San Diego has been a natural choice; It's where our ship called home, I know the hotels/venues/events, and it’s been frequently requested. But I will be venturing beyond my comfort zone for 2026.

I just returned from the Military Reunion Network Summit held this year in Herndon, VA *picture above. The summit brought together 37 CVBs, hotels, cities, and counties. The 22 I met with had just 10 minutes to pitch their unique offerings to me. It was like speed dating, but for reunion planners! With so many amazing options, picking the next reunion location will be an exciting challenge. Stay tuned for the big reveal! In the meantime, if you have any suggestions, please reach out.

Some ideas I have for 2026: (#1) Create an incentive program where you are rewarded for attending. You might receive a monetary discount for each year you attend. Example .. if you had attended 2013, 2022, and 2024, and received $5.00 for each year, you would have $15 to use toward 2026 payment. You might also earn a percentage off store merchandise. (#2) Establish an early payment incentive. You might earn an entry for each month payment is made prior to reunion date. Example .. if reunion is September 28 and you paid on June 4, you would receive three entries). The prize might be $100 cash? (#3) A registration fee of $10(?) might be collected. (#4) Establish a payment deadline of 30-60 days prior to reunion date. (#5) Find a matching source for reunion fundraisers. What are your thoughts on these ideas?

WHAT I DO.

No one wants reunion costs to be a burden! I am committed to finding ways to make our reunions financially accessible. Let me know your concerns! Have ideas or suggestions? The more feedback I have, the better I can tailor the reunion to fit everyone's needs.

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. With no usage in 2022 or 2024, I may reconsider offering this in 2026.

Car Rental - Discounts always depend on dates and length of rental. Our best discounts have come from Avis/Budget. Rates are normally available 2-3 days pre/post 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 pre/post 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.

Payment - I offer the following options: Venmo, checks, or I will add my processing fee of .039% to a card transaction.

HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED?

Spread the word: The more the merrier, right? When 2026 dates are announced, help me get the word out to fellow veterans! Share the information with your network, on social media, or by reaching out to those who might not be online. A strong turnout makes the reunion even better.

Donate and Volunteer: Every contribution makes a difference! You can donate online year-round or help support other fundraisers when scheduled. Can you lend a hand with our fundraising efforts? Maybe you have connections to potential supporters. Every dollar raised brings us closer to an unforgettable reunion! Donate, volunteer, and most importantly, mark your calendar and plan to attend when 2026 dates are announced! 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.

FUTURE REUNIONS

As mentioned earlier, I will be venturing beyond my comfort zone for 2026. Our 2026 reunion will be in the Midwest or on the East Coast.

Exploring New Reunion Locations: In April, Discover Kalispell invited me to Kalispell, MT, to show me everything they had to offer, and I just returned from the Military Reunion Network Summit where I met with these 22 amazing destinations: Greene County OH, Visit Central DE, Visit Leavenworth, Visit Wichita, Visit Fairfax, Visit Evansville, Visit Williamsburg, Visit Fayetteville NC, Visit Annapolis, Visit Springfield, Visit Virginia Beach, Crowne Plaza Providence, Visit Mobile, Visit Tucson, Visit Huntsville, Harrah’s Laughlin, Visit Albuquerque, Radisson Hotel Colorado Springs, Dayton OH CVB, Explore Charleston, Visit Jacksonville NC, and Visit Garden Inn Dulles North.

2026 - Midwest or East Coast
2028 - San Diego *might be a very special event
2029 or 2030 - *grand opening of the National Museum of the U.S. Navy in Washington, D.C.?

Please note, 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.

PREVIOUS REUNIONS

2024 Flyer ~ Attendees ~ Pictures ~ Reunions Magazine Article
2022 Flyer ~ Attendees ~ Pictures ~ Reunions Magazine Article
2020 ***POSTPONED Flyer
2013 Attendees

"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)