Reunion 2019
Date : September 12th-15th 2019 (Note that this includes a Hoeliday!)
(check-out day is Monday the 16th)
Place : Rapid City, South Dakota (Mountain time zone)
Coordinator: John Helsley, BM3, 69-73 <Email me at this address with any questions>
Cost : $236 per person, on top of making your own hotel reservations.
Payment : I'm accepting a single payment this reunion, instead of the usual 2 payment scheme.
Payment due ASAP with registration form (below).
Registration & Payment form...... (2 pages)
<Click here for the printable .PDF file> <If you are having issues printing it, you can email me here>
I know I'm late getting this out, but would appreciate getting forms and payment back around 7/31/2019.
I need to get headcounts and enough money for event/tour deposits.
NOTE: A/O 9/7/2019 we have 112 confirmed attendees
<Click here to see who has ALREADY made reservations>
I have included those that are staying in RV parks, or at another hotel, if I am aware of it.
<CLICK HERE if you are not on the above list and you are coming>
(Rate is good for up to 3 days prior, and 3 days after reunion)
(Rate includes one $10 voucher per person, per room, per day (max of 2 per room) for the attached Perkins Restaurant and Bakery)
Last day of activities/tours will be on the 15th, with goodbyes on the evening of the 15th.
Check-out day anytime on the 16th.
NOTE: This includes a Hoeliday! (This will be 14 months after the last one in July 2018)
NOTE: Banquet dinner will be on Friday the 13th!
(4 night stay, $109+taxes+fees, per night)
Note: If you make reservations outside of the following group instructions (like a 3rd party booking site)
you won't get the free food vouchers (mentioned above) or airport shuttle service.
<Click here to see reservation instructions page> (It's easy, but you MUST follow my 6 step instructions) (or you can call direct)
Click here to make on-line reservations
1721 N Lacrosse St, Rapid City, SD, USA, 57701
(866)742-1300
Group Code: HL0613
RV parking available
General Reunion Itinerary
<Click here for specific daily itinerary & bus schedule>
(stay nights marked in red)
Hopefully, a little more time to relax (except for Saturday), with a slower general pace on this reunion. We aren't getting any younger folks.
Note: Hospitality room should be open in the evenings till approx 10pm. Hint: There is a bar that is open till 2am.
September 12th (Thu) ... Check in day and registration, hang out in hospitality room. (open by 2pm)
September 13th (Fri).......Short trip to Sturgis, followed by a surprise lunch venue.
We s/b getting back early enough to rest & freshen up for the Friday 13th Hoeliday BANQUET.
Auction before the banquet.
(Buses return from Sturgis outing about 3:15pm)
3:15-4:00pm - Freshen up, rest
4:00-5:30pm - Auction
5:30-6:00pm - Clear conference room for banquet setup
Folks can go change clothes if they wish (dress is casual, or even a suit if it floats your boat)
CASH bar opens (hotel provided), put away our alcohol until cash bar is closed
6:00-6:30pm - Letter from mayor, VRC welcome
6:30 - Banquet begins
7:15 - Speaker
8:30 - Close cash bar, cleanup, prepare for a long day tomorrow
September 14th (Sat)......Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park, Lunch at State Game Lodge, Crazy Horse Memorial,
Fort Hays Chuckwagon Dinner/Show
<Click here for September 14th details>
September 15th (Sun).....Light tour schedule, with a stop at The South Dakota Air and Space Museum (supposed to be impressive)
No cost other than transportation.
We will then end up in downtown Rapid City, where you can eat, shop, drink, to your heart's content.
Whatever floats your boat.
Buses will bring you back to hotel in 1 hour increments until last bus at 3:30pm.
This will be the last official day to hang out in the hospitality room and say goodbyes in the evening.
September 16th (Mon)....Depart our separate ways, driving or flying
<Click here for specific daily itinerary & bus schedule>
We are planning to have another auction like we did at the 2017 reunion in San Diego, which was fun.
We are having the auction before the banquet, Friday the 13th.
Some at the 2017 reunion were already talking about what they would bring in 2019.
It really doesn't need to be related to the ship or nautical.
Note: I personally had really wanted to go to Devils Tower in Wyoming, where "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" was filmed.
But that in itself is a long, and expensive tour, through a different tour company.
However, I will provide a link to that company should anyone feel spunky and want to do it themselves, with even a small group of other shipmates.
If I wasn't the reunion organizer, I would go on that tour myself in a heartbeat. Maybe I'll do it another time on my own.
Rapid City Airport (RAP)
4550 Terminal Road
Rapid City, SD 57703
There are 3 major airports that fly into Rapid City... AA, Delta, United.
Airport is 20 minutes from hotel.
When you arrive at the airport, Rapid Shuttle will be providing the service to the Grand Gateway Hotel.
Go down to baggage claim and Rapid Shuttle has a desk right at bottom of escalator.
Let them know you are with the USS Hoel and that you need a ride to Grand Gateway Hotel.
For other transportation purposes while there...
Rapid Taxi - 605-348-8080
City Cab - 605-863-1111
Lyft (like Uber, which doesn't appear to be in Rapid City)
Hotel Floor Plan (Click on the photo for larger image)
On hotel site...................
Perkins Restaurant & Bakery <Click here for menus>
Open 24/7
(Your room reservation will include up to two (2) $10 vouchers per room per day for the attached Perkins Restaurant and Bakery)
Hours are 11 am-2 am, 7 days a week. Happy Hour M-F 3 pm-7 pm
Hospitality/Banquet Room
Current time in Rapid City,SD (Mountain Standard Time (MST))
Friday, September 13, 2019 - Sunrise in Rapid City, SD - 6:30 AM
Sunset in Rapid City, SD - 7:07 PM
Projected weather for September 2019 (Click on the photo for larger image)
