WATCH and LISTEN To: St Louis Reunion Farewell Dinner Video #1
St Louis Farewell Dinner Video #2
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PROVIDENCE 2021
USMC Vietnam Tankers Association Reunion
Wednesday, September 15 – Monday, September 20, 2021
Crowne Plaza Providence – Warwick
801 Greenwich Avenue, Warwick, RI 02889
Reunion room rate: $119 per night …This is the 2017 room rate!!!
This room rate is good for three days before and three days after the reunion dates.
And that room rate also includes a full hot breakfast that will be served in our hospitality room.
The $119 room rate does not include a 13% room tax.
We will be about an hour south of Boston, so if you want to avail yourself of the massive amount of American history, come early or stay a few extra days and tour “Beantown” (Boston).
The hotel provides complimentary Sauna, Exercise Room and Business Center
No cost Wi-Fi and Internet access and free newspaper in the lobby
The Crossings Restaurant and Alfred’s Lounge are on premises.
In order to make your room reservation the Crowne Plaza corporate phone number is
1-800-2CROWNE or 1-800-227-6963
Be sure to mention: Group Code “TNK” or “USMC Vietnam Tankers Reunion” when making your room reservations in order to get the discounted room rate.
If you would like to book their room online, they can go to www.crownehotelwarwick.com and put in the 3-letter group code (TNK) or by simply clicking this link: USMC Vietnam Tankers Reunion
All room reservations must be made by 8/30/2021.
Crowne Plaza Providence-Warwick (Airport) is 2 miles from Providence TF Green Airport.
And is 62 miles from BOSTON-LOGAN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Hotel has a free shuttle bus to and from the Providence Airport.
The bus runs every ½ hour from 6:30 AM to 11:00 PM
Shuttle Bus Details: When you arrive at the TF Green Airport you can call the hotel directly at (401) 732-6000 to have the shuttle come pick you up … but only after you have all of your luggage in hand. Walk outside of the Luggage Claim area to the second curb where all of the hotel shuttles pick-up and wait there.
Pets: We are a dog friendly hotel. There is a $50 pet deposit per stay. After your stay; we do a deep clean for our next guest. Due to this extra cost; there is a $50, nonrefundable cleaning fee per stay. With the exception of service animals with documentation, we do not accept other kinds of pets.
Parking: If you do drive, there is plenty of free indoor and outdoor parking … including parking for RVs … but there are no RV hookups.
HONOR THE PAST BY BEING PRESENT
PROVIDENCE 2021
Things to do in Rhode Island
A note from the RI Convention and Tourism Bureau
Rhode Island may be the smallest state in the nation, but it packs plenty of excitement into its borders. The state’s miles of coastline, rich Colonial history and acclaimed restaurants create a memorable reunion destination. With nearly 400 years of history, Rhode Island has many stories to tell, and an array of things to do for all tastes.
Providence, RI combines the charm of a New England town with the sophistication of a big city. Compact and walkable, Providence is heralded for its world-class dining scene and beautifully preserved historic architecture. The historic Federal Hill neighborhood spans iconic Atwells Avenue and the surrounding streets. Visit DePasquale Square, an Italian style piazza and gathering space for music and dancing, tossing coins in the fountain and congregating with old friends. While Italian food and culture are constants on the Hill, the restaurants have evolved to represent worldly flavors and cultures.
Other can’t-miss attractions in the capital city include a stop at the RISD Museum and Roger Williams Park Zoo, dubbed “the finest zoo in New England” by the Boston Globe. Want something truly unique? Sign yourself up for a Providence Ghost Tour. Let experts guide you by lantern light through this walking ghost and haunted history tour of the East Side of Providence while telling stories that will be sure to send a chill down your spine.
Warwick, RI, just 10 minutes from Providence, is home to shopping, golf courses and 39 miles of scenic coastline. The Warwick Mall features more than 80 retail locations, 12 restaurants, and a 12-screen Showcase Cinema. If you want to spend some of your free time in the green, Harbor Lights Golf Course plays nearly 6000 yards from the tips, making it an enjoyable challenge for golfers of every skill level. It’s rolling fairways, expansive, undulating bent grass greens and stunning views of the Narragansett Bay make this a unique public 9-hole golf course.
To the south in Newport, you’ll find remarkable tales of history among the 11 historic properties and landscapes presented by the Preservation Society of Newport County. These mansions trace America’s architectural and social development from the Colonial era through the Gilded Age. Meanwhile, the private collection of more than 75 automobiles at the Newport Car Museum focuses on seven decades of modern industrial automotive design and celebrates cars as works of art. From the 1950s to the present, separate exhibits of Ford/Shelby Cars, Corvettes, American Muscle and more have been carefully curated.
To start planning your reunion in Providence and Warwick, visit GoProvidence.com
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PROVIDENCE 2021
NOTICE: We are trying something a bit different for this reunion. We have hired the best and most heralded local touring company to help you plan your two “Open Days” which will be Thursday afternoon and all day Sunday. The company is offering a list of really exciting and fairly inexpensive tours and after you sign up and pay for the tour, on the appointed day the company will take you on their own vehicles. The complete list of tours will be featured in the April issue of our magazine…or you can go to our website (https://www.usmcvta.org) and view the offering.
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To: USMC VTA Members
FROM: Ted Stricklin, President
Experience Rhode Island Tours
We can’t wait to have you here in Rhode Island this coming September! Only 48 miles long and 37 miles wide, you will discover that the smallest state in America is full of big surprises!
While you are here, you will have the opportunity to come with us and explore our quaint New England villages, scenic islands, magnificent beaches, picturesque lighthouses, gorgeous capital city, spectacular mansions, and much more.
In 2017 our company was named “Stars of the Industry” by the Rhode Island Hospitality Association, and in 2020 we were awarded the prestigious Traveler’s Choice Award by TripAdvisor, which is given to the top 10% of attractions worldwide.
We have planned out two wonderful days of sightseeing for you which will include several options for you to choose from, including a Lighthouse Cruise, Rhode Island in a Day, Newport: Rhode Island’s Spectacular City by the Sea, and much more. In the spring issue of this magazine, we will introduce all of the tours we will be offering while you are here. The unique beauty, culture, and history of this place make it a reunion you will not want to miss. We can’t wait to show you what’s great about the Ocean State!
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VTA VIDEO INTERVIEWS IN PROVIDENCE
If you would like to participate in the VTA History Project video interviews, during our reunion in Providence, please contact Pete Ritch at Phone: 850-734-0014 or e-mail at goldendog@mchsi.com.
We already have several interviews already scheduled and we want to insure that anyone who wants to participate can do so. We want to emphasize that first time interviewees will be given priority. Once complete, the interview videos will be posted on the VTA website. To view the 75 interviews from previous reunions, go to the VTA website, click on “Members Stories” and then “Interviews.”
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PROVIDENCE 2021
NOTICE: We are trying something a bit different for our 2021 reunion. We have hired the best and most heralded local touring company to help you plan your two “Open Days” which will be Thursday afternoon and Sunday afternoon. They are offering the below list of really exciting and fairly inexpensive tours. After you sign up and pay for your tours, on the appointed day the company will take you on their own vehicles. There is a choice of one out of five tours on Thursday and one out of three on Sunday.
Thursday, September 16, 2020:
Discover Providence
Join us for this delightful tour of one of America’s favorite cities! As you relax comfortably on our climate-controlled tour bus, we will take you to the most exciting neighborhoods in Rhode Island’s capital city, and tell you the story of this special place, its celebrated citizens, and what it has contributed to America. From Brown University to Federal Hill, you will admire the most beautiful settings in the city, and discover places you will want to go back to and explore on your own. Along the way, there will be opportunities for you to get out, take pictures, and see things up close. Enjoyed by all ages, get ready for one of the most enjoyable tours you have ever taken!
Tour length: 2 hours
Cost: $30
Time frame: 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Or 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Lighthouse Cruise
With over 400 miles of coastline and more than 30 islands, Rhode Island is home to many beautiful lighthouses. Join us on a tour boat for a narrated cruise past ten of those lighthouses and many famous Rhode Island sights in the middle of sparkling Narragansett Bay. There is no other sightseeing cruise like this in New England!
Tour length: 2.5 hours
Cost: $45
Time frame: 12:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Providence by Road and by River
Come with us on this outstanding land and river tour of Providence! First, you will relax aboard a climate controlled tour bus as we bring you to Providence’s most delightful neighborhoods, and tell you the unique story of this intriguing city. Then, you will enjoy a pleasurable trip down the Providence River on a tour boat while your guide shows you the city from this beautiful perspective. Combining great stories with the best scenery, you will love this road and river experience!
Tour length: 3 hours
Cost: $50
Time frame: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Providence’s Very Delicious Lunch Tour
Tour our wonderful capital city while also enjoying one of the most delicious lunches you’ve ever had! This progressive lunch and tour showcases some of Providence’s most unique spots for great food! Featuring a collection of rising culinary stars and local favorites, you will love this dining and touring adventure all over the city! With more restaurants per capita than any city in America, and home to the largest culinary school in the world, Providence is a foodie’s dream. As you travel by tour bus, your host will take you to different neighborhoods around the city and give you a lunch and tour experience to remember!
Tour length: 3.5 hours
Cost: $65 (includes lunch)
Time frame: 12:00 PM – 3:30 PM
The Italian Experience
When you come to Rhode Island, you come to one of the most Italian states in America! On this delightful daytime excursion we will immerse you into the wonderful Italian community of our capital city. First, you will enjoy a delicious and informative walking food tour through the classic markets on Federal Hill, where you will learn all about Italian cuisine and culture. Then, you will enjoy a lovely ride down the Providence River on a Venetian gondola as your gondolier serenades you with Italian love songs. This day is bellissima!
Tour length: 4 hours
Cost: $75 (includes lunch)
Time frame: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Sunday, September 20, 2020:
Rhode Island and the American Revolution
Smallest in size but biggest in courage, Rhode Island was the first of the original thirteen colonies to declare independence from Great Britain! On this inspiring tour you will learn the story of Washington’s most trusted general in the Continental Army, stand at the sight of America’s “First Blow for freedom”, visit the home of one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, and much more! Come with us and you will see the role we played for liberty!
Tour length: 5 hours
Cost: $55
Time frame: 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Rhode Island in a Day
We want to show you what’s great about the Ocean State! Only 48 miles long and 37 miles wide, the smallest state in America is full of big surprises! As we take you on this gorgeous journey, you will explore the things that make Rhode Island so attractive, including our quaint New England villages, scenic islands, magnificent beaches, picturesque lighthouses, spectacular mansions, and much more. Beginning in historic Providence, this tour will take you through charming Wickford, stunning Newport, Bristol – America’s most patriotic town, and many other places. Amazed by what you learn, and struck by the beauty that you see, you are going to love Rhode Island in a Day!
Tour length: 5 hours
Cost: $65
Time frame: 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Newport: Rhode Island’s Spectacular City by the Sea
Come away with us to one of America’s most special places! On this tour your host will take you on a journey through early American history and stunning wealth unlike anything you’ve ever seen. You will travel along breathtaking Ocean Drive, see and hear the stories behind the marvelous summer homes of many famous Americans, including the Kennedys, Vanderbilts, and modern day celebrities such as Jay Leno and Judge Judy, explore the cobblestone streets of colonial America, enjoy the picturesque inner harbor of the sailing capital of the United States, visit the famous Cliff Walk, and much more. Filled with interesting stories and fantastic sights, there is no better way to experience Rhode Island’s spectacular city by the sea!
Tour length: 5 hours
Cost: $75 (includes mansion tour)
Time frame: 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
