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Year After Year Washington D.C. is the Most Popular Reunion Destination!
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August 27, 2008
Every year seems to be huge for AFR in the nation's capital. We've been the acknowledged leader for years in planning unforgettable reunions in D.C. We hardly ever have less than a dozen groups there, registering thirteen this year. Our two largest groups of the year met back-to-back in August: the USMC Combat Helicopter Association with 1,450 in attendance at the Washington Hilton, and The Chosin Few with 1,050 in attendance at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City. 550 showed up for the National Timberwolf Association's (104th Infantry Division) reunion at the Capital Hilton, and both the 69th and 94th Infantry Divisions had impressive showings. Coming up are the 34th Bomb Group, Korean War Recon Marines, The Society of the Fifth Division, A.F. Retired Judge Advocate Assn., and the 401st Bomb Group wraps it all up in October.  The USMC Combat Helicopter Association (Popasmoke) met at the Washington Hilton 8/12-17. What a reunion! The group, which is comprised of fifteen-plus combat squadrons, has never had a reunion like this. The hotel's courtyard and pool area were a thriving party scene, with fifteen separate Hootches (hospitality rooms) opening up to gorgeous weather for D.C. in August. The group had a special parade in their honor at 8th & I Marine Barracks, went to the Marine Heritage Museum at Quantico, and had a moving memorial service at the Vietnam Wall with a fly-over.
We met a special guest at this reunion, Wes Guidry of Vietnam Veterans of America. In Wes' words: "I usually try to steer guys wanting to set up a reunion away from third parties. My experience with them in the past has been "take the 10% and run." I was very impressed with your operation. Attention to details, follow through, on the spot issue solving. Great job, I will pass your contact info on to my members who head up their unit reunions.." Just days after the reunion Wes sent along a lead for a group planning to meet in D.C. in the spring of 2009. Wes also manages the singing duo "Golddiggers and Ding-a-Lings," who performed at the Saturday banquet. We sincerely appreciate your confidence in our abilities, and we look forward to many years of service to our Vietnam veterans. Thanks Wes!  The very next week saw the veterans of the Chosin Reservoir campaign land at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City. Again, never has The Chosin Few had a reunion quite like this one. We approached the Arlington Police Department for assistance in boarding our sixteen motorcoaches safely at the Hyatt. Boy, did they ever put on a show. Not only did they close the street for our bus boardings, they also escorted the group in a motorcade with a dozen motorcycles leading the way to special events at the Heritage Museum at Quantico (thank you state troopers for the lead down I-395), a special parade at 8th & I, and a day of double wreathlaying cereminies at Arlington Cemetery and the Korean War Memorial. If there is a police department in the nation which honors the service of our veterans more, please - someone tell us where. Thank you Arlington Police Department!!!
In addition to a busy August with these groups, we're looking forward to other illustrious groups joining us in the nation's capital this season. If your group is considering a reunion in D.C., do you and your group a favor: get a professional on your side and walk the red carpet with AFR.
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