
The USS Turner Joy reunion group met at the Holiday Inn Virginia Beach – Norfolk Hotel & Conference Center over the dates of September 22-25. Armed Forces Reunions, Inc. has been booking groups at this hotel for over twenty years because it’s truly reunion friendly and offers lots of complimentary items like airport shuttle and parking.
The reunion started Thursday with registration and free time in the hospitality room as people arrived throughout the day. After dinner, the group enjoyed an icebreaker reception with various desserts, fruit, cheese, and crackers. On Friday, two buses took the group to the Norfolk Naval Base for a tour led by active duty military and then to lunch at the Officers Club. Once in downtown Norfolk, attendees entered Nauticus, the maritime themed museum and science center, also home to the Battleship Wisconsin. A moving memorial service was held onboard the ship. Saturday’s outing was back to downtown Norfolk where folks enjoyed a two-hour lunch cruise aboard the Spirit of Norfolk and then a stop at the MacArthur Memorial, a museum and research center dedicated to preserving and presenting the story of General of the Army, Douglas MacArthur. As with most groups, the banquet was held Saturday evening which featured a buffet and guest speaker, Cort Barnes. After a complimentary breakfast in the hotel restaurant (offered each morning), most said their farewells in hopes of seeing each other next time.
Armed Forces Reunions, Inc. has been honored to plan several of the USS Turner Joy reunions over the years and hopes to be of service in the future.