Program Overview for USS Wilhoit

Program Overview for USS Wilhoite DE DER-397 Reunion
SEPTEMBER 15-18, 2010 IN NORFOLK, VA

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Registration and Welcome reception with dinner included at the hotel Quality Suites and Sleep Inn Lake Wright. Call 800-228-5157 for reservations and tell them you are with the USS Wilhoite Reunion.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2010: 9:00am – 4:00pm

COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG OVERVIEW

􀂾 Depart via motor coach with your tour guide for the charming town of Williamsburg. Your guide will provide interesting and informative narration during your ride about the historic Virginia Peninsula and the Hampton Roads area.

􀂾 Once you arrive in Williamsburg, you will step back into the 18th century while strolling through the streets of Colonial Williamsburg. Your historical interpreter will guide you through the past and the events that helped shape America’s history as you enjoy a one and one half hour leisurely walking tour through the restored area of this lovely colonial capital city (Actual distance is approximately 4-5 blocks).

􀂾 Following your overview tour, enjoy free time to shop and browse in the many unique specialty shops in Merchants Square. High quality apparel, gifts, jewelry, unusual quilts, beautiful furniture and holiday decorations are but a few of the offerings found in this quaint, picturesque shopping area.

􀂾 Enjoy lunch on your own in one of the Colonial Taverns or in Merchants Square. Your guide will point out all of the dining options as you pass through town.

YORKTOWN VISITORS CENTER

􀂾 Next, board the bus and admire the view as you ride along the scenic Colonial Parkway to the quaint village of Yorktown. The Yorktown Visitor Center is the orientation point for exploring the colonial Chesapeake Bay port of Yorktown and Yorktown Battlefield. Yorktown Battlefield is the site of the final, major battle of the American Revolutionary War and symbolic end of Colonial English America.

􀂾 Visit the National Park Service Visitors Center and view the exhibits relating to the Battle of Yorktown, a 12-minute film, and a rooftop view of the battlefields

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2010: 9:30am – 3:30pm

RIDING NORFOLK TOUR

􀂾 Depart with your guide to learn about Norfolk’s colorful 325 year history as you ride through the lovely historic district and restored areas. View the stately homes along the Hague, old St. Paul’s Church, the Moses Myers House, the MacArthur Memorial, the Chrysler Museum of Art, the historic Freemason District, and the restored waterfront area, as well as many other points of interest. NAUTICUS, THE NATIONAL MARITIME CENTER

􀂾 Visit Norfolk’s exciting downtown waterfront to tour Nauticus, the National Maritime Center. Nauticus is a unique and thriving campus of visitor attractions that explores the economic, Naval, and natural powers of the sea. Features here include a series of ingenious interactive exhibits, shows, and theaters with various films.

􀂾 Also housed here is the Hampton Roads Naval Museum, one of ten museums officially operated by the U.S. Navy. Highlights of the naval battles and exhibits of detailed ship models, artwork, and memorabilia are showcased in the museum.

BATTLESHIP WISCONSIN

􀂾 A true highlight of your visit to Nauticus will be a tour of the battleship Wisconsin, one of the famous Iowa-class ships. This great ship saw action in WWII, the Korean War and most recently in the Persian Gulf War. Wisconsin remains in the Inactive Fleet and is permanently berthed beside Nauticus where it is accessed by a connecting walkway. The main deck and sections of two upper decks are open for you to explore.

􀂾 A memorial service for your group will be held on board (pending approval)

􀂾 Next, tour the Norfolk Naval Base, which is part of Naval Station Norfolk - the largest naval installation in the world. Home port to 78 ships, ranging in size from aircraft carriers to submarines, 26 aircraft squadrons comprised of 133 aircraft and headquarters of the Atlantic Fleet, this naval complex occupies over 8,000 acres of land and is home to more than 100,000 military personnel. Your tour will take you past the 14 piers and through the Naval Air Station. You will also drive by the historic homes built for the 1907 Jamestown Exposition on “Admiral’s Row” which now house the flag officers.

􀂾 Lunch will be included at one of the Clubs on Base.

FRIDAY AFTERNOON AFTER ARRIVAL BACK AT HOTEL APPROXIMATELY 4:30 P.M.

BUSINESS MEETING IN HOSPITALITY ROOM

􀂾 Enjoy dinner on your own tonight at the hotel or one of the many restaurants within walking distance of your hotel

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2010: 9:30am – 3:30pm

ROWENA’S

􀂾 Board the coach with your guide to visit Rowena’s, one of the country’s leading mail-order companies for fresh baked pound cakes and unique jams, jellies and sauces. Now located in Norfolk’s historic Ghent section, the business began modestly in Rowena’s family kitchen with gourmet holiday gifts for friends and neighbors. In May 1983, Rowena opened her gourmet manufacturing facility with one full time employee and a strong determination to succeed. In the twenty-two years since, Rowena’s has grown to 20 full time employees and up to 100 part time workers during the holiday season. Her facility now includes a retail store, tearoom, staff offices, two spacious kitchens and two warehouses.

􀂾 A number of national publications have featured Rowena’s including Bon Appétit, Gourmet, Ladies Home Journal, Taste of Home, Redbook and Southern Living. Rowena has appeared nationally on PBS, the 700 Club and the Food Network.

􀂾 During your visit, you will be treated to a tour of the production facility – have a chance to see the warehouse as well as the retail shop. Enjoy tasting the delicious samples following your tour.

MACARTHUR MEMORIAL

􀂾 Next, visit the MacArthur Memorial for a glimpse into our country’s history. During your visit you will view the outstanding collection of artifacts, documents, photographs and memorabilia housed in Norfolk's historic city hall which trace the life and times of five-star General Douglas MacArthur. You will also have the opportunity to view the 25 minute film which chronicles General MacArthur’s life.

􀂾 The General and Mrs. MacArthur are entombed in the rotunda of the memorial. Nine separate galleries arranged in two levels circle the rotunda and tell the story of General MacArthur and the millions of American men and women who served in the United States Armed Forces from the Civil War through the Korean War.

􀂾 A gift shop with unique memorabilia is located on the premises.

MACARTHUR CENTER

􀂾 Next, enjoy a stop at the beautiful MacArthur Center located in the heart of downtown Norfolk. Anchored by Nordstrom and Dillard’s, and offering over 150 specialty shops, boutiques and restaurants, this beautiful complex is considered one of the most outstanding in the Mid-Atlantic region. Enjoy time for lunch on your own and shopping. Special discount coupons will be made available for your group.

DOUMAR'S

􀂾 Before returning to the hotel, enjoy a stop at Doumar’s, home of the world’s first ice cream cone machine. Abe Doumar created the first ice cream cone at the World’s Fair of 1904 in St. Louis. It was so successful that he designed a four-iron waffle machine that he launched during the Jamestown Exposition of 1907. Today, the family business still bakes cones on the original cone machine. While at Doumar’s, Mr. Doumar will give you an introduction and all passengers will be treated to an ice cream cone before boarding the bus.

SATURDAY EVENING

PHOTO SESSION 5:30

6:00 HAPPY HOUR

6:30 Farewell Banquet tonight at the Quality Suites Lake Wright (buffet dinner)

Reunion Package Price: $221.00 per person.

THE PACKAGE PRICE INCLUDES:

􀂾 Motor coach transportation, tour guide service, admissions as listed.

􀂾 One lunch, one welcome reception dinner and one banquet buffet, all taxes and meal gratuities.

􀂾 Gratuities for guide and driver are not included, and are at the discretion of the individual.

􀂾 Prices are based on a minimum of 35 people.

􀂾 It is understood that Phillips Destination Management Services will collect all monies for the reunion package. Participants will make hotel reservations directly with the Quality Suites Lake Wright Hotel.

􀂾 Phillips Destination Management Services will create a registration form for the USS Wilhoite to send out to their reunion participants.

􀂾 All itineraries are subject to change. Every attempt will be made to include all sites mentioned within this itinerary.

􀂾 Boarding times will be fifteen minutes prior to listed departure times in front of the Quality Suites Lake Wright Hotel.

􀂾 PLEASE NOTE: Any guests requiring special arrangements (dietary, physically disabled) must make us aware of their needs in advance, otherwise, we will not be able to guarantee that they will be accommodated. Those guests with physical disabilities should have someone traveling with them to assist physically. Phillips DMC staff and motor coach drivers cannot accept responsibility for lifting guests in and out of coaches.