You are cordially invited to a celebration of the 65th anniversary of “one of the most successful actions ever fought,” the Battle of Vella Gulf, 7–10 August 2008. The Destroyer History Foundation and Tin Can Sailors will be your hosts at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City, Arlington, Virginia and are planning not only for World War II destroyer veterans, family members and friends, but an enthusiastic welcome to everyone interested in destroyers, the Solomon Islands, and United States naval history:
- Oral histories will be recorded by Tin Can Sailors.
- Presentations during the day on Friday will include By Sea through the Solomon Islands and The Battle of Vella Gulf and its Place in History by Dave McComb.
- Invited guests will include the family of Captain Tameichi Hara who commanded Shigure—the battle’s sole surviving Japanese destroyer.
- A banquet will held Friday evening. Our invited guest speaker is Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and former destroyerman Admiral Michael G. Mullen.
- A memorial service will be conducted on Saturday morning at the Navy Memorial in downtown Washington.
- Featured event will be the commissioning of the latest Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Sterett (DDG 104) on Saturday evening at Baltimore. Transportation will be arranged if you wish to attend.
- Registration may be completed through Tin Can Sailors (see e-mail address below).
- Lodging may be reserved directly with the Hyatt Regency, which will offer a group rate as long as rooms are available. If you call the hotel, tell them you’re participating in the “Vella Gulf Anniversary.”
- Transportation from Ronald Reagan National Airport is available.
- A hospitality room has been reserved Thursday evening plus Friday and Saturday; it will have tables available for display of memorabilia.
Please join us in honoring those who fought this battle as well as veterans of all World War II destroyer battles; come share your stories, rekindle old friendships and pass on your knowledge and experiences to a younger generation of destroyer sailors.
For a reservation form and questions, please e-mail events@destroyers.org.
« « «
DRAFT PLAN OF THE DAY
(preliminary)
THURSDAY 7 AUGUST
Arrival.
1700–2100 Hospitality room, registration.
Evening: open.
FRIDAY 8 AUGUST
0730–0930 Breakfast: Hyatt Regency.
0900–END OF PRESENTATIONS Hospitality room, registration.
1000 Welcome. Slide presentation: By Sea through the Solomon Islands.
Lunch: open.
1330 Slide presentation: The Battle of Vella Gulf and its Place in History.
1730 Cash bar.
1830 Banquet. Invited guest speaker: Adm. Mike Mullen, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff.
SATURDAY 9 AUGUST
0730–0930 Breakfast: Hyatt Regency.
0900–2200 Hospitality room.
1000 Muster for bus to US Navy Memorial.
1100 Memorial Service, US Navy Memorial, Washington.
Lunch: open.
1500 Muster for bus to Baltimore.
1700 Arrival in Baltimore; dinner.
1900 Commissioning ceremony, USS Sterett (DDG 104).
2100 Muster for bus back to the hotel.
SUNDAY 10 AUGUST
0730–0930 Breakfast: Hyatt Regency.
Departure.
|
