Classmates, our 50th reunion, November 4-8, is sneaking up on us. We wanted to provide some additional information about activities, potential activities and get some feedback for those of you who want to play golf.
We are providing an alternative venue for anyone who is leery about being in Falcon Stadium for the Army game. As we all know it could be beautiful, or not. For those who, for whatever reason, would rather not sit in the stadium for the game we have arranged to have a game watching party at Jack Quinn’s. They have reserved the upstairs room for us and will have several large screen TV’s so you will have the luxury of watching the game, enjoying various libations, adult or not, and ordering whatever makes you happy from their menu. It’s a block and a half from the Antlers and depending on when the game starts you may have the option of participating in or watching the Veterans’ Day Parade, which will run right past the restaurant. We will have this football option on the registration form for planning purposes, to get an estimate of attendance. There will be no charge as you will be responsible for your own food and drink.
Frank (FX) McCann has agreed to ramrod the golf event. Because of the dedication ceremony for the Plaza of Heroes and our class gift of the Sijan Sculpture on Friday morning, golf moves from the traditional Friday to Thursday, November 5th , which likely dictates a November 4th arrival. Our Plaza of Heroes joint venture partner, the Class of ’70 has set up a Plaza of Heroes Golf Tournament on Thursday, on the Blue Course, and has invited us to tag on with them (The Class of ’70 dedicated the incredible SEA Pavilion on the Heritage Trail at their 40th reunion and if you haven’t seen it you are in for a real treat. It is magnificent! The addition of the adjacent Plaza of Heroes and the Sijan POW sculpture and focal wall, will make it even more spectacular). I digress.
We’d like to get as much feedback as possible as to the level of interest in playing golf. The tournament fee should be around $80 per person and will depend on whether you want either breakfast or lunch included. Breakfast is probably easier. The tournament is being run by the Class of ’70, not the AOG so we will have a separate registration. Once registered, we are committed and our fees are non- refundable unless the golf course is closed. Frank reminded me that 15 years ago a windstorm closed the course the day of our tournament. We are trying to get a feel for how many folks are interested in playing golf, be that classmates and/or spouses. Please respond to Frank McCann at fxmccann@mac.com to let him know if you are interested and how many.
For those of you not playing golf and looking for other Thursday or other day activities the AOG suggested, on the reunion website, that you go the visitcos.com web site. We have extracted a few of the great local attractions, depending on your druthers. They are:
- The Broadmoor Hotel and Resort. If you haven’t seen the Broadmoor lately you will be impressed by the improvements that have been made since Phil Anschutz purchased it a few years ago.
- Broadmoor Seven Falls. This long time attraction was recently purchased by the Broadmoor and the facilities have been greatly upgraded.
- Pikes Peak via the Cog Railway, or via car if the road is open to the summit.
- Cave of the Winds for all of you spelunkers
- Garden of the Gods from the car or on a hike and the Garden of the Gods visitors center which gives a great overview of the geology and history of the Garden.
- Red Rocks Park for a great hike
- Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center.
- Money Museum (American Numismatic Association)-Adjacent to the Fine Arts Center
- National Museum of WWII Aviation located adjacent to COS and PAFB
- Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame
- Royal Gorge-Canon City
- Space Foundation Discovery Center
- United States Olympic Committee Training Center (Old Ent AFB)
We are looking forward to seeing all of you November 4-8. It will be a great time to re-connect, share some stories, as best we can remember them, honor our departed classmates at the Memorial Ceremony, always the highlight of the reunion, and also honor the heroes of Southeast Asia as represented by the sculpture of Lance.
If you want to play golf, please let Frank know. We’d like a response by June 30 so we can determine if there is interest. If there isn’t adequate interest/response we will likely not participate with ’70 and folks will be on their own Thursday. If there is interest we will form up with the Class of ’70.
BEST ALIVE!