2002 - Chattanooga,
Tennessee
Wednesday 11 September through Sunday 15 September 2002
Co-hosts - Jake Karoly & Dave Fiehtner
 |
Chattanooga Marriott |
Printable forms & files:
|
View the list of 819 Registered Attendees (11 September 2002)
General Information
Weather: September weather in Chattanooga is usually very warm and humid, with both temperatures and humidity in the 80's. Umbrellas should be on your "bring" lists. Comfortable casual clothing , with emphasis on comfortable walking shoes, should be considered appropriate for almost all activities, including most restaurants in the area.
Getting Around: All-electric shuttle buses run throughout the city every 5 minutes - and, they're free! Few cities offer the walking opportunities found in Chattanooga; combine the shuttle with leisurely walks and you can cover the entire downtown area to take in all the sights, sounds and pleasures. The downtown area offers an interesting, safe, and clean inner city venue that offers much to do and see for the visitor: Museums, IMAX, beautiful riverfront locations, a world-famous aquarium, outlet shops, arts, and great eateries. For those with POV transportation, the surrounding area offers many historic, tourist, and shopping sites, from Dollywood to Atlanta.
Airport/Ground Transportation: For attendees wishing to use ground transportation from Atlanta Airport (110 miles) or Nashville Airport (140 miles), Express Shuttle Service in Chattanooga runs van service throughout the day and evening to/from these airports. Be sure to arrange with the driver your desired drop-off location at the Chattanooga Marriott, NOT their business location outside the city. Current cost is $31 each way per person, slightly higher for drop-off at the Marriott.
Local Airport Transportation:Transportation to/from the Chattanooga Airport is provided by either taxi or commercial shuttle service, quickly available at both the airport and the Marriott. First Class Airport Shuttle provides van service for a flat fee of $10 per person. They prefer advance reservations and can be contacted at phone (423) 593-7433. This shuttle company can also provide van service to/from local points for small groups (malls, dinner, etc.). Contact numbers above apply.
Directions to the Marriott: From Atlanta Hartsfield Airport, take I-285 North to I-75 North to I-24 West. In the Chattanooga area, take US-27 North to the downtown area and exit (# 1-A) onto M.L. King Blvd (right turn off exit ramp). At first traffic light, turn right onto Carter St. Marriott is 2 blocks on the left.
From I-75 North (from Knoxville), exit onto I-24 West and follow directions above to the Marriott.
From I-24 East bound, exit onto U.S. 27 North and follow directions above.
Reunion Greeter: Upon initial arrival at the Marriott, you will be met, greeted, and assisted by the official NCVA Greeter. The Greeter's Station will be located in the main lobby near the front entrance. Please approach the Greeter's Station and introduce yourself so that you may be piped aboard. The Greeter, as well as all Reunion Committee members, will be easily identifiable by their trainman's hat and red bandana.
Banquet Seating: Banquet tables will accommodate 8 guests each. Attendees are encouraged to reserve their tables early. We will be using a name label "peel and stick" system which means that once you've selected your table, the stickers cannot be removed or reassigned and no changes can be accommodated. Groups should ensure all their members are present and stickers "in hand" when selecting their table preference.
Smoking Policy: To ensure the enjoyment and comfort of all our attendees, our host's have set the smoking policy for all functions as follows:
- Hospitality Room: There will be a smoking section and a non-smoking section. Our Hospitality Room Host, Lee Mobley, will ensure the air flow to/from this large area is maintained at a high comfort level for all users.
- Tour Buses: No smoking
- Ship's Store: No smoking
- Meeting Rooms: No smoking
- Banquet Hall: No smoking in the banquet hall; smoking in the foyer areas.
Reunion Staff - Key Personnel: Committee Chairpersons and other key personnel of our Reunion Staff are listed here. If you need to contact staff members for special assistance or information, this listing should provide you with helpful contact information:
| Treasurer and Co-Host: Registration fees, MOH Ceremony, and Banquet Program. | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dave Fiehtner | (865) 379-4367 | |
| Registrar and Co-Host: On-site registration operations, Banquet Program, and committee assignments. | ||
| Peg Fiehtner | (865) 379-4367 | |
| Banquet Seating and Banquet Hall Decorations Coordinators: Banquet seating assignments (during registration process). | ||
| Kelly & Betty Bowling | (859) 223-8626 | |
| RV Accommodations and Hospitality Room Coordinator. | ||
| Lee Mobley | (512) 657-1779 | |
| Reunion Greeter and PAO: Meets 'n Greets NCVA arrivals in main lobby; coordinates public affairs and media releases. | ||
| Guy Keenum | (828) 837-2948 | |
| Tour Coordinator and Co-Host: All matters relating to tours. | ||
| Ann Karoly | (706) 935-4117 | |
| Accommodations Coordinator, Memorial Service Coordinator, Co-Host: All matters relating to hotel accommodations. | ||
| Jake Karoly | (706) 935-4117 | |
| Ship's Store and Golf Tournament Coordinator. | ||
| Lou Tardona | ||
Overflow Accommodations
(revised 7-May-2002)
Because we are experiencing a record number of sign-ups for Reunion 2002, we'll probably be using our overflow plan very soon. There's absolutely no drop in quality associated with our overflow hotels; both are new facilities located downtown in the tourist district. Both are also located on the Downtown Shuttle line, which provides free transportation with electric buses running about every 5 minutes. At either overflow hotel, you can park your car for your entire stay and ride the free shuttles to/from all Reunion activities, only 5 minutes away via clean, quiet buses.
Our first overflow option is with the Downtown Courtyard by Marriott. If you find our HQ hotel, the Marriott, is fully booked, you may ask the reservations clerk to book you into the Downtown Courtyard, or you may phone the Courtyard's Regional Reservation Center at (800) 321-2211 for reservations. Parking is provided in the covered garage immediately adjacent at a cost of $6 per day; parking charges can be put onto your room charge for convenient one-stop payment.
We anticipate our first overflow option may also be filled prior to cut-off of reservations on August 09. Our second overflow option is with Clarion Chattanooga. For reservations, you should contact the Clarion directly at (423) 756-5150. On-site hotel parking is provided for $6 per day, $7 for the valet option.
To ensure you are provided with the best options at our group rates, please specify you are with the "NCVA Reunion".
We hope all attendees for Reunion 2002 understand that these late developing overflow options are necessary to accommodate a landslide of reservations, which has surpassed all our best estimates of potential attendance based on recent reunions. HERE IS A VERY IMPORTANT REMINDER: If you need assistance in making reservations, please contact Jake Karoly. All hotels contracted for this Reunion are first-class facilities. Yawl come, y'hear!
Special Ceremonies/Services
We are planning two very special functions for this year's Reunion. (1) Since the first day of Reunion 2002 falls on "9-11", we are planning a Memorial Service for Wednesday, 9-11-2002, at 0840, to honor the heroes from the Pentagon and WTC attacks, and all passenger-heroes on all the airliners involved in the terrorist attacks. The agenda and guest list are still being developed. Please note that this Service falls on the first day of the Reunion, Wednesday, Sep 11 at 0840; we recommend you plan your arrival accordingly. (2) We are also planning a ceremony at the National Medal of Honor Museum in Chattanooga for Saturday, Sep 14, at 1430. We will install the photo and citation of Capt McGonagle, Commanding Officer of the USS LIBERTY, and present the museum with a USS LIBERTY plaque and an NCVA plaque.
NCVA Color Guard
The Smoky Mountain Chapter - NCVA is coordinating the forming of a National NCVA Color Guard which will debut at the 2002 NCVA Reunion in Chattanooga. Navy members who wish to volunteer should bring a Blue Blazer; Gray Trousers, White Shirt and Black Shoes. A Blue pin-stripe tie (clip-on or tie); white gloves; and an overseas style cap (Navy Blue w/Yellow trim) will be provided. Color Guard or Drill Team experience desired. The Color Guard will parade the colors at three events; the 9-11 Memorial Ceremony at 0840 Wednesday, 11 Sep; at the Medal of Honor Museum Captain McGonagle-USS LIBERTY Ceremony, 1430 Saturday 14 Sep; and the Banquet at 1900 Saturday 14 Sep. We hope to field 10 volunteers from various parts of the USA in which 4 or 5 can perform at each upcoming annual reunion. The 5-member Chattanooga Color Guard will have a former USMC "CTO" Veteran carrying the Marine Corps Flag.
Golf Tournament
Our 2002 Reunion's golf outing will be held at spectacular Bear Trace at Harrison Bay. This course combines the scenic beauty of Tennessee with challenging Jack Nicklaus Signature designs. A scramble format will begin with a shotgun start planned for 0800 on Thursday, Sept. 12th. Cost will be $65.00 per person (includes green fees, cart, and range balls). Prizes are planned for low team score (1st, 2nd, and 3rd), longest drive, and closest to pin (1st and 2nd). Transportation will be available and will be an additional cost. To register, send check or money order for $65 to Lou Tardona, Jr., 1407 Ivy Leaf Ct., Severn, MD 21144. If you need additional details, please phone Lou at (410) 674-4690.
Banquet Menu
Reunion Staff has set the menu for the Saturday banquet as follows:
- Mesclun Salad blend and Pineapple-Walnut Jello Salad
- Grilled Chicken and Sliced Pork Loin Combo topped with an Apple-Pear Chutney
- Savannah Red Beans and Rice
- Bread Pudding with Creme' Anglaise
- Water / Tea / Coffee
Food Service Suggestions
We have requested the Marriott restaurants add "special Navy" items to their menus during our Reunion week. Chef has agreed he can prepare most any recipe suggested. As an example, we suggested he serve SOS daily as a breakfast option. Another of our staff suggested Oyster Stew for Friday lunch and dinner options. Now we'd like your suggestions… if you have a favorite item you'd like to recommend Chef make available, please contact Jake Karoly with details. Please limit your suggestions to "Navy" related menu items.
PLAN OF THE DAY
(Updated: 10 September
2002)
"Something new to do in twenty-oh-two,
How 'bout a ride on the Chattanooga Choo Choo?"
| Tuesday 10 Sept. | |
|---|---|
| 1900 -- 2100: | Early registration in the Foyer: Marriott 2nd Floor. |
| Wednesday 11 Sept. | |
| 0840 -- 0915: | 9-11 Memorial Service (Hospitality Room) |
| 1000 -- 2000: | Registration in the Foyer: Marriott 2nd Floor. |
| 1100 -- 2400: | Hospitality Room: Marriott 2nd Floor. (Coffee 1800-2000) (Bar 1000-2400) |
| 1200 -- 1600: | Ship's Store |
| 1245 -- 1730: | Lookout Mountain/Chickamauga Battlefield Tour |
| 1830 -- 1930: | Site Screening Committe: Signal Mountain Room |
| 1930 -- 2100: | Board of Directors Meeting: Signal Mountain Room |
| Thursday 12 Sept. | |
| 0800 -- 2400: | Hospitality Room: Marriott 2nd Floor. (Coffee 0800-1100 & 1800-2000) (Bar 1000-2400) |
| 0800 -- 1300: | Golf Tournament |
| 0830 -- 1730: | Jack Daniels Distillery & Lynchburg Town Tour (Incl's Lunch) |
| 1000 -- 2000: | Registration in the Foyer: Marriott 2nd Floor. |
| 1200 -- 1600: | Ship's Store |
| 1900 -- 2100: | Ship's Store |
| 1900 -- 2000: | WAVES meeting: Signal Mountain Room |
| 1900 -- 1945: | VA Benefits Briefing: Hospitality Room |
| 2000 -- 2400: | Pinochle Tournament: Hospitality Room CANCELED |
| Friday 13 Sept. | |
| 0800 -- 2400: | Hospitality Room: Marriott 2nd Floor. (Coffee 0800-1100 & 1800-2000) (Bar 1000-2400) |
| 0830 -- 1430: | Chattanooga Choo Choo Excursion & Riverboat Tour (Rail & River; w/lunch) |
| 1000 -- 2000: | Registration in the Foyer: Marriott 2nd Floor. |
| 1200 -- 1600: | Ship's Store |
| 1530 -- 1730: | FRUPAC meeting: Signal Mountain Room |
| 1900 -- 2100: | Ship's Store |
| 1900 -- 1945: | VA Benefits Briefing: Hospitality Room |
| 2000 -- 2400: | Pinochle Tournament: Hospitality Room CANCELED |
| Saturday 14 Sept. | |
| 0800 -- 1500: | Hospitality Room: Marriott 2nd Floor. (Coffee 0800 - 1100) (Bar 1100 - 1500) |
| 0900 -- 1200: | General Assembly Meeting: Convention Center. |
| 0930 -- 1330: | Missionary Ridge & Rock City Tour |
| 1200 -- 1400: | Ship's Store |
| 1430 -- 1530: | Medal of Honor Museum - CO USS LIBERTY and NCVA Plaque Dedication |
| 1700 -- 1800: | Registration in the Foyer: Marriott 2nd Floor. |
| 1800 -- 1900: | No-Host Cocktail Hour: Convention Center Ballroom |
| 1900 -- 2100: | Banquet and Dinner Music: Convention Center Ballroom |
| 2100 -- 2400: | Dance (129th Army National Guard Band) |
Obtain a free copy of the Adobe Acrobat "PDF" file viewer application.