Postal Reunion Update#2
21 Jan 2024
Aloha NPCA Members!
This reunion we will celebrate our 20th year anniversary as an Association! Part of the celebration includes our banquet with a Hawaiian theme. We will be having a Hawaiian buffet for dinner, along with some Hawaiian music. If you have, please bring and plan to wear casual Hawaiian attire shirts or dresses. If you do not have, wear a colorful shirt, dress, or blouse.
This email primarily provides information about tour cost, registration fee cost, and registration form. Many have already reserved a room (thanks for booking early), but have not paid the registration fee. If you have not registered, here is room reservation information:
- Reunion check-in date will be Sun 21 Apr, and check-out date will be Thur 25 Apr. The below rates are good for three days prior to and three days past these dates.
- Room rate is $189 per day, which includes a daily $30 breakfast voucher (voucher available until 1100) (Net room rate is $159)
- Room rate of $179 per day is available without a breakfast voucher
- Hotel has a FREE airport shuttle • Parking fees have been WAIVED • No hidden resort fees • 10% discount off meals in the Point Loma Café • Complimentary Wi-Fi
- 24 hour Fitness Center • Heated outdoor pool and hot tub • Fire pits • Shuffleboard • Putt-putt golf • Restaurants/shops within walking distance
Hotel reservations may be made by calling 619-224-3621 and identifying yourself as a member of the NPCA Reunion Group. A credit card guarantee is required. For online booking, click on the links below for with or without breakfast booking. If you are using our room block dates, online booking should be easy. If you want to arrive early or stay later, look at the link online to see the room choices, follow the instructions below to change the dates, or perhaps call and let the clerk assist.
NPCA Reunion WITH BREAKFAST $189 NPCA Reunion WITHOUT BREAKFAST $179
For reserving Reunion dates of 21-25 Apr: Select the link for WITH or WITHOUT BREAKFAST, scroll down to see all available room types, click on and review “Room Details” for each room, and when ready click on “Select” for your room choice. Then input your personal details to complete the reservation. If you have a special request, such as requesting a microwave or to enter the NPCA IHG rewards number of 257028228, click on “Add a Special Request” at the bottom of personal information.
For reserving different dates (+/- 3 days): Select a link for WITH or WITHOUT BREAKFAST. Click on “Change Search” in the upper right-hand corner. Click on the “Check-In calendar” and change the dates with the April calendar, and confirm the calendar dates changed properly. At this point, CLICK ON THE GREEN SEARCH BUTTON right below the Check-out calendar to incorporate the new dates. From there, scroll down to see all available room types, click on and review “Room Details” for each room, and when ready click on “Select” for your room choice. “Select” a room type that you prefer and then input your personal details to complete the reservation. If you have a special request, such as requesting a microwave or to enter the NPCA IHG rewards number of 257028228, click on “Add a Special Request” at the bottom of personal information. If you have any issues with changing the standard dates, call 800-662-8899.
REGISTRATION FORM: Please complete the form and send to Jeff Gibbs as indicated on the form.
NOTE ON RESERVING ROOMS: The NPCA contracted room block is 30 rooms, even though we have 35 members who have committed by email reply (see attached list). Another group with a room block of 75 rooms is finalizing a contract with this Hotel. The NPCA is requesting that members who have committed, AND members who are interested in attending to go ahead and reserve a room. This will help NPCA achieve our initial room block and increase it, and will give you the best chance of getting a room choice (see attached Hotel Room Information). If you are not able to attend, or if you need to cancel your room, you have until 48 hours prior to check in (18 April) to cancel.
TOURS: The NPCA is excited to offer two great tours, which are in the Top 10 of most internet searches about things to do in San Diego. The NPCA will pay for transportation and ticket costs for a tour on the USS MIDWAY. I recently did a short tour (about 2 hours) and loved it, they have done such a great job in making it a museum. Browse their website for what you can see and do: USS Midway Aircraft Carrier | San Diego Museum | San Diego Tours For a second tour, the NPCA has negotiated a great group discount for a 2 Hour San Diego Full Bay Harbor Cruise. We are finalizing the cost to include transportation, and it is expected to be about $37 per person which includes transportation for the group, which is a great group event price. San Diego Harbor Cruise | Flagship Cruises & Events (flagshipsd.com)
More information is available at the NPCA website: navypostalclerkassoc.org
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS: The NPCA will be 20 years young this year!! We are planning a great Reunion to include the following: a welcome reception on Sunday; reminiscing (aka. telling of sea stories) in the Hospitality room Sun-Thurs, tour on the USS Midway on Monday; Harbor Cruise on Tuesday; Ladies luncheon in the Marina room on Wednesday (business meeting held at the same time in the Hospitality room); and a Hawaiian Banquet (includes cash bar), pictures, and raffle on Wednesday evening. The NPCA wants this reunion to be one that members and guests will remember for years to come. For those that have committed, thank you and we look forward to seeing you and spending time reminiscing. If you have not decided, consider what is planned, look over the list of members that have committed so far (know that there are others that are contemplating attending), and book your room. We will update the attendee list in emails and on the website.
We hope to see you in San Diego in April!!
Ed Larson, NPCA President
Joe Iorg, NPCA VP
Jeff Gibbs, NPCA Treasurer
Alan Hass, NPCA Senior Advisor
Mike Bertalan NPCA Website Manager and Advisor
Terry Baardsgaard, NPCA Advisor
Jack Kaperka, NPCA Hotel Industry Advisor
_________________________________________________________________________
Postal Reunion Update#1
From: Ed Larson NPCA President
A contract has been signed with the Holiday Inn Bayside, San Diego, CA as our Host Hotel. It is located near Point Loma, across from the Marina, about 1.5 miles from the airport. Although the Reunion check-in date will be Sun 21 Apr, and check-out date will be Thur 25 Apr, the Hotel has approved the rates listed below for three days prior to and three days past these dates. Before booking, please review this first. Hotel features:
- Room rate is $189 per day, which includes a daily $30 breakfast voucher (voucher available until 1100). (Net room rate is $159)
- Room rate of $179 per day is available without a breakfast voucher.
- Hotel has a FREE airport shuttle • Parking fees have been WAIVED • No hidden resort fees • 10% discount off meals in the Point Loma Café • Complimentary Wi-Fi 24 hour Fitness Center • Heated outdoor pool and hot tub • Fire pits • Shuffleboard • Putt-putt golf • Restaurants/shops within walking distance
Hotel reservations may be made by calling 800-662-8899 and identifying yourself as a member of the NPCA Reunion Group. A credit card guarantee is required. For online booking, click on the links below for with or without breakfast booking. If you are using our room block dates, online booking should be easy. If you want to arrive early or stay later, look at the link online to see the room choices, follow the instructions below to change the dates, or perhaps call and let the clerk assist.
NPCA Reunion WITH BREAKFAST $189 NPCA Reunion WITHOUT BREAKFAST $179
For reserving Reunion dates of 21-25 Apr: Select the link for WITH or WITHOUT BREAKFAST, scroll down to see all available room types, click on and review “Room Details” for each room, and when ready click on “Select” for your room choice. Then input your personal details to complete the reservation. If you have a special request, such as requesting a microwave or to enter the NPCA IHG rewards number of 257028228, click on “Add a Special Request” at the bottom of personal information.
For reserving different dates (+/- 3 days): Select a link for WITH or WITHOUT BREAKFAST. Click on “Change Search” in the upper right-hand corner. Click on the “Check-In calendar” and change the dates with the April calendar, and confirm the calendar dates changed properly. At this point, CLICK ON THE GREEN SEARCH BUTTON right below the Check-out calendar to incorporate the new dates. From there, scroll down to see all available room types, click on and review “Room Details” for each room, and when ready click on “Select” for your room choice. “Select” a room type that you prefer and then input your personal details to complete the reservation. If you have a special request, such as requesting a microwave or to enter the NPCA IHG rewards number of 257028228, click on “Add a Special Request” at the bottom of personal information. If you have any issues with changing the standard dates, call 800-662-8899.
NOTE ON RESERVING ROOMS: The NPCA contracted room block is 30 rooms, even though we have 35 members who have committed by email reply (see attached list). Another group with a room block of 75 rooms is finalizing a contract with this Hotel. The NPCA is requesting that members who have committed, AND members who are interested in attending to go ahead and reserve a room. This will help NPCA achieve our initial room block and increase it, and will give you the best chance of getting a room choice (see attached Hotel Room Information). If you are not able to attend, or if you need to cancel your room, you have until 48 hours prior to check in (18 April) to cancel.
TOURS: The NPCA is excited to offer two great tours, which are in the Top 10 of most internet searches about things to do in San Diego. The NPCA will pay for transportation and ticket costs for a tour on the USS MIDWAY. I recently did a short tour (about 2 hours) and loved it, they have done such a great job in making it a museum. Browse their website for what you can see and do: USS Midway Aircraft Carrier | San Diego Museum | San Diego Tours For a second tour, the NPCA has negotiated a great group discount for a 2 Hour San Diego Full Bay Harbor Cruise. We are finalizing the cost to include transportation, and it is expected to be about $37 per person which includes transportation for the group, which is a great group event price. San Diego Harbor Cruise | Flagship Cruises & Events (flagshipsd.com)
More information about the reunion, final tour costs, the registration fee, the registration form,will be posted on the NPCA website navypostalclerkassoc.org
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS: The NPCA will be 20 years young this year!! We are planning a great Reunion to include the following: a welcome reception on Sunday; reminiscing (aka. telling of sea stories) in the Hospitality room Sun- Wed, tour on the USS Midway on Monday; Harbor Cruise on Tuesday; Ladies luncheon in the Marina room on Wednesday (business meeting held at the same time in the Hospitality room); and a Banquet and raffle on Wednesday evening. The NPCA wants this reunion to be one that members and guests will remember for years to come. For those that have committed, thank you and we look forward to seeing you and spending time reminiscing. If you have not decided, consider what is planned, look over the list of members that have committed so far (know that there are others that are contemplating attending), and book your room. We will update the attendee list in emails and on the website.
REQUEST: I respectfully request that members do a few things from this announcement:
- If you are committed, please call or go online and book a room right away. By doing so you will get the best room choice, and help us satisfy our room block to protect it and increase it, and ensure those that want to come can get a room at these rates. If you have not made a final decision but are considering attending, please book a room. There is no initial cost to reserve the room, and if you are not able to come for whatever reason, you can cancel all the way up until 2 days prior.
- Please send me a short email with the following information: (a) indicate if you are local and do not need a room; (b) if you have already or will be booking a room; (c) how many guests; (d) if you have any special physical, dietary, or other concerns (only serious things here please); (e) how many in your party for the USS MIDWAY tour; (f) how many in your party for the Harbor Cruise; (g) and if you have ever served on USS MIDWAY (MIDWAY sailors have a special lifetime benefit that they can sign up for). This information is needed for Reunion planning purposes.
- If you are not an IHG Rewards member, you can become one by signing up at their website www.ihg.com before booking (select “Join” at the top of the website). If you do not want to do that, you can provide the NPCA IHG Business Reward number: 257028228 (please write this number down to input it at the “Add a Special Request” block).
I would like to give a HUGE Thank You!!! to the below NPCA staff for assisting in planning. We hope to see you in San Diego in April!! Ed Larson, NPCA President
Joe Iorg, NPCA VP
Jeff Gibbs, NPCA Treasurer
Alan Hass, NPCA Senior Advisor
Mike Bertalan NPCA Website Manager and Advisor
Terry Baardsgaard, NPCA Advisor
Jack Kaperka, NPCA Hotel Industry Advisor
NPCA Holiday Inn Contract Rooms
Our contract is for a Standard room with either a King bed or 2 Queen beds. Note: Only 15 rooms have a King bed, so book early. All Standard rooms have been complete with a soft renovation, and are equipped with a mini refrigerator.
Poolside rooms have a view of the pool and may have a microwave. If you book online, you will have a choice of four room types. If you call, ask for options available for our contract. If someone wants a Room Upgrade or Premium Room at a higher cost, call our Sales Representative directly (Allison Thomas), at 619-221-3058.
Our Hospitality Suite is in the Point Loma room, building A. The Hotel will allow light snacks and beverages (alcoholic included) into our Hospitality Room. They will supply the coolers, ice, display table and chairs. They will provide Keurig coffee maker for hospitality room. We must provide all coffee cups, K-cups, creamers, etc. Storage thermos is okay during “surge” times (morning only).
Ladies luncheon will be Building A, the Marina room, 5th floor, floor to ceiling window view of the harbor.
Dinner Banquet will be in Building A, the Harbor View room, 5th floor view of the pool, the downtown area, and the harbor.
Key things to do in San Diego:
USS Midway Museum (Veterans cost $21): USS Midway Aircraft Carrier | San Diego Museum | San Diego Tours
Flagship Cruises 1 hour $30 2 hour $35 San Diego Harbor Cruise | Flagship Cruises & Events (flagshipsd.com)
Maritime Museum of San Diego (Military & Seniors cost $15) www.sdmaritime.org
Mt Soledad National Veterans Memorial (Free Admission): www.soledadmemorial.org
SeaWorld MWR Cost $51.50 SeaWorld San Diego Theme Park – Aquarium, Zoo & Theme Park in California
Hop on/off Trolly $49 Old Town Trolley Tours – All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos) (tripadvisor.com)
Reuben H. Fleet Science Center (Admission + 1 IMAX showing) Adult $18.50 San Diego’s Fleet Science Center
Whale watching tour $52-$60 2024 San Diego Whale Watching Cruise (tripadvisor.com)
Harbor Dinner cruise $120 2024 San Diego Harbor Dinner Cruise (tripadvisor.com)
Cabrillo National Monument $20 vehicle (bus price TBD) Cabrillo National Monument Reviews | U.S. News Travel (usnews.com)
San Diego Zoo Plan Your Visit | San Diego Zoo
ATTENDEES LIST
| Name | Attend | Booked | Total | Midway | Harbor Cruise |
| Ed Larson | Yes | Yes | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Al Hass | Yes | Yes | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| John Malnar | Yes | 2 | |||
| Mike Dwyer | Yes | Yes | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Russ Goodwin | Yes | 2 | |||
| Patrick Huston | Yes | Yes | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Jeff Gibbs | Yes | Yes | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Jim Collins | Yes | 2 | |||
| Russ Nichols | Yes | Yes | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Paul Barger | Yes | Yes | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Bradley Stenstrom | Yes | 2 | |||
| Jeff Rogers | Yes | 3 | |||
| Don Jurgensmeyer | Yes | Yes | 2 | TBD | TBD |
| Bill Fults | Yes | No | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Don Ogburn | Yes | Yes | 1 | 1 | TBD |
| Terry Baardsgaard | Yes | Yes | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Mike Bertalan | Yes | 2 Rooms | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Jim Masters | Yes | Yes | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| George Card | Yes | 2 | |||
| Ghery Hauldren | Yes | Yes | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Tom Wilson | Yes | 2 | |||
| Ron Stevens | Yes | 2 | |||
| Bernie Kaufman | Yes | Yes | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Joe Iorg | Yes | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
| Greg Williams | Yes | ||||
| Randy Rittenhouse | Yes | 2 | |||
| Jerry Buchan | Yes | 2 | |||
| Allen Krohn | Yes | No | 1 | TBD | TBD |
| George Card | Yes | 2 | |||
| James Johnson | Yes | 2 | |||
| Robert Garcia | Yes | 2 | |||
| Doug Aamold | Yes | Yes | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Steve Hill | Yes | No | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Bob Fisher | Yes | ? | |||
| Noel Delos Santos | Yes | No | 1 | TBD | TBD |
| Ron Kyle | Yes | No | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Edgar Carter | Yes | Yes | 2 | TBD | TBD |
| Joe Martin | Yes | No | 1 | TBD | TBD |
Notes:
Joe Martin, Bill Fults, and Noel Delos Santos said they will try to attend as much as they are able (health).
Dale Pinchart; (schedule permitting); Mike Arnold (daughter lives nearby San Diego has a baby due, so he will attend if able).
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