image-mask

50th Reunion Info

MAY 7, 2021 – ANNOUNCING THE 50TH REUNION COLOR COMPANY COMPETITION

In the Spring of 2021, the 50th Reunion Campaign Committee will launch The 50th Reunion Color Company Competition to help boost the participation from all of our 36 Companies.  No 50th reunion class has gone above 60% participation, but the Class of 1973 is NOT just any class. Our goal is to have 73% participation.  The Company with the highest percentage of participants in our 50th Reunion Campaign will be declared The Class of 1973 50th Reunion Color Company.  For more information, either go to the Class of ’73 Campaign page of this website: http://1973.usnaclasses.net/class-of-1973-campaign/

or, consult your Company Representative: 1973Company Representatives | (usnaclasses.net)

 

MARCH 4, 2021 REUNION UPDATE
Class of 1973 50th Reunion
October 5-8, 2023
Classmates,
I hope this finds you all safe, warm and soon to be vaccinated.  Shown below is our tentative schedule for the 50th reunion.
The Reunion Committee has put together this schedule based on the surveys done a few months back.  Since we do not know the time of the football game, we have moved the company parties to Friday evening (survey showed this the top priority) and extended the reunion through Sunday in order to accommodate the dinner dance (another top priority).  The surveys also indicated that the Class would prefer the dinner dance to be held in Dahlgren Hall vice the hotel. The golf tournament will be held Thursday (location TBD) in order to allow everyone to attend the various Friday afternoon functions, and we have added a Sunday brunch in King Hall.
We have once again selected The Westin Hotel as our hotel base.  After some negotiations, The Westin has reduced their rate to $329 (from $379) even though we will not have the dinner dance or any other function at the hotel.  I know this is higher than any of us would like, but it is competitive in the Annapolis market.  Remember, this is Homecoming weekend and, most likely, a boat show weekend as well, so the hotels have little incentive for reducing their rates.  Reservations can be made beginning in November 2022.
Please plan on joining in for all or as much of the festivities as you can.  The 50th is usually the last major reunion, but then the great Class of 1973 has shattered norms and shown we like to see each other on a frequent basis, so who knows.  I hope to see you all, healthy and happy October 6-9, 2023!
Warm Regards,
Doug Rice
Thursday 5 October
TBD                 Reunion Check in at Hotel (The Westin Annapolis)
TBD                 Golf
0730-1600       Midshipmen Store Hours
0900-1700       Visitor Center Hours
0900-1700       Museum Hours
1200-1215       Noon Meal Formation
TBD                 Shipwreck Party (N* Room or hotel)
Friday 6 October
0900-1700       Reunion Check in at Hotel
0730-1600       Midshipmen Store Hours
0900-1700       Visitor Center Hours
0900-1700       Museum Hours
0900-1000       Class Meeting (location TBD)
1100-1200       Memorial Service (location TBD)
1200-1215       Noon Meal Formation
1350-1500       Superintendent Briefing Mahan Hall
1600-1715       Dress Parade on Worden Field
1915-2030       Jewish Service in Levy Center
TBD                 Company Parties
Saturday 7 October
0730-1600       Midshipmen Store Hours
0900-1700       Visitor Center Hours
0900-1700       Museum Hours
1000-1700       Reunion Check in at Westin Hotel
TBD                 Football Game and Tailgate (N* Room at Stadium)
Sunday 8 October
0900-1700       USNA Visitor Center Hours
0900-1000       Catholic Service (Main Chapel)
TBD                 Brunch in King Hall
1000-1600       Midshipmen Store Hours
1100-1700       Museum Hours
1100-1215       Protestant Service (Main Chapel)
TBD                 Dinner Dance in Dahlgren Hall
Registration and Check-In Location:  Hotel
Transportation: Annapolis Bus Company
Contact Info:
Doug Rice, Chairman
Cell:  410-340-2520

 

 

 

EARLY PLANNING (TRADITIONAL REUNION ACTIVITIES) – MAY 2020

Our 50th Reunion is in the early planning stages.  Here is the text of an e-mail that was distributed by Doug Rice, our Reunion Coordinator, on May 1, 2020:

Classmates,

It is time to start concrete planning for our 50th reunion in 2023.  Attached is a survey that we would like everyone to take so that we can determine preferences for events and venues.  We have two options for football weekends.  Homecoming is Oct. 7, but we don’t know the opponent.  The Air Force game is Oct. 21.  The advantage of homecoming is that we, as the 50th reunion class, have priority regarding venues, but right now everything but the N* room is available for the Air Force game.  Based on the Alumni Association experience, we will have too many people for the 50th to fit in the N* room for the tailgate, so we will most likely have to use the area near the ’53 pavilion for our tailgate.

Please fill out the survey if you are thinking about attending the 50th reunion.  The committee will take the results and plan accordingly.

Thanks in advance for your participation.

(See e-mail for Survey Monkey link)

Thanks,

Doug

 

SPECIAL EVENT – RECOGNITION BIKE RIDE

The Class of 1973 50th Reunion Recognition Ride

Background

The Class of 1973 Recognition Ride is a cross country bike ride organized to symbolically gather our deceased classmates back to Annapolis for our 50th reunion in 2023. There are two primary objectives:

1) pay tribute to our deceased classmates
2) optimize participation by the Class of 1973

Ride Format

The ride will be a thru-ride. This format translates to riders covering the full route, with each prepared to provide for their own support, though there will be logistical coordination once all riders are known and possibility for sponsorships. We will advance as a group. Accommodations will likely vary between camping, motels, and RV’s, though this is part of the logistical coordination dependent upon yet-to-be-determined rider preferences.

Scheduled segment rides are also anticipated along the route, which will provide classmates, families, and other supporters the opportunity to join the thru-riders for a few miles or a few days. For those wishing to get involved in ways other than riding a bike, there are many opportunities. Contact me and we can discuss.

Route

The route will be from Astoria, OR to Annapolis, MD. A few of the connecting communities include Portland, OR; Boise, ID; Pocatello, ID; Jackson Hole, WY; Casper, WY; Norfolk, NE; Des Moines, IA; Davenport, IA; South Bend, IN; Toledo, OH; Pittsburgh, PA; Cumberland, MD; and Washington D.C.

The total mileage is 3,225 miles, which includes 87,125 feet of elevation gain. The trip will take 73 days — 59 riding days, 5 rest days, and 9 contingency days. The route includes 986 miles of cycleway or off-road trail suitable for touring bikes. Turn by turn, written directions and voice supported navigational software will be available for riders and those providing support.

Recognition Ride Dates

Reunion dates have yet to be determined and are dependent on the 2023 football schedule. The ride will begin 73 days before the beginning of our reunion, which at present suggests a start date in late July or early August, 2023.

A Little More About the Ride

The primary purpose of this bike ride is to honor our fallen classmates by symbolically gathering each to Annapolis for our 50th reunion. Each day of the 73 day crossing will be dedicated to one or two of our deceased classmates. A daily blog will offer individual tributes along with updates on ride progress. There will be a dedicated web portal accessed through the Class of 1973 website, which will include a library of deceased classmate tributes, ride information, and a collection of photographs from our four years together at Annapolis. A draft of the Recognition Ride homepage and drafts of two tributes are attached to provide a sense of the on-line infrastructure being created.

It is hoped that all in our class, along with families and friends of fallen classmates, and other alums will participate in the Recognition Ride, either vicariously through the daily blog, or by riding a few miles, or by providing support along the way. Our deceased classmates remain links in our chain, and this is one opportunity to honor their contributions to country, family, and the lives and legacies of those in the Class of 1973.

If anyone would like to get involved, as a thru-rider, segment rider, or in a support role, please get in touch.

Non Sibi,

Doug

Doug Leland
doug@DougLeland.com
207-522-7620