The Skipper says to come on board and embark on 40th USS Valley Forge Reunion in sunny Lincoln California. The 17 story luxury resort hotel offers a variety of room options for your needs and special group rates are offered on the Deluxe King or Deluxe Double Queens. The Recovery Room wile be held in the gorgeous Presidential Suite located on the 17th floor featuring a full bar and offers a fantastic view of the Sacramento Valley. This full amenity resort includes Las Vegas style gaming action, a state of the art Fitness Room, Luxurious Spa and many fine restaurants to please every palate. The hotel is smoke free but smoking is permitted on the casino floor. The resort will provide transportation from Sacramento Airport, schedule to be determined as flights are booked.
Wednesday Sept 7th Arrival/Check-In Day with a Coconut Cabana Welcoming Reception Dinner 1600 hours- Hotel Check In will be available at the VIP Registration Tables. Come by and register, pick up your badges and information packets. The Recovery Room will be open at 1200 hours. At 1800 - 2100 hours Coconut Cabana Bash to get you in the groove. Wear your favorite *Californian Cruisin* shirt and join us at pool side for a delicious buffet dinner. The Executive Chef has created a custom menu for our group. The California Infusion menu features regional specialties beginning with a Golden Sunset Welcoming Cocktail and finishing with Pineapple Flambe. The cash bar will be open and prizes will be awarded for the wildest California shirt!
Thursday Sept 8th - Busy Day - Lake Tahoe Cruise Tour Recovery Room opens 0600 hours for a continental breakfast, in preparation for our Lake Tahoe bus tour which will leave from the Hotel Porte Cochere at 0715 hours. You will travel through the majestic Sierra Nevada mountains before arriving at Ski Run Marina. You will board the historic Mississippi paddle wheel boat the Tahoe Queen for a lunch excursion on scenic Lake Tahoe including the famous Emerald Bay. Following the cruise there will be time to visit the Shops at Heavenly Village before the return bus trip to the hotel. Bring your camera.
Friday Sept 9th - Busy Day - USS Hornet Cv12 / Pier 39 Fisherman's Wharf Excursion Our second bus trip will again leave from the Hotel Porte Cochere at 0715 hours for a fun filled day ahead of you. The first stop will be Alameda Naval Station Museum to go aboard the USS Hornet Cv12. For those who remember the Valley Forge did berth here an occasion. You must bring your cameras. The USS Intrepid, USS Yorktown and USS Lexington all have similar museums so there will be a lot to see. Included on your tour there will be a delicious buffet luncheon in Hangar Bay 3. Departing the ship you will reboard the bus and head for San Francisco Pier 39. The bus route will take you through Oakland and cross the bay on the first bridge onto Yerba Buena Island. There is an exit to Treasure Island but the bus will continue to the second bridge and to Pier 39. There will be time to shop and sight seeing before boarding the bus and return to Thunder Valley.
Saturday Sept 10th -Busy Day - Meetings, Ladies Day Outing, Banquet Dinner
The recovery room will be open 0600-0800 hours for a Continental Breakfast. The Steering Committee will meet at 0800 prior to 1000 Business Meeting for HVRC members.
The Ladies Day Outing will also be at 1000 hours. Ladies Board the bus for a short ride to The Fountains at Roseville for a delicious lunch and fantastic outdoor shopping. (Luncheon Hosted by the Skipper and 1st Mate)
At 1630 hours the Recovery room will be closed in preparation for the Banquet and Dance. Cocktail hour will be 1800-1900 hours with cash bar and your last chance to buy raffle tickets. At 1900 hours the Banquet Dinner Dance and Raffle begins.
It is customary to bring a gift for the raffle table. The value of the gift should be approx.$10 or cash in lieu of a gift in an envelope is acceptable.
The hotel amenities and friendly service will make you glad you joined this reunion so please come and join us. Gene and Roberta Whitehouse
Sunday Sept 11th - Farewells
The recovery room will be open 0600-1100 hours for Continental Breakfast. 1300 hours Recovery Room will close. Farewell and with God's help we meet again next year.
If you have never been to a reunion or haven't been in a long time, now is the time to unite with your shipmates. Please join this reunion you will be glad you did.