This is your invitation to attend the twentieth consecutive USS Willard Keith Reunion for all ships personnel. The reunion will open May 19, 2010 and secure May 22, 2010 in Columbus GA. Headquarters for our reunion has been reserved at the Holiday Inn North, 2800 Manchester Expressway, Columbus, GA 31904. The Convention & Visitors Bureau have assisted the reunion association BOD in assembling an exciting visit to a Southern historic area at a reasonable cost. Contacts for additional information are Paul Goldberg, 770-971-4539; Casey Jones, 814-837-8695; Don Hempstead 501-884-6242; or E-mail dhempj2@artelco.com .
TRAVEL: The Holiday Inn North is located on Manchester Expressway Rt 27 and I-185 expressway. Air travel into Atlanta Airport can continue to Columbus Metro Airport-CSG by connecting flights or take Groome Transportation land service to their terminal in Columbus(Fare is $32 one way or $59 round trip). In either case call the hotel (706-324-0231) for their shuttle to transport you to the hotel from those locations.
WEATHER: Estimated weather temperatures in Columbus will be High 85 degrees and Low 63 degrees. Average rain fall for May is 3.6 inches.
UNIFORM CONTEST: Bring all or any part of your uniform for this event. It is surprising how many can still fit in their old uniform. We need more participants.
CHINESE AUCTION: Attendees are requested to bring items to donate for the raffle. The money raised from this event funds refreshments available in the hospitality room. Last year’s raffle was a great success due to the many items donated.
OTHER ATTRACTIONS: 1-Georgia rural telephone museum; 2-Andersonville National Historic Site; 3-Plains GA Jimmy Carters’ historic site; 4-Westville Living History
Museum; 5-S.A.M. Short Line Excursion train; 6-Warm Springs Roosevelt's Little White House; 7-The Columbus Museum; 8-International Market Place; 9-Heritage Tours Historic Columbus;
10-River Walk; 11-Calloway Gardens.
These sites are not on our reunion activities, but you can schedule an early arrival and visit them on your own time.
The Willard Keith Reunion is open to all men, and their guests, who ever served on the Willard Keith during its lifetime. The other requirement to attend a reunion is to pay the annual membership fee of $25. This money is primarily used to search for shipmates by use of our website, phone, and mail, and subscribing to personnel locating programs. Membership in the association enables you to receive all correspondence during the year. Membership dues are collected by our treasurer Louis Carlson, 1303 N Ivanhoe Rd., Ludington, MI 49431-1121.
We look forward to seeing you in Columbus.
Best regards,
Board of Directors
