517th Parachute Regimental Combat Team

Annual 517th PRCT Reunion

June 26 - June 30, 2008
St. Louis, MO

SHERATON WESTPORT HOTEL – ST. LOUIS, MO

Thursday, June 26

1:00pm - 7:00pm Reunion Registration open
Hospitality Room open for duration of reunion
5:00pm - 6:00pm Wine & Cheese Reception, followed by dinner on your own.

Friday, June 27

8:00am - 8:30am Reunion Registration open
8:30am - 3:30pm CITY TOUR (description follows)
4:00pm - 5:00pm Reunion Registration open.
6:00pm - 10:30pm DINNER CRUISE (description follows)

Saturday, June 28

7:30am - 9:30am Auxiliary Breakfast
7:30am - 9:30am Veterans Breakfast
1:30pm - 5:00pm GRANT’S FARM (description follows)
5:30pm - 7:00pm Reunion Registration open. Last chance to turn in Banquet Reservation Sheets.

Sunday, June 29

10:00am - 3:00pm TRI-STATE LIVING HISTORY ASSOCIATION PERFORMANCE (description follows)
6:00pm - 7:00 PM Cocktail Hour with Cash Bar
7:00pm Banquet begins

Monday, June 30

Farewells and departures

 

CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY FOR ARMED FORCES REUNIONS, INC.

For attendees canceling reunion activities prior to the cut-off date, Armed Forces Reunions, Inc. (AFR) shall process a full refund less the non-refundable AFR registration fee ($7 per person). Attendees canceling reunion activities after the cut-off date will be refunded to the fullest extent that AFR’s vendor commitments and guarantees will allow, less the non-refundable AFR registration fee. Please note that refunds take approximately four to six weeks to process. Cancellations will only be taken Monday through Friday from 9:00am until 5:00pm Eastern Standard Time, excluding holidays. Please call (757) 625-6401 to cancel reunion activities and obtain a cancellation code. Canceling your hotel reservation does not cancel your reunion activities.

Driver and guide gratuities are not included in the tour prices.

Please plan to be at the bus boarding area at least five minutes prior to the scheduled

TOUR DESCRIPTIONS

ST. LOUIS CITY TOUR

Friday, June 27

We’ll start the morning with a drive to Jefferson Barracks, established in 1826 as the country’s first "Infantry School of Practice." It served as a major military installation until 1946. Embark on a brief driving tour and then visit the Powder Magazine Museum. Built in 1857, this massive stone building was used for storage of the rifles, cannon, gun powder and prepared ammunition for the troops stationed at the Barracks, in the Mississippi Valley, and in the western frontier. It has a beautiful patio overlooking the Mississippi River. Next, it’s on to downtown St. Louis where you’ll take in Laclede's Landing, a revitalized 19th century warehouse district with cobblestone streets and cast-iron street lamps. See the Gateway Arch and learn how this magnificent structure was built. From there you’ll drive through some lovely neighborhoods on your way to lunch on "The Hill." This well-known area has lots of Italian Restaurants, along with a deli or two. Your guide will point out Rigazzi’s, along with several other choices. Following lunch, continue the city tour with a stop at the Cathedral Basilica to see one of the largest collections of mosaic art in the Western Hemisphere and also drive through Forest Park, home to the 1904 World’s fair, where the St. Louis Zoo and several museums are located.

8:30am board bus, 3:30pm back at hotel

$39/Person includes bus, guide and admission. Lunch on your own.

PADDLEWHEELER DINNER CRUISE

Friday, June 27

Enjoy a Dinner Cruise on Gateway Riverboats’ Becky Thatcher or Tom Sawyer paddlewheers, reminiscent of a time past when the river was the highway to the next port city. Your Captain will narrate and take you back to recapture the vibrant life on the river during the peak of the steamboat era. The stars and moon of ages ago will still be out there shining as a reminder of what was, while the bright city lights illuminating St. Louis’ skyline reveals what the city is today. A mouth-watering prime rib dinner and live entertainment will keep you happy as you cruise the Mighty Mississippi River. This tour can accommodate a maximum of 220 people.

6:15pm board bus, 10:15pm back at hotel

$65/Person includes bus, escort, and dinner cruise.

GRANT’S FARM

Saturday, June 28

Board bus for Grant's Farm. This 281-acre ancestral home of the Busch Family is named after Ulysses S. Grant, eighteenth President of the United States, who once lived on and farmed part of these grounds. Your adventure begins at Grant Station, where you will board a trackless train for a scenic tour of the Deer Park. This 160-acre game preserve is home to thirty different exotic species, including bison, elk, and antelope. Other points of interest include Grant's Cabin, the log home built by Ulysses S. Grant in 1856, and Bauernhof Courtyard where you can enjoy refreshments and snacks. Continue on to the Tier Garden for a close-up look at a fascinating variety of animals. There are regularly scheduled elephant and bird shows available, as well as some shops.

1:30pm board bus, 5:00pm back at hotel

$30/Person includes bus, guide, and bus parking.

TRI-STATE LIVING HISTORY ASSOCIATION LUNCHEON

Sunday, June 29

Remember last year??!! Well, the same group will be honoring the 517th again. Tri-State will be at the St. Charles County Smartt Field, and they'll be flying in the Black Sparrow C-47 again. The guys will be wearing uniforms from the Operation Dragoon jump and will be hosting a luncheon. At the airfield there is also a WWII museum that is on display all year long. At the hotel, plans include a hospitality area for socialization, static displays of WWII airborne memorabilia, and army equipment. Note: This is a volunteer effort; schedules and events may change (especially due to weather), and we appreciate your understanding. Lunch is included in the tour price for veterans and their spouses, but guests must pay a higher price to cover the cost of lunch.

10:00am board bus, 3:00pm back at hotel

$27/Person includes bus and escort for veterans and wives. Lunch is complimentary.

$37/Person includes bus, escort, and lunch for all other attendees