30 January 2024 Newsletter

Shipmates:

Good Day to you all.  We want to update everyone on the plans for the reunion being held at Great Lakes Naval Base on July 25-28, 2024.  We have been able to block 35 rooms at the Navy Lodge. There is a possibility more can be blocked at a later date.

 These are standard rooms with two queen beds each.  The price is $100 per night total, no taxes.  Rooms have been renovated in 2023 and all of the amenities are shown on the web site. They include a small fridge, microwave, coffee maker, tv and WiFi. 

To view amenities and photos of the facility go to https://www.navy-lodge.com/Great-Lakes. There is a continental breakfast in the mornings and a nice lobby area in addition to an outdoor patio area where folks can sit and visit.

The sponsor for these rooms for the reunion is AD1 David E Butts.  Those who do not have retired ID cards, VA Medical ID Cards or VA ID Cards can still book these rooms.  To make a reservation, call the phone number listed below and mention VP60 Reunion to get the group rate. Dates are Thursday July 25, 2024 arrival – Sunday July 28, 2024 Departure.  If you need to check in a day or so earlier, that is OK.  Also if you don’t check in till the 26th, that is OK too.  Cutoff date for booking reservations is  June 25, 2024

Contact Information is:

 Navy Lodge Great Lakes

2500 Meridian Drive

Great Lakes, IL 60088

847-689-1485 press “4” for the front desk

Gateway Inn & Suites reservations cannot be made until 25 June, 2024 because this is considered “leisure” travel. July room rate will be $137/per night. Must have a retired military ID or a 100% Disabled VA ID. At this time we are unable to secure a block of rooms at Gateway Inn.  Reservations can be made by calling Navy Gateway Reservations at 877-NAVY-BED (877-628-9233).  For information regarding the Great Lakes Navy Gateway Inn & Suites you can call 224-637-2104 or visit their website https://ngis.dodlodging.net/propertys/Naval-Station-Great-Lakes

Address:

Naval Station Great Lakes

2423 MacDonough Dr. Bldg. 62

Great Lakes, Illinois, 60088

For those of you who have an RV, there is an RV Park on the base.  They have 30 sites with 30/50 amp electric at the site with central water and rv dump available. Price is $26/per night. For information about the park you can call (847) 688-6675.  Authorized users: Active/National/Guard/Reservist/Retired/DAV/PH/MH/POW/DoD Civilian 

These can be booked through Navy Gateway Reservations, (877) 628-9233.  

Events we are working on:

Thursday July 25 

Meet and Greet 1600-1900  Site TBD (may be off base) Cost may be about $25/per person

Friday July 26 

Pig Roast at/ Nunn Beach on base.1300-1700  Cost approx $35/pp

Pig Roast Menu:

Whole Roasted Pig

Chicken – Bone-in BBQ Chicken

Baked Beans

Corn on the Cob – Butter

Garden Fresh Tossed Salad

Fresh greens served with your choice of three dressings.

Tomato, Green Pepper & Onion Salad

Fresh Fruit Salad

Grandma’s Potato Salad (not sure whose grandma’s recipe)

Cole slaw

Assorted Beverages (including beer, wine, sodas and water)

Saturday July 27 

Dinner site TBD 1800-2100 Cost will be approx $45/pp Menu TBD.  Guest speaker will be CNSTC RDML Craig Mattingly who also served as a P3 and P8 NFO.

Sunday July 28

Farewell Breakfast/Brunch 0800-1100 location TBD

We are also working on several other possible events such as a golf outing, river/lake cruise, museum visit and Battle Station Tour.  

We will continue to keep everyone informed as we progress with the reunion planning and look forward to seeing many of you in July.  Please feel free to send us feedback or recommendations to make this a most memorable reunion.

Regards,

VP60 Reunion Committee