OCS CLASSES 1963 A, B, C & D

FIRST OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE 2005 REUNION

This reunion will be held in Colorado Springs, Colorado on September 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5, 2005.  The city of Colorado Springs is anxious to have you visit here and to demonstrate their goodwill, they have kindly offered to mail this letter and the enclosed information packet to you.

Colorado Springs usually has absolutely beautiful weather in September and there are an endless number of places to see and things to do.  Come to Colorado Springs for a perfect place to have a mini, or long, vacation in conjunction with renewing acquaintances with a pretty unique group of people.

Your local Colorado Springs Reunion Committee consists of:



Richard Welling    63C        (719) 570-1323    richardwelling@msn.com
   
Chuck Ulmer        63D        (719) 528-5737    CHUlmer@aol.com

If there are any other OCs in the Colorado Springs area who would be interested in working on the reunion, we’d love to have you join us. 

The Sheraton Colorado Springs Hotel will be the official hotel for the reunion.  The Sheraton is conveniently located on the south side of Colorado Springs, just off of I-25 (Exit 138, one block east and on the left).  The hotel provides free transportation to and from the Colorado Springs Airport and there is also a free shuttle from the hotel to downtown Colorado Springs and return.  Depending on the time of day, it runs every 10 or 15 minutes.

All rooms have cable television, irons and ironing board, hair dryers, and in room coffee.  In addition there are indoor and an outdoor pools, Jacuzzi and an excellent health club.

We have reserved a block of rooms for September 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5, 2005.  We have negotiated an excellent rate of $79 a night.  This is same as the government rate for Colorado Springs.  The same rates will apply three days on each side of reunion nights.  Each individual must make their own reservations by calling 1-800-981-4012 or (719) 576-5900.  You must identify yourself as part of the OCS05 Group to receive the $79.00 rate.

Of course you don’t need to register for that whole time.  The reason we incorporated all of those dates is because of several events that we can make available to attendees.  The core events will be from Friday until Monday morning.

RV Parking:  There is no RV parking on site, but the Air Force Academy does have a FamCamp.  In addition there are several other RV camps in the general area. We will provide more info on that option with the Registration Form. 

Wednesday, August 31, 2005
∑ Registration Desk and possibly the Hospitality Suite will be open for those arriving for NORAD Tour.     

Thursday, September 1, 2005
    Tour of NORAD   Dick Welling has arranged a tour of the NORAD and USNORTHCOM facilities at Cheyenne Mountain on September 1, 2005.  Because of their scheduling restrictions, this was the only feasible date.  We will take a bus from the Sheraton to Cheyenne Mountain.  Departure time will be approximately 0800.  (See attached schedule for this tour.)  We will need to submit a roster of attendees ahead of time.  This is the facility where all missile launches throughout the world are detected as well as all air and sea approaches to the United States are monitored.  Cheyenne Mountain has become a key player in the fight against terrorism.  For those of you who have seen it in the past, you will be amazed at the new upgrades and if you haven’t seen it yet, it will be a real eye-opener.  Space will be limited to the first 30 to sign up, and we will arrange transportation for a nominal fee.  You must be registered for this tour by August 3, 2005.  The Reunion registration desk and the Hospitality Suite will be open to support attendees. 

Friday, September 2, 2005
•    Golf & Tennis We will have registration throughout the day and the Hospitality Suite will be open.  Golfers will depart the Sheraton Friday morning.
•   Welcoming Reception   Cocktails and Buffet Dinner Friday evening. .

Saturday, September 3, 2005
Primarily for optional tours and activities.  Let us   know your interests
•    A tour of the Air Force Academy and the Garden of the Gods. 
•     Flying W Ranch Chuckwagon Dinner.  You don’t want to miss this.  (Firm) 
•    Other options that we can arrange if there is interest are a Cog Railroad ride to the  14,110 ft. summit of Pikes Peak. 
•   Colorado Springs Balloon Fest- Colorado Springs hosts one of the West’s largest Balloon Festivals.
•    Costs and minimum participation requirements will be in the registration package.

Sunday, September 4, 2005
•    Group breakfast and All Classes Business Meeting
•     Individual Class Breakout Meetings
•     Banquet Gala – Evening

Monday, September 5, 2005 
•    Group Breakfast (Tentative)
•    Business Wrap Up and Farewells
    

Reunion Registration Form:  In February, we will be sending out an official Registration Form that will include specific events, costs and  more detailed information.

Registration Fee:  The Registration fee and optional event fees have not been finalized, but will be identified in the registration package that will be mailed out in February.  We anticipate the Registration Fee will cover a welcome package, the hospitality suite, reception dinner, banquet, and at least one breakfast..

OCS Business:
One of the topics of discussion will be a proposal for an OCS Association (See website http://www.usafocs1963.org for a draft of the Constitution & By-laws.

Other Things:  During the 2003 reunion in San Antonio, there was a great display of OCS photos, memorabilia, etc.  We are soliciting ideas and volunteers for themes for our hospitality suite.  One thought is to have a map with pins to identify everyone’s home. If you have any suggestions as to topics for discussion, the formation of a formal OCS Association, thoughts for the Cadre Comm, or ideas for slide shows, memorabilia displays, etc., please contact one of the local committee members. (See above for Chuck, Joe, Richard, or Jerry’s contact information.

We will need help with the Registration Desk, the hospitality room, and possibly taking pictures.  It would be great if someone with a digital camera could take random pictures and we could put them online or on CDs for anyone who would like them.

We are also open to suggestions for speakers at the banquet, reception dinner, and the business meeting.

Final Note:  We want this to be an attendee oriented meeting in an informal atmosphere and are wide open to your suggestions.  Please don’t be shy.  The committee would really appreciate your thoughts as soon as possible so that we can make adjustments, changes, additions, or deletions before the Registration Forms go out.

Thanks, and we hope to see you in Colorado Springs.

Chuck, Jerry, Joe, & Richard.