Reunion FAQs

Hi all,

A week from now, our 25th reunion will be a (hopefully) fond memory for us all . . . as we get down to the final days, I've had several questions being asked repeatedly, so figured I'd send the answers to them out to everyone, in the name of efficiency. If you have questions beyond these, your best bet for a quick response is to e-mail me at jericwrites@gmail.com, rather than asking them on the LinkedIn, Facebook, or Class Reunion Page, since I don't monitor those as often as I monitor my e-mail. Here are the most common questions at this point . . .

1. Is it too late to register?

Not technically, although I have given the final headcounts (with a small buffer contingency) to the caterer, so late registrations cut into allotted food and beverage for those who registered on time. The online registration page will remain active for the dinner and the tailgater until 8:00 AM Thursday morning; I had originally said noon that day, but my travel schedule means I need to have access to the data that morning, so we will be closing four hours earlier than originally planned. Online golf registration is closed, though cash walk-ins will be allowed for that event, and that event only. If you plan to show up unregistered on Friday, please e-mail Eric Johnson beforehand at eric.walter.johnson@mepcom.army.mil.

2. Is the golf tournament at the Academy golf course?

No, it is at Compass Pointe. Directions and other information available here: http://jericwrites.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/86golf.pdf

3. What is the dress code for the Friday night dinner?

While I didn't promulgate an official dress code, past Friday dinners/cocktail hours have generally seen the men in corporate/cocktail level dress (sport coat and slacks, tie if you feel like it), and women in comparable level of attire (I do not profess wisdom in defining what that level might be). My own personal rule of thumb is to never be the most under-dressed dude in a room, so if you operate on a similar assumption, you'll be fine.

4. Will there be music and/or dancing at the dinner?

Bo Brooks has Sirius radio piped into the dinner room, and they'll be broadcasting one of the '80s-era channels through the evening. I am not certain that there will be a formal dance floor, but having DJ'ed rocking dance parties in hotel rooms at Army-Navy, I suspect that won't be an impediment if people want to bust a move as the evening goes on.

4. Can I pay cash at the tailgater or dinner and get in?

No. I do not want our check-in staff to have to handle cash, and I do not want them being put in the uncomfortable position of having to adjudicate whether or not someone can come in. If you aren't on the check-in sheets, please don't try to talk your way in, or to bring in guests who have not paid in advance, even if they don't plan to eat much. I kept the margin on pricing fairly tight, and with nearly 1,000 people registered for the tailgater, access control in and out of the event is going to be crucial if we don't want to run out of food and beverages before the intended end date, or get billed for extra charges that we haven't collected money for. There's no pool for me to draw on if our expenses exceed our revenues, so it is imperative that we remain within budget.

5. Am I supposed to have a ticket in hand for the Friday dinner?

No, we will have check-in staff with a list of registered guests. It's not a bad idea to have a copy of your e-mail receipt with you, just in case something goes awry. (I do know that some of you did not get them during the couple of weeks when the Alumni Association servers were down).

6. Do I need tickets for the tailgater?

You need a wristband to get into the tailgater. There will be two colors: one for over 21, and one for 20 and under. As above, if you have an e-mail receipt, it's not a bad idea to stick it in your pocket before you come, just in case. You can pick up your wristbands before the event in one of the following times/locations:

Friday, 1400 to 1600: Tailgate wristbands available for pickup from me in Room 350 at Loews.

Friday, 1800 to 2400: Tailgate wristbands available for pickup at the N* Room at the Stadium during the Friday dinner. (Note: if there's a line when you get there, just check in for the dinner to keep people moving, then get them later in the evening once the big initial rush is over).

Saturday, 0900 to 1100: Tailgate wristbands available for pickup from me in Room 350 at Loews.

If you pick your wristbands up early, for God's sake please don't lose them, as I also don't want our check-in staff to have to adjudicate replacements, either. When you get to the tailgater, put them on before you enter, so you can bypass the check-in tables. Catering staff will be monitoring guests and will send you back to the check-in station if they see you without one.

7. My [friend/kid/brother/mom/neighbor] won't eat or drink anything, so can I just bring them into the tailgater to visit?

No. It's going to be something of a free-for-all in the area where the tailgater is being held (by Gate 5 on the Taylor Avenue side, right where the Brigade makes its turn into the Stadium during march-on), so we need people within out tailgate area to all be wristbanded. If you have a wristband, you can walk out a visit in the parking area immediately outside the tailgater enclosure, then come back in when you're ready to do so.

8. Are you providing transportation to and from all of the events?

Only for the Friday dinner, when we will have three shuttle buses making loops between Loews and the Stadium (with stops at Westin and O'Callaghan en route) during peak transport hours (5:45 PM to 8:00 PM, 11:00 PM to 12:30 AM), and one bus running the loop in the 8:00 to 11:00 period. We learned the hard way at the 20th Reunion that trying to get vehicles in and out of the Stadium lots during game day is a recipe for aggravation and lateness. Plan accordingly.

9. My fleece is too large/too small. Can I exchange it?

Only if the vendor shipped you the wrong size, based on your original order. We were given, and I posted and encouraged everyone to review, a sizing chart that's still up on the reunion registration page, so if you used that, your fleece should fit. They are meant to be roomy (to wear as outerwear over other garments), and they do shrink a bit in the wash, if that helps.

10. Who won the color company contest?

That will be announced at the Friday night dinner. The finalists are 1st Company, 25th Company and 26th Company.

11. Where and when does [insert event here] take place?

Here is the list of class specific events: http://86usna25.blogspot.com/2011/10/schedule-of-class-events.html

And here is the list of events on the Yard: http://86usna25.blogspot.com/2011/10/football-tickets-golf-color-company-and.html

12. How do I drive and park in the Yard?

You don't, unless you legitimate, significant physical concerns that require you to do so. Alumni Association strictly controls and limits the number of auto passes issued, and I've taken the stance that the older folks who are returning for the 50th reunions need them more than we do. Your best bet is to park in town or at the stadium and walk or take public transportation to Gate One, where you will need to present ID at the visitors center to be able to get onto the Yard.

13. Who do I contact if something goes wrong?

Me, and I will do my best to make it right, within reasonable, human limits, or direct you to whoever can do it. There's one of me, and 1,000+ of you, so I may not be able to drop everything to fix it, so your patience is appreciated in advance. My e-mail is jericwrites@gmail.com. My cell phone is (518) 669-9540. Use them sparingly, for incidents or questions beyond things available on the class website or in this e-mail. I will be in Room 350 at Loews from mid-afternoon Thursday until late Sunday morning for on-site consultation, except immediately before and during the various events, of course. (Please do not penny my door shut for sharing this information with you).

That's all I've got for now . . . looking forward to seeing everybody soon, and safe travels to you all as we wind our way back to Annapolis . . .

E