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08/19/2011: "Reunion Survey"
Dear Fellow Doghandlers;
I pray all is well with you and your families. My name is Gary Smith. I am writing to you through our newsletter to get your thoughts about the next reunion. I am really reluctant to even try to sponsor another reunion after the past three reunions. Each one has been a huge success. But if you guys and gals are willing, then I am willing to try to put another one on.
I would like to offer a suggestion for the location for the next reunion. My suggestion is Springfield, MO. I know there is a lot of questions about what is in Springfield and where in the heck is Springfield. Springfield, MO is located in the Southwest portion of Missouri. It is located along Interstate 44.
Why Springfield? Springfield is large enough city to get to fairly easy either by road or air. Just an hour and half Northeast from Springfield on I-44 is Fort Leonard-Wood, MO, the home of the Military Police Corps. The official Military Police Corps Museum is also located there. I know they have at least one static display dedicated to Sentry Dog Handlers. The museum also has several displays dating back to Vietnam.
Another reason for Springfield is just one half hour South of Springfield on US65 (four lane highway) is Branson, MO. Several guys have asked if I am suggesting a location so close to Branson, why not Branson for the reunion. Springfield has a medium size commercial airport served by several major airlines. Springfield is close to Branson, which allows easy access to Branson but without being caught up in the lure of the shows all the time and taking away from the actual reason for the reunion. In other words those that want to go to the shows can and those that want to just stay and sit around swapping stories can do both.
I have previously mentioned Springfield has a commercial airport and a major interstate, well Springfield also has the original Bass Pro Shop which has its own museum. Near Springfield is also a National Park dedicated to one of the major battles of the civil war west of the Mississippi. Also nearby is Carthage, MO home of Precious Moments, the Precious Moments Chapel is a must see. Just down the road from Carthage is a National Monument located at one of George Washington Carver‘s homes.
I have mentioned as a positive point that Springfield has a commercial airport. I also know that airline prices are very high to fly into airports the size of Springfield. As I understand it Springfield gets service from Dallas, Chicago, Saint Louis, Tulsa and Kansas City from major airlines. If airline prices are cost prohibitive for some, maybe flying into Tulsa or Saint Louis and renting a car to drive to Springfield would fit their budget. Tulsa and Saint Louis are about three hours away on I-44 in opposite directions. Kansas City is about three hours away via US 71, a major four lane highway.
Why this letter? I want to know how much if any interest is there in having our next reunion in the Ozarks, Springfield, MO. There is plenty of hotels in Springfield for us to have our reunion at. I am going down to Springfield late this autumn to check out the hotels if there is interest in having the reunion there. I only ask you let me know if you would attend the reunion if held Springfield. I would try to keep the cost around $90.00 for rooms per night and the two meals around $60.00 I envisioned a registration fee which encompasses the booze and snacks and hospitality room would be in the ball park of $30.00. I did a preliminary check for ground transportation to and from Fort Leonard-Wood on a day tour . It would be around $30.00 per person, keep in mind the cost of fuel continues to go up and 2013 is almost two years away.
If interested please contact me by any of the following: e-mail: puppypusher@att.net,
cell: 713-614-2503, you can leave a brief message on my voice mail, or just write me at
Gary S. Smith
22108 W. 64th Terrace
Shawnee, KS 66226-3704
You can also talk to Dave Keeton, Larry Majeski, Jack Duffle, or Ray Rogers about the 2013 reunion. Their addresses and phone numbers are on the web site or in past issues of the newsletter.
Please let us know what you think. Even if it is yes or no. Your thoughts matter.
Thanks,