3973rd Combat Defense Force (Security and Law Enforcement)

Strategic Air Command

Moron Air Base, Spain

REUNION 2009

Sept. 9th thru Sept. 12th in MAGICAL ORLANDO, FL
PCS or TDY to the 3973rd Combat Defense Force in Spain between 1955 to 1965.

UPDATED Oct 18, 2009

LOS TOROS de 3973rd REUNION

The former 3973rd Combat Defense Sq (SAC) Moron and San Pablo AB’S Spain now known as Los Toros de 3973rd held the 4th annual reunion at the Embassy Suites hotel, Orlando Fl, September 9th thru September 12th 2009. The 3rd annual reunion had 36 former SAC Air Policeman/ Combat Defense members present for guard mount. Also in attendance were 26 spouses’, 3 widows, one daughter and one granddaughter.
Seventeen States were represented from Massachusetts to California and one member residing in Sitges. Spain.

The meeting was a relaxed gathering filled with fellowship and tales and memories of a time long ago. Some of the highlights of the annual gathering were the Wednesday night registration and visit to the hospitality room where the attendees were reunited to begin the reunion. On Thursday morning all attendees gather in the meeting room and do an individual standup on what there lives had been since leaving Spain some 40 plus years Ago. Friday was a free day for attendees to take advantage of the Orlando attractions and tourist activities. Saturday was filled with the groups annual meeting and fund raising activities and selecting numerous spots for the 2010 reunion, the evening was the annual reunion dinner at Sea World with a Luau theme.

We also would thank the reunion coordinators Dianne Hughes, Bess Baker our MVP’s and Dennis Galt and Bob Sterkenberg all other reunion committee folks that assisted in making this a memorable 4th annual meeting

The 4th annual reunion sites to be voted on are Seville, Spain, San Diego, CA, Las Vegas, NV, San Antonio, TX, and Branson, MO, Charleston, SC, Colorado Springs, CO. Site and date yet to be determined

Of the 38 former SAC Air Policemen/Combat Defense members that attended the 4th annual meeting 9 were former K-9 handlers. Also present were 7 initial responders to the B-52-KC-135 accident at Polomares Spain.


UPDATED Mar 27, 2009

Hola Los Toros, Five and a half months…. And counting…Until our ‘2009 Reunion’ Sept. 9th thru Sept. 12th being held at the Embassy Suites Jamaican Court in Orlando, FL.
I’m sure each and every one of you is looking forward to it as much as we in the Committee are. We are really hoping to see as many familiar faces as possible, plus a big addition of “New / Old Friends” from your days in Spain.
Our objective has been to provide a comfortable setting, value for your dollars, a relaxed agenda allowing time for lots of fellowship, group business and gatherings, a little bit of entertainment, fun, and memory making. All in all, I think we’ve accomplished that.

Our previous communications have given you the necessary hotel information, a general agenda, and websites or numbers for area info to enhance your Orlando experience.
I will repeat those details a bit further along in this letter.
For now, this is the dreaded request for the funds to make it all happen...
Anyone remember that great musical number Liza sang in “Cabaret - Money Makes the World go Round”…?
Here’s the Per Person breakdown:

$50.00 - Saturday Night South Pacific Luau and Polynesian Show at Sea World.
$ 7.00 - Round trip transportation for Sea World.
$23.00 - Registration Fee covering Hospitality / Meeting Room, Hors-d’oeuvres, Raffle Items, Postage / Printing, etc.
__________
$80.00 Total per person cost.

Please make your checks payable to: Dianne Hughes, Treasurer - put 3973rd Reunion in the subject line. Address: 5830 Mirror Lakes Blvd. Boynton Bch, FL 33472.
As in past years, all monies are refundable if cancelation is necessary.
Keep in mind that the Committee has contract commitments requiring deposits therefore, we will appreciate a prompt response to this request.
Your promptness will not only assist in those commitments, but it will give us an early number to go by for transportation needs, meeting room requirements, and dinner reservations. We tend to be sticklers on details...
I’m happy to report that the hotel already has 9 rooms booked… we have 40 reserved… So, start making your plans now...

Here is the aforementioned information you will need.

RESERVATIONS:
Hotel rate is $89.00 per night (plus 12.5% state tax). This rate is available 3 days prior and 3 days after the reunion dates for those wanting to extend their stay.
Make your individual reservations by calling 800-327-9797, request the group rate and use the Group Name: 3973rd CDS Air Force Security Police.
Or via the web go to: www.orlandointldrjamaicancrt.embassysuites.com and scroll down to Group/Convention Code. In the box there enter the group code CDS and that will pull up boxes for your selections. Follow instructions to make the reservations.
YES, the hotel has a 72 hr cancellation notice…. However, the Sales Director assures me that in a group circumstance the hotel does make considerations. So, don’t fear making plans you think you can not change. Trust me they want our Group Business, as well as any individual future business for Embassy Suites nationwide.
For information and a virtual tour of the Embassy Suites go to:
www.orlandointldrjamaicancrt.embassysuites.com.
For area information; www.VisitOrlando.com or contact the Orlando Convention & Visitor Bureau @ 407-363-5800 to request a free 2009 visitors package. It offers area information as well as many discounts for area restaurants and attractions.
There is also an Orlando Trolley Service that runs all along International Dr. ( and has pick up in front of our hotel) that you can get info on by going to www.iridetrolley.com Or call 407-354-5656 for information. The hotel also has brochures available.

DIRECTIONS TO THE HOTEL
From Orlando International Airport: Exit to the Beeline Expressway (#528) West to Interstate 4 East. Exit I-4 at the next Exit 74 A. End of ramp stop sign turn right onto Sand Lake Road to first traffic light (International Dr). Turn right on International Dr. to first right – Jamaican Court. Turn right onto Jamaican Ct and the hotel is on your right.

From the Florida Turnpike: Exit #259 to Interstate 4 West. Exit @ #74-A, at the end of the ramp turn left at traffic light onto Sand Lake Road and continue on to International Dr. Turn right onto International Dr to Jamaican Court. Turn right onto Jamaican Ct. and hotel is on the right.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND THOUGHTS
For those renting cars I’ve found really good deals at www.CarRentals.com.
Those of us with cars might offer an airport pick up to someone thus, saving a taxi fare.
Plus, there are some really good deals on airfares to be found at this time.

Look forward to receiving your checks and seeing your names on the hotel reservation list. …. See ya in Orlando.

Dianne Hughes and the 3973rd Reunion Committee

UPDATED Mar 1, 2009
Greetings Los Toros,

It's been a month since we communicated last, and we want to bring you up to speed on the progress being made for the '2009 reunion' Sept. 9th thru Sept 12th in Orlando, FL.

In that January letter we gave you our selection for the hote. - The Embassy Suites - and a run down of the many amenities they offer, as well as local information sites and phone numbers for your use. I will repeat them at the end of this note.

With the economy being what it is, we felt it our duty to at least get a general per person cost factor out to everyone so they can make their plans in an efficient and economical manner.

RESERVATIONS:
The hotel rate is $89 per night (plus 12.5% state tax) with this rate available 3 days prior and 3 days after the reunion.
Reservations are made individually by calling 800-327-9797, request the group rate, and use the Group Name:
3973rd CDS Air Force Security Police.
Or, via web, go to: www.orlandointldrjamaicancrt.embassysuites.com and scroll down to Group/ Convention Code. In the box there enter the group code CDS and that will pull up boxes for selecting dates, bed types, etc. Insert your credit card info, and it goes directly into the system.
The hotel requires a credit card guarantee deposit in the amount of 1 night room and tax.
Credit card guarantees will not be charged until the arrival of the guest.
Individual cancellations require a 72 hr notice. However, the Sales Director assures me that in a group circumstance the hotel makes considerations.
So, feel free to begin makin gyour plans and reservations soon.

AGENDA AND PER PERSON COSTS:
The actual agenda will be set a bit later. However, at this writing here is an outline of what we are attempting to do.
Wed. Sept 9 - A Hospitality Room and Registration from 5:00 - 7:30 P.M. offering Hors-doeuvres with complimentary hotel beverages and cocktails. This being the normal travel day, we figure folks will want to arrive, check in, register, have a relaxing evening and get some rest.
Thur. Sept 10 - Our Meet and Greet so folks can share their life experiences since their days in Spain.
Fri. Sept 11 - Perhaps a schedule for group photos, and lots of free time to explore.
Sat. Sept 12 - Hold our annual fund raising raffle, a brief report on finances, and a closing Polynesian Luau and Show.

The cost is shaking out to be between $75 and $82 per person. This will cover the dinner/ show, meeting room, registration fees, a one time group transportation fee and incidentals.
You will have firm numbers and expenses when we request that the money be sent in.

As promised here are the sites and phone numbers we urge you to make use of.

For area information www.VisitOrlando.com
Make contact with the Orlando Convention & Visitor Bureau @ 407-363-5800 and request their free 2009 Visitor's Package. It offers area information as well as many discounts for attractions and events. For information and a virtual tour of the Embassy Suites go to:
www.orlandointldrjamaicancrt.embassysuites.com
And for information on the Orlando Trolley Service that takes you all along the International Dr Resort Area and attractions go to; www.iridetrolley.com or call 407-354-5656.
Naturally, the hotel has brochures, but you might want a heads up on information available to you.

So, for now, hope this info is helpful to you in making your decision and arragnements.
Once the p.p. costs are firm and the agenda is set we will see to it that you have all necessary information.

Here's looking forward to a great '09 Reunion'.
Sincerely,
The 3973rd Reunion Committee

Our 2008 reunion is history and went very well. Thanks much to Diane Hughes and Bessie Baker who did the majority of the work organizing and making it happen. They were assisted by Dennis Galt, Ed Juarez, and Glenn Ellison and others. Great team effort! The weather was beautiful, hotel first class, food great, riverwalk superb, visit to Lackland an eye opener for many, and social time with and between the participants absolutely great. We believe a good time was had by all.

At our reunion in Savannah, GA last year, the majority of the folks present voted NOT to have a another reunion until 2010. However, the majority of the folks present at San Antonio, TX this year voted to have the next one in 2009.

UPDATED Jan 8, 2009
Happy New Year All,

Now that the holidays are behind us we - the reunion committee- thought everyone might appreciate some information on the preparation for another great gathering.
THE REUNION DATES/ LOCATION; SEPT. 9th thru SEPT. 12th IN MAGICAL ORLANDO, FL

For those that have never been to Orlando, International Dr. is the 'artery' that takes you to all of the attractions except Disney. Disney is located in Buena Vista, Fl about 6 miles s.w. of the I-Dr area. I had the opportunity to set appointments with Sales Directors for site inspections of selected hotels in the area. After reviewing all of the information the committee has settled on the Embassy Suites Hotel just off of International Dr. for our accommodations. And, here are a few reasons why......

It's an All Suites Hotel. The location is good. The hotel is not only beautiful, but tropical as well. The lobby is beyond spacious allowing for get togethers and chit-chats. They offer a magnificent complimentary breakfast buffet- even cooked to order omelets, and another section for continental breakfasts. A nightly 5:30-7:30 complimentary Manager's Cocktail party- with snacks. Free Internet, a business center, exercise room, indoor / outdoor pool. Although there is no actual 'dinning room', the hotel offers all day food via a full Room Service menu and a casual menu in and around the bar / lobby area. Plus, there are numerous restaurants within walking distance. With the number of rooms we are blocking, we should have unfettered access to a lovely meeting room for our needs....A very important amenity since our purpose is to gather together for these few brief days for fellowship. The hotel has complimentary scheduled shuttles to Universal, Sea World, etc. all along International Dr. Also, the Embassy is along the Trolley service route for the area. This Trolley runs every 20 mins and transports folks to points of interest all along I-Dr. and the fare is .25 cents for seniors! NOTE; For those interested in Disney.... The Disney park doesn't offer any transportation to and from. However, we are gathering information on some area services that do provide it for small groups of people at a very reasonable fare. That info will be made available at a later date. For anyone in need of a handicap room, the hotel offers 11 rooms, 2 of which have 'role in shower access'. HERE'S THE BEST PART..... Your room rate will be $89 per night plus tax, and the Embassy has agreed to extend this rate for 3 nights prior and 3 nights after our reunion dates.

Since there is so much to see and do in the area we suggest you make contact with the Orlando Convention & Visitor Bureau @ 407-363-5800 and request their free 2009 package. It's BIG... offering a wealth of area information/maps as well as many, many discounts for attractions and events. Well worth the phone call. Speaking of discounts.... we are checking out some info Otto Kosa sent for discounted passes to Disney for military personnel, active or retired... with military Id's. Some may be able to make use of that. Or for those with access there is a web site... www.VisitOrlando.com for area info. For a virtual tour of the Embassy go to www.orlandointldrjamaicancrt.embassysuites.com And, for further information on the Orlando Trolley Service www.iridetrolley.com

In the near future we will be sending out all of the information needed to make your hotel reservations, the agenda for our reunion, and the per person cost. We hope this first communication from the committee will set everyone to thinking about what a wonderful gathering we can have in Orlando, and make the decision to attend.

Looking forward to making more memories in '2009'.

The 3973rd Reunion Committee, Dianne Hughes & helpers.......

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