For best viewing, use full screen.
2024 USSPD Association Reunion Our 30th Anniversary
The 2024 Reunion, celebrating 30 years of "None too Far, Beach or Bar" will be held in Pasco, Washington from September 11-15, 2024. The Red Lion Hotel & Conference Center will be the venue for the business meeting, welcome room, the Saturday night main attraction, and Sunday morning farewell breakfast.
The Red Lion Hotel & Conference Center, Pasco, WA
Phone: 509.547.0701; www.redlionpasco.com
Address: 2525 North 20th Avenue, Pasco, WA 99301
To book by phone, please follow these steps to make your room reservations.
1. Call 509-547-0701 ext. 0
2. Ask to make a reservation at the Red Lion Hotel & Conference Center Pasco
3. Identify yourself as part of the September 9- 15, 2024 – USS Point Defiance Association, using the group block code USSP0909
4. Complete individual reservation with agent.
*This rate is not guaranteed at third party booking sites suchas expedia.com and hotels.com.
2024 Reunion Events
Sept. 11, Welcome Reception
Time:18:00
Location: TBD
Cost: None
The official welcome in the designated admin room will feature light food, soft drinks, and the reunion banner. USSPD memorabilia will be available for purchase. The initial association member meeting will be held.
Sept. 13, Museums
Bus departs: 09:00
Return: 15:20, Red Lion Hotel
Cost: $45 per person
-
Pasco Aviation Museum located in the NAS Pasco Control Tower Building will be our first stop.
-
Lunch, included in the price, will be in Kennewick, WA
-
REACH Museum, in Richlands, WA, offers cultural and historical information from the Ice Age to the Atomic Age that shaped the Mid-Columbia Basin region.
Sept. 12, USS Triton Sail Park and Water2Wine Cruise
Bus departs: 08:30 for Richlands, WA
Return: 15:10, Red Lion Hotel
Cost: $110 per person
-
The USS Triton was the first submarine to circle the earth underwater. The Port of Benton and the US Navy preserved the submarine's sail and conning tower, which are on display at USS Triton Sail Park.
-
Water2Wine Cruise. The M/V West Star, a 74-foot luxury yacht, takes passengers along the Columbia River. We will have a buffet lunch while we cruise, which is included in the price.
Sept. 14, Explore on your own
Sept. 14, Farewell Reception, Time: 18:00, Location: TBD
The Farewell Reception features the formal welcome, prayer, memorial, dinner, auction, raffle, pictures and farewell for the year!
Sept. 15, Breakfast before you depart
For those who do not depart early, breakfast is one last chance for a hug or a handshake!
Reunion Traditions
Our reunions are times for us to celebrate being alive, being American, being free and, for most of us being RETIRED! Our leaders arrange amazing day trips, both historic and fun, and we eat far too well and perhaps too often!
We reflect, remember, mourn and celebrate. We welcome new attendees and solemnly ring the bell for those who have "shaken off this mortal coil."
But the most time is spent strengthening old friendships and forging new ones with members who served on USSPD LSD-31 at other times.
1
The Reunion Banner travels from site to site, where those in attendance sign or note additional years of attendance
2
The Plank Owners' picture is a tradition. Those plank owners who served on her first cruise in 1958 are the "strong shoulders" on which all later crews stand.
4
Our daily tours & events are the product of the president's imagination, whimsy, and in some cases threats from wives... the Saturday shopping day in Lancaster County, PA leaps to mind! Regardless, we are always chauffuered by a talented, local driver who keeps us amused and informed.
5
Associate members, who are typically the wives or siblings of the USSPD LSD-31 members perform a variety of tasks behind the scene. The annual photo of this group is a race to see who will be hiding on the back row!
3
A members' photo is taken before the night ends allowing us to capture, for another year, those who served.
6
An open admin room that allows members to catch up casually at any time during the reunion. Staffed with snacks, drinks, and plenty of space...three things in short supply on the USSPD LSD-31, it is filled with laughter throughout the reunion.
