Dwindling ranks of former Bataan POWs gather for 66th reunion

Every year since 1945, a group of soldiers captured during the massive American surrender at Bataan and Corregidor has reunited to talk about their time overseas during World War II.

The former prisoners of war gathered for the first time in Pittsburgh, just months after the war had ended and the soldiers had finally returned home.

The under-supplied Allied troops at Bataan Peninsula in the Philippines surrendered to the Japanese on April 9, 1942, after three months of battle. The POWs were forced to walk more than 60 miles to a prison camp in severe tropical heat without food or water.

Many were beaten, some to death, during what is now called the Bataan Death March. When American troops surrendered nearby Corregidor Island to the Japanese after another month of fighting, they were also sent to POW camps. Resistance fighters persisted in the Philippines until the Allies liberated the islands from the Japanese in 1944.

This week, the convention of ex-POWs returns to Pittsburgh — but instead of telling stories, the emphasis will be on saving them.

The four-day convention, which starts Wednesday, will honor the American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor. While veterans and their wives are still welcome to discuss their personal experiences in panels — the cornerstone of past conventions — this week’s meeting focuses on efforts to cement the Bataan-Corregidor story in the historical record.

via Dwindling ranks of former Bataan POWs gather for 66th reunion :: The Republic.

2011 Family Reunion Travel

Enjoy Some ‘Unplugged’ Time With Family Along The Historic Rogue River

Rogue Wilderness Adventures offers multiple day Oregon whitewater rafting and Oregon hiking trips along the stunning and historic Rogue River corridor, offering a great solution for family reunion travel planning.

Book your Family Reunion at a Top Resort

If you’re still looking for hotel  accommodation for your summer family reunion, why not consider a resort hotel?  With the economy being as it is, resort hotels are pricing their products aggressively for groups, plus providing added amenities, such as free or reduced meeting room rentals, welcome receptions, extra complimentary reservations and more.

Bay Colony Inn

Bay Colony Inn, located is Nisswa, MN, is a family reunion resort.  They offer a variety of cabins perfect for a family vacation.  The cabins are right on Gull Lake, offering a gorgeous view.  The Inn is designed specifically for family accommodations and advetises itself a family reunion destination.  They offer rates catered to families for lodging in their cabins.

To learn more visit:  http://www.grandviewlodge.com/baycolony.asp

Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch

Take your family on a dude-ranch vacation!  Named “Best Family Vacation” by Frommer’s Colorado guidebook, this ranch is a fun reunion destination.  Located in Loveland, CO this guest ranch offers more than enough entertainment for your family.  It is also only an hour away from the bustling city of Denver.  Guests go on cattle drives and cattle roundups, trail rides, overnight trips and take horseback riding lessons. 

Nestled along the Big Thompson river there are also plenty of outdoor activities, such as fishing and swimming for your family to enjoy.  They offer group packages and faciltities and welcome families of all sizes.

For more information visit:  http://www.sylvandale.com

Reunion Resort in Orlando

A family reunion in a beach paradise would be an amazing vacation.  Take your family on an adventure in Orlando.  The numerous activities, breath-taking  beaches, and unbelievable weather make this a great vacation destination.

Reunion Resort in Orlando, FL is a great reunion spot.  It offers accommodations and packages for large groups.  From a buy one, get one free package to the family reunion package, Reunion Resort makes it easy to plan a fabulous reunion.

This huge resort has houses and villas, a golf course, water park, spa and more.  It is also right next to the all the thrilling Orlando theme parks.  Your family can visit Disney World or Universal Studios while staying at Reunion Resort.  This resort is a family-friendly facility and the perfect place for your next reunion.

To learn more or make your reservation visit:  http://www.reunionresort.com/

Reunion Resorts in Poconos

The economy is hurting the tourism industry everywhere. Resorts in the Pocono Mountains are responding to the recession by focusing on several factors essential to the Poconos tourism industry, including reunion tourism.

The Pocono Mountains are half way between New York City and Philadelphia, making them a convenient destination. The area’s history indicates that it draws “celebration vacations,” trips for important events like weddings and family reunions. The resorts are trying to capitalize upon this draw by catering to family reunions and other similar events.

Woodloch resort, for example, has a multigenerational appeal comparable to that of a cruise. The family-friendly resort entertains its guests with diverse activities such as kayaking, golf, game show contests, bumper boats, hayrides and Broadway style shows. The resort staff specializes in serving the individual needs of family reunions.

Pocmont resort also identifies itself as a family-friendly destination, and claims to be the birthplace of “togethering.” Kids can have fun at the resort’s Kid’s World Camp, and seniors can relax with laid-back activities like water aerobics and bingo. The resort staff plans special activities for family reunions, including scavenger hunts, mystery hunts, family Olympics and family feud.

These two resorts are just a sample of the family-friendly resorts eager to host reunions in the Pocono Mountains.

For more information on the resorts mentioned in this article, visit:

http://www.pocmont.com

or

http://www.woodloch.com

Great Group Hotel Rates

You’ll want to ensure the lowest rate for your group at a great hotel that fits your budget, and needs. We have a complete list of reunion friendly hotels and resorts, where you can make direct contact for your next group trip.

• Book your Group Hotel Rooms Online
• Browse Our Reunion Friendly Hotel Directory

Houston An Emerging Market for Family Reunions

Chances are, you or someone you know will be attending a family reunion this year. In fact, the U.S. Travel Association estimates that 72 million U.S. adults (34 percent of the population) have traveled to a family reunion in the past three years. The Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau (GHCVB) has noticed an increase in family reunion requests-nearly 650 since January 2008.

Most people don’t know what a convention and visitors bureau does, and even those familiar with the organization might not know about assistance with family reunions. The GHCVB launched a reunions microsite, www.HoustonReunions.com, in March 2009, to help guide people through the planning process. Most people planning reunions are not professional meeting planners, but the lucky individual who lives in the city where the family is meeting.

Because most reunion planners are novices, the GHCVB created some online tools to help:

*Checklist: What needs to be done to plan a successful reunion.
*Budget worksheet: List of typical expenses ranging from transportation expenses to photographers.
*Industry terms: Frequently used terms important to understand, particularly when signing contracts
*Houston promotional materials, including maps, visitor guides and event calendars
*Group offers: Discounted group rates at a variety of Houston locations, including the Houston Zoo and the Four Seasons Hotel

Part of Your Family
The GHCVB can take the hassle out of planning reunions by sending out leads to hotels and transportation companies. Need help narrowing down options for a group dinner? No problem. How about arranging a group tour of Space Center Houston? Check. Need to purchase 50 CityPasses? Done. Planners can literally look to the GHCVB as an extension of their family.

Reunion Rewards
Even with the help of the GHCVB, planning a reunion isn’t easy and will require some R&R when the family heads home. Any planner who books their hotel room block through the GHCVB will be entered into a drawing to win a day of pampering ($150 gift certificate) at Trellis, the Spa at the Houstonian-Houston’s only four-star spa. To get started, simply fill out a reunions request form at www.HoustonReunions.com. Once a contract is signed with an area hotel, you’ll be automatically entered. One name will be drawn every quarter.