Oklahoma City, OK 1999 Reunion

OCTOBER 8 - 11, 1999

Come to Oklahoma City and join your fellow Members of the 303rd Bomb Group Association, their Family Members and Guests in an exciting celebration of the Association's 16th Annual Reunion. Visit and enjoy the sights of one of the most Outstanding Great Plain Cities.

A WELCOME MESSAGE:
"PLANNING FOR OUR FUTURE - OUR NEXT 303rd BG (H) MISSION"

Greetings to all members and friends of our 303rd Bomb Group Association (H) Inc. As President, I am honored to invite each of you to attend our 16th Annual Reunion at the beautiful Marriott Hotel in Oklahoma City, October 8th through 11th, 1999. It was in October 1942, 57 years ago, that the first elements of our untested 303rd Bombardment Group (H) arrived at our Molesworth, England airfield. These original aircrews and ground support personnel were followed by many new personnel who spent the next thirty-two months at Molesworth, compiling a remarkable record of air successes. And our Association has continued this Hell's Angels wartime tradition of excellence by becoming a proud top Eighth Air Force Group Association. Your Board of Directors has declared, unlike some other Eighth Air Force Unit Associations, that the time has not yet arrived to finalize plans for the dissolution of our Association. We remain a strong and active organization. We have plans to better preserve our heritage through new written and internet records that will enable all who served at Molesworth, to trace their personnel wartime activities and records. Please join my wife Barbara and myself, your Reunion hosts Ed and Jill Miller, and your many 303rd BGA Hell's Angels friends at Oklahoma City. Help us to again renew our bonds and have fun. Most important learn how we are planning for our future and how you can contribute to the next 303rd BG (H) mission Goal.

Harry D. Gobrecht, President

OKLAHOMA CITY:
ONE OF THE BEST CITIES TO OBTAIN A GOOD PICTURE
OF THE "GREAT PLAINS AREA"

Oklahoma City is the city where the "east" meets the "west" and the old mingles with the new, creating a modem city with a frontier spirit ... the city in the middle of America. This is a city that shows its genuine hospitality. No where in America will you find people who will outwardly demonstrate that they are the most friendly of anywhere you have visited. One hundred and ten years after the historic "Land Run" on April 22, 1899, Oklahoma City has grown from a town of 10,000 people in a single day, to a thriving metropolis, with a population of over one million. It has the only State Capital building that is setting on an oil patch, with pumping wells, day in and day out. No visit to Oklahoma City is complete without a visit to The National Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Center to enhance its western flavor. It is supported by 17 western states and is a treasury of western art. Take a trip through the model of the old west, that clearly portrays the manner of living that our early pioneers, their wives, and children experienced. Oklahoma City has one of the most modern medical complexes in the country, situated right across the street from your Marriott Hotel. It has the world's largest stockyards, where more cattle are moved through it in one day, than at Chicago or Kansas City.

Murrah Building Memorial HISTORIC DISTRICTS: Several historic districts can be seen. The Heritage Hills area with its mansions of early day cotton and oil kings. It is OKC's oldest preservation area. See the Overholser Mansion, which was built in the middle of a corn field in 1903. It is now known as the 'Grand Old Lady." You can also see "Church Row" and "Automobile Alley." In the area known as Remington Land, you can visit many of the city's outstanding museums and attractions. Remington Park, the $100 million Thoroughbred Horse Racing Track, with its glass enclosed, climate controlled facility is the finest in the US. By the time we arrive, the Bricktown Canal will have opened. It offers an idle place to visit the old historic district that has been renovated, with over three dozen restaurants. It is OKC's attempt to bring you the Trivoli Gardens of Copenhagen, Denmark. And of course, the site of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building bombing, where we lost 165 of our citizens. Now underway is the building of the Monument dedicated to those who died in 1995.

TOURS -While in Oklahoma City, you may wish to depart from the Optional 303rd BGA Tours, and strike out on your own. There are many tours available, either by self-driving, or by using one of the many tour companies in the city. Tourist information is available at the OKC Visitors Bureau, 189 Sheridan. (405) 297-8912 The City Limousine Company at (405) 733-5466 offers 14 passenger van's that can be hired for $40.00 per hour to take a small group of you to different locations around the city. There is a three hour minimum for the use of these vans. By getting at least ten of you in a group, that would mean about $12 per person per trip.

SHOPPING - The city offers several giant shopping malls, with the closest to your hotel being the Penn Square Mail, located at 1901 NW Expressway. It is about two miles east of the Marriott Hotel. For those with automobiles, the newer and larger Quail Springs Mall is located about 10 miles north of the Hotel, at Memorial Road and May Avenue.

TRAVEL TIPS - Oklahoma City is located in the heart of America. It has two major freeways that transect the city- I-40 that runs east and west, connecting Memphis and the east, with Albuquerque, and the west coast. And I-35 that runs north and south, connecting Dallas and Houston to the south, with Kansas City and the northern part of the US. Several of you will be arriving by your own personal automobile, and Oklahoma City is a very simple city to get around in. I-44 is the main route on the west and north side of the city, while I-35 cuts the city almost in half.

AIRLINE and TRAVEL INFORMATION: The Oklahoma City Airport serves all of the major airlines, (American, Delta, United, TWA, Southwest, and Continental). AmericanAirlines is the Official Airline for our 1999 Reunion. By calling the All About Travel Agency at (800) 880-8517, you will receive a 10% discount off the least expensive American Airlines ticket, as long as you purchase your ticket a minimum of 60 days prior to departure. However, this agency will book the lowest price ticket available on any of the major airlines. If you fly with American, they will give the Association one ticket for every 25 tickets purchased, to be used in our raffle. The All About Travel Agency will also reserve you a car for Oklahoma City, and Avis will give a 5% discount.

Upon your arrival, you may be able to catch the Marriott Hotel Van to the Hotel. However, with the influx of members arriving Friday, October 8th, you may wish to utilize the Airport Express, which charges $13.00 for one passenger, plus $3.00 for each additional. If you plan to use this service, call 1-(405) 681-3311, the day before your flight, and advise them of the airline, flight number and scheduled arrival time. Automobile rentals are available from Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, National, and Thrifty. If you am interested in a car while at the Hotel, Enterprise has an office on NW Expressway, which is near the Hotel. Call (405) 721-7900 for pickup and return.

HOTEL RESERVATION INSTRUCTIONS: The Hotel is the Oklahoma City Marriott Hotel, located at 3233 Northwest Parkway, Oklahoma City, OK 73112. (There are two Marriott Hotels in the City. Be sure you call the Oklahoma City Marriott Hotel.) The phone number for Reservations is (405) 342-6633. There is a toll free number, but we recommend your using this number, to insure that you receive our Reduced Rate Rooms. You may arrive two days early, the 6th of October and leave two days late, the 13th of October, at the Reunion Rates. Be Sure to Mention that you are a Member of the 303rd Bomb Group. All reservations requests must be accompanied by a first night room deposit or guaranteed with a major credit card. The Hotel will not hold any reservations unless guaranteed by one of the above methods. Room rates are $62.00 per night (a total of $68.43 with current taxes) either Single or Double, and there is no cost for an additional person or children. Check-out time is 11:00am. The Hotel will arrange for luggage storage if requested. Early check-in times cannot be guaranteed. If you must cancel your room reservations, please notify the Marriott at (405) 842-6633, or (800) 228-9290, as soon as possible. Your Deposit will be refunded only if cancellations notice is received at least 24 hours prior to arrival. NOTE: DON'T FORGET TO ALSO CANCEL YOUR REUNION REGISTRATION FORM SELECTIONS.

Your Reservations must be received by the Hotel no later than the 15th of August 1999, to insure that you will receive the reduced rate of $62.00 per night. Unreserved rooms after 15 August will be turned over for general sale and the rates charged will be at the prevailing hotel rate of $119.00. SO, MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS EARLY! Automobile parking is free, and valet parking is available, but we do not believe you will need it. The facilities of the Oklahoma City Marriott are first class. The rooms are beautifully decorated with spectacular views of either the City or Lake Hefner. There is both an indoor and outdoor pool, and you should bring your bathing suits. There is a whirlpool, and a fitness facility. They offer a wide range of guest services. A gift shop, concierge, valet, room service, ice/vending machines, and safe deposit boxes are offered.

There are two restaurants located in the Hotel, and both are excellent. The JW Steakhouse is the up-scale restaurant with an outstanding selection of fine meals. Allie's American Grill offers a Continental and American breakfast buffet, with table service available at lunch. A special restaurant is being set up for the 303rd BGA to insure that no one has to wait for service. There is a large lounge which provides a delightful setting for drinks and conversation. Within two and half blocks is a very fine Cafeteria. And a short cab ride will take you to several restaurants in the close proximity of the Hotel.

OPTIONAL TOUR INFORMATION: (All tours are subject to adequate numbers desiring the tour.) ESCORTED CITY TOUR: Offered on Friday and Saturday (6 hours) This tour will trace the story of our great city from its spirited beginnings. Stops include:

The Murrah Building, site of the horrible bombing
Inside the State Capital
World's Largest Stockyards
Historic Bricktown
Drive by of Historic Homes, Cowboy Hall of Fame/Omniplex Museums/Remington Park/Zoo/Myriad Gardens, plus much more.

Tour includes transportation, tour guide, all admissions to attractions on tour and a full lunch. $35.00 per person.

NATIONAL COWBOY HALL OF FAME: - Offered on Saturday and Sunday. No visit to Oklahoma City is complete without a visit to the National Cowboy Hall of Fame, and the Western Heritage Center to enhance its western flavor. The finest display of Western Art in the World. Take a trip through the 1890s, and view the manner of living in that age. You will need at least 3 hours to cover all of the exhibits--plenty of seating space to rest while viewing. This tour will be run in conjunction with the Omniplex Museums. The Buses will make stops at both places both going and coming back to the Hotel. The tour includes transportation and admission fee for the National Cowboy Hall of Fame. If you chose to visit the Omniplex Museums, you will have to pay for your admission there, but the bus ride is free. $18.00 per person Check out the web site at http://www.cowboyhalloffame.org/

OMNIPLEX MUSEUMS: The Kirkpatrick Center Museum Omniplex contains six different museums:

The Oklahoma Air Space Museum
The Red Earth Indian Center
The Planetarium
The Omniplex Science Museum
The Botanical Gardens
The Kirkpatrick Galleries.

The bus will drop you off and pick you up, with admission for seniors at $5.70. Check out the web site at http://www.omniplex.org/

HORSE RACING AT REMINGTON PARK: Enjoy the races in the enclosed air-conditioned grandstand. This six level stadium is among the finest in sports. YOU HAVE A CHOICE: You may opt for the VIP Reserved luncheon seating in the Penthouse Level Eclipse Restaurant at $44.00 per person, where you can eat all afternoon, while watching the races, and the visit the gallery.(Dress Coats are required - No tennis shoes.) Or you may opt for luncheon at the "Silks" Restaurant, one level down, but still within the enclosed portion of the grandstand, for $35.00 per person. Prices includes transportation, lunch, and tip sheet for the races.

BUSES TO BRICKTOWN ON SATURDAY NIGHT: These buses are for transportation only, to the Historic Bricktown Area of Downtown Oklahoma City. We will have buses drop you off near the several restaurants that are located all over the 4 or 5 block area. Buses will pick you about two and a half hours later for return to the Hotel. Cost $10.00 per person, round-trip.

HISTORIC GUTHRIE, OK AND ITS MANY ANTIQUES PLACES: If there is adequate demand for a trip on Tuesday, we will arrange it. It will take 6 hours, and will include transportation, a guided tour, and lunch at a selected historic site. Cost is $35.00 per person.

GOLF AT TINKER AIR FORCE BASE: Offered on Friday or Tuesday - IF WE CAN FIND A VOLUNTEER TO TAKE CHARGE OF THIS PROGRAM we can obtain golf starting times at Tinker Air Force Base. If you are interested in managing the Golf Program, please call Ed Miller at (352) 563-1172. If we have enough members that wish to play golf, I will advise you and you can take charge of the Golf Program.

CANCELLATIONS: Reunion costs, less REGISTRATION FEE OF $20.00 per person (for costs that have resulted from expenses incurred in preparing for the Reunion), will gladly be refunded upon request, if received by the Reunion V/P, at least five (5) days prior to the start of the Reunion on 8 October 1999. EXCEPTIONS: If you cancellation causes the number taking the tour to fall below the "Tour Minimum" the tour company requires, then your cost "MAY NOT" be refunded. For unforeseen Emergencies requiring last minute cancellation, please call the V/P, Reunions at (352) 563-1172.

DISCLAIMER: The 303rd Bomb Group Association (H), Inc., or its elected representatives assumes no responsibility for the well-being or safety of those attending or their property, in the course of any or all matters relating to this 303rd BGA Reunion.