Black Lion Reunion 2017 in Biloxi, MS - October 15 to October 18, 2017
** I will be in contact with anyone planning to attend the reunion around September 15 - September 30, 2017 with list
of those who will be attending and daily plans. **
*** Please note - When you make a reservation, you must use Group Code S175008 (if calling) or enter Group Code S175008 (when online) when you make reservations or you
will be charged $10.00/per night more ***
** Update - September 2, 2017 - I'm working on tenative plans and will notify everyone that plans to attend sometime in September **
The Penthouse (CP Room) will be open from 8AM to 10PM daily. Need five volunteers each day (Sun, Mon, Tues) to "work" two hour
shifts from 8AM to 6PM (except Sunday when hours will be 8AM to 5PM and first person will only "work" one hour (8AM to 9AM).
The Penthouse (CP Room) is a non-smoking room. You must go downstairs to the lobby to smoke. Smoke breaks will be provided before or after
presentations. Entire group will gather at the Penthouse (CP Room) : Sunday (5PM-10PM); Monday (6PM-10PM); Tuesday (6PM-10PM).
Discount tickets for the Back Bay Buffet will be handed out daily. Clothing is casual and Weather expected to be around 79 degrees for
highs to lows of around 60 degrees.
Saturday - October 14
I will arrive around 6PM. Anyone that wants to meet, I will be at the Highlights Sport Lounge - second floor of IP Casino around 8PM.. (They are open from 11AM to 11PM)
*** End of Update for September 2, 2017 ***
Dear Black Lions,
All Black Lions, from all time frames, and their families and friends are invited to attend this reunion in Bolixi, MS.
Please put this Black Lions Reunion on your calendar and make reservations for the 50th Anniversary of the Battle of Ong Thanh, Oct 17, 1967. I welcome
your input on other battles or events you were involved with during your tour in Vietnam.
Please provide your input as to what events you might like me to feature at the reunion. If you have a friend you are looking for,
I will try and locate him and invite that person to the reunion.
I ask everyone to bring any materials(military orders, photos, etc), you have related to your time in Vietnam to share with the group.
I will be bringing my collection of items related to the Battle of Ong Thanh.
For additional information OR QUESTIONS, you can contact me via email or cell phone:
Fred Kirkpatrick, fkirkpatrick@yahoo.com
cell phone - (440) 305-2548
Please complete the information below so I can make up your name tag:
Name on badge _________________________________
28th Infantry Regiment (1/28th or 2/28th) and COMPANY ___________________________________________________
Dates of Service ____________________________________________________
Spouse/Guest_____________________________________________________
Name on badge and details you want on badge__________________________________
Click on the link - Sample Name Tag - to see a sample Name Tag. I can vary the design if we don't like this sample.
When:
Sunday October 15, 2017
Monday October 16, 2017
Tuesday October 17, 2017
Where:
IP Casino Resort Spa
850 Bayview Avenue
Biloxi, MS 39530
The IP Casino is part of Boyd Gaming based in Paradise, Nevada. If you have ever been to Las Vegas, you will recognize these properties:
The Orleans, Sam's Town, Goast Coast, and Aliante. This is a AAA Four Diamond resort that has 1,088 rooms, a 70,000 square-foot casino with
1,800 slot machines and 60 table games; Eight dining options that include two AAA Four Diamonds and one AAA three diamonds restaurants. They also have
a spa, a swimming pool, and live entertainment.
Room and Rates:
Standard Room: (One King or two Queen Beds/smoking or non-smoking/Accessible rooms are available if needed).
10/15/17 - $78.39 (rate of $59.99 plus 12% tax plus $11.20 resort fee = $78.39)
10/16/17 - $78.39
10/17/67 - $78.39
Note: If you want a standard room with a guaranteed view of the Biloxi Bay or Gulf of Mexico, they are available for an additional
charge of $20.00 plus tax, per night. Best rate they are offering for Saturday is $129.99
(plus tax and resort fee = $156.79).
The resort fee includes the following:
- Admission to the fitness center
- Local and toll free telephone calls
- Fax service (Continental USA only) available at concierge desk
- Up to 10 black and white copies available at concierge desk
- USA Today available at concierge desk
- High-Speed Internet Access
- Computer access with printer at business desk
- 46 TV channels including 17 HD channels, and 18 music channels
- Valet and garage parking
- Access to pool during stay (Pool open seasonally)
- In-room coffee
- In-room safe
- Safe deposit boxes available at concierge desk
- Concierge service
- All attendees will receive a 25% discount at the Back Bay Buffet during the groups stay.
- All attendees will receive a 25% discount in Senses Spa and Salon for a service or treatment. Advanced Reservations recommended.
- The 1,456 square foot Penthouse Suite will be our meeting room during the reunion.
I am requesting $30 per person ($60 per couple) to cover our meeting room, snacks, beverages, name tags, and other incidential expenses.
Please mail name tag information and any feedback, directly to me along with a check or
money order, payable to Fred Kirkpatrick.Your Association is not hosting this, I am, and monies are separate.
Fred Kirkpatrick
26101 Country Club Blvd, Apt 1704
North Olmsted, Ohio 44070
If you are flying, here is link to Gulfport Biloxi Regional GPT Airport
Reservation Procedures:
- Individuals may make their own reservations by going online This link takes you to "Group Reservations"
1) Enter Goup Code which is S175008
2) Room rates appear. $129.99 for Sat; Sun-Tues is $59.99 per night before taxes and resort fee. I could not get a lower rate for Sat
3) Enter Information under "Book Your Room" and then hit "Select Room"
4) For example, if you pick 3 nights, the subtotal for a standard room will appear as $179.97 before taxes and resort fee. Note: If
you want a room with a view it will be an extra $20/per night
5) Then hit "Book Now" to complete the process
- Or you can call the Hotel Room Reservations Deapartment directly, at (888 946-2847 #1) and identify yourself by group name or meeting Group Code.
Reservationa must be guaranteed with a major credit card. First night's room and tax will be charged at the time the reservation is made.
- ** All guests are required to post a credit card (or debit card) at check-in. If using a debit card for incidentals at check-in, your bank will put
a hold on funds in the amount of $100.00 for several days, so credit card is the recommended choice.
- Check-in: 4:00PM; Check-out: 11:00AM. Hotel will make every effort to accomodate guests that arrive early. Guestrooms must be occupied by and registered to
at least one adult twenty-one years of age or older. Photo Identification will be required at check-in.
- NOTE: The deadline for Hotel Registration is12:01am the morning of Saturday, September 23, 2017 or until rooms in the block are gone.
I have reserved thirty rooms and can up that count if I know early enough. Hotel policy for cancellation is at least twenty-four (24) hours prior
to 4PM of arrival date.
If pre-paying for room with a check:
When reservation is made, it will be entered as non-guarantee reservation. Payment for the full amount of room, tax and resort fee for all nights,
must be received within two weeks after making the reservation or two weeks prior to arrival (whicheverdate comes first).If payment not within two weeks after
making the reservation or two weeks prior to arrival(whichever comes first), the reservation will be automatically cancelled.
The hotel will not accept
checks at check-in.
Getting Around Biloxi without a car:
- Trolley/Casino Hopper
The service is available every 25 minutes, Monday thrur Sunday. Stops near the casino.
Single ride: $1.50; If you plan to see several places, might be better to buy a Coast Tour Pass
Pass for daily, unlimited rides is $6.00, 3-day unlimited rides is $14.00. Passes can be purchased on any fixed route,
but correct change is needed. Hours: M-F 5:30AM - 9:30PM; Sunday - 8:30AM to 7:30PM
The casino hopper takes you to several other casinos: Boomtown, Palace, Harrah's, Beau Rivage, Hard Rock, Harrah's, and Golden Nugget.
You can also
reach the Margaritaville Resort and the Ohr O'Keefe Museum of Art and the Maritime & Seafood Museum via the Casino Hopper.
To reach the Jefferson Museum, take the casino hopper to the Coast Transit Authority. From the Transit Center, take the Beachcomber West.
The Beachcomber does
not run on Sunday to the Jefferson Museum.
- City Transit
Instructions on how to use
Things to Do: