reunion2010

We are pleased to announce that the 19^th Twining Reunion will be held in the “Windy City”. Come aboard and join your fellow shipmates in experiencing some of the highlights Chicago and the Chicago land area has to offer, focusing on its rich military history. This tour package, provided by “About Tours”, is specifically geared towards military reunion groups.

You will enjoy resort accommodations where you can take in a round of golf, swim in the indoor/outdoor pool, or take in a show. Pheasant Run Resort is conveniently located in the Fox River Valley, less than 1 hour from Chicago (approximately 30 miles west of Chicago), and is easily accessible from O’Hare and Midway Airports. Please make your hotel reservations through the hotel directly. Phone: (800) 4-PHEASANT (1-800-474-3272) and mention that you are with USS Twining group. Room rates for single and double occupancy are $99.00 + 11% tax. You can view all of the wonderful features, events and attractions the resort has to offer by visiting their website: PHEASANTRUN.COM.

We encourage you, especially our WWII veterans, to invite your family members to join the reunion.

A hospitality room will be available each day. This is the gathering place to rekindle old friendships and meet new friends who shared your common experience as a “tin can sailor”. Here you can share old sea stories, pictures, and memorabilia. Please feel free to add copies of your pictures to our collection or display some of your prized mementos from your days aboard the Twining. Twining souvenirs will be available for purchase in the hospitality room as well.

Each day you will have the opportunity to buy raffle tickets for a 50/50 drawing. Ticket prices are $1.50 each or 5 for $5.00. Proceeds will support future reunion costs. Any additional contributions are greatly appreciated.

Itinerary is as follows:

Check in: Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main Street, St. Charles, IL. Settle in. Explore the Resort. Meet with your shipmates in the hospitality room. Dinner is on your own. You may wish to dine at the Resort or at the numerous restaurants located just west of the resort.

8:00 am – Meet your Chicago guides and luxury coaches in front of the Resort. Experience the “City of Big Shoulders” with a fully narrated driving tour of points of historic interest and significant sights. See the new Memorial Water Wall, a veterans’ memorial at Soldier Field, and the beautiful parks along the magnificent Lake Michigan. Enjoy a cruise on the Chicago River to learn about the awe-inspiring architecture of Chicago and have a box lunch as you cruise. View a recently restored icon, the captured German U505 submarine at the Museum of Science and Industry. The submarine, which was only built to last four years, has been moved, very carefully, from an outdoor exhibit to a new, spectacular underground interactive exhibit space. It showcases the history of the U505, from its capture on June 4, 1944 off the coast of West Africa to its impressive new home at the Museum. (Cost of the tour: $90.00 per person)

Return to the Resort at 5:00 pm. Dinner is on your own. Join up with friends in the hospitality room, and / or have a few laughs at “Zanies Comedy Club” at the Resort (Shows are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday and must be arranged directly through Pheasant Run.).

Rise and shine! Grab a quick bite and meet your Chicago guides and luxury coaches in front of the Resort at 6:30 am. You won’t want to miss this tour to the Great Lakes Naval Training Center. Authorized by Congress in 1904, the Great Lakes Naval Training Center was a major recruit training center during both WWI and WWII. See the historic, Romanesque style buildings designed by noted architect, Jarvis Hunt. Hunt’s motif for these structures was based on the bow of a sailing ship. You will be met by a representative from Great Lakes, visit the base, and attend a memorial service planned especially for the Twining group. You will be served a delicious lunch in the Port O’Call restaurant while enjoying its stunning view of Lake Michigan. (Cost of the tour: $69.00 per person)
Note: A photo ID is required for all visitors of Great Lakes Naval Training Center.

Return to the Resort at 3:30 pm. Dinner is on your own. You may wish to take in dinner and a show at the Pheasant Run Theater. “Tony & Tina’s Wedding” will be shown this night only, and begins at 7:00 pm. Cost of dinner & show is $69.00 per person and arrangements for this event should be made directly with the Resort.

Breakfast is on your own.
9:30 am - Meet your Chicago guides and luxury coaches in front of the Resort. We are staying in the “burbs” for a visit to Cantigny, the country estate of Colonel Robert R. McCormick, former editor and publisher of the Chicago Tribune. This 500 acre public park was left by the Colonel to the people of Illinois. Tour the 35 room mansion filled with European antiques, paintings, rare books, and Asian art. Stroll amid the property’s various manicured gardens. Visit the First Division Museum commemorating the distinguished service men and women of who have served our nation since its birth. The museum portrays the history of the First Division, the Big Red One, of the U.S. Army. (Cost of tour $40.00 per person)

Saturday Night Dinner Banquet:
USS Twining Family Banquet begins at 5:00 pm at the Pheasant Run. Select from Oven Roasted French Chicken ($49.00), Peppercorn Crusted Prime Sirloin Steak ($52.00), or Roasted Vegetable Pasta ($46.00). Entrees include soup and salad, vegetable and starch, rolls, coffee and tea, and dessert. – Prices shown include tax and gratuity.

9:30 am at the Resort. Buffet includes an assortment of pastries, fruit, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, and fresh squeezed orange and grapefruit juice, coffee and tea. (Cost: $29.00 per person) - Price shown includes tax and gratuity.