Willow Run Air Show & 100th Mini Reunion

A Gathering of Fortresses and Legends

The 8th Air Force Historical Society is hosting veterans, family members, and their guests at the Willow Run Air Show, located just outside Detroit, August 5 thru 8, 2010. The Air Show organizers are expecting 8 to 10 B-17s to attend , 2 B-24s, 12 P-51s, the usual cadre of other WW-II aircraft, as well as a flying ME-262 and an ME-109.  A 100th Bomb Group Mini Reunion is going to be held in conjunction with this event.  Many 100th members, including your Historical Staff, are already making plans to attend.  (NOTE: Detroit is also a Non-stop flight from several airports).

Attendees registered with the 8th AFHS and staying at our hotel within our room block will have preferential (back door) motor coach transportation to and from the event with delivery to a private tented seating and viewing area at center stage, as well as free access to several B-17's offering "walk thrus" to the general public, who will be paying $5 to $10 per person access. Our admission will include lunch, transportation, a tented seating area at center stage, as well as dinner Saturday, followed by a symposium Saturday night. Optional tours will be available Friday and Sunday for those who only want to attend the Air Show Saturday.

                                                                        ******JUST IN******

Confirmed B-17 Roll Call for Gathering of Fortresses and Legends:

Flying Aircraft:  Yankee Lady * Nine-O-Nine * The Movie Memphis Belle * Aluminum Overcast * Texas Raiders*
Sentimental Journey * and Liberty Belle.
 
Display with Parts (not complete aircraft):
Desert Rat * Champaign Lady * Dyke Lake

It does not get too much better than that (but it will).  NOW, how many of you are joining us for this event?

Our host hotel is the Crowne Plaza Detroit Metro Airport with complimentary airport shuttle from Detroit Wayne County Airpot (DTW), free parking for those driving in, and a room rate of $89 per night + tax. A limited number of Group Gathering rooms (or Hospitality rooms, whichever you prefer) will also be available at a nominal cost to the seven largest Groups in attendance with 30 attendees or more. Information below.

There will also be a Fully Stocked 8th Air Force communal hospitality room welcoming all others who walk thru the door.

PLEASE NOTE: This is not an 8th Air Force Historical Society reunion, but rather an 8th AFHS sponsored event. You
do not need to be a member of the Historical Society to attend. We were requested by the Air Show organizers to host the veterans and their guests in an "organized fashion".  We are happy to oblige.

We will have a large buffet “Welcome” dinner Friday evening, followed by lunch and dinner at the Air Show Saturday, with an interesting symposium to follow Saturday evening, and concluding with a Gala Banquet Sunday evening.

More information can be found at www.8thafhs.org.  Registration forms are below.

If you have more questions, contact the Webmaster, MIke, Jan, or Cindy.  We hope to see a large gathering of 100th Veterans, families and friends at this historic mini-reunion.

                          8th AFHS/ 100th BG Willow Run Air Show Registration Form

                                     “The Last Great Gathering of Fortresses and Legends”

Please complete the registration form below for all your attendees, make a copy of it for your records and return it along with your full payment in the form of a check or money order payable to 8th AFHS (see address below). Your cancelled check will be your confirmation. Registration forms and payment must be received by July 15, 2010, after which time reservations will be accepted on a space available basis only.
8th AFHS
P.O. Box 956
Pooler, GA 31322

MEMBER NAME (for nametag) ______________________________________(Circle) VETERAN NEXTGEN OTHER

WWII GROUP (for seating purposes) _______________________________

SPOUSE/GUEST NAMES_____________________________________________________(Circle) NEXTGEN OTHER

PHONE # (______) ______ - _________

EMAIL ADDRESS_________________________________@_________________

ADDRESS______________________________CITY_________________________________ST______ZIP_____________

DISABILITY/DIETARY RESTRICTIONS______________________________________________________________________

MUST BE LIFTED HYDRAULICALLY ONTO THE BUS WHILE SEATED IN YOUR WHEELCHAIR IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN BUS TRIPS? YES NO (PLEASE NOTE THAT WE CANNOT GUARANTEE AVAILABILITY).

EMERGENCY CONTACT___________________________________________PHONE # (______) ______ -____________
 

THE CROWNE PLAZA DETROIT METRO AIRPORT
800-227-6963 Crowne Plaza Toll Free Reservation Line
734-729-2600 Crowne Plaza direct line
(ask for reservations)

The Crowne Plaza is located at 8000 Merriman Road, Romulus, MI 48174. Situated at the entrance to Detroit Metro Airport, its spectacular sun-drenched atrium lobby will welcome you with a special warmth, and the cheerful, professional staff will pamper you with exceptional service.

Stylish accommodations and gracious hospitality are the cornerstones of the Crowne Plaza Detroit Metro Airport. This magnificent 11-story hotel has 364 spacious guest rooms, many with walk-out balconies overlooking the atrium and pool area. Balcony rooms are based upon availability at time of check in.
All rooms have lighted work desks, telephones with voicemail, free high speed internet access and cable televisions with in room pay movies.

Relax and unwind in the heated indoor swimming pool and whirlpool or stay in shape in the complimentary on-site fitness center. Discover the delightful cuisine of Bistro 94-elegant, but by no means formal-offering your favorite American fare, exquisite wines and elegant deserts. Trophy’s Sports Bar provides hearty food and drink to guests while they enjoy televised sporting events or friendly conversation. All restaurant and Lounge selections are also available through room service.

The Hotel is less than 5 minutes from the airport and has 2 airport courtesy shuttles. Shuttles Service must be requested by going to the lower level of the terminal (where you pick up your luggage). There is a phone board with several Hotels listed. Simply ring the Crowne Plaza and ask to be picked up.
For those of you wishing faster service, airport shuttle vans are available at $24 per shuttle, meaning that 1 person will pay $24 for a ride to the hotel, however, a group of up to 8 people will pay a total of $24 for the same ride, so “Buddy Up” if you can.

Parking is free for all our guests driving in, including those with RV’s and trailers, however, no hook-ups are available on site.
And for those of you who may start out with a full head of steam, but slow down for some unexpected reason, we will have 3 wheelchairs on site for your convenience.

 

Package allows you the option to add a Friday tour or Sunday tour, for those who only want to visit the Air Show on Saturday.
The Fun Package includes:
Registration Fee
3 full buffet breakfasts, beginning with breakfast on Friday
3 Dinners (Fri, Sat, & Sun)
Saturday Air Show with Lunch
Saturday Evening Dinner and Symposium
Bus Transportation and Preferential Air Show Seating on Saturday only

PLEASE NOTE:
Thursday Dinner Theater, as well as the Ford Museum Tour Friday or Sunday is an additional cost.
The Sunday Air Show is an additional cost.
See registration form for all additional costs.

Daily breakfast buffet includes bacon, eggs, sausage, potatoes, assorted juices and breads, cereal, fruit, yogurt, coffee, tea and milk.

OPTIONAL TOURS

Thursday: Dinner Theater……………………$55 (100 only)

Friday or Sunday:
Henry Ford Museum Tour………………...….$37

Sunday: Air Show 10:00am-5:00pm
(Includes Air Show admission, preferential transportation
and seating, and Box Lunch. Also includes full Buffet
Breakfast with our Group Monday)…………..$45


IMPORTANT: BOOK YOUR ROOM NOW!