USS Ranger CV4 Reunion - Day Five

Day Five, Saturday, September 23rd - Today would normally be the last day of the reunion, but the reunion director, Steve, set things up a bit differently this year so we still have a lot to look forward to on this trip.

In the morning they had the Men's meeting, where they discuss reunion matters and determine where next year's reunion will be.  I've heard from an inside source, my Dad, that next year it will be in Covington, KY.  Also, this is the day the Ladies have their annual auction.  We all bring items to auction off - and everyone has an hour to mark the cards with their bids.  Sometimes the bidding wars can get very interesting!  I brought a huge shopping bag of goodies to auction off for the group.  The funds from the auction and the various raffles go back into the reunion coffers to help pay for setting up these great trips.

We all had the afternoon off - some people headed down to the local mall to shop or have lunch while others relaxed in their rooms or by the pool.  At 5:30 the photographer showed up to take the pictures for the Memory Book.  The hotel provided a cash bar, and at 6:30 we sat down to enjoy a wonderful buffet banquet.  A keyboardist played for us while we dined and then Don entertained us with his harmonica music.  Even the Mayor of Manchester was there to give the Rangers the Key to the City.  We got to visit and socialize with more new people who came in only for the banquet.  The food was delicious and the camaraderie was so enjoyable.   

As I mentioned earlier, usually this would be it - we would be saying our goodbyes and people would be starting to head home.  Ah, but no - there was one more wonderful day trip scheduled for Sunday.  On to Maine via the New Hampshire coast and a scrumptious clam bake and lobster feast!