It’s Williamsburg, Virginia in 2008 for the Blue Devils’ 61st consecutive annual reunion.

Now is the time to start planning your trip to Williamsburg, a city more than 225 years old and still going strong. At the outset, it’s important to cover the changes your Reunion committee found necessary to make, that is,

(1) our hotel will be the Williamsburg Lodge, and

(2) the dates of the reunion will be TUESDAY 2 September to FRIDAY 5 September. This is not our traditional Thursday to Sunday block, so please remember that when making air, rail, and hotel reservations. The changes were made to enhance the enjoyment of our visit. (We should also note that hotel check-in time is 4:00 PM and check out is 11:00 AM .)

It was here that ordinary people showed the world that the collective effort and willingness to risk life and property in the pursuit of liberty were what was needed to defeat tyranny. From 1699 to 1776 Williamsburg was England’s oldest, largest, richest, and most heavily populated colony. It is the area that was replete with many of our founding fathers—George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, and George Mason, among the most notable.

Our hotel, the Williamsburg Lodge, underwent an $88 million renovation, completed in 2007. These superb facilities will certainly add to the enjoyment of our visit.

We’ll find the Colonial Williamsburg Historic Area fascinating in many ways, with historical interpreters ready, willing, and able to tell you all about the area and sites you are visiting. The Historic Area busses stop at most historic sites, building, and shops. The tickets you will be provided will permit you to get on and off the busses whenever you want. The tickets will be good for the entire time of our visit, so see as much or as little of the area each day as you desire. Bring comfortable walking shoes as there will be cobblestones and other uneven walking areas. Our three-day visit to Williamsburg will not leave you wanting for something else to see or do.

Reunion registration and hotel reservation forms will be included in the next Blue Devil.

Our activities will follow our long-standing format: Tuesday through Thursday Registration and the Boutique will be open from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Tuesday and Wednesday we’ll have our two-hour reception (beer and soft drinks) from 2:00 to 4:00 PM. Wednesday is the Board meeting and our informal cocktail hour, dinner, and dance. Then on Thursday we’ll have our Memorial Service, General Assembly, cocktail hour, banquet, and dance (gentlemen wear jacket and tie). Friday it’s the traditional getaway breakfast. Details will be in the next newsletter.

Dates:
Tuesday 2 September to Friday 5 September 2008. (Not our usual Thursday to Sunday block, so remember that when you are making air and hotel reservations.

Hotel:
Williamsburg Lodge, 310 South England Street, Williamsburg, VA 23185; Phone: (757) 220-7976

By Car
From Interstate 64, take exit 238 onto Route 143 East. Follow Route 143 to the second traffic light and bear right onto Route 132 (Henry Street). Continue on Henry Street through the Historic Area. At the third traffic light, turn left onto Francis Street. Turn right on the second street (South England); the Lodge is immediately on the right. Turn into the circular drive on the right and check in at the Lodge.

By Air
Convenient access via major airlines is possible with 200+ flights arriving daily to three international airports just 25 to 45 minutes away: Newport News-Williamsburg (PHF), Norfolk (ORF), and Richmond International (RIC). Each has rental car and limousine services.

By Train or Bus
Amtrak serves the Williamsburg Transportation Center with a connecting train from Washington, D.C. The center is just blocks from the Historic Area and provides car rentals, a cab stand, and Greyhound Bus connections.