2007 Reunion FAQ

It has come to our attention that some of you have some questions and concerns regarding our upcoming 2007 Reunion. Here are a few FAQ that we've gotten and answers we hope will help you understand all that goes into planning this reunion and why some of the decisions were made. If none of your questions or concerns are address, please email one of the organizers and we'll be more than happy to answer your questions. (This will always be on the Reunion Blog so if you can't find it here, please check the YoHi Reunion site)

* When and who can attend the 2007 YOHI Reunion?

The reunion will be held on July 20, 2007 and is open to everyone and anyone who lived in Yokosuka, attended Sullivan and Kinnick to reminisce with not just their close friends during that time but with others who shared the same experiences at YOHI as well.

* Why isn't the 2007 YOHI Reunion like the 2000 YOHI Reunion in the Park?

The 2000 YOHI Reunion in the Park Picnic was a great success but it was suggested by many of the reunion attendees to have the next reunion be more than just a one-day event especially because there were some alums in attendance who traveled from a far as Japan to be at a picnic. We kept that suggestion in mind and decided to make it a two-day catered event to have more time to enjoy and reminisce with people who some haven't seen each other since living in Japan.

We've realized that by organizing a reunion of this magnitude, we cannot please everyone. With that thought in mind, we feel that if alums are interested in having a "unique and memorable" reunion experience rather than having a cookout with the same old crew, then they will do what they can to attend the reunion we have planned and share in this experience especially since reunion plans were announced in December 2005, more than a year in advance.

* Why is the reunion in San Diego, CA and being held onboard the USS Midway and not a hotel somewhere else?

Instead of holding the reunion at a regular hotel as is commonly done, we wanted to make the 2007 YOHI Reunion a unique and memorable experience. We decided to have it onboard the USS Midway since this U.S. carrier was home-ported in Yokosuka, Japan for over a decade. Having the reunion on the USS Midway alone is, as you can imagine, a bit costly but well worth it to have something nostalgic added to the unique reunion experience.

Also, we selected to have the reunion in the San Diego area because we realize that alot of YOHI Alums live in California. Decisions made for the reunion are based on the majority. We've accommodated the majority by having it in San Diego so the only thing they would have to pay for is the ticket cost to attend the Banquet and luau. Out-of-towners, like myself and 2 other reunion committee members and our families included, will have to pay the ticket cost, hotel, airfare, etc. We were hoping that since we are accommodating YOHI Alums located in California that they would be the ones to step up and volunteer to help more.

* Why do the kids' ticket cost the same as the adults' ticket cost for the Reunion Banquet onboard the USS Midway?

Kids prices are almost the same cost as the adults prices for the USS Midway because the USS Midway charge the same for everyone attending...it's the caterer's that give a little discount on the kids prices. We recommend not bringing your kids to the Midway but definitely to the Luau especially if the cost of the kids' ticket is a major factor for you. There will be children in attendance at the banquet but several individuals have notified us that they will be bringing their kids to the luau and not the banquet.

* What does the cost of the reunion entail?

Keep in mind, that we are not an organization that collects dues throughout the year (like alumni association fees) and have funds available specifically for this type of event. All funds collected thus far are from ticket sales.

We've also established a store on Cafe Press to purchase YOHI & YOHI Reunion memorabilia to help keep the cost down, and it's up to you and all our classmates to support it, as ALL profits will go towards the reunion.

We cannot do this reunion on our own and desperately need the help of our fellow classmates to make it a success, so without your help, then it's necessary to "hire" the help. Which of course means higher cost in ticket prices.

We'd like to now personally thank people who have helped us lower our cost by volunteering their services to us for free or at a very low price. Thanks to George Bernabe and Mary Forrest (both from class of 88) for volunteering to be our professional photographers at the events. Thanks to Sam Simbulan (Class of 88)for volunteering to create the video montage to be presented at the Reunion Banquet. Thanks to Warren Valbuena (Class of 88) for his connection for the DJ who will provide music entertainment for the banquet.

Just in case you are still wondering what the cost involved, here is the list as stated in one of the earlier emails sent to everyone (keep in mind, these are just a few of the expenditures):

-Midway
-rental space for Midway
-liberty 2 speakers pa
-banner
-tables
-chairs
-dj
-dance floor
-decorations
-lighting rental
-electricity useage
-port fees
-insurance liability
-safety prsnl
-tax

-Caterer
-food
-prsnl
-party manager
-chef
-staff servers
-bussers staff
-kitchen staff
-china, flatware and water glasses
-linen
-table clothes
-cloth napkins
-port fee (for caterers)
-tax

Luau
-food
-staff
(same as above)
-canopy
-entertainment
-permit for park
-games
-service charge