COUNTERPARTS An Association of US Military Advisors in Southeast Asia & Their Foreign Counterparts   Meetings & Reunions Counterparts Reunion 2009 April 16 - 19, 2009 Minneapolis, MN USA Steve Leighton (and the planning committee…his wife) has set the agenda for the 2009 Reunion. The COUNTERPARTS 2009 reunion planning is all set. Steve has already negotiated a contract with the Minneapolis Airport Hilton for a block of 28 rooms on April 16,17, 18 and 19 at a rate of $109.00 a night (plus tax), a great bargain for a top hotel in the area. The Reunion will begin on Thursday evening with a reception at the Presidential Suite at the Hilton. We will get together to meet new friends and renew old friendships in an atmosphere that will provide comfort and privacy. There are many restaurants and an Officers Club very close to the Hilton, so everyone will be on their own for dinner. Friday will provide an opportunity to visit the world famous Mall of America. The Mall is located about 6 blocks from the hotel and the hotel will supply a free shuttle service back and forth. At the Mall, there is a LRT system that can provide transportation to downtown Minneapolis. The ladies will have a chance to visit the Chanhassen Dinner Theater for lunch and a play if they so choose. The 133rd Airlift Wing (MN Air National Guard) is located very close to the hotel (on the airport proper) and they have a military aircraft museum located there. Directly across the street from the hotel is the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge located on the Minnesota River. Depending on weather, it is a great place to hike or view wildlife from the observation center. The hospitality suite will be open most of the day and evening. For dinner, we will plan on going to a VN Restaurant in the area. Cost and transportation will be determined by the number of attendee's. On Saturday, we'll open with breakfast at the hotel followed by a Business Meeting. The business meeting will be in the ballroom from 0900hrs until 1300hrs (longer if needed). After the Business Meeting there should be time to visit area attractions listed above. On Saturday night, we will have a dinner party at the Ft. Snelling Officers Club, located very close to the hotel. A film story about Steve Leighton's return to Vietnam looking for his Counterparts will be shown. Following that, our guest speaker will be Bill Hudson, WCCO TV (local CBS affiliate in Minneapolis) morning news anchor in the Twin Cities area. He will speak to us about what it takes to produce such a story and why he chose this particular story. Cost for dinner will be approximately $30 per person. Sunday Morning the hotel serves a brunch or restaurants will be open. The hotel provides free shuttle service to and from the airport. A more detailed schedule with costs and reservation information will be posted as they develop. Please make your reservations directly with the hotel and ask for the Counterparts Reunion rate of $109. The hotel will hold rooms until March 19, 2009. At that time, any non-reserved rooms will be open to the public. You can contact the hotel directly at: Minneapolis Airport Hilton, 3800 American Blvd. E., Bloomington, MN 55425 Tel: 952-854-2100 website: MSAirport.Hilton.com Put the 2009 Reunion on your calendar now, and make your reservations as soon as possible. For questions or to volunteer to help, contact Steve Leighton at leightonconsult@earthlink.net or 952-443-3910 Counterparts Reunion 2007 - After Action Report Counterparts Reunion 2006 - After Action Report For information about Counterparts, please contact Membership Officer For information about this page or to make additions or corrections, please contact Web Administrator.