Following is a brief agenda (news release) for FS Retiree Reunion being held next year. Please share with anyone who you think might be interested.

Fred Cooper

Forest Service Retiree's Reunion 2005 "Celebrating the People" Portland Oregon, September 4-9, 2005

Greetings from the Northwest!

The 2005 retiree reunion and 100th anniversary of the Forest Service is fast approaching, and we thought some information about the gathering might be helpful to Forest Service people and retirees in your area as they make plans to be at the reunion. The occasional updates between now and reunion time will provide the latest information about the event, along with travel and touring information for the Northwest.

We hope you will use this information to "spread the word" to Forest Service people and retirees in your area so no one will miss this special event. At the bottom of the page is the Pacific Northwest Forest Service Association¹s (Old Smokeys) website address which will also carry current information about the
reunion and the Northwest.

Here are the basics:

The reunion will be from September 5 to 9, 2005 at the Double Tree Hotel, Jantzen Beach in north Portland on the bank of the Columbia River, across from Vancouver, WA. The hotel is an AAA triple diamond, has plenty of parking, and is easy to reach from Interstate 5 and a short distance from Portland International Airport.

Prior to the reunion, there will be a special Lewis and Clark overnight tour to Astoria and Fort Clatsop offered on September 4, which will start and end at the hotel. A second tour with the same itinerary will be offered starting on September 9 The tour will be by bus and boat and will visit a number of Lewis and Clark historic sites along the scenic lower Columbia.

Reunion registration is all day Monday, followed by an evening social gathering, and brief welcoming ceremonies.

Tuesday is for day tours to a number of scenic places in the Northwest, including Mt. St. Helens, Columbia Gorge, Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood, Oregon wine country and the Portland Metro area. Complete information about all tours, including Lewis and Clark, will be in the registration package available in early 2005.

Wednesday is for renewing friendships and "mini" reunions of regions, stations, forests and other FS units followed by a special dinner celebrating the Forest Service and its people.

Thursday is centennial and nostalgia day with a series of presentation about our history and accomplishments. Chief and staff will join us for this celebration. In the evening there will be an informal dinner honoring the people of the "Outfit" and their contributions to the Nation and the Forest Service.

Friday is "goodbye" day after a buffet breakfast, and a short program launching the "Outfit" in to its next century of service.

Questions and comments can be sent to John Marker, jf37m@aol.com or 6681 Hwy 35, Mt. Hood, OR 97041. See our website: www.oldsmokeys.org

Please check the above website for periodic updates.