ADVA 2026 Reunion News
September 30 – October 4, 2026
CROWNE PLAZA LOUISVILLE AIRPORT
Ronald Ellis, Reunion Chairman – re196thlib@aol.com
Updated February 19. 2026.
LINKS– use these links to go to .pdf files with the associated 2026 reunion information.
Americal Reunion Program Information
Americal Hotel Reservation Information
The .pdf files at the following links are copied below:
Event registration: REGISTER ONLINE AT: https://www.events.afr-reg.com/e/Americal2026 Armed Forces Reunions – Event Registration
Hotel registration: https://book.passkey.com/event/51162532/owner/2812/home Americal Division Veterans Association – Start your reservation
CROWNE PLAZA LOUISVILLE AIRPORT; 830 Phillips Lane; Louisville, KY 40209
Reservation Information— To make reservations by phone: Dial the hotel directly at 502-367-2251and reference the Americal Division Veterans Association or Group Code: ADV. or,
You may click on the link above to make your reservations online: Americal Division Veterans Association – Start your reservation
Group Name: Americal Division Veterans Association
Reunion Rates Available: September 30 – October 4, 2026
*Rates are available 3 days pre and postdates – based on availability*
Room Rate: $164.00 plus applicable taxes (Currently 17.66%) per night
Breakfast: An a la cart breakfast menu or buffet is served daily at Al’s Table. Monday – Saturday, 6:30am – 10:30am and Sunday, 6:30am – 11:30am.
Cut-Off Date: 8/29/26. After the group cut-off date, the Hotel will accept additional group reservations at the contracted rate or at market rates based on room availability.
Cancellation Policy: Cancellation must be received 48 hours prior to arrival date or there will be a charge of one night’s room plus tax.
Parking Information: Self-Parking is Complimentary.
Shuttle Information: A complimentary shuttle is available for hotel guests 24 hours a day to and from the Louisville International Airport. Once you have arrived and collected your bags, please contact the hotel to schedule a pick-up at (502-367-2251).
Wheelchair Accessible Rooms: If you need a handicapped accessible guestroom, please call the hotel directly for assistance.
Wheelchair Rental: Scoot Around rents both manual and power wheelchairs by the day and week. Please call (888) 441-7575 or visit www.scootaround.com for details and to make reservations.
Reunion Registration: To register for the reunion online please visit:
https://www.events.afr-reg.com/e/Americal2026
Schedule of Events
*Bold = Ticketed Event*
1:00pm – 7:00pm Reunion Registration Open
HOSPITALITY ROOM – TIMES TO BE DETERMINED
9:00am – 11:00am Reunion Registration Open
9:00am – 3:30pm Churchill Downs Museum/Lunch on Own/Louisville Slugger Museum/Frazier History Museum & Bourbon Tasting
2:00pm – 6:00pm Reunion Registration Open
8:00am – 11:00pm Reunion Registration Open
8:30am – 3:30pm Buffalo Trace Distillery Tour/Lunch on Own/Memorial Service at the Kentucky Vietnam Veterans Memorial
3:00pm – 6:00pm Reunion Registration Open
5:00pm – 6:00pm All Banquet Table Reservations Sheets Must Be Turned into the Registration Desk
10:00am – 11:30am Association Business Meeting
Time on Own
5:00pm – 5:45pm First Time Attendee Reception
6:00pm – 7:00pm Social Hour/Seating
7:00pm – 11:00pm Banquet Dinner/Program
* Please be at the bus loading location at least 15 minutes prior to departure
CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY FOR ARMED FORCES REUNIONS, INC. For attendees canceling reunion activities prior to the cut-off date of August 31 Armed Forces Reunions, Inc. (AFR) shall process a full refund less the non-refundable AFR registration fee ($12 per person). Attendees canceling reunion activities after the cut-off date (August 31) will be refunded to the fullest extent that AFR’s vendor commitments and guarantees will allow, less the non-refundable AFR registration fee. For addition mistakes by the user that incur charges above the intended amount that require a refund, user will be responsible for additional credit card fees. Cancellations will only be taken Monday through Friday from 9am until 5pm Eastern Time, excluding holidays. Please call (757) 625-6401 to cancel reunion activities. Refunds will be processed 4-6 weeks after the reunion. Canceling your hotel reservations does not cancel your reunion activities.
TOUR DESCRIPTIONS
Driver and Guide gratuities are not included in the tour price and are at the discretion of the individual
Whether you wear a fancy hat or a ball cap, there is something for everyone to enjoy today. Starting at Churchill Downs, home of Kentucky Derby. Imagine the sound of thundering thoroughbred hooves and views of the rolling hills of bluegrass. Enjoy a 360-degree multi-media show that surrounds you with the images and sounds unique to Derby Day, “the most exciting two minutes in sports.” Enjoy time on a self-guided museum tour and a guided track visit. Then make a final stop in the Finish Line Gift Shop for Derby memorabilia and souvenirs. Lunch will be on your own at the Mashup Food Hall in the East Market District, also known as Nuu (New Louisville). Enjoy a variety of options including bakeries, gourmet hot dogs, sandwiches and southern comfort food. After lunch, you will head over to the Louisville Slugger Museum, another famous landmark in Louisville! Your experience begins with a thrilling movie that will transport you to the forests and mills, where every Louisville Slugger bat begins. Next, walk through the heart of the factory production line and get a behind the scenes look at the bat making process, including the fav favorite “mini bat”. See bats being made for today’s baseball stars and tomorrow’s major leagues. Your tour includes a free souvenir miniature bat in a gallery showcasing quotes from Babe Ruth, Roberto Clemente and “Cool Papa” Bell. Final stop, the Frazier Kentucky History Museum. Located just steps away, visit the best museum in Kentucky, where the world meets Kentucky. Located on the first floor is the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Welcome Center along with special exhibitions, including the upcoming “Revolutionary Threads”, focusing on the wartime experiences during the Revolutionary War. Don’t forget to stop in the gift shops for all things Kentucky.
9:00am board bus, 3:30pm back at hotel
$110/Person includes bus, escort, and admissions
No trip to Kentucky is complete with a visit to the Buffalo Trace Distillery, located in Frankfort, KY. Begin by checking-in at the Freehouse Welcome Center in the Visitor Parking lot. Guests are welcome to walk the grounds or explore the newly expanded gift shop and gallery, located in former Warehouse A, this historic aging warehouse, now features over 35,000 square feet of shopping and free tastings. After departing the distillery, lunch will be on your own in Downtown Frankfort. Following lunch, a Memorial Service will be held at the Kentucky Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Constructed in 1988 to overlook the state Capitol in Frankfort, the memorial honors over 1100 Kentuckians who served this nation in the Vietnam War. Each Veteran’s name is precisely engraved on the blue-gray granite, so the shadow of the sundial pointer touches their name on the anniversary of their death. Thus, everyone is honored with a personal tribute.
8:30am board bus, 3:30pm back at hotel
$73/Person includes bus, escort, lunch, and admissions
There is a limit of one hydraulically lifted scooter or wheelchair per handicap accessible bus. Please note the
combined weight of the passenger and motorized wheelchair or scooter may not exceed 500lb due to lift limitations. If you use a scooter or motorized wheelchair but can climb the steps to board the bus, either you and/or a person travelling with you must be able to put the scooter or wheelchair in the bus’s luggage compartment. Due to liability issues, drivers and tour guides cannot assist with scooters or motorized wheelchairs.
REGISTER ONLINE AT: https://www.events.afr-reg.com/e/Americal2026 Link at top of this page.
MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO:
Armed Forces Reunions, Inc.
322 Madison Mews
Norfolk, VA 23510
ATTN: Americal Division Veterans Association
Don’t forget CUT-OFF date is 8/31/26
———–
MANDATORY REGISTRATION FEE PER PERSON
WWII Americal Veteran plus Spouse or Escort FREEADVA Member $30
Non-Member (includes one-year ADVA membership dues and benefits) $40
Spouse and/or Guests (EACH) $30
———
TOURS
Thursday, 10/1: Churchill Downs Museum/ Lunch on Own/Louisville Slugger Museum/Frazier History Museum $110
$
Friday, 10/2: Buffalo Trace Distillery/Lunch on Own/Memorial Service at the Kentucky Vietnam Veterans Memorial $73
$
MEALS Saturday 10/3: Banquet (Please select your entrée)
Braised Short Ribs with Bourbon Glaze $76
$
Grilled Chicken Breast with Whole Grain Mustard Sauce $60
$
Vegetarian – Seasonal Ratatouille $60
$
WWII Vet/Spouse and/or Escort – Banquet Dinner at No Charge –
———PLEASE PRINT YOUR NAME AND SPOUSE/GUEST NAMES AS YOU WISH THEM TO APPEAR ON THE NAMETAG:
FIRST ____________________________________ LAST _____________________________________ UNIT________________________
YEARS WITH UNIT:19 _____ – 19_____ ERA ☐ WWII ☐ PANAMA ☐ VIETNAM FIRST TIME ATTENDEE? YES ☐ NO ☐
SPOUSE / GUEST NAME(S) ________________________________________________________________________________________
EMAIL__________________________________________________________ CELL # ___________________________________________
DO YOU CONSENT TO RECEIVING EMAILS AND TEXT MESSAGES ABOUT THIS EVENT ONLY? YES ☐ NO ☐
STREET ADDRESS________________________________________________________________________________________________
CITY, ST, ZIP_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
DISABILITY / DIETARY RESTRICTIONS_______________________________________________________________________________
EMERGENCY CONTACT NAME_____________________________________ CELL #___________________________________________
DO YOU NEED TO BE HYDRAULICALLY LIFTED ONTO THE BUS IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN TOURS? YES NO
(PLEASE NOTE THAT WE CANNOT GUARANTEE AVAILABILITY).
(Special hotel room requirements must be conveyed by attendee directly to the hotel staff upon reservation)
REGISTER ONLINE AT: https://www.events.afr-reg.com/e/Americal2026