Gentlemen:

I’m pleased to say that we have thirty three (31) people attending the ADA meeting and FAM in Springfield, IL., May 18-21.  There will be 18 Army Division Associations and ADA staff represented at this years gathering.  Please be aware that each Association can only bring two (2) people to the FAM whether it is one rep and spouse or two single reps. There can be no exceptions as the Springfield CVB has budgeted funds and arrangements based on two per division.

If you are flying into Springfield, we must have your arrival times, flight number, departure times, flight number and airline.  Each division association will be reimbursed for one airfare up to $300 or mileage for those driving up to $300.  Attendee must submit ticket showing cost of airline ticket or number of miles traveled for reimbursement.  Please supply your flight and drive info to Don Kelby at:  donkelby@hotmail.com.  He must have this info ASAP so the CVB can make plans for arrival and departure times. 

All attendees should arrive at Springfield on May 18^th, get to your respective hotel and be prepared to board the bus to leave by 5 pm to begin our FAM.  All attendees should not leave Springfield until after 2 pm on May 21 so we can have our annual meeting that morning.

All events will be conducted via bus to the various hotels and sites that we will visit.  The dress is casual for all events with the exception of Tuesday dinner.  The dress is business–casual (coat and tie or coat and open collar).  Ladies may wear dress or pantsuit.

We will be staying at two different hotels while in Springfield.  They are the Hilton Hotel at:  700 E. Adams Street; Springfield, IL 62701.  Tel: 217.789.1530 and the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel at: 701 E. Adams Street, same city and zip as above

217-544-8800. The two hotels are located across the street from each other.

·         The following division representatives will stay at the Hilton Hotel:

ADA Staff;  4^th ID; 11^th Cavalry; 23^rd ID; 25^th ID; 86^th Blackhawk ID; 173^rd Abn. Div.

·         The following division representatives will stay at the Abraham Lincoln Hotel:

2^nd ID; 3^rd. ID; 9^th ID; 29^th ID; 31^st ID; 70^th ID; 87^th ID; 94^th ID

(If there are those who wish to stay additional days before or after the FAM, the Hilton rate is $89.00++.  The rate for the Abraham Lincoln is $70.00++ per night.  This would be a charge payable by the individual or by your association). 

Each Division Association attending should bring 22 copies of their latest newsletter, a short paper on the location of your last reunion, number of attendees, city and hotel name and a summary of how your reunion turned out.  Each Division is asked to provide one (or more) Topics of Discussion and lead in the discussion of that topic.  We are interested in your successes and failures of your reunions, how your association handles its membership drives, memorials and any other topic that your association faces in its day to day operations. 

I have attached a copy of the schedule of events for your use.  Please review and familiarize yourselves so we can enjoy the complete program.  I am looking forward to seeing many of you again and also to our new representatives attending this year.

ADA 2008 FAM    May 18-21, 2008

Regards,  Ollie W. Pickral, Executive Director, Army Divisions Association