USS Thomaston Reunion 2026

Greetings Shipmates and Guests!

Where in 2026

We'll be in Denver, Colorado, for our next reunion from Thursday, September 17th, to Sunday, September 20th. Known as Mile High City, the 13th step of the state capital building is exactly 5,280 feet above sea level. The views of the Rocky Mountains to the west and the great plains to the east are spectacular. Some interesting facts: Over 200 named mountain peaks can be seen from Denver. And the cheeseburger was invented here. But mainly the city is known for gold mining. The city started as a gold mining prospectors camp in 1858 and grew steadily as gold strikes were discovered all through the nearby mountains.

Your Host

The event is being organized by several people with no one person as host. The assistance is appreciated. We’ll name names.  

Hotel

Our hotel is the Hilton Garden Inn Denver Airport. As the name implies, it is not far from Denver International Airport. It’s in West Aurora, just outside Denver proper. We stayed here once before, and it was a very good location for us. You’ll be able to book by calling the hotel reservation desk or on-line. Note that if you want to stay on dates other than September 17th to the 20th, make sure you call the hotel reservation desk. And, you have until August 20th to make your reservation and get the room discount. After that you can reserve and room but at the normal hotel rate.

• Room rates are $129 per night for a King or Double Queen room. Be aware the cutoff date for reservations is August 20th. After that, you can make a reservation but will pay the regular room rate.
• Option 1 is to call the hotel directly to make a reservation. Call 1-303-371-9393, extension 0. Ask for the hotel’s central reservation department. Tell them you are with the USS Thomaston Reunion. Use this option if you plan to stay on dates before the 17th or after the 20th or both. You won’t be able to book those dates outside 17th to 20th on-line.
• Option 2 – click here to use the on-line link.
  Note: I use Chrome, and I’ve also tested this with Microsoft Edge and Mozilla Firefox. And I’ve tested using an iPhone and got to the reservation page on Safari successfully. (If you’re using some other browser, you’re geekier than I am and can figure it out.) Important note: If you get an error trying to use the link, go to the browser History (this is usually a three dot or three bar click in the upper right of the browser) and delete your browsing history, cache, saved passwords, cookies and other site data, and site settings. Try the link again. If it is still unsuccessful, and you have a VPN installed, turn it off and try the link again. If it still doesn’t work, go to Option 1. And, yes, I know this is FUBAR stuff.

The hotel is full service. Restaurant and bar, free parking for those who drive, in-room Wi-Fi, fitness center, and we will get a discounted breakfast. Pet friendly too. There is an on-request shuttle service from/to Denver International Airport and other locations as available.

The site is nicely located near the big airport and not far from downtown Denver. There’s a light rail station not far from the hotel (not walkable, however) and the rail system goes to a lot of the greater metropolitan areas of Denver. Of course, Uber and Lyft are options for getting around too. I’ve used both in many places and countries and find them reliable and easy to book and pay. For general information or questions about the reunion, email [email protected].

For general information or questions about the reunion, email [email protected].

Hilton Garden Inn, Aurora, CO 

Dues and More 

Our Dues remain $35 for shipmates. (No tariffs or inflation! Not something you expect these days.) Attend or not, step up guys. This is a big part of how we can do this every year. We encourage all shipmates to pay annual dues. The money raised helps us with our website maintenance expenses and fees, name badges, honoring passed shipmates and significant others, stocking food and beverages for the hospitality room and other expenses we incur. Dues help us keep the Thomaston group running.

Tour, September 18 ($61.00 per person, discounted)

Wings Over the Rockies. This is an air and space museum located in one of the large hangars at the former Lowry Air Force Base near Denver. The focus is on post-World War II aircraft. Some very nice display aircraft. A rare B1-A, B-52, and a x-wing fighter (not USAF approved.) And there are simulators where you can try your hand and fly some expensive aircraft virtually and not incur a big expense when you crash. A lot of fun.

Drive into the High Rockies. We’ll drive by bus to Idaho Springs, west of Denver in the high Rockies. The climb is another 2000 feet above Denver. I’m pretty sure this isn’t anything like your neighborhood. This is where the Colorado gold rush started.

Argo Mill and Tunnel (a gold mine). One of the major mines started after the discovery of placer gold at the convergence of several creeks in Idaho Springs in 1858. We’ll tour the mine site, including a short trek into a mine tunnel, and a guided tour of the mill that processed the ore bearing mined earth. If you’re feeling lucky, you can pan for gold here too. There are short flights of stairs to descend and climb in the mill, and no lift or elevator, so be aware of that.

Historic Idaho Springs. This is a short distance from the mine site. Lots of shopping and dining are available. A good place to spend your gold on memorabilia and a bit to eat.

Argo Mill and Tunnel, Idaho Springs CO 

Business Meeting & More, September 19 

Business Meeting, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., in the Hospitality Room. We will discuss our budget over the last year, introduce new and notables in our group, update some things we’ve done with the website, take up new business, and of course identify future reunion sites. The usual stuff. Radical departures from past agendas welcome.

Light lunch served at the meeting conclusion.

Sightseeing in the General Area

There’s a lot to see in this part of the world. It’s hard to pick the top spot. Pike’s Peak and the Garden of the Gods is a definite destination but be careful about your schedule. (I nearly missed dinner on our last trip.) The Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater is world-renowned and not far away. Boulder and the Flat Irons are just north of the city. The US Airforce Academy is south, and for that you’ll need to reserve a self-guided tour. Again, watch your schedule. If you really get ambitious, you can go to Rocky Mountain National Park, although I would recommend you do that on an extended day and not Saturday. We’ll have a visitor guide in the welcome bag, and you can find more information there.

Dinner, September 19 ($45.00/ per person) 

Rocky Mountain Fiesta Bar served as a buffet. Chicken or beef fajitas, or cheese enchiladas. Spanish rice and beans. Topping include shredded cheese, sour cream, and guacamole. Green salad with dressing. Iced water or iced tea. A cash bar will be available.

• Cash Bar, 5:00 p.m.
• Tap Ceremony 5:30 p.m.
• Raffle and 50/50 Drawing, 5:50 p.m.
• Dinner, 6:00 p.m. Auction, 6:45 p.m. or as dinner dictates.
• Hijinx. (Don’t ask me. I don’t know either.)

And we’re promised a bit of entertainment amidst all this. Standby for that. 

Remember to bring items for raffle and something special for the auction. And don’t forget to save your gold nuggets for a chance to take home the ship’s bell. We will help with shipping if needed.

Weather 

Late September in Denver is characterized by pleasant, mild days and crisp, cool nights, offering a mix of late summer warmth and early fall foliage. Daily highs usually range from the mid-70s to low 80s°F, dropping rapidly to the 40s°F at night. It is generally sunny and dry, though sudden temperature changes, thunderstorms, or rare early snow can occur. (Note: AI generated and edited by me. CF)

So, light clothing that includes a warm coat, a hat, sunscreen, and a swimsuit for anyone who still has a beach body. Snowshoes will not be needed.

About weather hazards. Late September in Denver is generally pleasant and sunny, but it is a major transition period that can produce sudden, extreme weather shifts. The primary weather hazards in late September include significant temperature swings, early season snow, wildfire smoke/risk, and the tail end of severe thunderstorm season. (AI generated and edited by me. CF) I grew up in this part of the country. I’ve experienced light snow in the Rockies in late August, and wildfires are just part of living in this part of the US. And, if we get lucky, we’ll see some of the most spectacular lightning displays you’ll ever experience. They light up the eastern plains from north to south.

Charles (Chuck) Firth
Shanghaied President

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