CATKILLERS-SPONSORED TOUR TO VIETNAM, 2014
MAY 4—May 18
Page current as of: 18 April 2014
CATKILLERS AND FRIENDS:
CATKILLER VIETNAM TOUR 2014 HAS MET THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENT FOR THE TOUR!
(as of: 23 JANUARY 2014)
WE ARE GOING, TIME TO MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS:
NOTE FROM BILL STILWAGEN, 23 January:
Greetings Gents,
We have our minimum. We are good to go.
One veteran will be heading down to Saigon on Day 12.
Attached is the itinerary as it has developed thus far. It is still not final due to any special requests that may emerge before we close the tour to any more participants.
Thanks much.
Respectfully, Bill
William Stilwagen, Bush Guide
VIETNAM Battlefield Tours
For several months a few of us have kicked around a tentative plan to make a trip back to Vietnam. In our opinion, this is the time to seriously consider a tour that could be both satisfying and rewarding. With the thoughtful help and advice of an experienced traveler to that part of the world, Bud Bruton, we have in place an organization that is knowledgeable and proficient at this activity. The company is veteran-oriented, they have tested experience, they are non–profit, and from speaking with the organizer, Bill Stilwagen, they have trustworthy leadership I can recommend.
Please review the following basic information below, and when you are ready for more please take a look at the attached modifiable itinerary and consider this opportunity of a lifetime. There are twenty–two slots available, so I know all of you can’t go, but those that do will have at their disposal a well thought out tour package and a great group of experts to help make such a trip an enjoyable reality.
Am I going? Yes, indeed. So too is Bud Bruton and two of his Marine contacts. Remember, we can change the itinerary, so if you have specific itinerary ideas, let us know. We can visit specific locations, have an arrival at Hanoi and a departure from Saigon, if desired. This tour is modifiable. Post tour packages are also available. Want to stay some extra time, ask the tour professionals about it.
Our planned tour dates are May 4–18, 2014. There is a link below for you to visit that tells us what the tour includes. I asked if wives were allowed, and Bill said that approximately 20–25% of those going are man and their significant other, but he has taken tours of 100% couples. You decide, but the accommodations are advertised as being great.
So, what do we do now? You can telephone or email Bill with questions (email below), but the web site mentioned will answer most general questions (links in Tour Discussion). Reserve your slot by calling or sending an email to:
However, your deposit of $500 (see refundable period below) will guarantee each tour space. This tour will be what we construct it to be, as a group.
- William “Bill” Stilwagen, Bush Guide, 757–787–4070
- Bud Bruton, Catkiller Tour Rep, 610–518–3900
- Don Ricks, CATCOM Editor, 256–303–9714
Bill suggested we consider making an in–house documentary of the tour that would feature areas / veteran interviews / archival footage, etc., for unit history preservation. It would provide accuracy and meaning for future generations—not only for your members' families, but also for American history itself. I am willing to once again do the work to post our collective memories of our trip, which will find its place in our history files.
Please review the link to our year 2014 changeable “Sample ‘220th Aviation Company Return To Vietnam Tour’ Schedule (PDF version)” provided below for more information.
Donald M. Ricks
CATCOM Editor
TOUR DISCUSSION:
Following the announcement several weeks ago, we have approximately eleven to thirteen potential participants. We do not know how many of that group have actually filled out the necessary paperwork and sent in their deposit. We do know that individuals are from our ranks, dependents or children, and at least two from our marine friends.
These are the links you should visit first in making your decision to participate:
- What’s Included"
- Sample of Past Tours
- Sign up for Tour–Required Registration Forms
- Sample 220th Aviation Company Return To Vietnam Tour Schedule (PDF)
INFORMATION FROM THE TOUR COMPANY:
Attached is the itinerary in-development. This is a starting point awaiting customization by the participants.
The dates are May 4—18, 2014.
I've set the limit at 24, but we can raise that if needed. I ’ve taken as many as 61, but I prefer the intimacy of a smaller group due to logistic/time–management issues.
You may want to consider making an in–house documentary of the tour that would feature areas / veteran interviews / archival footage, etc for unit history preservation. It would provide accuracy and meaning for future generations—not only for your members' families, but for American history itself. There is nothing like a veteran relating a story while standing at the site in which it took place. Important stuff.
Here's some basic information and examples of how your May 2014 tour will be developed:
1) This itinerary is fully modifiable. If you want the tour to include special requests for places to visit, please let us know you specific requests.Respectfully,
2) This will be listed on our website as a “Private Tour” meaning that it is closed to anyone outside your organization unless approved by your members.
3) Each participant is encouraged to request his personal location(s)/site(s) that he wants included in the program.
4) We have an initial limit of 24 persons.
5) A $500 deposit will guarantee a person a space on the tour. The deposit is fully refundable up to 76 days prior to the tour launch date. [Currently, that slot gurantee deposit date is February 17, 2014. Please pay particular attention to this and the registration forms requirement: You must download, fill out, and submit your required paperwork as you make the deposit. This paperwork is not to be taken lightly, but I don't wish to cause undue stress on this issue, but you must devote some time to the task. YOU MUST HAVE A CURRENT AND VALID PASSORT before applying, and the process includes filling out paperwork only for a visa, not a passport. Don Ricks]
6) Our tours launch from and return to Los Angeles. [You will need to obtain, on your own, transportation to and from Los Angeles]
7) We enter Vietnam through Hanoi, but we can depart Vietnam through Tan Son Nhut if necessary. We can add more days at the end of the tour for Saigon, II-, III-, or IV-Corps areas if some folks want. This can be done at very reasonable cost and one American guide would remain with the expanded tour while the other American guide escorts the original tour group back to Los Angeles.
8) Post tours to Ha Long Bay, Dien Bien Phu, Angkor Wat, Thailand, Taiwan, etc can also be arranged for you.
9) Those wanting to use their frequent flyer miles, etc, can receive a “ground–only” price saving them approximately $900 off the full tour price.
10) The full cost for our 2013 15–day tours is $3,395. This may change for 2014. We have no way of knowing yet, but at this time we do not expect it to be much. Everyone will know far in advance.
11) Our tours are virtually all-inclusive.
12) Please peruse our: Vietnam Battlefield Tours.com website, especially under the “Customer Comments & Photos” link and click on videos for expanded information about Vietnam today.
13) Know that you will be in good hands. Our combat Vietnam veteran guides are with you 24/7, from Los Angeles until our return to Los Angeles. Here's some bragging: Our highly-qualified and experienced guides have been leading tours back to Vietnam since 1996. We have a great working relationship with the Vietnamese government and are able to get into areas otherwise off-limits to others. We have been involved as Location Manager and guides for several documentary film crews (to view film trailers or for more information on these award–winning films, see “Film Location Manager” under FAQ's on our website). In addition, we lead tours to Vietnam for colleges and universities, and our guides have provided PME and BSR (Professional Military Education and Battlefield Staff Rides) for active–duty military personnel.
14) We are a 501(c)(3) non–profit corporation. We are all volunteers and receive no salary. Therefore we are able to do more and provide greater value to the participant than for-profit tour companies.
15) Great motor–coaches, great hotels, great food, beautiful scenery. Americans are very welcome in Vietnam. The people treat us graciously. They have never forgotten the sacrifices we made on their behalf. This will be the most important and meaningful trip you'’l ever make.
16) My home phone is 757–787–4070 and anyone with questions may call at any time. I will be leading our 2013 March tour (Northern I–Corps), but if you call while I'm away, you can get a woman's perspective by talking to my wife, Ginny, about the tours.
Bill
William Stilwagen, Bush Guide
VIETNAM Battlefield Tours
Vietnam Battlefield Tours
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS FROM THE TOUR COMPANY:
You are correct on your departure date assumptions. This always causes confusion. I have to re–stick it in my mind each time.
Everyone arrives at the LA ticket counter by 8:30pm Sunday night.
The plane leaves about 10–minutes after Sunday's midnight. This is actually Monday (May 5), but we never say the word “Monday” because if anyone shows up on Monday, they’ll be left behind.
Crossing the international dateline, we lose a day (Monday), arriving in Hanoi on Tuesday morning.
So for all intents and purposes, Sunday is the departure day, because it's the evening we gather at the ticket counter.
We suggest that folks arrive in LA on Saturday (May 3) and stay at the Sheraton 4–Points near the airport. We have a special rate and folks can sight-see or relax around the pool. We also suggest this because of the possibility their domestic flights could be delayed or cancelled on Sunday—if that happens, they could miss our departure.
I usually stay 1 night upon the return, too. I need to get horizontal after the long international flight from Taiwan, before continuing on home to the east coast.
Hope this helps.
Respectfully,
Bill
William Stilwagen
