[June 2010]
        Second Notice of 2010
Annual Meeting

The Order of the Southern Cross will hold its 32nd Annual Meeting on

Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, September 23, 24, and 25

In Lexington, Virginia

Mark your calendars.  Registration forms will be mailed this summer.

Make your hotel reservations now:

Best Western Lexington Inn
850 North Lee Highway, Lexington, VA 24450
(I-64 Exit at U.S. 11)

1-540-458-3020

Ask for the “Order of the Southern Cross” group rate ($85 plus tax).  (A handful of smoking rooms are available.) 

Final Schedule

Thursday, September 23:  Tour Cross Keys and New Republic battlefields (Jackson’s 1862 Valley Campaign) and the Battle of New Market (1864), with Col. Keith Gibson, Director of VMI’s Museum as our guide.  This is a rare chance to visit Cross Keys and New Republic, two often overlooked battlefields.  Depart from the Best Western at 0900 sharp.  If driving to Lexington that morning, please allow yourself plenty of time to arrive by 0900.  This is an all-day tour.  [We are working on an alternative ladies’ tour of Lexington.]
Thursday night, September 23:  Open.  There is an Appleby’s Restaurant next to the Best Western and many other dining alternatives in town.  (The Southern Inn on Main Street is highly recommended.)   

Friday morning, September 24:  Private tour of the VMI Museum, at 1000, with Col. Keith Gibson, Director.  (Lunch on your own)   

Friday afternoon, September 24:  Parade, VMI Corps of Cadets, at 1615.  (Parades are occasionally cancelled.)

Friday night, September 24:  Informal Dinner Banquet at VMI’s Moody (Alumni) Hall, at 1800.  Ties are not required.  Col. and Mrs. Gibson, who are accomplished entertainers, will provide period music.   

Saturday morning, September 25:  Annual Business Meeting, at 0930.  Election of officers, election of new members, committee reports, selection of next year’s meeting venue, and other new business.  NOTE:  If you would like to host the 2011 Annual Meeting, please be prepared to make a brief presentation.  (Lunch on your own)    

Saturday afternoon, September 25:  Open. 

Saturday night, September 25:  Dinner Banquet at VMI’s Alumni Hall, at 1830.  Coat and tie for gentlemen.  (Installation of new members and announcements)        

Travel Suggestions:  If you are not driving, you have several airports to consider.  Roanoke, an hour away, has limited service and flights are usually expensive.  Richmond (2 ½ hours away) has better service.  Dulles (2 ½ hours) and Washington Reagan (3 hours) have much better service.  (When my destination is Lexington, I usually fly into Dulles.)  Finally, Norfolk (3 ½ hours) and BWI (4 hours) are served by Southwest. 

We hope this itinerary will have broad appeal to everyone and that our members and their families will be attracted by the Shenandoah Valley and its many features.  With any luck, there will be just the slightest color on the famous Skyline Drive. 

Please make your plans now.  Registration forms will be mailed in about six weeks.  Please let me know if you have any questions or comments.  Until then, best wishes.          

Richard H. Knight, Jr.
Lt. Commander-in-Chief
167 Charleston Park
Nashville, TN 37205-4703
RHKLWK@bellsouth.net