The cut-off date is fast approaching for the 60th annual 99th Infantry Division Association convention in St. Louis MO.

The convention will be June 24-27 at the St. Louis Marriott Hotel. The hotel has undergone a major renovation in the past 12 months and promises to be a fabulous venue for hosting an unforgettable 60th convention.

Room rates are $89 per night with free parking and free airport shuttle. Reservations may be made by calling 1-800-352-1175. Cut-off date to get the 99th rate is June 3.

The usual events -- memorial service, business meeting and banquet -- are planned. In addition, there will be presentations by The Diggers and a meeting for the discussion of a new association for friends and families of 99’ers.

Because St. Louis is such an interesting city, a wide variety of tours is scheduled, including an opportunity to see the St. Louis Cardinals take on the Minnesota Twins at Busch Stadium.

The week will kick-off Wednesday, June 24 with registration and a military history tour of Soldiers Memorial, Union Station and Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.

That evening, a Rollin’ on the River Dinner Cruise will feature a seated dinner on a paddlewheel replica on the Mississippi River. Guests will enjoy the sunset on the river and entertainment by a Dixieland band.

On Thursday, convention attendees have a choice of tours -- the History of Flight or a Taste of St. Louis.

The History of Flight will take guests to the Historic Aircraft Restoration Museum, which features one of the largest collections of aircraft in the country, and the Boeing Prologue Room, which tells the story of aviation progress.

Enjoy the flavor of the city on the Taste of St. Louis tour. Participants will explore several culinary specialties of St. Louis as well as other well-known attractions including the Gateway Arch and Anheuser-Busch Brewery.

A special meeting about the formation of a new organization -- friends and families of 99’ers -- is scheduled for Thursday evening. Additional information is available in a story at left.

The annual Memorial Service will be Friday morning, under the direction of the new division chaplain, Arnold Taylor.

Following the service, guests will have a choice of tours -- Fabulous Forest Park or Explore St. Louis.

The Forest Park tour is a shuttle tour that will loop continuously through the park and three of St. Louis’ most popular attractions -- the St. Louis Zoo, the St. Louis Art Museum and the Missouri History Museum.

For those who did not have an opportunity to see the city during the tours on Thursday, Explore St. Louis offers a view of the city, including the Gateway Arch, a drive along Market Street where Union Station and historic City Hall are located, and the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, as well as a leisurely drive through Forest Park.

Friday evening, join your friends for a “Meet Me in St. Louis” party at the hotel. Entertainment by the Nostalgia Big Band -- a 15-piece orchestra featuring a repertoire of Big Band music -- has been hired for your dancing and listening pleasure. Snacks (not a meal) and cash bars will be available.

Saturday’s events will begin with the ladies’ program and entertainment by the St. Louis Strutters. The men’s meeting will run concurrently with the ladies’ program.

After the programs, a tour of St. Charles Past and Present will be offered and will feature a visit to the river city of St. Charles. Motorcoaches will shuttle between the city, Ameristar St. Charles Casino and Bass Pro Shop.

For baseball fans, tickets and transportation are available for the St. Louis Cardinals vs. Minnesota Twins game that afternoon.

The 60th convention festivities will end with the annual reception and banquet that evening. Following the meal and a few announcements, a USO-type show featuring the Patt Holt Singers will be presented.

For complete details and registration information, see pages 6 and 7. Schedule is subject to change.