Overview
Members of American Legion Post 335 (Norfolk, Mass.) discussed organizing a one-day bus trip to the USS Intrepid museum in New York and explored a paired fundraising opportunity with The Horse restaurant to help subsidize costs. The group reviewed pricing scenarios, participation requirements, scheduling options, concerns about travel time and accessibility, and a concrete restaurant partnership proposal tied to Memorial Day
Proposed trip to the USS Intrepid
- Destination: USS Intrepid (aircraft carrier; now an aerospace museum) in New York.
- Format: One-day, round-trip bus; maximum 50 passengers; minimum 40 required.
- Draft date: The day after Memorial Day (a Tuesday) to extend the long weekend; could be moved (e.g., June or July) based on interest and availability.
- Travel time: Described as “about a 10 hour trip back and forth,” with “three and a half each way” without traffic; concerns noted about Manhattan traffic (“the last 20 miles are a nightmare”).
- Museum experience notes: Veterans enter free; optional guided tour available; aircraft displayed on the flight deck; ladders and steel decks mean attendees should be able to “perambulate.”
Costs and pricing structure
- Bus cost: $3,500 total to be covered by passengers.
- Per-person share (trip only, excluding tour and food):
- 50 passengers: $70
- 40 passengers (minimum): $87.50
- 30 passengers: $117
- Veterans: free admission
- Non-veterans (e.g., spouses): $34 admission
- Optional guided tour: $13
- Optional cafeteria meal: $13 (brown-bag lunch allowed)
- Key constraint: “With every jump of five passengers, or reduction of five passengers, the price goes up,” since the $3,500 “big nut” must be covered.
Participation, accessibility, and alternatives
- Participants: Open to veterans; openness expressed to guests (e.g., “wives,” “brother,” “plus one”).
- Accessibility: “Ladders and steel decks” require decent mobility.
- Concerns raised: Some members are reluctant to do long bus trips; total out-of-pocket likely “over $100” when including meals/tour for many attendees.
- Alternative considered: Taking the Acela was mentioned (“like $180 a round trip or something”) but not pursued.
Interest check and scheduling flexibility
- Immediate plan: Ask members for interest “tonight” and “tomorrow night” at the Post to gauge viability.
- Date flexibility: Although initially drafted for the Tuesday after Memorial Day, the date “can be changed” (e.g., June or July) if needed.
Subsidy discussion
- Goal: Lower the per-person cost to make the trip more feasible.
- Ideas mentioned:
- A suggestion phrased as “take $500,000 out of the treasury and apply it as a subsidy to the trip.”
- Later consensus pointed to a more realistic subsidy target: “at least $1,000” to help reduce prices.
Fundraising opportunity with The Horse restaurant
- Presenter: The local church’s pastor (Dan) proposed a fundraiser partnership with The Horse (formerly Horse and Carriage).
- Proven model (November):
- Every Monday (their “weakest day”), 10% of all meals were donated to the Norfolk Food Pantry.
- Promotion: Restaurant and church social media; banner note on menus.
- Outcome: $2,200 raised; strong turnout; restaurant saw improved Monday business.
- May proposal linked to Memorial Day:
- Every Monday in May up until Memorial Day, 10% of receipts would benefit a specific, local veterans-related goal.
- Suggested target: Subsidizing the USS Intrepid trip for local veterans.
- Expectation: A concrete, specific, and local purpose is needed to anchor the campaign.
- Restaurant ownership and support: Three employees bought the restaurant (cook, front-ofhouse “Brian,” bartender “Junior”); they are enthusiastic and business is strong.
- Additional church component: Pastor suggested adding a “spiritual component” (e.g., a special service including the Legion around Memorial Day; choir participation was noted positively, with “Battle Hymn” referenced).
- Coordination details:
- Pastor asked for an email summary of costs to send to Brian.
- Pastor will be on vacation in Antigua for two weeks but reachable by email.
Notable personal context
- Trip interest was sparked by a YouTube video on Intrepid’s history and member requests; one member previously served as a lieutenant and main engines officer aboard Intrepid and shared a brief personal story from a past visit.
Next steps / actions
- Gauge interest at the next Post meeting “tomorrow night,” especially from a broader mix of members.
- Email the detailed cost breakdown to Brian at The Horse (Pastor Dan requested it); align on May Mondays fundraiser.
- Set a specific, local fundraising target (aiming for “at least $1,000” subsidy for the trip).
- Confirm trip date (initially the Tuesday after Memorial Day; open to June/July).
- Coordinate potential church service/choir participation tied to Memorial Day and the fundraiser.
- Email Brad to “bring the card” for tomorrow; ensure pending logistics are ready for the follow-up meeting.