Marriott on the Move

On Sunday, November 8, my dear friend Harry Vincent passed away at the age of 90. I first met Harry in the 1960's when he was the Washington vice president of the consulting firm of Booz Allen Hamilton. He was doing work for our company and subsequently joined our Board of Directors and served faithfully for over 34 years.

When we split our company, he moved over to the Host Hotel Board of Directors. Host was the company that retained the ownership of the Marriott Hotels we owned before the split and is now . . .

I recently read a book about General George Custer, famous for being annihilated in Custer's Last Stand at the Battle of Little Bighorn before the turn of the 19th century. Custer was a somewhat impetuous, but brilliant, officer. At the age of 23, he was made a Brigadier General in the United States Army and was an important contributor to the Union victory at . . .

As many of you know, our company started out as a small, nine-stool A&W root beer stand in Washington, D.C, more than 80 years ago. We quickly evolved into the restaurant business, opening a chain called Hot Shoppes.

One of our very first Hot Shoppes was in the Columbia Heights neighborhood on 14th Street. The last Hot Shoppe closed its doors years ago, but the memory of that one on 14th Street is being commemorated . . .

During the contest for the College Football National Championship in January, I met University of Florida coach, Urban Meyer. I was so proud of the great result he achieved when he coached my alma mater, the University of Utah. I was anxious to meet him and thank him for all his Utah victories.

He recently invited me to be his guest at the University of Florida's home opener game versus University of Tennessee in Gainesville, Florida. My son, David, and I attended the . . .

This past June, my grandson Andrew and I attended the Marine Corps parade at the Marine barracks here in Washington, D.C. It's the home of the commandant of the Corps, who lives in the oldest federal building in Washington, which was built in 1805. It's a great thrill to view the parade and watch the Marine Corps band and their drum and bugle corps pass in review together with the headquarters Marines in formation. I think it's the best event in Washington.

Before the parade, I took my grandson on a tour of the commandant's home. I showed him the portrait of General Vandergrift, who was the commandant of the Marine Corps at the end of World War II. But, more importantly, General Vandergrift led the Marines ashore at Guadalcanal and led them to victory in the first invasion of . . .

We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life and injuries that resulted from the apparent suicide bombings today at the JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton hotels in Jakarta, Indonesia. We appreciate all the words of support that have come in from members of our extended Marriott family around the world. In honor of the victims of today's terrible act of violence, our flag at Marriott headquarters is flying at half staff.

In recognition of the unfortunate realities in which we live, we have had rigorous security procedures in place at these hotels and others around the world. I want to personally assure you that the safety and security of our guests and associates has been, and will always be, one of our highest priorities.

We are currently doing our best to take care of the guests, associates and their families at the two hotels. We are also cooperating closely with the authorities as . . .