Captain involved is a class act, you could learn a thing or two from him, eclan.
It is not required to send a message by not showing up for a get-together like this. In fact it would sent an extremely bad example of CRM and support for the cabin crew who did a great job as well.
Let the AOA send the messages for us, that's what we pay them for, don't we?
Foolish to stick your neck out by yourself, don't be silly.