PIR 7/3/08

[Alicia]

How do you get on base if you don't have a Vihicle pass? My grandaugter sent the pass to her Grandfather and I. her parents are not together and she has a step Mom and Dad so I think to take the stress off her in choosing who gets the pass she selected us. My concern is there is fourteen of us going from her Fathers side of her Family but we all can't fit into one car. Do the extra people have to be on a list to walk onto base? Or do they just have to show ID? Thanks for any information. I only have three days left before I can start my ten day count down .

[Sheila]

If you do not have a vehicle pass it is ok. Park in the Metra Train station lot (I have forgotten the name of the street, but will try to find it for you.). It is only a couple of blocks over and a very easy walk. Parking there is actually alot more convenient because you don't have to go through the search of vehicles. We were fortunate in that only 5 divisions graduated on 5/16. A very small group compared to others. There was not problem with anyone getting into the graduation hall. When we attended they didn't check for our names on the list. They only checked for our sailor's name on the list of sailors graduating. My understanding is that they let as many people in as possible. Everyone except for children must have a photo ID. I hope this answers your questions. Please let me know if I can be of any more help.
Congratulations!

[Alicia]

Sheila, Thank you so very much for the info. I am getting so excited to see are granddaughter on her proud day. Tues. i will start my ten day count down YA!

[Kelly]

I just got home from PIR this weekend (6/20) 9 divisions graduated. We took a total of 9 people with only two parking passes. We took 3 cars. Everyone got in just fine. There was no problems. However, they only guarentee 4 seats. Anyone under 12 does not count against that and make sure that you take id for the children. Birth Certificate, SS card, etc... We had a wonderful time there.

With that being said, keep in mind that some parents didn't know if their sailor made it or not until the night before graduation. Some of the sailors where going through battlestations as late as Thursday 8PM and finishing at 8AM Friday. One mom came to graduation and didn't know if her son would graduate. Very heart breaking. I heard he made it and I was glad of that. Stay in touch with your sailor to know what is going on. Not all of them get leave after graduation. Some have to stay in. Our son was allowed to join us for the entire weekend after he was moved to his A school in Great Lakes, however some where not so lucky.