Christmas at Bootcamp

[wynne]

My son will spend Christmas at bootcamp. Is there anything we're allowed to send him other than a card or letter??

[Mary (Chris' mom)]

Ok, I sent photos to my son. He got them fine. I sent him some extra ones of him and his girlfriend and in another letter I sent him pics of the dogs. Do not send but one or two at a time and do not send like 8x10's. He got 4x6's and wallets fine though. I have heard from several that you may not, I repeat not, send musical cards or the type you record a message to. Any thing that will draw attention or be "more special" is not permitted. In bc no one individual or their possessions are to be more noticable than everyone else. Divisions graduating 01/09/09 and 01/02/09 we have heard will be able to be adopted for Christmas Day but only by a blood relative. If your sailor is in one of these divisions and may be adopted, the forms will come out with the grad packs and must be returned by Dec. 22nd.

[Paula {Laurens Mom}]

ok, I've sent musical cards. I have talked to a lot of recruits that have been in boot camp and received them in the past too. No harm or bad has come to any of them. My kid wrote that her RDC personally delivered the card to her saying he sensed music. He made her open it in front of him and he listened to it with her...she said it was funny and her RDC thought it was funny too. I also send lots of pics. So I've sent a couple of pre-stamped, pre-addressed Manila envelopes for her to return the letters she gets when she starts accumulating a lot of them.

[Denise]

My son, Derek, was in boot camp last Christmas. He too got a special phone call and they went to a Veteran's Hall for dinner on Christmas. He said he had a pretty good time and the food was great.
When he was in boot camp his RDC didn't like musical cards. Derek received PT for the one I sent to him. Oh well, a little extra PT never hurt anyone....
When our oldest boy was in Iraq I would set a plate and pour a glass of wine for him at the dinner table during holidays. If he was not home I would drape his chair with his Unit's flag (101st). With Derek, I made a Build a Bear shortly before he left for boot camp. He recorded a message for me that I would play and hug when I missed him. So now on special occasions, "Lil Derek" sits at the dinner table with a Navy Seabee flag draped over the chair.....I know, pretty silly, but what can I say.

[Paula {Laurens Mom}]

Denise, I really like the setting a place for them at dinner idea. Not so silly either, because whatever works to help you get thru is just fine. I think we'll do this for christmas this year. =)

And I sooooo wish I'd thought of the build a bear thing with a recording. Right now I have to be satisfied with calling her cell phone and listening to her voicemail. lol

[Denise]

My son is a red head so I got the orange cat "build a bear" and outfitted him in a white Navy outfit while Derek was in boot camp. After he graduated "A" School and became a Seabee, I dressed Lil Derek in Camo and sewed a Seabee patch on his left side. I have to admit he is pretty cute.... not as cute as my son of course but close.

[Paula {Laurens Mom}]

hmmmm i wonder if there is a build a bear in that Navy Mall place up there....I might have to find one while we're up there for PIR in a few weeks.

Haha, dont let your son know you think the bear is nearly as cute as him!! Such great ideas. really. i love them and am so gonna copy you. lol

[Boone'sMom--(Lori)]

I know for a fact that there is a Build a Bear in the Navy Pier. I have purchased items from it in the past for my little girl. I also have one that has a little navy outfit on. It helps and I don't think it's silly either.

[Paula {Laurens Mom}]

Yay!! We're gonna be in Chicago two days before PIR, so I'm gonna go there for sure. Thanks for the confirmation!

[Terrolyn]

According to the rules, no, nothing other than a card or letter. My brother and sister in law once sent candy to him, but he was just lucky he didn't get caught.

[Chris N. Proud Nuke Mom of Mike]

We also sent lots of card and letter (no musical), but we did send some pictures. One of he and his brother and one of the four of us I had laminated before I sent so they would withstand the handling. He still carries those two, everything else we just copied on regular paper and then wrote letters around them. He said the pictures were all important. We also sent news articles (positive ones) about what was happening at home and also in different places around the world.

[Alicia Texas mother of Chris/A blue candle mom]

Please look on your Events forum and sign and rsvp to blue candle lighting...each candle to be lit from your home.... and tell where you are from in the comments...N4M wanted us to keep a record of how many candles are going to be lit and this was a good way to track it. We want to wish you and your recruits a Merry Christmas and thank them for serving.. We are thinking of each of you.
Alicia

[Marinemom]

To all of the new parents out there who have loved ones just joining the Navy, Marines, Army or Airforce, this will be the most difficult time for you and them. First of all in most cases it is the first time they will be away from the comforts of home, second they will be away for this holiday, third you will rejoice when you attend their graduation. When we went to my sons graduation he saw us first before we saw him. He had changed so much! The first thing they will want to do is hug you to death!! LOL. They will want to show you around the base and their barracks. Now for those of you who don't know about boot camp, they will not be able to receive any packages or gifts for christmas, this is considered contraband and they are not allowed to have anything. So store them until your loved one comes home from graduation. Some do not know but they can travel home with you after graduation, they usually get 10 days leave after graduation. So save your celebration until then if you want them to be with you. They will let you know what and when they are to return or where their next station is and when they are to report. The bus usually takes 24 hours if they are stationed at Norfolk, VA. It may take longer if they are stationed other places, depending on what region you live in. Ohio region, the bootcamp is in Waukegan, ILL, and usually stationed at Norfolk for 3or 4years. And parents you will need to talk to your loved ones about their duty stations, in those cities there are women and men who prey on these young ones because they have never been away from home. Also please discourage them from buying vehicles, there are some unscrupulous car dealers in these cities, they know exactly how much your loved one makes their pay grade with their rank and can set up alotments to lock them into a payment. Encourage them to invest in the GI-Bill, it will pay for their education and they will receive a stipend for their living expenses when they get out if they so choose and attend college. If you have any other questions just leave a message for me here.