First Deployement

[Lauri Smith]

Hi I'm Lauri. My son, Daniel just deployed for the first time. He's a SeaBee out of Gulf Port. I don't know what to expect. My other son is Air Force and has been to Iraq however he was in a safe zone and has a very different job so I heard from him regularly which was nice. Does anyone know how we can receive informatiom? Updates? Daniel said he may be able to contact me on FaceBook in a month but was not sure...
Lauri

[ChariB]

Hi, Lauri! I can totally relate to your situation. We have 2 things in common ... my son's name is Daniel also!! And he is on his first deployment, too!! He's been away for almost a month now and every bit of communication is a thrill for me - call it cheap thrill, but o well!!;-) The internet has been a good means of communication. Though some of his messages are so short it's just not enough!! He will be celebrating his first bday away from family / home. And I found out from our phone converation this morning that his deployment may just be 2 month longer than we thought! = up to 8 months!!:-/ O M G! I miss him already!
Catch you later!

[Lauri Smith]

OH I can totally relate to your sons quick conversations! I catch my Daniel on FB when ever I can but I haven't heard from him in 3 days now so I know he's on the move or busy. Every word, no matter how short, is very precious to me! I know he doesn't understand how precious, but that's OK. Daniel spent his first birthday away in the summer. It was hard on us but we all got through it with laughter. :)
I'm sorry your son's deployment was lengthened! I understand that can be frustrating. It's just two more months of worry for us.
Keep in touch. We'll worry together.
Lauri

[Lauri Smith]

Just heard from Daniel. He broke his foot on Wednesday... someone learning to drive a bobcat ran in to a pile of boards and the boards fell on Daniel. He ended up with a broken foot. Bummer! Also, found out I cant get an address for him since his group technically "doesn't exist". . . That makes me very frustrated. I hate the idea of him not having anything on Christmas from his family. But I do understand.

[Carol]

Lauri, wow. I am so sorry for the bad news. When you heard from him was it via phone or email? Just curious...And I can't imagine there isn't some way to ship things to them/him there. That's a big ball of stink!

[Lauri Smith]

He was on Facebook...

[mable23]

hi im mary jo my son is a seabee he is station in ca he went to spain about 2 weeks ago he calls but he also post on facebook. i have not seen him since march this is all new to me my husband family is military but mine is not it took about 9 days for him to get a letter if you have any helpful hints let me know thanks

[ProudmomofaCMSeabee]

Hi Mary Jo, my son also left to spain...about two weeks ago....I get to talk to him almost every day thru email and IM thru Yahoo... he logs on noon my time and it's about ten o'clock his time...we chat for a while he says he's doing good spain is beautiful! I also sent him a package last week i'm still waiting for him to receive it... I hope your son is doing well...So a letter takes about 9 days to get there...hmmm.. interesting... thats a long time.. I wonder if your son and mine are in the same batallion...Well take care!

[Lauri Smith]

Hi and thanks for letting me know about your son. He must really be lucky to be in Spain. I hear it is a beautiful place. In fact my brother met his wife there while they were both in the Air Force. I guess my only suggestion would be to talk to as many people on this site as possible and glean from their wisdom and experience. That is helping me. I am learning that there are many things that my son cannot talk about, especially due to where he is, and things I just have to understand cannot be answered. Also, not to be anxious when I don't hear from him regularly. It is because he is doing his job and that has to come first. He will contact us when he is able to. In the mean time, can you talk with members of your husbands family? Maybe they can be helpful.

Good luck!
Lauri

[sculptor1]

Hi Lauri,

I'm Chris- my son is getting ready for his second deployment. Facebook sounds like the best way to contact your son. Just put snacks he likes, personal items that are approved, etc. in his care package. He will let you know what he needs.
Take care. The first few weeks are stressful...

[Cathy]

Hi Lauri... sorry I didnt write earlier, I am just getting the grasp of all of this.. My son too is a SeaBee out of GulfPort and left for that sandbox about the same time as your son.. maybe they are together! It would be wonderful to know other moms in his unit.. He did tell me too that Facebook would be the best way to go but I am not on facebook - I guess I need to. He has sent me emails, but they have gotten less and less since he finally got to the place he needed to be... I want to send him something too so I am glad to get the advice from everyone. His mail was so messed up even before he left- I dont think he ever got some mail we sent him in June/July and he didnt leave Gulfport til Aug 16. He left on my birthday and he is my oldest child.. what an experience this has all been but I could not be more proud of him.
I am looking forward to at least meeting or talking with other moms about this experience we all share.. May God protect them as they protect us....

[Nancy]

Hello everyone, this is my first post here as my youngest son (jr in HS) wants to be a Seabee! My oldest is in the Army and will be deploying soon, he is a heavy eq operator. His buddy is already in Afghanistan and we communicate thru Facebook and I use the message page that only he and I can read. Packages to him have taken between 6-7 days so far and I usually hear from him 3 to 4 times a week on FB. We sent him a disposable camera and a prepaid envelope so he can take some shots and we will be able to see him. The temps there are still hot but he said they are starting to cool off a little. On my Army FRG site they mentioned how the Soldiers and the "Navy Seabee's"are getting the job done! There have been great ideas here on sending packages and the only one that I have starting working on is their Halloween box that I plan on sending to his unit of 29 men,I am going to make individual lil baggies for each one of them. I know he will just throw the box away but I am going to line the inside with Halloween scrapbooking paper and some stickers on the outside! This site is awsome and hopefully I will be a pro by time my youngest joins.

Prayers to all of your Sailors.

[Maggie]

Nancy,
I am a Seabee mom for the last 3 yrs, Blake is out on deployment now....I love the Halloween idea...I went to Blake's grammar school last May and his old principle is still there so we adopted his ship and will be sending out goodie box's at the Holiday's, also the kids wrote my son and his crew mates letter's, SO CUTE!!!! When my son was home just before deployment he read a couple and started to smile, I told him how great it would be for our sailors after working such long days to read a couple of these percious letters and give them a laugh...because some lower grades kids spelling is a little off, but adorable!!! He agreed....
Just now I recieved my first delivery of FREE box's called the "Military Kit" from the USPS...with packaing tape and FPO address label's..when I find the info for the 800 # or the website I will pass it on. On the outside of these box's is a message " WE SUPPORT OUR MILITARY" very very touching!!! GOD SPEED HOME SAFE TO OUR MILITARY!!!!
From a grateful and proud Mom of a Sailor,
~Maggie