For those who's Son/Daughter are getting ready for deployment

[cbdrifters]

Before my son deployed the first time for 7 months, his ship had a Family/Friends Cruise Day. This is the best thing the Navy can do for us parents and friends. We get to see where they work, sleep, and eat. We get to meet their shipmates and the officers in charge of them. You get to meet the Captain of the ship. My husband and I went on our first Family/Friends Cruise in 2007 and GOD what a GREAT experience it was. Next to having my son that was the most awesome experience I have had. But what you really learn is what it is like to be in the Navy. And I can promise you that you will get a better understanding of Navy life. And you will appreciate the what the Navy does. We have always been very proud of our son, but after that day the pride in us was ready to burst out. Your child should have a @navy.mil email address. I emailed my son everyday. But I will tell you not to expect a reply right away. It may take him awhile to email you back, depending on his/her work load and how many others are emailing him. And I sent him packages every other week. I sent him movies, CDs, video games, but he and his division liked the cookies and fudge I would send with each package. After that first package, he was emailing me orders for cookies and fudge. His shipmates and officers would have him send me orders of the cookies they wanted. And believe me, I never let any of them down. Everyone got 4 dozens of the cookes they wanted. It was an honor for me to do this little thing for them. As a mom you live for those letters or emails. But you also wait for that phone call, so you can hear that voice again. And as for home coming, that will be a day you will never forget. I hope I have eased someone's mom fears with this discussion. You see I am getting ready for my son's second deployment. And I already have my boxes ready to send out his care packages. But I also encourage that you make sure that you send your sailor packages from home. They really do look forward to each and everyone. God bless you and your sailor, and may he keep them all safe.

[Michelle]

Bobbie,
Please find the BHR on Facebook. They have been using this method of Social Media to communicate families the best they can. The best way to get any information is to contact the Ombudsman of BHR. They are a fantastic team. They also provide a careline that is updated regurlarly. Sign up for their newsletter as well.

Here is their contact information.
[e-mail]
1-800-459-5743

I hope you find it helpful.
When you send her an email, let her know we are thinking of her and THANK YOU for her dedication to her service. We, as Moms all appreciate her and are very proud.
Take care,
Michelle

[sarpilot]

As the wife of a retired Naval pilot, people like you make Navy Life easier. I too, am proud of your son. I have one child that is enlisted in the Marine Corp. I, personally know alot of sides to military life, (don't know all), care packages, and hand held letters mean alot. If anything, I wont say dont worry, you will, but I hope you, your family and son have a great experience. Sempre Fi

[NHArmyNavyMom]

Thanks for this post. My daughter is home on leave before reporting to her first duty station as a CS. My son, who is in the Army, has recieved his orders for deployment in Jan 2010. I imagine that these same suggestions would be true for his unit. I like the idea of asking the local Elementary School about having a class be penpals. I might actually speak to my youngest son's teacher and see if his fifth grade class might like to be penpals. Thanks again for the suggestions, I may end up being very busy with two in the Service.

[Michelle]

Pen pals are a wonderful project for them all.
When my son was in training, our daughters’ 2nd grade class (they are 16 years apart) wrote and drew pictures for him. When he received the letters and pictures he gave everyone in is division a picture or letter. When we arrived for graduation every single sailor walked over to our daughter and told her to thank her classmates for their letters personally. They had all written already but wanted to thank her personally. When our son was home on leave he surprised her class with cupcakes one day and then spent the rest of the day helping in class. He arrived in uniform, read with them, helped with math, played ball on the playground and ate lunch with them. He even helped serve the other students too. Fast forward 4 years later, he still chaperones field trips when he is home and has been asked to speak to the student body about Veteran’s Day and Memorial Day.
He has impacted these kids for life because they did a class project of letter writing. By the way, he still has every one of those letters. My daughter believes she has the coolest brother ever but still says he can be a pest.
Our middle son is in the Army and she has all of her classmates continuing what has become tradition.
It is pretty fantastic to watch.
I can agree with being busy, my husband is active as well. We awake everyday thankful for every single opportunity we have and grateful for our continued blessings.

Best always to you and your children!!!

[Doug's Mom]

I am so glad to read this, I was under the assumption that we could not send any care packages to Afghanistan. I will be sending one as soon as I get it together. Thanks. Doug's Mom

[michele]

thankyou for this info,I have 6mos. of pkg.s and emails and letters to start.thanks it helped alot:) michele

[Victoria Tatum]

Hey did you send a real pumpkin? I would love to send that to my son's ship

[Michelle]

I would be cautious of sending any "fresh" produce.
Check out some of the local department stores that have the foam pumpkins. Sure, it would be fantastic to send them however; probably not the best idea. Be creative, look outside the box and don’t forget your sailor’s friends. On one recent deployment in my home, I got together with some of the other family members that I knew and we made treat bags for everyone.
Kind of a potluck get together; each brought a bag of candy, a box of Ziploc bags and the bag stuffing began. The treat bags were packed in boxes and shipped off. When they arrived at the ship, everyone received their treat bag during the evening meal that night. I got so many emails and shared them with my friends. Many of them shared how a certain candy bar reminded them of Halloweens past. Some liked what they got and some traded with others to get just what they liked. One Mom made popcorn balls. (A HUGE hit).
Let me know what your experience is. HAVE FUN!!!

[Anti M]

The foam pumpkin can be carved and filled with treats. Don't send any fresh produce as the package may wander off and not be delivered for several weeks. Rotten pumpkin is no treat! Plus, I believe that violates customs rules.

[lyssa4e]

Well, I have read some great ideas here and thanks to all of you. I knew that I could send magazines, books, and DVDs, but I had no idea that we could send treats. Please give me a little more detail on how you pack them so they will be as fresh as possible. As far as candy, do you stay away from chocolate? Send me as much detail as you can. I also would like to know exactly how to address it. My sailors name, rank and name of the ship? Or what else to include. Thanks for having patience with a newby. My son will be leaving soon for his first deployment and I want to show him how much he is thought of while away. Also I had no idea that we could come to see him off!

[Tatiana]

My son will leave on a three week tour first and then on a 7 month deployment. I really need all the info I could get because he is already thinking on all the things he will miss. Can you tell me what kind of containers you use to send him cookies. Thank you.

[cbdrifters]

I used the plastic containers you can buy at any store. Just make sure they are air tight. When my son was deployed the first time, I used these containers for his cookies, candy and fudge. And he told me everything got to him still fresh, and him and his shipmates loved the cookies and fudge. I was sending out care packages to him every other week, and they always contain cookies, candy, fudge (home made), chips, magazines, DVDs, CDs. And I emailed him everyday, and he would email me back when he could. And he would tell me what him and his shipmates wanted in my next package.