Just wanted to say how thankful I am to have all of you at N4M.

[Donna]

I have been on this site for over a year now. The support and love here is something I can't get in my personal life. Other then my own family most people just don't understand what it is like to have children (young men and women) in the Navy or any branch of the military. At work I feel like I am boring my fellow employees with anything that has to do with the Navy. They all have children going off to college and at times they make me feel like the Military is a cheap way for not paying for your childs education. They don't understand that it was their choose to join and serve their country. I over heard a comment, not directed to me but to another person. That his girls had to join the Navy because he wouldn't pay for their education, His girls are doctors in the US Navy. They went to the Academy. And this man is a doctor himself so he could and I am sure he would have paid for his daughters education. I just don't get it why people don't understand. And how they can judge. Thats why I wanted to thank every mom, dad, girlfriend and grandmother on this site. It is such a blessing to have someone to talk to that is going though the same feelings and problems that you are. Navy for Moms is the BEST ever. Thanks again for being here.

[Jo-Anne Curtin]

Hi Beth, good for you your son. It is amazing to watch him grow in the Navy He'll learn that there is a life after living in his town and will be able to travel and learn alot. The hardest part for me is not knowing where he is or will be at times. Please remember to check this site often. We are here to help each other through this. - Jo-Anne

[Laurie (Joey's proud mom)]

New to the site, not necessarily new to the Navy. My favorite uncle and my brother served in the Navy. My brother said it was the best time of his life. In November of 08 my son, Joseph, was laid off the electrical job he had. He looked and looked for other work but couldn't find anything, especially when the the economy landed in the toilet. A buddy of his said he was joining the Navy. He told Joe they had a buddy system. So Joey looked into it. He began to see it as a very plausible option. Talked to the recruiter. In February of this year, he took a "pre-test" and passed with flying colors. Did well on the ASVAB test as well. Since he made the decision, he seemed to be more at peace, and a transformation came over him. Instead of staying out late with his friends, he stayed home more. The sweet, sensitive boy I knew before he hit puberty had returned. I'm proud of my son and the fact that he has decided to do something positive with his life. A year ago, he said he doesn't really feel too close to his immediate family; now he's become a lot closer. He opted to wait til his baby sister graduated from high school (this year) cause she wanted him to be there for her big day. So he chose a later date. It's going to be real hard to say good bye, but I know he's made a good decision. Just last night we were watching tv and saw a commercial about this website. So I went straight to the computer and checked it out. I'm so glad it's here. Thank you all for this site. I look forward to getting to know some other Navy moms.

[Cheryl Boyer]

Welcome! We're always happy to have someone new join in the fun...any questions? We're here to help...if I can't answer, there are over 14,000 of us here...one of us will know! Feel free to roam the whole site, you'll learn more than you'll ever imagine and meet the best of the best! We'll be looking for you! Cheryl #454

[Laurie (Joey's proud mom)]

Thank you. I have been browsing the site and finding a lot of interesting information. It's really a pretty cool site. The info about boot camp was very helpful. When my brother was in, I was a kid and don't really remember except that he wasn't there. So this is good.

[Jane, Ryan's Mom]

The Navy was something my son had always wanted to do. So after obtaining a degree from OSU and being in the work force for 4 years he finally was able to join and is now in the initial school for Intelligence Specialist ( IS ). Even after he was away from home for so many years I am still curious as to what he is doing.
On Mother's Day he called and talked for over an hour. This was very special to me.
So I hope the Navy Mom's help you to feel included and special. Moms can give much needed info that you may not get from your child. So much luck to you and your son.
Jane

[Donna]

Hi ladies, just want everyone to know I have read all the comments, I know I'm not alone in this problem that others have. And I keep showing off my kids Navy pictures when all the others show off their prom and graduation pictures. I am so proud of my guys. Words can not explain. When ever I see them in uniform I just shine myself. I have raised fine young men and they serve their country with pride.

[Denise Purdy]

Hi Donna....I'm new to this site, but not new to the Navy. My son, Bryan, has been serving for 10yrs. For seven of those years, I lived in Arizona, not exactly a NAVY area. In fact, I was in an Army town. We supported ALL the branches of the service as a community. I now live in Wisconsin, and the folks up here are over-the-top patriotic for all the services. However, my pride as a Navy Mom came from within, and not from reinforcement from co-workers.
As with any other aspect in life, you'll find those who are supportive or cynical, good listeners or know-it-alls, those who care or those who don't. Since the membership here shares so much in common, you'll find all the caring, supportive, good-listeners you can handle. God Bless your Navy guys!!

[Jo-Anne Curtin]

I too am a Veteran Mom. My son has been in for 17 years and in 15 days they will be back in the states. I am excited and could not be prouder of anyone more.I thank my family and friends who have supported us all these years. Co-workers don't get it. There is nothing like a Navy mom. God Bless Us1

[Cheryl Boyer]

I know that I would never have made it through all the processes that it took to make my sweet daughter Catherine an AD! Not only did she go through MEPS, Boot, A, B and C school...so did I!!! Just like all of us on here, we all are in the military, and so proud of our beloved country. My next door neighbor is a Viet Nam Vet, on disability because of all the injuries he received while there (17 years and counting) and he's still very proud of having served...God Bless our USA and all it stands for....LOVE YOU NAVY FOR MOMS/DADS!!!! Cherie

[Maryellen]

Donna,
People don't understand that it was our childs desision to join the Navy. My daughter did it because it was what SHE wanted to do, she comes from a long line of military family member, Navy, Army, Airforce and Marines, she is very proud that she is serving and so are her father and I have lost a good friend because she did not understand why Danielle went into the Navy, she feels I should have went further in debt to send her to collage, but my daughter said NO WAY will she let me do that. She is a stong christian women and being in the Navy is what she has talked about for 4 years and finally she joined. People who feel like the kids do it to pay for collage are wrong, they do it for a sence of PRIDE , for the reward of keeping us all safe and give a place to be free and get that good nights sleep.
If those people who mock our children would loose 1 night sleep worring about where and what our sons, daughters, husbands and wives are doing, are they going hungry, are they getting a good nights sleep, they would think diffrently. If they had to worry about there family member They would keep there mouths shut and there ingnorant comments to their selfs.

I really think they have forgotten what happened on 9-11-01, who do they think is protecting us so we can sleep at night.
I just want to say I AM PROUD OF ALL ARE SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN ALL OVER THIS WORLD. They are the Best of the Best and we can learn a few good lessons from them..
God Bless Then ALL!!

[Carrie]

I have to say if it were not for sites like this and my fellow Navy parents I would have been lost when my daughter left for boot camp. You know my family was and is very supportive but there is something about a Navy Mom who truely understands the emotional roll coaster this trip involves and my husband was great but he just did not understand me breaking down and crying over a commercial or something. Now two and half years later I am truely blessed to be a part of this awsome huge family. I was able to show my support to a fellow co worker when her son left for boot camp then a year later her daughter went. What a feeling - you just cannot describe the feeling. I am SO PROUD to be a NAVY MOM and I have been blessed to have meet some great friends via this site and other Navy parents sites.

THANK YOU to all our brave men and women and THANK YOU to all my fellow Navy Parents - the support means so much - We are a huge Family and we stick together and are there for each other!!

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom]

Hi Donna! My name is Donna too. I am a new member to this site. My son who is a member of NYPD joined the Navy Reserves on Long Island, NY right after 9/11. We've made it through that decision even though we were convinced he had more than enough excitement in his life, but he was so determined and we are so proud of him. We've survived trips around the country for specialized schooling. And we got through one deployment to the middle east. Now we are preparing for another. I found the site by accident - it was on a NAVY commercial on tv. I'm still having trouble getting around the site, but I saw your message & thought I'd see if you or anyone else can suggest the best way to get started?