Gulfport Seabees

[Boone'sMom--(Lori)]

My son is in Gulfport right now. If anyone is out there with their Seabee in Gulfport, come talk to us. We would love to talk about all the things going on with our sailors!

[Seabee Mom ~ Michelle]

Hi Drewsmom,
I thought I left a note for you yesterday but I don't see it so if this is duplicated, sorry. My son is in Battalion 133 as well as Wanda's son. I would love to chat with you as well and see if our boys know each other. My son loves it when he hears that I have so many mom friends from the Navy chatting.

[drewsmom]

Hi Michelle!

So nice to meet another mom from 133!!! I didn't get your message yesterday so no duplications here. My son works with heavy equipment operators. Last name - Petralia. I think it would be really interesting if our sons work together or know each other. With approx 600 people in the battalion, there may be a good chance they don't really know each other.....but I still think it would be neat if they did.

I live in Mass. so I'm a long way away from him. My daughter and I just went to see him over Labor Day weekend. BOY, was it awesome to see him and hug him again! We had such a good time together - but the weather there is really humid in comparison to Mass. Also, I have always thought it strange as he's told me how the beaches are so empty there. But then I saw the water was really brown and evidently filled with jelly fish. That would keep me out of the water! YIKES! Makes me more grateful for our beautiful beaches off the coast of Mass, NH, and Maine.

Let me know more about your son - name - job - etc. as well as where you're from. I think you, Wanda and I will really need to be supporting each other when their deployment begins.

[Seabee Mom ~ Michelle]

Jim's last name is Rizzo. I just sent him a text to see if he knows Drew. We live in Ohio, near the lake. Jim came home after A school graduation in June and was wonderful to see him for about a week or so. He just informed me that he may not make it home for Christmas and I am freakin out. The family was hoping to see him before he deploys. I guess it will be roadtrip time. Its about 13 hours from where we live.

Jim and his buddies go over to Florida when they want to go to the beach. They went over a couple of times when they had the weekend off. He really enjoyed being there since Lake Erie really isn't as a beautiful as the ocean. LOL

Well I am so glad to have met you and I agree that Wanda, you and myself will need to be supporting each other when the time comes. I have met 2 other moms in my area and we have become the dearest of friends and we do everything together...we are like sisters! Their sons will be on ships and have different jobs and their boys are not slated for deployment yet so I know I will also have local support. We are also putting on a benefit for one of the Marine's in our county that was killed a month ago to raise money to send care packages to his platoon still on depolyment and it is awesome to see the outpouring of support.

I am going to send you a friend invite...and by the way what is your first name.

Have an awesome day!!

[drewsmom]

Hi Michelle!

My name is Sue. I'll have to email or call Drew and ask him if he knows your son. What job does he have? If he works with heavy equipment, they probably know each other.

It's funny that you live in Ohio - what a small world! I have in-laws that live about an hour outside Cleveland, and my sister and brother-in-law live in Heath. Still a good distance from you since you are on the northern end near the lake. But it's just another connection I guess.

I have been trying to get in touch with another mother from our hometown whose son went to school with Drew. He joined the Marine's right out of high school and has already done a deployment in Iraq and is scheduled to leave either today or tomorrow to go back again. Since she's been through it once, and will be going through it again, I thought she could be a good source of help and support. Then I can also support her as well.

It's so sad about the fallen Marine in your community. It really hits home, doesn't it? My friend lost her son in Iraq last February. It's been devastating. I can't help but worry about Drew when I see her and think of her son. Our community really gathered together to support the family - everyone turned out lining the streets with flags as they brought his body home. In many ways the tremendous support was really helpful, then in other ways, it was overwhelming. He will never be forgotten, which is good, but it also keeps the loss at the forefront of Pauline's mind - as if it could every be anything but that. Such a painful thing - my heart truly goes out to all the families of fallen soldiers. Well, enough of that for now.

I can't wait to find out if Jim and Drew know each other. That would be so good! When they deploy we could keep each other informed based on what we hear from each of them. Just imagine what we could do with care packages! I would really like to be in touch with another mother from Drew's platoon. Let's keep our fingers crossed! I'll let you know as soon as I talk to Drew if he knows Jim.

[Kathy Gaige]

Any moms with seabees in NMCB 74?

[TandV]

I'm new to this area, my daughter just graduated and left today to head to Gulfport for her A school. From the first visit to the recruiter Seabee was her choice. I was surprised but supportive and still am but I could use any useful info I can get my hands on. lol

[Cathy]

Hi Kathy... My son is in 74, out of Gulfport...
I am new to this and glad to see this site for us Gulfport Seabees.. I was just down there last month to see him before he left on deployment. I have family in Mobile including my dad who served in WWII. He drove out to Gulfport the day before my son left to take him out to lunch.. he is 86 years old!
I look forward to talking to all of you.. I feel so alone with this deployment experience... but still very proud!

[Boone'sMom--(Lori)]

Hi Ladies! My name is Lori and I am Boone's Mom. I haven't been on here in quite some time, but I am glad to see the discussion that I started is getting a workout. My son in is 74 and is currently gone also. Kathy, I just made you a friend, Cathy please feel free to request to be friends also. I am glad to find some moms from my son's group finally. I heard from him this past weekend. Apparently he is doing good "over there". I was so worried not hearing from him. I hope to send him a package soon too. He requested beef jerky. I gotta go buy as much as I can fit in the box. I miss him so much. He is so young and it is really harder for me I think than it is for him. Well ladies, please do message me if you want. I am sorry it has taken me so long to get back in here. God bless our boys!!

[Dave'sSeaBeeMom]

Hello Moms! My son has been in Gulfport since tuesday evening for A School. His PIR was last Thursday and was awesome! He is roommates with three guys who are leaving in about 7 days for thier first duty station. Looking forward to getting to know all of you!

[Seabee Mom Wanda]

Hi Seabee Moms- Hope all is well with everyone- Been out of the loop for a while very busy.... Hello Bat 133 MOMS:=) Yes most definitely when deployment comes we will need each other- Hope everyone has a great weekend and peace be with you and in your heart. Take Care Happy Friday :=)

[Seabee Mom Wanda]

Prayers to our seabees that are deployed- Light those candles ladies :=)

[KathiB]

My son was in Gulport with NMCB 22. He left Sept 5 for Kuwait. I am really nervous and scared for him. Now I know how the other mothers feel.