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match3
- Female
- Hixson, TN
- United States
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match3's Page
Profile Information
- About me:
- I am the proud mother of my son (an only child), who is now 25, but who was medically retired after suffering a stroke at the age of 22. This July 29, 2009, will be 3 years since his retirement.
My son absolutely loved the Navy! He was an EW (electronics warfare), and had the distinct privilege to serve on 2 destroyers, the USS Spruance (which was retired in 2004); and USS The Sullivans.
A couple of months prior to his 18th. birthday, he announced he knew what he wanted to do with his life. When I asked him what that was, he said "I want to join the Navy." He informed his dad and I that he had already spoken with the recruiters from the other armed services branches, and the Navy was where he felt he was best suited. We felt that he had done his research, and pursued this quest on his own, and we supported him 100%. He asked that we speak with his recruiter, and after doing so, he said on his 18th. birthday he wanted both his dad and I present when he went to enlist. And, that's exactly what he did.
We went to his Boot Camp graduation, and what a proud moment! Not only for our son, but for all the other men and women graduating who had made the commitment to serve our proud country, and for the parents of those children.
Our son had found his niche. During his short tenure, he earned a couple of Letters of Commendation, and was the recipient of the Naval Achievement Award, and was on his way to what appeared to be a promising career, when he suffered the stroke.
At the time of his enlistment, the Navy's motto was "Accelerate Your Life." In no way did we have any idea that those words would become literal in our life.
As a result of the stroke, it became necessary that I had to take over his personal finances and affairs since the residual effects are short term memory loss, and mood disorder (translation = depression). Initially, my husband and I were making monthly trips from Tennessee to Florida. However, when the decision was made to move forward with the medical discharge, I gave up my job and moved to Florida to help him through the approximate 4 month process, and then he and I moved forward with making application for his VA disability. All in all, it took about 6 months.
He reluctantly moved back home to Tennessee, and is just now starting to feel as if he is getting his life back. But, ask him any hour of the day, any day of the week, and he would give anything to be back in the Navy!
I still continue to handle his financial affairs. Based on his medical findings, VA appointed me his legal fiduciary. However, both he and I look forward to the day that he can claim complete control of his life, and once again gain his total independence.
When he joined the Navy in 2002, I, personally, wanted to make a contribution. While trying to decide what to become active in, I received a bear "beanie baby" with the logo NLUS on the tag. I investigated NLUS, and was surprised to learn that it stood for Navy League United States, which was an organization started by Teddy Roosevelt. Chattanooga had a local chapter, and after volunteering my administrative services, they immediately contacted me about helping with their newsletter. I eagerly took on the challenge and assumed the role of editor. Without any prior "layout/newsletter" experience, but with the help, guidance and support of the Board, we garnered 1st. place in the NLUS Newsletter competition. Since I felt that my son came first, and my plate was full, I regretfully stepped down and resigned my position. However, for those who may not know of this organization, I would encourage you to look them up on their website, nlus.org. It is a fantastic organization that supports all branches of the sea services. Check to see if you have a Chapter in your area. They are always recruiting new members, and would welcome your support. They also have great programs for 11-18 yr. olds.
- I am here to support or represent my:
- Son/Daughter
- Stage of (Sailor’s) Navy Career?
- Retired from the Navy
- When I heard “Navy,” I:
- Was proud and encouraged it
- From my experience with the Navy, the most important thing I learned was:
- What a valuable lifetime learning experience it offers, with a wealth of resources available to allow an individual to grow.
- Through this Navy experience, I now believe:
- It was positive and maturing. Our relationship has grown stronger.
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Comment Wall (9 comments)
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Well, I have to get in the shower and then head to work. Have a great day. I'll talk to you later.
OMG, don't you just love bulldogs! This was a gift to our son for his 23rd. birthday. He originally was looking at French Bulldogs, but saw "Meatloaf," and fell in love with him. Nothing but a huge baby! And, so gentle.
My husband and I actually have 2 puppies, a Miniature Male Affinpincher, Bebo, our newest addition (8 months old), and Phoebe, a Brussels Griffon, who is now going on 3. We had Pebbles, a Shi-Tzu, who we brought home on Christmas Eve in 2005. She was so sweet and loving. All she wanted was to sit on your lap. She passed away earlier this year, very suddenly and unexpectedly. I've thought about getting another Shi-Tzu, but then I think, mmmm... not sure about that. I'm at an age where I want less responsibility (maybe it is true the older you get, you revert back to your childhood). LOL
I'm not sure about the merging of the rates. I do know that they were merging some of the CT rates together but then they didn't go through with it. Anyway both are interesting career paths.
I tried to get my son's recruiter to take me too but I am a tad too old.
And I see you have a bulldog. Me too. Her name is Maggie.
It was so nice to hear from you!
I know exactly what you mean when you talk about this venture into the military being a process. I'm not sure how long this site has been here, but it would have been wonderful if it had been here when our son joined. If it was established during that time, I missed out on fantastic opportunity to reach out to others who were experienced to help me through the process.
It is hard to let go, but your son is in good hands! The instructors are now stepping in and holding your child's hand by guiding him, watching over him, and preparing him for his future. It took us 18+ years to lay the groundwork. It's amazing the transformation these instructors can make in just 8 weeks. But, I promise you, if you think you're proud now, wait until graduation! Your heart will want to burst with pride! (By the way, where were these instructors when we were struggling during the teen years?) :)
When you're advised it is okay to send letters, do so. That's what keeps them going! I still have every letter my son wrote, and cherish each of one of them. And, I was somewhat surprised to discover, when helping my son pack to come back home to Tennessee, that he had also kept our letters.
Your son was in my prayers, even before "meeting" you, since I pray to God daily, and always ask that he watch over our service men and women, and their families. Be sure to thank your son, for me, for choosing to serve, and to you and your family for the courage to allow to him follow his dreams.
My favorite quote from President John F. Kennedy, was from when he addressed the graduates at the U.S. Naval Academy in 1963: "And any man who may be asked in this century what he did to make his life worth while, I think can respond with a good deal of pride and satisfaction: "I served in the United States Navy." I had this famous quote framed for my son and gave it to him as a gift upon his graduation from Boot Camp.
Take care. Stay in touch and let me know how things are going.