Graduation

[Tricia Chandler]

Hi, my name is Trish and my son is in boot camp right now. I do know his graduation is April 10, I was reading about that there is site about motels and all but am unable to find it, Can anybody help me because I am trying to get things ready to see if I can actual go. The thing is I live in GA and money is tight and not sure if I can afford it for one and plus getting off of work. I am really trying but things do not look so good for now, if anybody has any info for me to help me please let me know. Trish

[Kimberly Parmer (Anthonys mom)]

Hi Trish, my name is Kim....I went to graduation 2 years ago....I went on www.google.com....then put in motels in great lake, IL.....they have a lot there....we stayed at I think the red roof, which is about 1 mile from the naval base...it was cheap...there are alot of cheap, nice hotels there...good luck.

[Mom in The O.C.]

Not to worry, Trish. If you haven't already received it, you will receive a letter in the mail from your son with your parking pass (should you need it), a letter describing when and where and how the graduation will take place, a list of places to stay, etc. etc. Be SURE you manage to get your son to have his picture taken after the ceremony without fail. My son told us the line was so long that he didn't feel like waiting. So we never got a formal picture of our son on his graduation day, and that's gone forever. We were unable to attend his graduation, so I was unable to twist his head off when he told me that! You can also purchase a "Care Package" on-line if you happen to not be able to attend. But again - be sure your graduate takes the time to walk over to the building where they have all those "Care Packages' for pick-up to receive his. They won't forward it in the mail to him should he miss that opportunity. Those packages are not a big deal, but if you can't make it you might want to take the time to do that for him. Just a suggestion. And remember, there are long lines for just about everything, according to our son.

[RachelApop]

Hi Trish!

Here's a few sites that may be able to help you find a hotel/motel in your budget:

http://www.hotels.com
http://www.choicehotels.com
http://www.cheap-motels.biz/
http://www.hotel.us/
http://lodging.uptake.com/motels.html

Good luck with the trip planning and I hope that you are reunited with your son for graduation!

[Dema]

try Priceline.com.. When I went to my son's graduation. I got a great deal just a couple of mile away a even got a shuttle to take us there. The shuttle was so experienced that we never waited in line.

[Jody Gault]

Tricia, we'd reserved a hotel online and feared what we'd get (we've been burned that way before as looks and online comments aren't always right). Luckily I went to a local N4M get together and 3 moms recommended the Navy Lodge to us. So I figured with personal experiences that was the place for us. So glad we took their advice. The Navy Lodge (1-800-Navyinn) has 2 beds, fridge, microwave, is 1 mile from base, very clean, staff very friendly, it's all navy families that stay there so you'll meet others going to their sailors graduation and it's only $65 per night (no tax)! The no tax thing saves you almost $10.

If you must rent a car we used ACE (it's in the graduation brochure). It was, by far, the cheapest at $17.95 per day.

I understand finances as I'd lost my job and things were tight but we threw caution to the wind and just used our credit card. I would suggest, if you can, to do anything and everything to make it: borrow from family from strangers whatever just get there. It's a moment you can never gain back and very well worth it.