Graduation?

[Pearl Harbor MA]

How many of you plan  on or have gone to graduation? It is a long distance for us , my husband has not flown since he was a teenager  and I'm not sure I could get him on a plane anyway!  We are from a small town  so  city traffic seems intimidating to me though my husband is a truck driver. (He HATES traffic,too)  Our son doesn't go to boot camp until Feb 23 ( his 21st birthday!) but I am trying to work this whole thing out in my head. I have look at airfare/hotel/car pkgs and about choked!

[Holly_motherpie( Ship 09 Div.78)]

Hello....I just got back yesterday from Chicago.....Look for deals....We Live in Bakersfield California...Drove to Vegas to fly out into O'hare non stop with a suite with full kitchen for 295 per person...We stayed at the Marriot Residents in Waukegan which is close to the Navy base...about 10 minutes...It will be soooo worth it...The car rental was 244 for 5 days...get GPS and put in addresses and you can go anywhere...I hate traffic but i drove into down town Chicago it was wonderful....so awesome....it cost $17.00 per person for the Sears Tower....$20.00 for parking...Deep dish Chicago style pizza around 26.00 bucks at the pizza place caddy corner from the Sears Tower...White Castle burger place was good....Bubba Gumps at the Navy pier was expensive $20.00 per person at least for lunch...Our room had a kitchen so i bought some food...The hotel had hot full breakfast ever morning....And we got a surprise...we thought he was going to get to stay with us 1 night well he got to stay from Friday afternoon until Monday night....I know times are hard for everyone right now...I put this trip on my credit card and it was soooo worth it.....My son, their best friend and my other son they are twins  had a wonderful time.....I told them i don't care if i had to sell my kidney to get there....All he wanted to do is sleep in and take a hot shower alone and spend time with us....I watched him sleep it was soooo wonderful...He won't get to come home until October...I hope i can make it that long...I can't afford to go back...The change you will see in him is amazing...He is humbled and sooo prideful..He was a good kid before he left and now he is an amazing young man with a great future.......he knows how to fold a t-shirt, fold his socks  and puts the toilet seat and lid down.....and I'll be paying for this for a really long time and it was soooo worth it...Good Luck to you  Holly

[slapout52]

I'm reading your message on the 24th of Feb., so I guess this is a time of turmoil for you anyway, not to mention wondering/worrying about how to attend PIR.  My son leaves in March.  We're Alabamians, and the cost of flying & lodging is, indeed, enough to make you choke. We've decided to drive!  We'll leave home several days in advance and "camp" along the way with relatives in Arkansas and Missouri.  That way, the biggest outlays will be for gas & hotel.  We've already begun putting $ aside for that.  Keep in mind that you still have around 9 weeks to count your pennies.  I was lucky enough to attend an airman graduation at Lackland AFB once.  It was one of the most moving things I've ever witnessed.  I am certain the same can be said of Navy PIR.  And yes, the young men and women without family to witness their moment made me unspeakably sad.  Be present if you can.  "First do what you can.  Then do what is possible.  You will soon do the impossible."

[BunkerQB]

Click on MY PAGE from the above menu bar. On the left hand side, you'll see your photo, your basic info, then the words: Blogs, Discussions, Events, Groups  This is a legend for all you activity. Just click on Discussions, you'll see the list of discussions in which you have comments. Just find the right one.  You had click on "Reply" so your comment will show up after the comment to which you were replying NOT IN sequential order by date. Therefore, you'll find comments out of time sequence.

[AnthonysMom(Ship 12 Div 096)]

Jeez...I got all misty reading all the moms talk about graduation!!! My son's is 10 days and counting! Guess I better put some kleenex in the ready bag!!! lol!

[Anti M]

... and waterproof mascara.

[AnthonysMom(Ship 12 Div 096)]

YES!

[theline (Ship 3/Div 155)]

Take this from someone who has gone thru bootcamp.  You need to do your best to be there for graduation!  It's an experience you will never forget and I don't know what I would have done if my parents were not there for it.

[calmseas]

It is expensive.  I guess this will be our vacation.  But I wouldn't have it any other way.  I've seen posts by other Sailors stating how heartbreaking it is for the graduating Sailors that have no family there at PIR.  If you can find a way to go, I would do it.  Best wishes and hugs to you...  :)

[nanny2]

My son graduated 12-22, talk about pinching pennies right at Christmas. I suggest to everyone if there is a way please try to make it to graduation. It is an awesome experience, one you will never forget. We stayed at Americas Best, I think it was maybe $59 an night, but a lot of people talked about the Navy Lodge being a great place to stay. Most of the hotels give a Navy discount.  I know when we were planning our trip I checked out some of the groups that had recently been to graduation for tips & ideas. FYI on the dvds,  I didn't take my video camera because my son ordered the dvd, well just so happened they technical difficulties for the 12-22 PIR, so we don't have video of it. I don't how often that has happened but I am so glad we were able to attend & wish I had  took my video camera w/us.  We went to Gurnee, which is just minutes from Great lakes to eat & shop.   I know money is tight for everyone but I pray you all can find away to make it to graduation, you wont regret & it will mean the world to your Sailors.  Good luck & God bless

[Jaimers]

Dont forget if you are AAA members...they have great discounts!!

 

 

[WashingtonProudNavyMom]

We just returned from my son's graduation last Friday, and I cannot begin to tell you how amazing graduation is!  When the doors open and you see the divisions marching in, goosebumps go up and down your spine.  I confess to being a crier.  As soon as those doors opened up, I was crying tears of pride and joy.  The minute I saw my son march in, I knew that he was in the right place (even though I had gotten wonderful letters from him and knew it then too).  I know that it's expensive, I almost had heart failure too.  And I know that flying isn't everyone's cup of tea, but if you can at all manage it, there is nothing else you will ever experience like a Navy graduation.  My one recommendation is, when making arrangements on-line for travel, DO NOT PURCHASE TRAVEL INSURANCE.  Make certain to purchase REFUNDABLE TICKETS.  Travel insurance does absolutely no good in the event of a graduation date change (we had to pay $650 more).  Go Navy!

[roxie05]

Do u know if when they are in bootcamp they arre already inlisted and have to go server? Or is it still up to them once they are done with bootcamp?