Send Off Party

[Patrick'sMom]

Ok, I may have done this all wrong since I am so very new at this.  I think I posted a quick comment on "My Page" about planning a going away party for my son, but, just in case I did it wrong.  I'll try it here as well. 

Does anyone have any ideas for a fun send off or going away party?  My son leaves in a few weeks for book camp and I'm thinking of an  "Anchors Away" party,  or something close to that. 

All thoughts and ideas are welcome and appreciated. 

: )

 

[Anti M]

I've seen posts about parties, and the one which stuck with me was the Open House, where friends and family could come and go as their schedules permitted.  That allowed time for the sailor to spend more one on one time with close people.  Getting party supplies with the Navy seal isn't impossible, although you can just do a lot of sailor theme stuff from places such as Oriental Trading.  

BTW, it is Anchors Aweigh ... as in "weigh anchor".  Means to raise the anchor and get underway.  Attention to detail (your sailor will be heartily sick of that phrase by the time PIR rolls around, hehe).

[Patrick'sMom]

 I did not know that about Anchors Aweigh so thank you very much!

[lemonelephant]

Join the group, DEP-Leavin' for Boot Camp in February or DEP-Leavin for bootcamp in March (clickable links), depending on which it is. There may be some ideas within the group for you. Have cards or stationery available and have guests write a short note and then you can mail them to your future Sailor a few at a time when he is at BC.

This has nothing to do with that, but be sure to check out the discussion, Things to Do in the Last Month Before Your Future Sailor Leaves for....  

 

[Patrick'sMom]

Great ideas!  Thank you!

[starshinebright(ship 14,div 141)]

Hi Patrick's Mom!  I threw an Anchors Aweigh party for my son two weeks ago.  We rented out our local American Legion Post (they gave us a military discount on the rental price), hired caterer and a party D.J.  We invited all of our family members and some close friends.  We had a nautical theme party (colors red, white & blue which made things easy).  Each table in the main party room was  decorated with either a red or blue cover, one star burst centerpiece (either red, white or blue) and two clear plastic bowls filled with USA Flag wrapped buttermints purchased from Oriental Trading Company.  Everybody loved those mints!  We scattered red, white & blue balloons all over the room (no helium).  We hung streamers, plastic anchors & life preservers on the walls.  We also purchased a really cool Anchors Aweigh banner from PartyBanners.com and hung it up in an area where people could take pictures with our son.  

About an hour after everyone arrived and had a chance to eat, we presented our son with a tribute video that I put together.  After that, we passed a microphone around and gave people a chance to say something to or about our son.  

On a really long table in another room - we put a framed picture of our son next to a homemade letter box, themed writing paper and pens.  The guests, at their leisure, could write an encouraging note or letter and drop it in the box.  My son really enjoyed reading these before his departure to boot camp.  We also decorated the table with two, very cool centerpieces an anchor and a light-up sailboat.

Hope this info helps.  I know I struggled a bit when planning my son's party and I had less than a month to do it :o

Have fun with it and Good Luck!

[Patrick'sMom]

Thank you so much!  I love many of your ideas!!  I plan to order some of the buttermints, the centerpiece, and lots of balloons.  Oh, I will definately be ordering the banner.  That is a great idea.  We are having Patrick's Away He Goes Party at his fave BBQ spot and they are allowing me to decorate as much of the building as I want.  It may take two or more days, but the entire place will be red, white, and blue nautical themed for sure! 

 

Thank you for sharing all your terrific ideas.  Blessings and best wishes are sent to you and your family.  : )

[1proudmama/EM/USSLincoln/CVN72]

My son Ian leaves on March 4th too. He's in going to be a nuke. We are from Virginia. I am planning a party for March 2nd I work at a landscape place that has a nice pavillion that they let me use for free weather permitting. I also booked a church across the street just in case weather isn't nice for outside activities. Never know hear in Virginia. 10 Day says around 50 degrees right now so looks good enough. American legion is another good venue. Having a bbq, cake and soda. Went to Party City and got discounted 4th of July, presidents day decortations. I saw in another post to get a bucnh of post cards so guests can fill out and you or they can send while in boot camp. I've heard to not get mushy cause drill sargeant sometimes makes recruits read their mail. Don't want to embarrass the poor kids. I am also going to have something like pin the tail on the donkey idea, but with future aircraft carriers to predict which one he will be put on. The one with the most pins wins. Actually i got paper stars at party city to use. But you could use those dots that people use at yard sales to price their items. Walmart has them. Plus since he is going nuclear I'm having another one to see what he will go in as at A school An ET, EM, or MM. I think i got those initials right. Will just make big bulls eye and print out our right names scattered throughout bullseye. I'm sure you get the gist. Then thinking of giving out monopoly money and have a fake auction of some of his things. His favorite outfit, his ps3 controller, his car. etc of course all will just be for fun. Wishing you and your family strength during these last few days. Hopefully our sons will get to know one another, and same here. best wishes Trish

[Patrick'sMom]

Trish,

Thank you for your reply.  My son is also going to be a Nuke!  His name is Patrick.   I sure do hope they both are able to meet each other.  We are from Oklahoma and his party is Feb. 23 so that my bother and his family are able to be there.  My brother is in the Army and has drill the weekend of March 2.  I went to our local printing shop and had notecards made.  They have an anchor on the front wtih Navy typed sort of over the anchor.  Below the anchor it says Notes From Home.  Guests will be asked at his party to write him an encouraging or funny story, then I will send those to him during BC.  I ordered enough to have extras  at home so I am able to send him Notes From Home as well. 

Your send off party sounds like it will be beautifully decorated and able to provide wonderful memories.  I send you many blessings and hope to stay in touch as we both prepare for this excited step in our son's lives.  Lori