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Comment by Kelly 04/823 on January 28, 2014 at 2:12pm

My son has been in EOD for about two years.  I don't want to know or think about the dangers he faces day to day.  But he totally loves it.  There are dangers everywhere in life -- especially for young men. How many college kids do you hear about getting killed in drunk driving accidents or accidental alcohol / drug overdoses?  The EOD program is so demanding that our kids don't have (as much anyway) time to engage in those kinds of dangerous behaviors.  A JAG friend of mine told me that EOD men are actually safer than those in the general Navy, because nothing is routine, and they are on their guard at all times.   I just try to stay focused on the positive, because thinking about what awful things could happen doesn't help at all.  Mamas, we have let our boys go, because they are now men.  I am so proud of the man my son has become, I choose to focus on that!

Comment by DoxieMom on January 22, 2014 at 11:05pm

BarbaraProudMomofScott,
Thank you for your inspiration. It means so much to us that are sending off our sons into the program in 10 days. Yes, I'm counting the days hours and minutes.
Planning the party has been fun but I'm not looking forward to it. When its over, that means he's leaving.
CarolinaMom,
I found some US Navt fabric but don't think I have enough time to order it and have something made. I'm sure I can find something to make the table look festive. His girlfriend and i were putting the picture board together last night and when it was done, he told me that he loved it....and me. That felt so good. I'm cherishing every last minute that I can. I hope you are doing well in these final days. We will all get through this together.

Comment by B mom of S on January 21, 2014 at 3:35pm

Greetings all! I have loved keeping up to speed, while traveling for the holidays. Finally settled back home and thought I'd jump in to say hello. Currently my son has completed Dive school and is immersed in EOD. We were able to visit @ Thanksgiving. It was the most wonderful, unorthodox Thanksgiving ever. LOVED it! Complete with furniture and gear move into the new place.

Fortunately his time at the Academy, and his limited communication there, has prepared me well. EOD has been in his radar since he did the trials. That WAS his first Service Selection.

In retrospect, it IS who he is. During our visit he took great care to outline the community of EOD life. It was impressive beyond belief. The days are long, the hours exponentially longer. He would not have it any other way!

We saw him again at Christmas, in St. Louis, near the birth of our 2nd grandchild/ his 2nd nephew. Even this EOD warrior still has his BIG kid inside when with the little ones.

I remember seeing someone post how life was never going to be the same. You are correct, BUT.... Yes there is a, BUT..... It gets so much better, richer, and fulfilling. I promise those tears of profound loss and fear, are replaced with awe and amazement. JUST you wait!

I too gave my son a St. Michael medal (military) & St. Barbara (Patron St. For EOD). I knew he could not wear the metal/medals but gave them anyway. He'll find a spot. He was touched by the gesture, and chuckled as his mom named Barbara. He said no matter how hard he tries to get away ... There is still a Barbara in his midst. My response was that he better get the EOD saint question correct on the exam!

look forward to keeping up. Best wishes for all and they, and we forge ahead.

Comment by DoxieMom on January 21, 2014 at 2:42pm

Caolina Mom!

The pictures are wonderful! I love your crafty ideas. It looks like it was a beautiful party. I'm sure your son felt very honored to have such a memorable event in his honor. Kudos!

I hope you don't mind if I borrow some of your ideas. My son's party will be on a lower scale but hopefully just as memorable. I love the cake. Where did you get the anchor ribbon and Navy fabric? I've been scouring the internet to find Navy and anchor related items.

Very well done! :)

Comment by Karenlee on January 20, 2014 at 7:04pm

Carolina Mom, glad the party went well. Sounds like it was wonderful. Brandonsmom, I know graduation is just around the corner and the tears come in buckets again. Enjoy your time at graduation.

Comment by NJNavyMom on January 20, 2014 at 5:32pm

Carolina Mom, I cried buckets, but my son has NEVER been happier. He is in his final stage of EOD training. Our son is fearless, the rest of the family is the opposite!!!! It sounds like you are putting up a great front. Keep up the smiley faces. It's hard not to cry in front of them, but they really need our support. The training is NOT easy.

Comment by Liberty on January 20, 2014 at 2:42am

Hi DoxieMom- It was terrific! I will see if I can figure out how to put photos on here! The video was a really big hit! I ordered flowers through Sam's online and they were beautiful and WAY cheaper than using a florist. I had gotten small boxes of Cracker Jacks for people to take home (they were just $1.49 per thre pack at Harris Teeter grocery store. I knew that kids would love them but the adults all wanted to take them home too- Many said that they hadn't had them since they were a child and they were excited. I had them at a table by the door. I took the Navy scrapbook and had it open to a blank page for people to sign as they came in and that seemed to be popular. People were also liking writing a small note on the note cards to my son and an extra one to "Seaman Recruit" to send to my son so that he can give them out to buddies at Boot Camp who are not getting much mail.On the kids tables I had a galvanized bucket and put coloring books in them with crayons.We got star shaped balloons at the dollar store that were cute and cheap and they were in the center of the bucket.The corn hole boards that my husband made were a BIG hit. I would say that the video is a must. My son loved it and so did everyone else there. People gave toasts to him after the video before we did the cake. The cake was awesome!! i watched it many times before the party and was able NOT to cry! The little vintage hankies that I gave out to the women in attendance who had helped him in special ways were a hit too. I had a neighbor give a blessing and it was wonderful! He asked God to be with him as he traveled through life's journey and for him to have "smooth seas" and "safe harbors"- it was really wonderful. My son came over today to help go get the flowers and things from the venue and to write his thank you notes. He received a few iTunes cards...a really nice button down shirt, and a few people gave him money.I think someone gave him a prepaid Visa with about 50.00 on it. We gave him a sterling St. Michael's medal. We are not Catholic but he loves his dad's St. Christopher's medal (we are Episcopalian). He said he had a really good time and that is all that matters! I would love for you to see the tables so I'll see if I can figure out how to put pics on here tomorrow- got to go to bed now. I am just EXHAUSTED!!! how is your planning coming? When are you going to have the party?

Comment by DoxieMom on January 19, 2014 at 11:47pm

Carolina Mom...how was the party? Got any suggestions for me?

Comment by Bonnie-Codysmom on January 19, 2014 at 7:47pm

karenlee thanks for the info..only 2 weeks left before my son leaves and I tear up every time I think about it.  it seems like life wont be the save ever again as far as having him around.   im full of pride but sad also...this site has definitely been a life saver for me....

Comment by Liberty on January 17, 2014 at 3:15am

Two days until the party. All week I have been uploading photos for a video to play at the party. It took us SIX hours to make the video today- computer issues...it was a nightmare but it is finished and looks great. It is a surprise for him and I hope that he loves it. Photos from birth until now. I think we ended up with about 420 pictures and that was cutting MANY out! There are five songs and then it ends with current photos and the song "Anchors Aweigh". It is really awesome. At the end is the Sailor's prayer up on the screen and then the last thing you see is the US NAVY EOD emblem. Please feel free to copy this idea! I have all of the flowers ready in vases and tomorrow afternoon I have someone helping me take everything over to the venue. They were sweet to let me set up the day before. On saturday I should only have to go get the balloons for the two children's tables. HOPEFULLY!!! I still don't know what I am wearing but the important things are over!!! Please keep me in your prayers. I want this to be an awesome... UPBEAT....FUN party! I watched the video four times so that I could "cry it out" but I will still be wearing waterproof mascara- just in case!!!!  By the way- I watched "Surviving The cut" a few months back with my husband and all I kept saying is "WHY...WHY???" Haha! Military people are sooo brave and Special Warfare people are just unreal!!!!

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