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Comment by ProudGMBarb on September 26, 2011 at 6:59pm

Regarding care packages...just a reminder about the Blue Star Mothers of America. If you feel inclined to check out and join your local chapter, your deployed sailor will ALWAYS be assured of receiving a wonderful huge care package each month. If your chapter is anything like ours, it will include everything from hygiene items, to treats, canned food...the tuna and jerky they all love, socks, t-shirts, magazines, videos, and on and on.

I'm not talking a little box either...these are big! Our chapter gets together for a monthly packing party in addition to the monthly meetings. I think it is great because you can expand beyond just Navy. You get to meet and hear stories from Moms from every branch of the military. You find we are all alike, all have the same hopes, same worries, same pride.

In addition, you can (if you want to) get to be part of some fun community events that raise awareness of how to support all the troops, which of course benefits all our kids. If you have any questions, let me know.

Check them out:

http://www.bluestarmothers.org/

Comment by ProudGMBarb on September 26, 2011 at 6:48pm

Mary...the pillowcase is great and I bet fun to put together. It is sure to bring a smile to Nick's face!

Vickimed...Wow..my head would be spinning if we had such an unexpected quick deployment too. Like you said, Chris has been trained well. But I understand how you feel about this being different than BC. I just spoke to another Mom here locally who said the exact same thing you did....the feeling about him being so far away. So...here's lots of big (((((NavyMomHugs))))).

Comment by Anti M on September 26, 2011 at 2:47pm

My nephew is on a sub, and asked me to not send snacks; his mom sent him so much geedunk that he and his buddies were sick of candy!  Of course, on a sub, all the packages come in at once, and they have next to no room to store stuff.  I send magazines they can throw away (Popular Science is ... uh, popular) and socks, a powdered drink packets with a metal water bottle.  We did send Japanese snacks, I knew my SIL couldn't buy those easily.  He likes the flavored tuna packets, and of course, jerky.  Biggest problem for him is he was "hot racking" or sharing a bed in shifts, so couldn't use any of that space to tuck things away.  At least the guys on the surface ships never have to do that!

Comment by Sandy's_sailor son on September 26, 2011 at 12:25pm

Vickymed. How long will your Sailor be gone?  It is good to know that a lot of ships have a Family Page. At least you wont feel so totally isolated from your son.  What is PCS?

  I think it is a good idea to plan your trip to WA early. I hope you can get a good deal on an airline ticket.

All of my dad's family live in WA. I heard it is a beautiful State. I was born there but have never been.  Seattle is a fun city to visit. There is lots to see and do.

Comment by Vickimed(AECF-ET) on September 26, 2011 at 12:13pm

This is different from BC. Gong off to Boot the realization sets in that they are leaving home for good. They may come back to visit from time to time but they want be there any more. It's only 8 weeks and you hopefully will get to see them at the end. Leaving on deployment is for me leaving to go on the big unknown. There is excitement for them as they go on the big adventure but you are wishing them well and praying for their safety. Hope they send emails and are able to call now and then. I'm just going to check for deals on airfare to Wa. and start saving.I am on the ships family page and they have been talking of the excitement of them coming home and how the pier is just boiling over with love and excitement when they come in. I think he wants his Dad or older brother to come in on the tiger cruise so you can bet I'll be in Wa.

Comment by Sandy's_sailor son on September 26, 2011 at 11:39am

Vickymed, maybe in a way it is better that you didn't have much notice that your son was deploying. It kind of gives you less time to worry about it. I know you can handle him being deployed. It might feel like this is boot camp but remember it is not. He is going to be going on an adventure and he will be able to write to you. Does your ship have a FB page?                                                   I know that it will be hard for me when my son leaves on his first deployment. When that happens I know I will be crying to you ladies for some prayers for sure.  I guess if I were in your place now. I would try to keep myself real busy.

I am thinking about starting a scrap book and title it. From boot camp and beyond, LoL. I think it would be funny if I could read all my old posts from that time and include them in the book too. I know I was a nut back then. Still am.                              

 

 

Comment by Sandy's_sailor son on September 26, 2011 at 11:28am

vickymed, Holly Mackerel!!  Your son must have been pulling his hair out. That is very little notice to go on deployment. I guess you are saying that Sailors should use the Boy Scout motto: Be prepared.  I will pass this on to my Sailor. I think sometimes these young Sailors never think about being called out on a weeks notice. They are just so used to the hurry up and wait.

Comment by Vickimed(AECF-ET) on September 26, 2011 at 11:08am

Hi Moms, I'm a little sad today so I need to be close to my Navy Moms. First welcome to Hrmqueenme and Mattsmom. This is a great group and we have great conversations and alot of helpful info. Navyblu Congrats to your sons orders. I know Japan sounds far away but what an awesome place to go. Maybe a great chance to go for a visit. Mary, my friend, Great pillowcase. You are an art-teest. I'm sure Nick will be pleased. 

Ok here is my story maybe there is something in here to pass along. Chris finished C school about 2 weeks ago. First the plan was he would take leave and come home but because of Hurricane Irene he evacuated and came home then. So Sat a week ago he decides to start his journey to Washington State. He had 8 days to get there but he did it in 6. Had a blow out outside Chicago. He signed in to his new Ship on Thurs afternoon. Where he was told you're deploying. If he had known before he would of bought extra coveralls and gotten name plates made. Maybe gotten and advance on the PCS out to Wa. So now after driving for 6 days he is jumping through hoops. File travel and hopefully the money gets put in his bank acct. (1500.00 he spent getting out there) He had to register his car so he could leave it on base. All the in processing. Buy uniforms and all the little things he would need. Get patches sewn on. Norfolk is still in whites and Wa. are in their blues.All this on Friday. He picked up a few things at the NEX on Sat. Was not able to get his name plates for coveralls made so maybe I can find a way and get those done and mail to him. So in hind site don't think I'll take care of it when I get to the other side. Always get the advance when PCS ing, Go ahead and buy the extra coveralls and have them ready.etc.. cause you don't know what you are going to find when you get to where you are going. So now he has left on his first big adventure doing what he was trained to do. When saying goodbyes he said he was excited but a little ancy. This feeling for me is a little like bootcamp but different. I know he was trained to do this but I guess it is the unknown for us at home. Sorry I ranted but If it will help pass on that when you sign in be prepared to go. You may have weeks or months before the next deployment or you may only have days.

Comment by Odi_Ship09_Div140 on September 26, 2011 at 10:37am

Anyone else with a family member in A school for ET finishing Dec 9 or so?

My son is in that group.

Comment by Sandy's_sailor son on September 26, 2011 at 8:53am

Mary, love the pillowcase. It is so cute!!  Did you mean these pillow cases will be hung in the passageway of you son's ship?

FSG group sounds great. What if you are a land-locked. Would the FSG be online or do they have gathering in your State.?

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