Comment

Comment by Anti M on December 1, 2008 at 2:42pm

Only the airwing from the GW would be at Atsugi ... the ship itself is in Yokosuka, at the Yokosuka Naval Base. That's where the big hospital is, a very good facility, but as with many hospitals, the ordinary and routine clinics and such have gone to stand down for the Thanksgiving holiday. If the pain is too severe he can go to the emergency room. They saved my life twice, no exaggeration, and are very, very good. The problem is likely communication between the ship's medical and the hospital staff, plus the scheduling of the MRI can take time. Your son must be proactive in his health and pursue his care. It isn't that the hospital falls down on the job (usually) but that they're caring for such a large community of sailors and dependents.

Not much you can do on your end, but encourage your son to go to the ER if he's hurting. They are really, really good. Don't let his chief or anyone on the ship tell him to tough it out if he's truly in distress. I think he may have to clear an ER visit with ship's medical, but he should ask at the very least.

Comment by Anti M on November 23, 2008 at 1:13pm

Small world story from Ogden, Utah ... my hubby';s retirement shadowbox sits on top of our computer desk. When the cable guy came to hook up the new modem, he saw the box. He did a double-take. He and hubby were stationed on the same ship in Japan many years ago! And stranger still, Hubby was this guy;s LPO! Of course I whipped out my cell phone so they could have a chat. Neither of them is from Utah, they just happened to both move here.

Comment by Melissa mom of Chip on November 20, 2008 at 1:03pm

Julie, they only have 2 or 3 sizes of Flat rate boxes. They are small, but you would be surprised on how much you can stuff into them. I sometimes send my son 4 or 5 of these boxes and it still costs me less than if I put everything in one large box to send out. I usually take most things out of their larger box and just put the individual packages in the different boxes. I put a little of each in each box so that he gets a little of everything each time he gets a box. If I have more than 1 box to send, I usually send them out a week apart so that he gets things not all at one time. Of course I get him so much so that he can share with his buddies because I know that there are probably some guys and gals who don't get things from home as much.

Comment by Anti M on November 18, 2008 at 2:26pm

That's okay Melissa ... read my posts with with humor and you'll get my tone. I don't scold.

Comment by Melissa mom of Chip on November 18, 2008 at 12:06pm

Sorry but this is my first experience with the military so I do not know all the terminology. Sorry about the Land-based instead of Shore Duty.

Comment by Anti M on November 18, 2008 at 12:05pm

The Blue Ridge ... flagship of the 7th Fleet. That means there's an Admiral on board when underway, and the sailors have to be top-notch and stay sharp. That also means a Marine detachment. Lots of deployments, but not more than any other ship in a battle group. Lots of diplomatic port visits, so the sailors do get to go to cool places. All the newest gear, a lot of spit and polish and looking sharp. All the systems must be up and running in perfect order. The sailors have to be on their best behavior too ... what is minor infractions on other ships is taken far more seriously on the Blue Ridge. They must set a good example. Some sailors love it, others really hate it. As a first ship, it probably is a very good one ... teach your sailor what the top of the heap works like.

Living on the ship is like any other ... berthing areas and a galley, and officer country that the enlisted sailors have to go around. But generally nicer and cleaner than other ships. Generally, LOL.

I'm sure more things will pop in my head, I haven't been thinking about the Blue Ridge for a long time.

Comment by Anti M on November 18, 2008 at 11:54am

Okay ... Yokosuka is a big base and there's plenty of American franchise restaurants there. There is a large Navy Exchange with a mini-mart convenience store, and a full service commissary (groceries). In town you'll find McDonalds (maybe one on base), KFC, pizza joints and tons of excellent Japanese places to eat, as well as American-style and Chinese food. There's a Chili's on base and a new TGIFriday's in Town. I think there's a convenience type store down near the piers for the fleet also, but that wasn't there when I was. I don't care for fast food, so I didn't crave it ... but it is available.

Land-based. LOL, no ... call it Shore Duty!

Packages take about a week or two, it depends. Don't send perishables.

Comment by Melissa mom of Chip on November 18, 2008 at 9:46am

Jana,they do have a McDonalds in Yokosuka. My son and ate there a couple of time when I was there visiting. My son usually asked for me Beef Jerky, Pistacios, cashew nuts, slim jims, and other not so good for you snacks. The food in town is really very good. Is your son land based or on a ship? If a ship, which one. My son is Chris and he is on the USS Curtis Wilbur. How many other moms have sons on the USS Curtis Wilbur. I know there are a few of you because I have joined that page also. How many others are there?

Comment by Anti M on November 17, 2008 at 11:50pm

My ex was on the Blue Ridge, and I've done work on some of the comm systems while they were in port. Still the flagship of the 7th fleet?

Comment by Anti M on November 17, 2008 at 1:10pm

Sasebo Tourist Info in English:

http://www.sasebo99.com/english/

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