Thank you Brenda, Kathleen

[BarbaraR.]

I think  all of our guys are very busy. I had no idea that mail was stopped on the Ronald Reagan. My son's last e-mail was "I don't have time to keep you calm! So oops I did not know that I sounded that out of sorts and certainly does not help his psyche ......I simply said that I had not heard from him for a week and hoped that he was OK...

I know that the Navy is hierarchy oriented but can't our guys share access to their personal laptops.I would be willing to get together some laptops for our sailors to personally have to e-mail home or do they have to go to a central area to use the computer to communicate to those loved ones at home??? Regardless, of the fact our sailors are MEN, contact from home on a daily basis  has got to be a comforter for ALL of them. How lonely it would be to never get an e-mail or letter from home....

Brenda, I will ask my son if he has come in contact with your son.Since we live so close to each other can we exchange phone numbers?BarbaraR Now, how do I send this..?

[LemonBasil]

Barbara R., this is a good inquiry.  Although my sailor daughter remains in Pensacola, FL, for the time being, I think of the future.  Communication is brisk, to say the least.  Presently, I text her every few days, oftentimes w/o a response.  However, when she needs something of dire importantance, she contacts me.  Heck, she has explained that she is so busy with school and training that she has no time.  I respect that.  It took me a long time, but I back off.  I did not want to drive her crazy.  Good luck!

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

I think part of the problem is that there are just so many people on social websites trying to get news in or out that command wanted to make it a little easier for the Japanese people.  I know several Navy moms who have said there were days when they couldn't even access N4M - the little wheels would just spin and spin, but never load.  I know my computer's high speed connection is more turtle speed than ever.  I was also one of the ones without access to N4M.  I've heard this morning that  the USS GW is going to begin accepting letters again, so I'm sure you will hear from your son again.  Also, once things settle down a bit, between Japan and Libya, plus, of course, Iraq and Afghanistan even our email communication will pick up.

Do you belong to Molly's Adopt A Sailor?  We are getting ready for a mail blitz to the GW of card, notes & letters of encouragement, support & our pride in all of them for what they are doing.  Maybe that will help you fill some time by writing to some sailors who may be among the ones who never get a letter from home?

Just a thought.  I hope it helps.

[LemonBasil]

Hi.  Yes, yes, yes - I would LOVE to Adopt a Sailor.  Please tell me how!

 

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

Hi Andrea,

You need to become a member of 'Molly's Adopt A Sailor' group.  I'll try and make your first visit there a little easier. First, do NOT become overwhelmed.  There is a lot of communications going on between people right now mostly about their sons and daughters. When you have time, go back even as far as 10 pages ago and read thru the posts. Molly's (as it is called internally) is set up so that the newest comments are first, but if you go back you can probably pick up the general idea of what is happening with the Moms.

Adoptions of groups of troops by Molly's are found under the discussions. That's where the talk is about what is happening for each month's group. This month there are 2 discussions - March to Afghanistan (which is the real site of the adopted group) and MLB contacts (this is because we are doing a baseball theme to our care packages).

I believe there is a link on the left side of the page for finding an addy of someone who wants to be adopted. I'm not 100% certain of that since I don't have Molly's page up to look at. If you are looking for someone who maybe gets no mail or wants a penpal, and you can't find the button.  Just ask.  Someone will help you - maybe me again!

Finally, when you join the group, announce yourself as a newbie to Molly's. We have a "Welcome Mom" (Pat) who will take you under her wing and lead you thru everything much better than I can do here. I think you will enjoy the group, just don't get discouraged.  I almost quit the group & left that comment. Molly (yes, there is a Molly) helped out lots and got the Welcome Mom going. She is super and has more info than anyone I know.  I've learned so much from her on how to get correct, official info, etc.  Oh and BTW, If you see a comment or anything addressed to NYPD, that is what they call me there! We have so many different "Proud Moms" that they zeroed in on the NYPD part of my name and call me that ... it is unique & I do have a son in the NYPD.

Hope this helps you.  Also, check out www.mollysadoptasailor.com they have a link to get an addy there for someone who wants mail too.

Hope to see you on the site,

NYPD

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

Sorry for the long post, Andrea!  Are you still with me?

I just checked.  There is a link right at the top of the page, under the blue border. I clicked it to see what is there and it leads you to MAS. This is a different site but is most definitely linked to Molly's. Don't want to say too much in a general discussion.  To also join MAS you have to request permission to be a member. Lots of more personal info there so they make anyone really interested go thru the process of requesting to be a member. I don't know anything about how that works, sorry.  But join Molly's first and the Welcome Mom will fill you in or someone else if they see your comment posted before Pat gets a chance to respond!

[BarbaraR.]

I have looked for "Adopt a Sailor " before with no luck...Maybe because I am on my work computer makes it a problem. I will look at home. Computer ignorant I can be sometimes...!Thank you so much for your suggestion. My school did adopt a Marine troop at Christmas - we sent hem a big box of supplies and goodies but I would like to do more and NOT focus so much on my son everyday. GREAT idea! Barbara R.

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

Hi Barbara!  I should have read beyond Andrea's comment and addressed what I told her to you as well.  The problem you are having is that it is called "Molly's Adopt A Sailor".  If you look for it with Molly's as the first word you'll find us!!

Yes, there is a real Molly!!!  A little history: When Molly turned 40 she didn't want a party or a bunch of presents, she asked her friends to send care packages to the troops. And that started what you will find today. We often shorten it to Molly's or MAS (altho don't confuse it with the group called MAS - that is different, see above). Last year Molly's came in as the 3rd most popular charity in America!!  We won the Pepsi Refresh Challenge for $50K - which has been wonderful, since we are 100% volunteer.  There are nearly 900 members in Molly's group in N4M; over 1,000 on FB!!!  That's a lot of Navy Moms.  FB contains Navy Moms, family members & friends.  There is a website:  www.mollysadoptasailor.com   I encourage you to check it out.  Newsletters about Molly's are found there (back issues too).  You'll also find notes, emails, etc. from the troops usually in response to the packages Molly's Moms send.

It is a fun group.  I think it would be a wonderful place for you. I can't promise it won't stop you from focusing on your son, but it will help - I can promise you that. They got me thru my son's first deployment, and the Moms there were my 2nd biggest source of strength (God being #1) when my father was Dx'd w/inoperable pancreatic cancer in March & died in October & really helped me cope when my Mom died suddenly 5 weeks later in Nov. (This after a yr. of losing 8 other family members.)  Molly's Moms were always there for me.  So I PROMISE you they will help you thru this tough time too.

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

Special request - IF you do join Molly's you will find that we are getting ready for a "Mail Blitz" on the USS GW. They are the 1st ship to be receiving mail, as they have a port call coming. We are trying to recruit everyone we know to write cards, notes, have kids draw pics - whatever - to thank them for all they have been doing.  As I told Andrea, go back about 10 pages (newest posts appear at the top) and you will find out some of the wonderful things our sailors are doing.  Like donating their extra clothes, blankets, winter coats, their private food/snack stashes (!!!!), etc.  Warning tho, when you read these things I can't guarantee you won't cry a little

Take care,

NYPD

[brenda]

I've heard from my son..............all is better now...call me at 909-633-3350

[brenda]

Hi...Just read another email from my sailor son....happy again.....my phone is 909-633-3350

[Kathleen~Jonis' Ma***]

BarbaraR...  Did you get answers to your question that you posted this discussion for?  Pls let me know...  I've got some answers for you...   Kathleen...

[BarbaraR.]

Not really. I can't figure out why I haven't hear from my son in 9 days.....He is a pilot with the USS Ronald Reagan.The news says that the radiation in the ocean in Japan is 3000X"s the norm...And the guys can't go around with a gas mask on all the time.....  Everyone sleeps on the ship...when they are done for the day...... Kathleen, I would love to hear from you...Barbara R.