Comment

Comment by diannep on October 24, 2012 at 8:07pm

Chris:  Every sailor will not have someone at the airport...in fact, probably 3/4s of them would not have anyone.  I think the best thing to do is to call the USOs in the airports and ask them.  This was a rumor going on in another earlier PIR group and someone called the USO.  They said no problem with family members going.  But to be sure, call them and ask (your sailors will be hanging out in the USO waiting for flights):

Midway USO  773-582-5852 

OHare USO  773-696-7396

Comment by Chris F. on October 24, 2012 at 4:30pm

Lala Ribbon Queen - I spoke to my daughter last night and she told me that the airport has requested that parents not accompany their Sailors to their flights.  The way she explained it to me - there are around 700 people leaving from Great Lakes and if every Sailor brought someone, it would cause a tremendous amount of traffic and congestion. 

Comment by FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW on October 24, 2012 at 12:49pm

A few personal notes for PIR:

I sat near the top on the bleachers, great view...got an end seat too as I hate to climb over people. Couldn't just sit there, had to walk around...and I don't know WHAT was up but we were HOT at PIR. It was end of May (it rained) but even then people have always reported being cold! So be prepared for both...saw at the last PIR that they were very cold! Maybe that's why we were hot...they did not have the air cranked (** there is still a dispute on wether or not they have A/C...but I have heard of it being cold in there) up because of the rain...I remember they had the sliding doors open for most of the time we were sitting there and then closed them just before the Sailors arrived.

I still brought a shawl that I could fold up and sit on...tush gets cold on metal benches and it just seeps in!

Don't set anything down on the bench that is thin like a camera, cell phone, keys, etc. The floors of the bleachers are solid except underneath the seats there are openings just wide enough and about a foot (?) long for modern day devices to fall through...it is like a black hole...you won't get it back.

As far as your Sailor...they are going to be so glad to be off the base...but remember that they have not been for 8+ weeks. They have had an in-depth briefing on the do's and don'ts of Liberty (see the FamilyGuide.pdf  Page 2)...well drilled on the rules and "don't break them"...period. Great Lakes and the surrounding areas are a Naval Community and personnel in and out of Uniform are all over. They will be conscious that their uniform is in order and will have to give a brief pause going indoors and outdoors to remove/put on their cover (Sailor hat). If for some reason it is raining or cold (it was in late May last year) then you have to wait for them with their outer gear too.

Most Sailors are just fine...tired...but fine. Some folks have reported changes in their loved ones behavior from what they remember of them...and were rather alarmed and would have liked some possible forwarning. So here it is! They are very used to standing at attention, trying to "get it right" and not make mistakes. It can be hard to drop that sometimes...one mom said (for alack of a better term) "zombie-like behavior...just reasure them if you see this and tell them they are fine and not doing anything wrong. It should start to ease up a bit through out the day. I am guessing that is why some just like to go back to the hotels and just chill...so they can take a break from it for a while. After the first day...it seems to go away as they adjust to "new" surroundings again!

Most are just their usual self! Mine was a little of both. Very tired (but so thankful to finally NOT be sick anymore!)...he was nervous about missing a salute to a superior and very mindful of his unifrom. He was at RTC until Sunday (did not have to fly out Friday - we had a Thursday PIR - so we got a couple of extra days Liberty...Woo-Hoo!)...so I got to see him in his Whites and NSU's! He wanted to go, go go! No staying in the hotel room for him! No problem ordering food...quieter, but then started to talk more. I didn't ask him too much about BC. I grill him now and he seems to remember more now anyways! LOL We shopped at the NEX on RTC on Saturday and he had Watch on Saturday as well...during his liberty time, so it broke up the day a bit. But I got to see Ricky Heaven while he ate something before going back to his compartment.

Please don't fret or worry about having a possible "zombie"...this is not meant for that but to forewarn and prepare you...read it and "store it away", k?!

Comment by Beckyt559 Ship 12 Div 347 on October 24, 2012 at 12:02pm

And we are on our way to see our sailor! See you all Friday!

Comment by castlerock53(ship11div350) on October 24, 2012 at 11:57am

Thank you to the Veteran N4M's & to all of you who have joined this group for all your answers & helpful questions.  I haven't been terribly vocal on here, but I have read every post over these last 8 1/2 weeks, and you have been an amazing blessing for me.  You have answered my zillions of questions, calmed my nerves, & made this whole process so much easier.  I thought I was going to lose my mind that 1st week that Spencer was gone.   Then we all started coming together on here and sharing & listening.  I've been praying for all of your sailors & families, & will continue to.  I can't wait to see my sailor on Friday & hopefully meet some of you :0)  Jesus Bless You & Keep You All!!!

Comment by FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW on October 24, 2012 at 11:55am

Betsy-boo...

Comment by FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW on October 24, 2012 at 11:53am

Safe travels to you all today! Hoping all the last minute issues work out...either way you will be seeing your NEW SAILORS Hooyah! Congratulations again.

Ditto on what diannep said, thank you all as well!

Comment by fraser mom ship 12 div 347 on October 24, 2012 at 11:51am

WOW !!!!  This is really it!  Safe travels for all families leaving today and tomorrow!

Thank you for this site and for the veteran moms who have answered our silly questions, calmed our fears, and given us general guidance along the way!  You have truely been a blessing.  As well as all the "newbie" moms too!

Talked to my daughter quite a bit yesterday, on the phone and Facebook.  So ready for Friday!  My boys are quite excited to see their Sailor Sister!

 

Comment by diannep on October 24, 2012 at 11:35am

Safe travel for those leaving today! 

We N4Moms have loved helping you all through bootcamp!  Enjoy the MeetandGreets and PIR!  But especially, seeing your new sailors!

Comment by Totopogo (Son is a GM) on October 24, 2012 at 9:41am

I want to thank everyone on this site; it truly was a blessing and I can't imagine how alone I would have felt without being able to read and share with everyone here.  I am so excited to see my sailor! We will be flying out tomorrow at 6:00 am into O'Hare and then driving to the Residence Inn as well, and expect to be at the Sarge Meet and Greet.  Anyone here have a sailor going to Gunner's Mate "A" School?    

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