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Comment by AC on July 16, 2011 at 6:49pm

Hello everyone,

I will not be able to make it for the "Sweet meet-and-greet event, I will arrive in San Diego later that night, but I was wondering whether the Navy4Moms will have a meeting point so that we can all meet and "cheer ourselves" for having overcome this long experience (especially the ones like me who were first-timers) and , of course, show our pride for our sailors. So, where and at what time?

happy greetings to all

 

Comment by Joy on July 16, 2011 at 10:54am

From the Family Readiness Group:

 

JOIN US ON

Thursday, July 21st

AT 3:30 pm

For a “SWEET” meet & greet dinner/dessert event.

 

Location: Extraordinary Desserts

1430 Union Street, San Diego, CA 92101

 

Come one come all!  This event welcomes kids, friends, and family.

Restaurant requires a $10.00 minimum.

 

“First Kiss Ticket” drawing will occur before event’s end.

 Receive your last chance ticket just for stopping by.

Please RSVP to gridleyfrg@gmail.com

No Later than 6 p.m. on Wed., July 20^th.

Comment by Joy on July 11, 2011 at 6:48pm

In case you may not have seen this on Facebook:

1. Dedications for the CD "Coming Home" project are due tomorrow. It is free to submit a song and brief (written) message to gridleyfrg@gmail.com
2. There will be a photo/message board for returning sailors whose family cannot attend -- contact Sue at gridleyhomecoming@live.com to participate.
3. Significant others are encouraged to request one free "1st kiss" ticket. Send e-mail w/ a contact number to gridleyfrg@gmail.com

Also, did everyone receive the e-mail from Sue with more info about Homecoming?  If you didn't, request the e-document from gridleyfrg@gmail.com or gridleyhomecoming@live.com . 

Comment by Joy on July 7, 2011 at 11:18pm

Sorry I didn't see your question, Karla.

 

I did want to make sure that our Navy for Moms folks know that GRIDLEY's F.R.G. has a "dedication CD" project.  They are trying to collect songs and brief messages to compile/send to the crew.  The song needs to be available on iTunes (for convenience of the volunteer creating the CD) and not have explicit lyrics please.   Send no later than July 13th to gridleyfrg@gmail.com .... The F.R.G. wants as many sailors to have a song for herself or himself as possible.  Thanks for helping pass the word :)

Comment by Joy on June 16, 2011 at 12:28pm

Hi, All~  I received the following e-mail...hopefully you did, too! Posting in case someone may not have seen this:

 

Dear Family & Friends of GRIDLEY~

I was asked to help let families know about an important step in Homecoming preparation that is taking place on-board the ship.

 

Many of you who do not have Department of Defense identification cards will want to greet your Sailors upon arrival at the Naval Base San Diego.  Command Master Chief Adams is assembling a spreadsheet of visitors to be submitted to the base before mid-July.

 

Information that prospective visitors need to *send to their individual Sailors* as soon as possible includes:

a.Name of Company/Group:  USS GRIDLEY (DDG 101) Homecoming
b.Purpose:  Return from Deployment.

c.Name of visitor (s):

d.License Plate Number:
e.Driver’s Name:
f.Driver’s License Number:
g.Description of vehicle:
h.Date and Time of Visit:  Ship will submit.

i.Destination:  Naval Base San Diego
j.Point of Contact’s (Sponsor) Name and Phone # (or e-mail) where the sponsor can be reached: 

 

If you are renting a vehicle, simply note that in description.  Again, if you have a DoD card, this request does not apply to you.  If you are not sure whether you are attending, please submit information anyway.

Comment by Joy on June 13, 2011 at 11:41am

Cindy and AC, You are too kind ... The thanks belongs to Christine for helping us all get to know one another via N4M and most especially to the tremendous group of ladies (and one gentleman) who have served families of the good ship GRIDLEY in such significant ways as Ombudsmen, Homecoming Coordinator, and FRG officers. 

:) J

Comment by AC on June 13, 2011 at 3:05am

Dear Joy,

you deserve a hearty round of applause for each time you advised, informed and reassured us! I really wish we could meet at homecoming!

 

Comment by Joy on June 12, 2011 at 8:40pm

As the Homecoming Coordinator will publicize, there are a few "thou shalt not" rules: no pets, no confetti, and no mylar balloons are allowed on the pier. 

On the happy side, Navy League is usually on-hand to help family members make small cardboard signs-on-a-stick so, especially for families traveling,  there is no need to worry about bringing one along -- or the materials to make one. 

Sue and Marinewifenavymom, what other details can be shared this far out?

Comment by Cindy (Proud mom of my Sailor!) on June 12, 2011 at 11:26am

Joy, as always, thank you for being the voice of reason.  My daughter will be flying home earlier so we won't be at the Pier to see our Gridley family come in.  I'm disappointed that we will miss it, however having my girl home and being able to hug her and see her smile is beyond words for me.  Just thinking about it I'm tearing up.  I've ordered my banner from buildasign.com.  I would suggest that if you are going to order a sign to have at the Pier or at your home, order it now.  The banner is free for military, you just have to pay for shipping.  Hope all is well with all of you!

Comment by Joy on June 12, 2011 at 11:01am

Hi, Christine & Everyone~

Yours is a kind offer but I need to caution folks about sharing rides for this particular event.  The base access procedure is straightforward and exists for the convenience of returning sailors.

Reunion is an incredibly personal experience and while it might seem fun to carpool *to* the event, most sailors will be Less Than Pleased to be sharing rides off-base that day. They've just spent almost 8-months with 350 close, personal friends...they tend to want San Diego, shore-time to begin as immediately as possible.

Homecoming, even for a "small boy" (ship type), is a frenzy of people and the emotions of reuniting can vary dramatically.  There are vendors and media and seabags and canopies and once you spy your sailor, you tend to enter the "reunion zone".  :) 

I've seen people carpool and then a reuniting couples get into an argument, taking the fun right out of it for the others depending on the ride off-base.  I've seen carpooling situations where the vehicle-owners completely forgot (in their euphoria) to wait for the other couple.  I've witnessed awkward moments where family members had become friendly but the sailors didn't get along.

Some folks will have duty -- while the ship will try to use the crew members that flew home from HI, there are usually a few watch billets leftover to fill.  Some sailors can leave immediately while others (especially Deck division) are among the last to be able to leave. Cell phones don't work reliably inside the ship so it is difficult to track people down who may go aboard, which involves standing around for those sharing a ride. 

As single sailors have stored their vehicles, it is important to let your sailor know if you've promised a ride off-base to another family as often attached sailors promise rides to single sailors and you don't want to over-commit your vehicle.

And, alas, the most well-intentioned spouses can forget/run out of time/get lost/have car trouble, resulting in a later-than-desired arrival on the pier and stressed out family members. 

Before making or accepting an offer to carpool, I would urge you to check with your sailor and have back-up plans ready to execute.

Word to the wise~

J.

 

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