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Comment by MissMySailor on April 2, 2012 at 9:50pm

Hi friends, If bugets are tight I am all for sharring a hotel with a few people. Wifeofafc could you give us an idea of what is closest to where we need to be hotel wise?  Can we stay at the Navy Lodge? I ask because our sailor will not be there to sign us in. I would like to have info ready so I can book a hotel when we know they will be back. Speaking of will we know a month, week  or days in advance???

Comment by wifeofafc on April 2, 2012 at 7:53pm

It is so fun to see you moms talking! If you want to send me your private email addresses I can add you to our Family Readiness Group emails. Our events are local but it will allow you to know what we're up to. :) Email me at jasondunhamfrg@gmail.com

Just some things going on this week with the ship family:

Sat evening we had our 2nd Annual Spa Day for the spouses/loved ones of the crew. The ladies had a blast. Olive Garden donated dinner, Massage Envy donated on-site massages, Arbonne came in and facials and foot spas. The ladies had a blast! It is my goal through the FRG that the ladies will cultivate relationships that will help them through this deployment. We spend a lot of time fund raising but it is well worth it when you see these spouses enjoying themselves.

We have another fund raiser going now, we will split the profits 50% to cover childcare costs of monthly meetings and 50% towards the Homecoming fund. Pampered Chef is giving us actually money instead of "host rewards" so if you need anything you can order at the link below and a portion will come directly to the group! 

http://www.pamperedchef.biz/karabullock?page=host-search-results&am...

Also this week the sailors will have pre-deployment briefs. Call your sailor in the evening to see what they learned and to encourage them to get things done now rather than right before deployment. For example, will their license expire during deployment? If so they should renew before they leave. Will their car stickers expire? Where are they parking their car and putting their belongings? Is their POA (Power of Attorney) and Page 2 up to date? As family do you have the ombudsman contact info and do you know who to call in an emergency? They may seem annoyed when you ask but sometimes they need that extra push. :)

Two evenings this week sailors with local family will have similar pre-deployment briefs. The families will hear from CDR Bretz, our ship's ombudsman, myself, Fleet and Family Support, Navy Marine Corp Relief and our fleet chaplain.

I would encourage anyone who can to attend Homecoming. There will not be an eventful "send off". Many times sailors decide to go on board the night before just to ease the transition. IF you are in town though, the Family Readiness Group is planning a breakfast for all families so we can be sad together. :) For Homecoming we will have a Family Dinner the evening before the ship's return. This will be a fun event for all. If you plan to be in town make plans to be there! No matter what your sailor says, if at all possible he/she will want someone there to greet them when the ship arrives. Just imagine the day itself and everyone being greeted by someone. If you can't attend I would encourage you to find someone who can attend in your place or send me a package that I can deliver to them that day. If you plan to come and will be staying in the Hampton Roads area please let me know if you have any questions on hotels, base access, etc. always better to know in advance!

Keep the conversations going!

Comment by MissMySailor on April 2, 2012 at 7:29pm

Hi Veronica glad you made it here. It is me Drew's mom! There will be no room at your house when my son goes to Ohio...LOL I hope you have a wonderful time with them. Arial said she will keep in contact with me here and there and let me know how my Drew is doing. I wish I could go see them off too but we are in the process of moving so I know I will not be ready to go for a visit. My mom was here packing with me today and wants to drive to pick up Drew's car so she can store it at her house instead of him paying for storage. Just don't know how I can swing it. My son told me he does not want me there when they get back. Hurt like hell!!! He said he will be too tired and will want to sleep. Thats the way he feels after underway because he does not sleep when out but that is his own fault. If you want to drive there Veronica you and I are not to far apart maybe we can meet and drive together or fly and we all meet there and stay together. Not sure if I care if Drew said that. I know he is always the one that stays and gets off the ship last but just to be there and see them come it would mean so much to me. I have gotten to know some of his friends too so I would like to see them come in safe too. Hugs Paula

Comment by Veronica (Ariel's Mom) on April 2, 2012 at 11:57am

Hi MissMySailorPaula and Maddie mom of ET. Paula, I live in Ohio and have room at my house if you can find a way to get here. My daughter also lost her dad. It will be 10 years this year on her 22nd birthday. Yes, He died on her 12th birthday. He had just turned 45. There was no warning. Just went down in front of all of us while we were moving our oldest daughter into her freshman dorm room. So our kids all have something in common. This will be very hard since our kids will be deployed over the Major winter holidays. I couldn't even bring myself to put a tree up when my son who was in the Marines, was deployed over the winter holidays. I doubt that I will be in the mood to put one up this year either. Without my husband, my kids are all I have and I get so depressed when they are out of touch for very long. We all need to stay in contact and report any news we hear. :)

Comment by MissMySailor on April 1, 2012 at 10:23pm

Hi all Maddie I am sooo happy for you!!! Enjoy of course I know you will and give him a hug from me! My son is going to see his Grandma. His father died last Aug when they were out for the hurricane and he was able to get back and go to the funeral but he really feels the need to go to his grave and see his dad's mom which I know is important to his heart and I know she needs him too. It was sooo hard for her to loose her son like any mom, he was only 45 a virus went into his heart and killed him. So he will call me as much as he can before he leaves and I will see him when he gets back. I will just fall apart when he is gone and not hearing his voice... Maybe I should have him leave me messages on my cell phone for when I miss him??? Big Hugs to all

Comment by wifeofafc on March 18, 2012 at 8:35pm

Hi ladies,

Two quick things....the sailors will have pre-deployment briefs for several days in early April. They will learn about what leave periods they are eligible to take before deployment. They will be able to make travel plans based on that schedule. Secondly, in regards to your sailors having computers, lab tops on board are not necessary because personal computers can't be connected to the ship's internet. An electronic device of some sort, maybe a Tablet would be nice for their port visits, allowing them to connect to free wi-fi, Just a few, thoughts. :) Looking forward to meeting you all at some point!

Susan

Comment by MissMySailor on March 17, 2012 at 6:43pm

Hi all sorry I have not written all week I have had strep throat since last saturday and I am much better but still jave a sore throat. Wash your hands this virus stinks!

 

Thanks all for starting back here and to Maddie for starting the group when you did. I agree we need more parents here and I have allot of the sailors on my facebook from when I would do fundraisers and send movies and stuff to the ship I was thinking of sending them the link to here and ask them to make sure their parents know about Navy 4 moms and this group so we all can keep in touch.

I am really worried because my son NEVER uses a computer or email the only thing he goes on is facebook. I gave him a tablet and offered to buy him a computer before he leaves but he said he was fine because he would need to use the ships computer and email to contact me anyway... I am reallt scared I will not hear from him for 7 months. Also I can never get my password to work for the family website. Do any of you have the same problem? I just got an email from a navy mom here in Chicago her son is there now she says we will be relieving her sons ship which he is glad because he has been there way over what was expected. I will copy and paste her email tonight.

Happy St Pats Day to all!!!!

Paula

 

 

Comment by wifeofafc on March 14, 2012 at 3:36pm

Hi Navy Moms,

I have a few great email addresses for you to store away now! First of all is our Public Affairs Officer, Ens Julia Kranz. She will be a great contact on board during deployment. Here is the "job description" she sent me a few weeks ago...

"As Public Affairs Officer it is my responsibility to maintain the public
image of the ship and keep people informed about ship activities. I also
act as a liason between the crew and the general public.

I believe that with this responsibility is to also keep our families
informed first. As PAO, I am aware of the major events onboard, have the
means of documenting and displaying ship activities. I am a principle
organizer in all media related events, family day cruises, tiger
cruises, tours, etc.

For the FRG, I will be onboard the entire deployment and have a detailed
ship's schedule, to eventually include port visits. I really just want
to make myself known to the FRG in the hopes of furthering the Facebook
page and website to cater to our families and facilitate communication
between the two."

Her email is kranzjl@ddg109.navy.mil.

Next is our ombudsman, Mrs. Valerie Neumann. You can reach her at ombudsmanddg109@yahoo.com .

And then of course myself, Family Readiness Group Pres. at  jasondunhamfrg@gmail.com.

I know most of you aren't local but please don't hesitate to call for help or encouragement. Your sailors have an intense pre-deployment brief coming up where they will be bombarded with deployment info, some of which will be helpful to you so ask them to pass along the info. They will also have the opportunity to set up their will, power of attorney, etc. all things that will be finished before they leave.

If you know of any local spouses or loved ones, (or if you would just like to know what we're up to) not already receiving my emails, please give me their email addresses so they can be included in future events. Don't hesitate to call if you need anything! 

Susan Doyle

Comment by wifeofafc on November 10, 2011 at 12:10pm

Hi Ladies, I am President of the Family Readiness Group of the USS Jason Dunham. We primarily serve spouses and children of the crew members but we do special things for our single sailors as well! If you ever need anything please don't hesitate to ask, our email is jasondunhamfrg@gmail.com.  We are gearing up for the 3rd Annual Command Children's Christmas Party, to raise money for this event we are selling ornaments. The ornament is a beautiful, wood finished picture of the ship's crest and says "USS Jason Dunham" selling for $10, all proceeds to benefit Children's party. We can ship these as well for a low fee. Let me know if you are interested! Happy Birthday today to the Marine Corp and in memory of Jason Dunham!

Comment by MissMySailor on November 4, 2010 at 6:16pm

Kelly thank you so much for the link!!! When are they scheduled to get in? Please send me a private message as I don't think we are suppose to post it here.

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