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Comment by Melissa (Tucson) on March 2, 2009 at 12:03pm

Hi Carrie: Yep, I'm planning on attending. I'm driving Matt's car out to him and then I'll fly home. You all don't get snow to often do you? I heard about it on the news. It's already been in the 90's here.....we may be in for a really hot summer if this keeps up!
I met another Mom (Monika) with a son on the Ramage and her son is a Sonar Tech and Matt is a Sonar Tech. What are the chances of that happening???? lol
I'll be arriving in Norfolk around March 29th. Let's plan on getting together. I'm staying at the Navy Lodge.

Comment by Melissa (Tucson) on February 11, 2009 at 3:59am

Carrie: Got a call from Matt on Sunday. He says, "Hey, Mom. I'm cranking in the Chief's mess. I met a guy. His Mom knows you. His last name is F_______."

Comment by Melissa (Tucson) on January 29, 2009 at 7:13pm

Ramage VBSS Team Conducts 100th Approach & Assist Visit
Story Number: NNS090129-08
Release Date: 1/29/2009 2:24:00 PM


By Ensign Patrick Whitmore, USS Ramage Public Affairs

USS RAMAGE, At Sea (NNS) -- Sailors from the visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) team aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Ramage (DDG 61) conducted their 100th approach and assist visit (AAV) since arriving to the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Operations (AOO).

These visits are an element of maritime security operations (MSO) which help generate support and awareness amongst vessels in the region to ensure a safe and secure maritime environment.

"The goal of AAVs is presence," said Lt. j.g. Trevor Knight, Ramage's lead boarding officer. "You know an impact is being made when mariners recognize us; and because of our ongoing efforts, they report feeling safer as they conduct their day-to-day business."

AAVs provide coalition forces face-to-face interaction with local mariners and valuable information on patterns of life within the region. Developing communications through AAVs also supports coalition goals of security and stability in the AOO.

Ramage's VBSS team efforts have made significant contributions to MSO throughout the U.S. 5th Fleet. Upon arriving in theater, the teams were effective in patrolling suspected pirate and smuggling routes in the Gulf of Aden. The ship also conducted operations in the North Arabian Gulf by sweeping inbound merchant tankers and augmenting coalition small-boat patrols in and around the Khawr Al Amaya Oil Terminal (KAAOT) and Al Basrah Oil Terminal (ABOT) areas.

"It was a challenging role and a phenomenal learning experience for the team to do these operations," said Gunner's Mate 3rd Class Joshua Samudiohillis, a Ramage VBSS team member. "Working closely with the Australian Navy, other coalition navies, as well as the U.S. Coast Guard, really showed the importance maritime security operations have in the area."

Ramage VBSS team members and boat crew Sailors look forward to continued success during the rest of their deployment.

"Soaked from AAVs from seven until sundown with our normal jobs compressed into the time left over, the perseverance required for these boardings was enormous," said Interior Communications Electrician 2nd Class Andrew Deuell, a Ramage VBSS team member. "But in the end, it's been worth it."

Ramage is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet AOO to conduct MSO. MSO help develop security in the maritime environment. From security arises stability that results in global economic prosperity. MSO complements the counterterrorism and security efforts of regional nations and seek to disrupt violent extremists' use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material.

For more news from Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group, visit www.navy.mil/local/iwoesg/.

Comment by Melissa (Tucson) on January 4, 2009 at 3:18pm

Hi Tina:

Hope you had a good holiday.

I'm so sorry to hear your son's iPod and camera were stolen. What a shame! I mailed Matt a very expensive digital camera for Christmas and now I wonder if it was such a good idea.....isn't it terrible when we have to wonder if what we send our kids will be stolen???

Matt was talking about the stealing problem last night. He said the iPods were being stolen right out of the hands of Sailors as they lay in their racks listening to them. Can you believe that?

Since Matt's a sonar tech, he said they all berth together and haven't had anything stolen yet. So it sounds like it depends on where you're at on the ship. But either way, it's such a shame.

I'm sending you a PM....

Comment by Melissa (Tucson) on January 4, 2009 at 12:00pm

Hi Isabel:
I'm so sorry you still haven't heard from Patrick. Matt called last night around midnight here in Tucson. He said all is well with the ship.
He mentioned there is talk of a Tiger Cruise from Rhode Island to Norfolk on their way home.
If you look above this, you will find a section that says "Links, pictures and other stuff" There you will find the ships website. On the home page of the ships website is a place to "Register". Go ahead and register and in a week or two you will receive your log on and password via email. Once you get that you can log on and look at all the pictures.
Also up above in that box you will find the email for the ship's Ombudsman, Misty Lozano. Send Misty an email and ask to be added to the ship's email list. Every month the ship sends out a "Newsletter" with lots of information and pictures.
The other person up there is Ashleigh Trasher. She sends out emails to all the family members also. So send her an email and ask to be added to her email list.
Either Misty or Ashleigh will send out emails 72 hours before the ship arrives in port. When you talk to your son he may be able to give you a better idea of when the ship is returning. That is something we cannot talk about on this website because it's considered very sensative information. We can talk about where the ship has been, but not where it's going.

I hope this helps and feel free to ask any more questions you may have. :)

Comment by Melissa (Tucson) on January 3, 2009 at 1:17pm

Well, okay, all the one's I've gotten to know. We had a Navy Mom gathering here in Tucson last September with Moms from all over the country, so I've made some serious friends....lol
Looks to me you're on the way!!!! Find me a cheap motel for one night.

Comment by Melissa (Tucson) on January 3, 2009 at 1:09pm

Carrie:
I'm planning on visiting every Navy Mom between Tucson and Norfolk. Most have dogs or cats so I'll be staying in a cheap motel, but that's okay, I'd rather do that than NOT visit! Where are you located? I've got stops in El Paso and Beaumont, TX; Lake Charles, LA; Atlanta, GA; Athens and Nashville TN and High Point, NC.....

I hope I get an email from Matt today. Glad to hear they may be calling. I, like you, is missing that boy's voice. He's by baby and the only boy.
I did get the December newsletter. No pictures of Matt this month. Last month, there were 3 pictures of him! I was soooo excited!
I had my daughter from California here for Christmas along with my brother in SIL from Nashville. But not the same without Matt. He's the one that loves Christmas and does all the decorating and meal planning with me.
I sent Matt "Family Guy" for Christmas and that was one of his favorite gifts. He says they watch a lot of DVDs and they trade them, which is a good thing!

Later :)

Comment by Melissa (Tucson) on January 3, 2009 at 12:09pm

Hi Carrie: How was your Christmas and New Years? Kinda slow here. First one without Matt :(

I missed his last phone call on Dec 19th. He emailed me a week ago. He seems to be doing fine. All he wants is sunflower seeds and energy drinks. That's a real good sign all is okay.

He's been playing poker and winning. Hopes to have enough points to get into the after deployment tournament. The Sonar Techs found a brand new poker table in a closet in their Sonar room and are just estatic. Matt said they've had some XBox tournaments and he didn't fair as well. He still hasn't requested his XBox. The laptop, iPod, camera and poker must be keeping him entertained.

Their port call was cancelled for December. I wonder if they'll get another one soon. I was so looking forward to him and I using our webcams....

How often are you hearing from Tim? I'm curious if Matt isn't emailing because it's down or because he doesn't have anything to say (which isn't like him).

You're going to homecoming right? I'm planning on driving my Honda to Norfolk and giving it to Matt and then flying home. Hope we can hook up before homecoming.

We have about 8 Ramage family members on here now. Wish they'd get busy and talk!!!! (hint, hint)

Have a great day! mm

Comment by Melissa (Tucson) on January 2, 2009 at 4:09pm

Comment by Melissa (Tucson) on January 2, 2009 at 4:09pm

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