Comment

Comment by debdjw on January 18, 2011 at 2:17am

I agree with Colleen! Take care, Susan, and we look forward when you can comment again! ((((((((hug))))))))

Comment by Coke51 on January 17, 2011 at 9:32pm

Susan, how are we lucky?  I'm happy to hear from you and what is on your mind. I'll miss your comments.  I check this every day.  I hope your parents will be okay.

Comment by JerseySusan on January 17, 2011 at 1:30pm

There is a list that the Ombudsman have as a first emergency contact {either a wife,parent, or in some cases a girlfriend, friend or other relative}, that our son's provided them with that information. Along with that comes a phone tree, either by phone, or mass e-mail do the Ombusdman pass along certain general information. But your son had to provide them with your name. The Ombudsman are a Support Team Liaison to help Navy Families.They help prepare the families before,during and after deployment. There is only one problem,it is geared towards the wives and their families (understandably of course) but not towards the parents of single son's.I think the answer towards the parents of single son's is a very simple solution, and that would be for every boat to appoint a Mother of a single sailor {preferably one that lives close to the base}, an Ombudsman Mother working along the side of other Ombudsman who are all wives.Most of us parents of single sons had no or very little information about deployment,what to expect, how to handle emergency situations,and having the knowledge of getting a half-way package placed on the boat together before they departed, mainly because there wasn't a Mother appointed Liaison to help guide us through from the very beginning. Our sons were very busy doing shifts,duty,getting qualified and going underway during this past year getting the boat ready. Most of us didn't or still might not have phone numbers,mailing address's or even e-mail contacts.So girls sorry to vent this on all of you, but maybe, hopefully in the future, this will all change. If only the Parents were given the same information for our sailors,we would have had a much better understanding of what to expect. We wouldn't have to worry with broken hearts what their face will look like when only the few get packages sent to them on certain days.Welll, your all very lucky, you won't be hearing from me for a couple of days. I have to go take care of my parents for a couple of days, and they don't have a computer that responds, so everyone take care of themselves. God Bless All of You and Your Families.        

Comment by debdjw on January 17, 2011 at 12:52pm

Cheryl, what a great idea to have friends and family write something and then print it out.  I am glad to get an idea.  Susan, thanks for the info that moms can send their own bag.  I have been enjoying bonding with my DIL however.  Working together to fill the bag has been fun. We have spent more time together since she has moved back into the area.  So I will probably continue to share with her.  I finally got an email from J.  It was only two sentences and he was really busy but it was good to hear from him.  I hope your sons will get a chance to get an email out soon.  Thanks, Susan, for all your work finding out information!

Comment by JerseySusan on January 17, 2011 at 10:26am

Hello Ladies, Well, a lot has been on my mind since this whole Mail Drop has come about. Just thinking or knowing how much "ALL or MOST" of the "Single Sailors"that aren't married will be left out. I feel for all of the Mom's who's sons are single, and not being recognized as having their sons being aboard the sub. I wish I could of heard the words, "Don't worry, everyone of the 132 crew members, {not sure of the exact count}, aboard will be getting surprise baggies filled with small items"....but...... I didn't.....I think it is the type of person I am. I have always been the type that has claimed the words "It's All or Nothing". We are without a Doubt, left out of the Loop. We are the last to hear any news, and when we do, sometimes it's to late to do anything about it, either b/c of distance or the event has already taken place. After all, "Who are We?", "We are just the one's who gave birth to these very Special Men!" 

Comment by debdjw on January 16, 2011 at 1:18am

My DIL called me this morning and we rushed to town with our gallon baggie.  If we got it to Federal Express by noon today they guaranteed that it would get to San Diego in time.  I wish I could have sent something for each one of your sons but they only allow one baggie per sailor.  If we had had more time, we might of been able to figure something out.  I am sure all of us moms will think of something now that the time is passed.  I never know what to put in these things.  My daughter-in-law nicely has told me both times.  One for a mid-deployment (which I had to get ready before October 31st before they left but while they were out for training).  I don't know what to put in.  I rack my brain.  There is so little space.  I feel like his wife is a priority and I don't want her to not put something in because of what I put in.  I ended up putting a snack baggie of candy, and a card.  We got it to Federal Express just in time.  It seems like they don't tell us much ahead of time.  It is probably because they don't know either.  Because I ran off to town to do this, I didn't get everything ready for my mom's birthday dinner at my house.  I don't think anyone noticed.  We all had a good time.  I think Susan has a good idea.  We could pack a gallon bag ahead of time and then just send it off when we get the word or our DILs get the word, as the case may be.  Then maybe I could actually have a good idea what to put in :).

Comment by Coke51 on January 15, 2011 at 10:06pm

Thanks, Susan.

Comment by JerseySusan on January 15, 2011 at 8:11pm

OK Girls, I just sent back a reply to the Obudsman, Thanking them very much for the information on the mail drop, but that most of us don't have enough time to send anything out. However, I have ask them for any suggestions that would help us in gathering a box together  for the next time there is a mail drop,plus would we have persmission to do it, and to which address do we use. I expressed to them that we are worried that some of our sons won't be getting anything due to the short notice. I will let you all know when I hear something back.  

Comment by Coke51 on January 15, 2011 at 7:18pm

I do feel bad that we can't send Aaron anything this time.  I'll have to be more prepared next time.  If anyone has any ideas as to how we can send  group packages, share!

Comment by JerseySusan on January 15, 2011 at 3:11pm

Cheryl. that was a great idea with the mass e-mail to send their wishes through e-mail and have your daughter-in-law print them out.It's wonderful if your daughter-in-law keeps you up to date with everything. All of the wives are on the phone tree for any up-dates. Any mom's who have sons that are single, are, or should be on the phone tree also. We get up-dates though our personal e-mail or if necessary, a phone call if any plans have changed while they are out to sea.As long as you have a daughter-in-law that keeps you informed quickly, than you are in great shape, and it sounds like you both have great communication.The date is to soon for most of us.The wives were probably just informed about the mail drop. My guess is that they are probably pulling into a port very soon.There is an address that you can mail to, but your not guaranteed when or where they will receive it.

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• …
• 51
• 52
• 53
• 54
• 55
• …
• 69
• Next ›
• Page