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Comment by KatK on November 9, 2010 at 8:08pm

The family day on the Fitzgerald was just great!! When we first came aboard the command wanted to make sure we, the family members, knew that this day was for us and to thank us for all the support we give our loved ones and the ship. No area of the ship was off limits so we saw engineering, the pilothouse, the “war” room, the mess hall, wardroom and all the ammunitions and guns. The sailors did a demonstration of the fire hose and then let the family members try the fire hose. All the fire fighting equipment was laid out and we could try it on, too. It was fun watching the kids get into the gear. We also got to watch as the sailors fired two different guns. The 5inch gun was really loud! Even with earplugs my ears rang when that gun was fired. The sailors fired it five times and it was amazing to watch.
The 25-millimeter machine gun was fired by remote control and it could fire at close range, medium range and long range. You could see the tracers as it fired. We were very impressed at the attentiveness and professionalism of the crew during these live demonstrations. We had a steel beach picnic (deck of the ship) with some great food-ribs, burgers, hot dogs, and to top it off an ice cream social. As we traveled back to base, we were amazed at the ship traffic that the Fitz had to navigate through. This included the big container tankers, small pleasure crafts, and fishing boats. The crew of the ship had to determine where each of these ships were heading so they could navigate around them. It was something to watch. To top off a wonderful day, my husband and I were touched when Captain Velez presented us one of his command coins for traveling the longest distance. Our son explained that this was quite an honor since these coins aren’t given out lightly (he doesn’t have one but we do now). All in all, this day helped us see what our son does and how important all our sailors are to the defense of our country. (I will try to post some pictures to my home page, too).

Comment by Daphne on November 5, 2010 at 5:20pm

I am a mom of a new Sailor who just recently reported to the GW. I am having a heck of a time getting info from him. I want to send a xmas package but don't have an address (shop #) for him. Also, any ideas on what to send would be a great help.

Comment by dualM on November 4, 2010 at 6:55pm

well, I first arrived here when I was 14 (I am currently 21). My dad was stationed here. I then joined the Navy here at 16. By the time I went to boot camp, I was 17. I was fortunate enough to get stationed back here on one of the small ships. My dad just recently retired this past January. I've been stationed here for the past 3 years but have lived here for almost 7 years.

I don't know much about the Band here except that sometimes I can here them practicing in their building which is right beside the Fleet Theater. I've never seen them perform but I'm sure they do, I'm just never inport to see it.

I like Japan because my family is here. My dad retired here, so he, my mom, and little brother all live here offbase. I don't see much of them but it's still nice knowing that they're here.
And the food tastes great! Plus everything is walking distance which is especially helpful for us single sailors with no car. If we want to go out of town to do a little shopping or sight seeing, we just take the train which is a very easy way of transportation. Of course, we miss stores like Wal-mart, Kmart, Target and fast food restaurants like Chik-fil-a, and Arbys but you know, it's a great opportunity to be stationed in Japan. And we get paid more out here. =)

Comment by dualM on November 3, 2010 at 11:45pm

Well, for seasickness I usually take a pill the night before we go underway and it's good for the whole day the next day. For me, the first day underway is the worse for me and I usually don't need to take anymore seasick meds after that. But for some poeple, they might have to take it every night. Some seasick meds make you sleepy too, so you'd have to watch out for that. Don't take it in the morning because you'll be tried and groggy for the rest of the day.

I heard that on an aircraft carrier, rocking isn't that bad. Most of the time they can't even feel it unless it's a really bad storm. But if the GW was able to feel all that rocking then I definitely know it was bad. Because intense rocking on a small ship is almost normal.

It's true, for most storms it's always us going underway but the Japanese ships always stay inport. There's only been a few times where the Japanese ships went underway also because of a storm. In my opinion, I think we should wait till the Japanese ships leave before we drastically go underway. We weren't even scheduled to go underway that day but then all of a sudden our CO goes on the 1MC and announces that we're scheduled to go underway at 1000 that day. It sucked.

Comment by dualM on November 3, 2010 at 11:01pm

hi, I'm not a mom, but I am stationed out here in Yokosuka, Japan. I'm on one of the smaller ships.
We went underway for the storm but when we came back everyone was saying it wasn't that bad. But out on sea, it was pretty bad. There were so many people seasick.
I don't know why the American ships leave when the Japanese ships stay during storms.
But if any of you have questions regarding Yoko, I'll try to help you out.

Comment by Mollie...Kelcies Mom on October 30, 2010 at 12:01pm

Hi msmom, welcome aboard. They "batten down the hatches" in japan. Vessels that were do to port these past few days have had to wait the typhoon out while out to sea. Vessels that were in the harbor were also sent back out to sea to await the thyphoon's passing. They do this so that the vessels don't get damaged if they break loose from their moorings and risk banging up against each other. The base goes into a "lockdown" of sorts, with most activities halted and access to the base becoming very limited. Typhoon Chaba is the one that is passing thru right now. My sailorette says they experienced some VERY rough weather, and she is on the George Washington, the largest vessel. She said she felt sorry for those that were on smaller vessels. Try to find out the email address for the Ombudsman and FRG of your son's vessel, then request to get put on their email list. That way, you will get updates on a pretty regular basis.

Comment by msmom on October 30, 2010 at 11:25am

Hi! I am new here, son reported one week ago. Speaking of storms, I am happy you and your families made it through allright; has anyone heard about a typhoon around Japan? I am from Gulf Coast and we evacuate to parts north. What does navy do?

Comment by Mollie...Kelcies Mom on October 23, 2010 at 12:14am

Blondie....LOVE your clip art :-) :-) I was bummed that the Family and Friends cruise was cancelled, but her bf has arranged for me to get a tour of the GW and he is gonna bring me aboard and surprise her, so it's ALMOST as good as the tour. But you are right, it will mean a little more free time for her, so we can visit some more.
Jane.........LOVED the story. I grew up in Hawaii and we had our fair share of critters, but certainly no spiders as big as a human..yuuuuuuuuuk. I think I might even be screaming with that one Blondie:( Kelcie talked of Camel Spiders when she was stationed down in the desert, but I think they were small compared to the REAL ones that are found over in the middle east. That's why I pay for quarterly pest control service :-) God Bless the "Bug Man" :-)

Comment by KatK on October 22, 2010 at 12:05pm

I have gotten both of those viruses. I opened the USPS one because I had just sent a package to my son. Thank goodness, I have a mac and it didn't do anything to my computer. I won't open another email from either the post office or UPS.

Comment by Mollie...Kelcies Mom on October 21, 2010 at 1:54am

Blondie....thanks SO much for the warning. Could you post that over on Molly's page. Lots of potential victims in that group.
This kids momma DID raise him right, and I've told her so.....believe me. Am gonna take him up on his offer, as Steph's mom suggested also. Only a week left now :-)

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