How to prepare for deployment!

Hello, my son left on his first deployment last month. It's been pretty tough especially getting through the first several weeks. I was happy to hear that the ship just recieved it's first batch of mail the other day when they stopped to fuel. My son received most of the letters I had written and my pkg to him and to top all that off operation gratitude sent care packages to all the sailors aboard the ship. It was like Christmas for all of them!

HI Neese & Kim,
Glad to be here!
My son KC is an Engineman/Fireman, a Snipe, on the USS Rodney M. Davis.
They recently left on deployment and will not arrive back til next spring/summer.
Being a first deployment for him I know it's tough and for me I know it's more emotionally tough.. :( I know, one day at a time...as each day passes it's one day closer to the day they arrive back. :)

Even though my letters/notes are more ramblings nothing of real importance I try writing about three times a week and I'm working on his next package. It is fun getting a package ready to go. But it's the waiting that might get frustrating at least I know for some whether or not their loved ones received their packages.
Oh yeah, great ideas on the packages Neese, thanks.

My hubby is an ex-Marine, his SIL was Navy but now a Marine and is stationed in NC at this time. We've taken a couple of tours of my son's ship and my husband says he would love to be working down in the belly of that ship. He truly would if that were possible.

Well Ladies, thanks for the warm Welcome and you both have a Blessed Day!

Oh, and I'll fwd that info to ya Neese a little later.

Blessings, Karen

I think this is a great group, do you remember when we thought boot camp was hard? Or perhaps a very long school? And really it's all about the fleet sailor, when will you hear from them? When will you see them again?

I was a Navy wife for 10 years so I know it's hard especially with the holidays approaching. Our son is getting ready to head to C school soon so it will still be a while before he heads to his first ship but just wanted to say I understand and I hope the support that you find here and on this site makes your days just a little bit easier.

Kathryn, what we have always shared as families will certainly be impacted going forward based on their orders or deployments, etc. It can be hard to get used to and even harder to plan special events as the Navy needs will always come before ours. I was a Navy wife for 10 years and learned that what is important to us...is not the same to the Navy!! It just makes their time at home all that more special. Glad that you have joined us.

OK...a friend of mine has been holding out on me..
I just found this group..
I will take support where ever I can get it
My son left mid Oct. on the USS Rodney M. Davis and will return in mid 09...
it has left a hole in my heart..each day I find more and more support. I just found that you need to open up to people and they are really responsive. My N4M friends have and are the BEST of the BEST...
When he comes home..or suppose to be home {by}..he my son and his wife are expecting the birth of their first child and the first grandbaby for me...
The ship, The Rodney M. davis has a nickname..."The homewrecker" oh Lord..that what some of its sailors call it....cause it goes out SO much.
I don't know about that..but time will tell.
xooxoxo

ooops...sorry diane :)
hmm, or was that comment meant for Mary also since she is here too? :)

my son will be celebrating his 21st birthday while away. that would be his second birthday away from home since he left for boot camp. :(

Wishing you all & yours a very Happy Thanksgiving!


glitter-graphics.com

Hi moms, just stopped by to see how you are doing. I know it's even harder when the holidays are looming.

HI Ladies....um...how am I gonna make it through the hokiday season......
Well ONE huge this that I have learned and learned well is....BE THANKFUL for what you have....not for what you wish you had.....
that is how I plan to get through this holiday season.....lots of great family and friends help too....
love to all
oxoxoxoxox

sorry girls having no "spell check" stinks...
"holiday"

I know we are all wishing our sailors could be at our dinner table tomorrow----hoping that your day will be good.

Hope everyone had a great Holiday.!
It was different without my son..but learned to enjoy it...for all the guys that give it up so that we may have this holiday each and every year.
love to all
xooxoxo

One holiday behind us! We had our daughter home from school so that helped but generally she and my son share the wishbone. So after dinner, she asked me...where's the wishbone at? I just smiled at her and she said......you are saving it for when Nick comes home?!!! Yep, that's what moms do!

As far as I know you would go through the Red Cross especially if there is a death in the family.

redcross.org

HI girls...
First hand info on family emergancies and the Red Cross.
The Red Cross will "pay for the Flight" but the sailor "must" pay the Red Cross *back*
My son is currently deployed and during "pre-deployment" mtgs..the crew was told that *any family emergency MUST go through the red cross. Cause basically guys "you do NOT get off this ship unless we are called by the Red Cross"!!!
I gather Command just wanted the guys to understand procedure!
XOOXO

I did not word the last part quite right...
"you do NOT get off this ship unless we are called by the Red Cross"!!!

That does not guarntee that you get to leave..Command must agree to it..
goodluck
xoxoxox

Happy Holidays...my thoughts & prayers are with you all and for safe travels for your loved ones. Kim, enjoy the time with your son.

Have a safe & Happy New Year's!!


glitter-graphics.com

HI all...my son is currently deployed about 1/2 way througn...we hope....
I can't tell you the day the ship left port....my heart went with him...and girls...I thought bootcamp was hard.....
But it does get better...Lots of emails..LOTs...so commuciation is quite good..
Mail stinks...but all is good

Leaving tomorrow morning to spend the last few days with my son before his first deployment. I tear up every time I think of it. He has made a list of things I should bring to him - I'll be baking cookies tonight!

As Diane mentioned down below we are approaching the half way mark....as one day passes, it's one more day closer to homecoming. Both our boys are on the same ship. It's been tough and I haven't really enjoyed it but it's always nice to hear my son's voice over the phone when they are in Port or receive emails from him.

Hi Kim, Do you know what's become of Neese? Haven't seen her on for awhile now.

Oh, check out the new group that was added earlier today....hmm, Care Packages Ideas....something like that on the first page of groups. Check out all the great info on there and there's lots of recipes too.

Care Package Ideas Group