USS Bataan LHD-5

Thanks for sharing the picture I found my son in there too.  He received his ESWS and a NAM! 

gonavy2010,  So glad you showed a picture of your son, because I thought maybe that was my son.  They do look a like from distance.LOL

ckmom - yes they do look alike from a distance...that's too funny.

 . . .    T (-) 12   . . . 

Not much longer!!!  I am getting so excited to see my son!

dumb question...when they say we need the rank/rate of our sailors is that like E2/then department?  He is non designted so not sure.  Will they not let us in if we don't know what to tell them?  Not sure I will hear from him again before that day. 

I have not heard a word.  Where was that picture taken Micra?

Portugal, Spain

We are planning on attending the night before party and have our reservations, I am bringing my parents and they are wondering about how formal the party is.  I am guessing jeans and nice shirts but I told them I would find out. Does anyone know? I know this is not a huge deal but this is a first for us and they are getting nervous about everything :)  Also at the party we should be given information on how to get on base and where to go?  Thanks in advance for any help :) 

@ Becky

Yes, jeans and a nice shirt will be just fine for the night before party. They should answer any questions you have, plus the ombudsmen and FRG members should be there, so you can ask them any questions you might have.

Thank you for the articles and info Joro.  You are always so informative and fun.  This page would not be as valuable without you!! Hope you and the babies are doing well!

What group will we start next? I went from Bootcamp to A school to Bataan quickly! 

@milwife2 Thank you for the information:)

@ Joro- I am going to ask that you do not put any information out unless it has been released from the command and its offical. Any talk of yard work or anything of that nature is just talk. Nothing offical has come from the command.

The CO just took command in August and CO tours are anywhere form 12-18 + months long.

Any command questions for offical information need to go through the ombudsman.

Thank you

Joro...I agree with Barbara...You have made this deployment easier for me than any other deployment my husband has been on...I wish the best for you and you husband on his retirement.....You really should think about working with the commands to continue to support people like us...(lol) Thanks again for all of your encouraging words and information....

Joro   I agree with everyone else, thankyou!!!!

Although I have only been part of this blog for a few weeks, it has made me feel less alone. As my son would say, it is a big Bravo Zulu. Thank you.

I'll be on the cruse and would love to meet ya'll but I know once your Sailor is by your side, meeting n4m-mom's will be the last thing on your list . . . so . . . have fun on the dock and maybe I'll see you from the ship and we can wave . . . 

maybe ya'll can wear a red bandana or something "hunters orange" (that's my Midwest rural community talking) 

It HAS been nice talking with ya'll and I hope just because our Sailors are home side our communication doesn't stop . . . I usually don't talk much but I love to listen,   Joanne

I beleive "Joro", needs her own SPECIAL medal for being such a great help!  I will miss all of her posts!  She is A+ , #1 in my opinion.. THANK YOU!!!!

how do I reply for the night before party.  I'm having troubles.

Thanks

Good morning, I have been watching all your happy excited post about TC and homecoming and I must admit, I am a little jealous.  I spoke with Jake about me and Dad coming to homecoming and he said, "I dont think it necessary, I have only been out here a month, not the same for me as these guys who have been out here so long.  I will have some liberty soon to come home.  You dont need to waste the money, maybe you can come to the next one."  I am not sure if he means it, if he will wish we came when he sees everyone else reuniting or if he is just being practical.  I kind of want to go and surprise him, but his best buddy is from Norfolk so he might have plans when they there that I dont want to ruin.  Thoughts?

Although it isn't over yet, I would like to thank all of you for helping me survive my first deployment!! Joro, I agree with everyone else, you've been a HUGE help to me. Thank you! If only I had powers so I could forward time...I wanna see my sailor! Lol

Absolutely! Although the time left isn't long compared to what we've already done - it feels like forever.

ckmom, I did get to see him in December, he was home for about 2 weeks and left Dec. 20th for Africa then flew to his ship.  I really dont have any way of getting a hold of his buddies, he has only known them since boot and I have not had the opportunity to meet them.  I would be flying from Las Vegas, so it is pretty pricey, but that is not an issue, the most important thing is for me to give him the support he needs in his first year of the Navy.  I, of course, would love to see him but I also dont want to smother him (which I have been known to do) as I feel he is trying to grow as a man.

I'm new to this group, but would like to express my thanks to Joro for the info she has provided.  It has helped me to understand what occurs with our sailors and the "lingo" (I'm prior Air Force and things are a bit different...please no tossing of tomatos lol).  I will be at the Night B4 event, and am staying at the LaQuinta, looking forward to see you folks and even more to seeing my son, it's been a long time.

@jakesmom,  Your son sounds like my son, I wanted to go and see him when he was at Pennsacola to see his graduation from A school and then I wanted to see him at Jacksonville when he graduated from C school.. Oh but he didn't want me  said it wasn't nessary not that big of a deal and I should save my money.  lol

I wanted to go on the TC but he said NO again that it smells and a lot of paper work.  lol   So I was ok with it because he said it would be better that after the homecoming he would  show us  the ship and where his shop is and ect.

But now he got 1st leave so now we will be leaving ASAP for home.

I won't be seeing the ship inside just outside.  You know all he wants right now is to get off that ship and see us waiting for him.  SOOOO  homesick!!  Said we will be driving straight home no staying over.  We have 1000 miles to drive home after we see him.   Can't wait to visit with him all the way home because I know wants he is home I wont see him.  Will be out with his friends.  LOL

So your son may not say he really wants you there but deap down he may want you there.

Is there any information where to go to meet them for the home coming? My first time.

http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=65008

  Thought some of you might want to see this article about the Bataan and its recent travels.

Kathy Dee

I can't wait to see my son he has been gone for ten months and before than he was in Japan for 18months. I miss him so and I am so proud of him . Yes I will be there when the Bataan returns. God Bless All of Our Men and Women..

Oh yeah. I already have a goodie box for his trip to NY. Gum, almonds, pistachio nuts. Bus assignment is official for husband and uncle.

It is definitely going to be one heck of a line of buses.

Is my sailor the only one who knows what bus? I do plan on going to the night before party so I can get the assignment there? I have no idea where I am going since we were not there when the Bataan left. She(my girl) was air lifted later on so we are kind of working blind with the return. Any help would be appreciated. 

Kathy dee 

I thought these bus assignments were for the TC. Help.

ok. so if we are not going on the Tiger Cruise - then I do not need a bus assignment?

Sorry to be so dense but not clear on this at all.

Kathy Dee

ok thanks so much. will touch base with the Ombudsman since I did not get an email and I am supposedly on that list.

Have a nice evening everyone.

Kathy Dee

Ombudsman will tell you to check with your sailor. That is what happened to me yesterday.

Hi, I'm new to the group--and I am as excited as everyone else seems to be about the homecoming!  I know we are all stressed out now, but think of how great it'll be!

Kathy Dee what hotel are you staying at?

I am so envious of all of you that are able to meet your Sailors as they dock! We are unable to be there because of  Norfolk being so far away, bad weather possibilities and cost.. Our sailor has asked us not to come because all he wants to do is get on the van and get back to his quarters in DC, and drive his own car again ! Sounds like a man doesn't it ? I just am feeling little down and and all I can do is picture is him standing all alone with no one to ''hug". I have been advised by a very kind, knowing, and thoughtful soul on this site (yes, you know who you are), is that they hold off the Sailors that are not greeting anyone, as then they can avoid all of the commotion with family and friends who are waiting. Just share some photos of them "Manning The Rails" with me please, after you have had time to enjoy your reunions, even if it is 6 months from now.  We will see our Sailor some time April. So it will be okay, it has been 17 months since we have seen him. How my mother stood not seeing my father for 4 years during WW II, with no communication is beyond my wildest thoughts!! Thank heavens for computers, better phone service and Face Book photos!!!   Have a wonderful time... I will be thinking of all of you!!! 

Take care, stay safe and God Bless!!

I second that Sailor's Mom, My son has asked that we dont come either but for different reasons, he has only been aboard since December 20th.  I am glad to hear he wont be standing there hugless and I too would love to see some pics in the future.