Norfolk Sailors - Family & Friends

So proud. God bless the USA and the men, women and families of an incredibly brave group. Thank you.

navy lodge(Norfolk)  #757 489 2656

Michelle, here is all the info about the Navy Lodge plus pictures - http://www.navyformoms.com/group/norfolksailorsfamilyfriends/forum/...

The carriers are at the base, just a stone's throw from the Navy Lodge.  Virginia Beach is nearby but the rates at the beachfront hotels really go up in the summertime.  The Marriott and the Sheraton at Norfolk's downtown Waterside are also very nice.  As for events while you're there, check the links here Things to do in Norfolk

Found one more thing - interesting! MWR list of camping, cabins & RV parks for the USA, alphabetical by state, with Italy and Japan too; scroll down to Virginia (seven locations).  http://www.mwr.navy.mil/mwrprgms/cabin.htm

Karen J...Sounds like you are having a blast and enjoying your Sailor.  Just be carefule about listing dates for movements of ships and posting pics with your Sailors name if it has his last name.  Safety for our Sailors is top priority especially now.  This is a public website and we never know who is reading and watching.  Best to your Sailor!

Hi Marie,  I don't know if you remember me from PIR. My son is stationed in Norfolk also.  Right now he is on deployment for 9 months.  His ship is the USS Bataan.

Wish he was here to help your son, I know he would.  Maybe down the road they will meet.

Curtis doesn't know anything about Norfolk yet.  He arrived there in March and a couple days later was told he was going on deployment for 9 months.  So he was there a week then drove his car home and flew back to Norfolk. Left on deployment after that. 

I'm sure there is someone on here that can help you out.

marine navy mom,  Curtis says he is doing pretty good so I guess ok.  

I'm doing ok, have my moments where my emotions take over. LOL

He does email me at least once a week.  That helps a lot. 

Thanks for asking, so how are you doing?

Marie (Keke's mom), not to worry, my son doesn't drink, and there are lots like him.  Here are some thoughts: 

On Norfolk Naval Base at the corner of Gilbert and Bacon Streets (close to gate 2 I think), there is a great recreational place for our sailors called the Wind and Surf Recreation Center. I saw it on my last visit and it's really nice, I was so impressed (I took a pic, below), with billiards, a theater room with 800+ movies, etc etc.  The Rec Center is attached to the Wind and Surf Internet Cafe, which has a Starbucks, lots of flat screen TVs and seating. 

Wind & Surf Internet Café
Location: Building C-9, 9475 Bacon Avenue
Phone: (757) 444-2888
Hours of operation: Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m. to midnight; Saturday, noon to midnight; Sunday, noon to 11 p.m.

Wind & Sea Recreation Center
Location: Building C-9, first deck, 9475 Bacon Avenue
Phone: (757) 444-4033
Hours of operation: Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.;
Friday, 11 a.m. to midnight; Saturday, noon to midnight. and Sunday, noon to 11 p.m.
Amenities:
Wi Fi internet
Snack Bar
Quarterly theme/holiday parties
Liberty trip sign up
Pool tables
Ping Pong table
Individual TV viewing area
PS2, PS3, Xbox, & Xbox360, Wii with a large game library
UFC & WWE pay per view events
Large theater room with 800+ titles from Navy Motion Picture service
Regular tournaments including Texas Hold 'em  gaming systems

Another idea is to have your son check out the Single Sailor Programs offered by MWR, website:  

https://www.cnic.navy.mil/NorfolkSTA/MWR/Recreation/SSP/index.htm

They offer lots of activities, and can be a good way see the area and meet people.    

It's baseball season, and Norfolk has a AAA baseball team called the Tides that is the farm team for the Baltimore Orioles (pretty cool), and the park is great, set right on the Elizabeth River. http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/index.jsp?sid=t568

Hope this helps give him some options!  :)  By the way, if your sailor doesn't have a car, perhaps the family can help him out because it's pretty much essential there.  

jess, you guys sound like my parents growing up, and now me.  dad was in the air force and was always bringing home the single guys for home cooked meals, holidays etc.  he said he always remembers being stationed in washington state (he was born and raised in north carolina) and he would ride the bus to neighborhoods and just walk around thinking about how he missed his family and would make up stories about what was going on in the houses.

i've left posts on here, and i'm putting it out there again, i live 2 hours south of norfolk, on the outer banks in nc, and anyone that needs a get away or anybody has anyone out here that just needs some "family" time away from "navy life" just give a yell!

Jess, you and your husband sound so awesome.

Keke's mom, my son grew up in a small town and didn't drink like  teenagers sometimes do, and now that he is old enough to drink he isn't a bigger drinker either. I know that he goes to the internet cafe & rec center and always talks like he really enjoys it. I also worry about my son because he doesn't have a car, and we are so far away, but there are so many great men & women who are great about helping out.

Talking to my son on the phone now, he's excited about the volunteer opportunities!  He's always wanted to volunteer in a zoo, that's going to be the first thing he checks out!!!  He's been to the Rec Center, guess he just hasn't hooked up with anyone.  Jess, he'd love to hook up with you guys.  I sent you a friend request so we can exchange information.  Marcy, is your son on base or is he on deployment?

Aww Janae, hope you're doing better this week!  

Michelle, I have some thoughts for you, sending a PM/friend request.  BTW I've done the car shipping thing between California & Hawaii, lived on Oahu (Hawaii Kai) for two years.  Good ol' Matson :)

Before deployment, we had an apartment in Hampton and we got it from rent.com. If you find the apartment you want off of the website you can tell them and they will send you a 100 dollar visa gift card just for renting through them and the apartment we had gave us great discounts on rent every month. I highly recommend it.

Mari, here's their website: http://www.public.navy.mil/usff/ddg51/Pages/default.aspx

Also, go this group to find her ombudsman - http://www.navyformoms.com/group/whatsanombudsmanandhowtocontactthem - just ask "A Sailor's Mom" and she'll help you out, or read how to DIY in the Discussions.  Then ask the Ombudsman for contact info for the Family Readiness Group (FRO).