PIR 10/15/10

Judy-Welcome! I will let you know that my husband is in 347! We have a discussion group up top. We are a very close group! Your son is good hands. 347 is a great division. They have been doing a great job thus far. So glad to have you in our group!

Judy they have battery operated candles. You can put a blue bulb in it. I'm not sure it they will let you carry a battery operated candle on a plane. You could call ahead and ask.

Thank you! That is so good to hear! When my husband got the phone call yesterday he was told by my sons old rdc that he had every confidence in my son. He said the only reason he was being held back was because of not being able to pass the run due to pneumonia. So I am hoping that this div will help him push through and do what he needs to do. So if any one gets calls, tell your SR to help the new sick guy through! His mom wants to see him

Welcome Judy! We are also having our Meet & Greet at Anastasia's - see discussion above for details! Hang in there!!

Judy - welcome!!!Hugs to you!!! I'm so sorry you have had this happen at the last minute... but just set your disappointment aside and keep pushing forward just as your recruit is doing. Stay strong!!!

Timsmom is right! We have a great group of moms, wives, girlfriends, fiancees and even a Dad here. I think we are all feeling a little crazy right now and wanting this to be done! You can be crazy right along with us! ;)

Feel free to whine at us... we are here for you!

If someone could private message me the new address so I can write my son, that would be great. I know it is a div ship than what he was on, so am assuming rhe address changed.

They will definately motivate him, Judy! They are a great group of guys like I said. I have become very close with quite few of the ladies that have boyfriend/husband/finaces in this group that I talk to on a daily basis outside of N4M and they are all dedicated to helping each other out. They have great teamwork and have so far been able to call home just about every week due to working together as a team.

Oh, Megan Thank you! I know in the beginning my son's div was not working well together and it was very frustrating for him. His rdc told my husband he had every confidence my son would nail BS because he had never had any problems with him and he knew his stuff.

Judy if you approve my friend request, I will private msg you the address.

Done, thank you

bed bath and beyond has the battery operated ones... sorry to hear about your son Judy- my daughter is in ship 4 now with an injury and she was supposed to PIR on 10/15 but now is postponed till I dont know when - she was supposed to see doctor yesterday so hopefully saturday I will have good news or some news. Good luck to your son I hope he is all healed... Good luck all of you and Dudes girl keep the faith.. its almost over... HOOYAH

Hi suwil68, thanks for the info! guys, go to mybluestarflag.com to order your free flag.

suwil I am waiting on mine now I ordered a couple of weeks ago ;)

thanks so much for keeping nikki in your prayers and the cards- when i told her about that she cheered up so much just thinking that strangers are rooting for her - I guess she is now realizing what an extended family we have here lol- God bless you all :)

My Mother in law is a member of the American legion and she got the blue star flags for us from there right before our son left, we have it hanging in the window...love what it stands for....
She said years ago, they were to be put in your window when you had a loved one serving the country, and you keep it there until they were safely home.

Sorry Mom's But No No for Phillies Awesome baby!!!!!!!
MY son would be in his glory if he knew...

Welcome Judy! Yes we have a great family here!
Suwil, thanks for the website! I just ordered the blue star flag! Can't wait until it arrives.

I got my Nutcracker Sailor today!! It was the last one, but I wasn't able to find the electric or battery operated candle. So what I did was buy a cheap desk lamp ($5.00) and a blue bulb and I'm taking it to work tomorrow. The people at work will really think I am nuts!!! I don't care because tomorrow night is BS for my son. Oh and I also bought yet another candle. Pretty soon it will look like I'm having a seance! LOL:)

Thank you all. I know I am trying my hardest now to keep my held up hi, but inside I am worried. He does want me to be strong, he tells me that in every letter and that each day is getting closer. The letters that I got weren't very positive beside seeing me soon and that he was getting a phone call this weekend (last weekend which was a lie-never recieved one, no one is 343 got one) But, his Div is struggling in which is pulling him down with them. I just really wish I knew what was going on. He has worked hard, he is one of the few that has scored the highest 5.0 on every test. He isn't getting much support from family either. I am the only one that has supported him through this. and he really thanks me for it.

I went to Target tonight all excited to get my Sailor Nutcracker and they didn't have one......I'm going check online and another Target.

We just have to keep going right...one day at a time....one step at a time....

Tomorrow is a new day and we will be at 7!

letters tomorrow and 7 days away!! :) AHHHHHH.

CANDLE ABBYP MADE!! i thought it was cool and wanted to share with yall bc she didnt know how!! :)

Hang in there ladies just days away, your loved ones will perservere. Awesome Candle.

WOW Vincent’sMom at the end of the day when all is said and done – that’s what it is all about….Congratulations! you have a great son. That is what makes all the craziness we go thru, the sleepless nights, the worries and the tears all worthy!..... Needless to say I was also in tears when reading what you son wrote to you. God Bless him!.

Mari… My mother will be HOPEFULLY flying from Orlando to O’Hare on the 14th. However that’s contingent upon my son being able to pass his swimming test.

I have the saddest and most depressed call last night…. My son was supposed to go thru BS21 today; unfortunately he is having trouble coordinating his breathing when swimming so he has been pulled out his division into another one to get more swimming time…. He is so disappointed he was looking so much to graduate with his division 342 and show me that he’s painted part of his division flag….

I am asking you all to PLEASE send your PRAYERS his way….Amen!

Oh...Victoria & Yamile - HUGS!!! I hope that they can get these tests passed. It's so heartbreaking to have this happen so close to graduation! :(

I'll be keeping you and your recruits in my thoughts and prayers!

Hi again Mary! Hopefully someone here will be flying from Orlando and can help out by buddying up. I know it must be so scary to fly across the country and not be very good at the common language. I would be terrified!

Mary I fly in at Midway at 545pm but my driver wont fly in till about 8pm. I am leaving sunday at 715pm when are you leaving??

Victoria – I don’t know why the differences, there are a lot of things about the rules and regulations that still don’t understand. He told me his stuff was being moved to another division, he even didn’t know what division was that… if any one knows please let me know. Apparently there is a division where the group together all the Sailors that fall behind for one reason or another….  I sympathize with your feelings and as much I want my son home…..that is not an option now… he CAN’T fail this. He needs to pass his swimming test to graduate on time otherwise his self steam will be destroyed.

Thanks Dana, I do really appreciate it… he feels even worst because he was a non-swimmer to begging with… and he when he signed up, the first thing I told him was the he needed to learn how to swim before going to BC… his answer was always: “don’t worry mom.. They will teach me there how to swim”. He took it too lightly before leaving and in one of his letters he said: “you were right mom, I should have learned how to swim before coming here”, so I know that is weighing heavily on him.
In part I feel it is my fault, because I did not pressed hard with his father to have the support to putting him in swimming classes when he was little. Then when I could do things my way he was too old and embarrassed to go to swimming classes….

Yamile- i can relate to your worry but he will pass- he willl find the determination. My daughter made that call and the RDCs were telling her call your mom and tell her your not gong to be a sailor- you just need to pray and encourage as much as possible- its unfortunately their job to to this

Get Ready! Just got a quickie phone call, 12 / 341 is going to Battlesstations at 8:00 tonight. They're so excited. (She said they flagged their test 3!) "Mom, we're almost done!)

do hope that is the case Victoria, if he needs to swim all day to get thru I know he would not care. Let’s hope since they all are going to be in the same situation they feel less pressure and they can relax and get thru this… I think that is what Christian needs to do… he panics when he is in the water so he looses control of his breathing. Let’s pray for Drew, Christian and all the others that may be in the same situation… I told Christian last night to have faith on himself, but most at all on God…

Positive thoughts that all will pass their test today that determines if we stay on track for PIR.....Victoria and Yamile....I do believe Ship 6 is correct maybe that's the holding Ship to decide where to send them if they get set back....but we need not to worry about that they will ALL do well today on those test! Happy Thoughts ...Positive Vibes....and just Scream from your front porches that you know they can do it......! ! !

Thanks Lindalay… you’re right some times we need to hear that we can’t do things and that will pump us to prove people wrong… while it is far away from the reality , we as mothers don’t want to see our children struggling… I have to remind my self now, “things happen for a reason” and God doesn’t allow us to be in difficult situations unless there is purpose for it…

Exactly, Yamile & Linda - Life isn't always easy and although as Moms we'd like to do whatever we can for our kids, at some point they have to learn to rely on their own inner strength and pull through tough times on their own. We can't always be there. Trust me... I 've shed many a tear because I'm not ready to let go. But I have to... because that's what's best for my son.

They've come so far and been through so much already! They can do this and they will succeed! I just know it!!!

Tracey…. Yes, let’s be positive…. They will make it… and they will come out ship 6 more determine than ever to do what they have to do…. I did not scream from my porch, but I did it in my car while driving to work this morning. I did also got on my knees and beg God to help him and all others in the same situation, not just for them, but for all the mothers going thru this right now….

Hang in there ladies... we can do this and so can our recruits! They are all in my thoughts today as they try to pass swimming tests and battlestations. May they find the inner strength to get through this.

I got the last Navy nutcracker at Target last night!! Hooyah!!!!! I didn't find the electric or battery powered candles, but I'm on a mission tonight so I can light it for BS tonight!

Oh, and congrats Merchantvillesteve on the Phillies no hitter and win!!! That was a great game to watch! Watching my Twins however, was a little more stressful!!

bed bath and beyond steve!

Victoria and Yamile-- I am praying hard today for your sons and for all the recruits to pass their tests and BS. Courage ladies and hold onto your faith. They will get through this and be stronger for it. Hugs to all.

Love the flag! Awesome! :)

Awesome design..

HooYah 347!!!!! Love the shirts!!

I am there with you Dana… It is very hard to let them go…. But it is a lot harder to see them struggle, but like you say – that will only make the stronger..
Thanks all for your support, it really means the world. We need to concentrate on those divisions going thru their battle stations today and during the coming days.

I hope all DIVISIONS PASS THERE BS21!!!! ONE WEEK TO GO!!!!

My soldier,
Please watch over my soldier,
and give him the heat of this candle,
to warm his heart, so he does not get cold.
Give him the love of my eyes,
and the lasting flame of this candle, so his strength
will never grow week.
Give him the light of this flame,
to lighten his nights, so he has no fears,
and doesn't get lost.
Give him the comfort from the glow,
let him know, we think of him often
and he is never alone.
Let me be the wax that holds him strong,
when he needs me to keep his flame alive,
and bring him eternity.
For only together can we,
the wax and the wick
of the candle of our hearts,
make the flames burn forever

I'm trying to catch up on all the comments....
I haven't heard from my son and I'm hoping I get a letter or a call soon. It's not over until it's over....if everything goes as planned, I will be attending PIR on 10/15/2010.

Well...Please bear with me for this one...I am writing with a heavy heart and tearful eyes. It's a little difficult ..and very emotional....But...here I go,
Today, I feel that after quietly and patiently taking so many "hits" for so many years, my husband deserves long overdue credit for being such a great father! and for raising such a wonderful young man. One who has now grown to understand what it means to have a father who cares so much for you... that he would endure anything, just to protect you.
My husband gave all of himself, over so many years, and faced unbelieveably vicious attacks on his character, and spent endless nights awake worrying what his child was enduring.
So when I opened the mail today, I knew I just had to do something to give him the peace of mind he well deserves
Well today...TODAY WE GOT TWO LETTERS! What timing! With some very bad news just moments before, right on the heels of that news came this ..., I just opened the box to find two letters from my SON.
OK...can't stop crying now... Wish my husband was home to read this... I know how much he would love to hear this...but I can't help sharing it...A son couldn;t have asked for a better father, and we couldn't ever have asked for a more wonderful Son!.

"...I could not stop smiling after I read the part about Dad wearing his Navy ballcap, lol. I remember when he got that hat and I feel like Dad is sticking his chest out... he is so proud. Honestly if it wasn't for you two I don't think I would have made it this far..."

He was with his Dad when he got the Navy hat at a Vet's Breakfast two years ago. His Dad never wore the hat, but kept it on a shelf to keep it in good condition. His Dad would have tears in his eyes to, just knowing he remembered the day...

He went on
"...working with Dad, I learned to be a leader & to be able to lead by stepping up whether right or wrong, but knowing that I have the ability to make the decisions when needed..." and "I'll probably cry when I see him..."

Yes...all of our boys are growing into men...and our girls into women...and we ARE so very proud! So PROUD...
And to all of you fathers out there...DAMN GOOD JOB! We tip OUR hats to YOU!
Hoo-yah!

@Drewsmom, wow, I'm crying too....here comes more tears!!

There were 5 from my son's division setback before BStations because they couldn't pass the swim test. My son's best friend now in the Navy almost didn't get the prone float done, but he finally passed! So here's praying that all will learn how to swim (a great thing to know how to do in life anyway!)....and float.....then BStations....then the sailor uniform! Don't give up on them. Remember, they have come this far....the Navy WANTS them to pass. The RDC's will do everything within their power to help them accomplish this. The Navy has invested in these almost-sailors.
So....swim, baby, swim!!!! It will happen!

That was awesome! Congrats to you and your husband.

Way to get me crying Drewsmom2010!! A big "HooYah" to all of the dads out there (well @ least most of them)!! Let's face it, no matter how we feel or have felt adout the dads in the past, w/o them we wouldn't have the terrific sons & /or daughters that we have. Even though my marriage to Devin's dad ended in divorce, I thank God every day for the time we had together & for the 2 wonderful children he gave me.