PIR Reference Information

Wellen, regarding the shuttle you took from SpringHill Suites, did you select the time to be picked up or was that selected for you? Also, what time did you get picked up?

I was just looking at the Spring Hill Suites by Marriott and it does look very nice. I was quoted $80 with a AAA rate. I love the free breakfast buffet! The room reminds me of the Hyatt in Mystic. The set up of the bathroom is perfect for my family. My mom may be joining my husband and I.

oh boy...don't think i want to stay at the Ramada- read all the reviews on TripAdvisor and not good...

WandaG-  is that the Spring Hill Suites in Waukegan?  If so, that is a super nice hotel.  We stayed there over 4th of July for family vacation.  and $80 is an awesome rate!  i am thinking I will have to go back there.

not on base. no shuttle that I know of we traveled in our 12 seater van (with all our seats in incaese our sailor had lot of div buddys without family we could take them with us too. Ended up with 2 on the sunday) We meet a mom and gma and sister at teh navy lodge who had taken amtrak from DC area to Chicago and then a cab to the Navy lodge.. We offered to give them a ride to PIR and gave them our planned leave time of 6:15ish.   Hope that helps.  (oh it is more then walking distance to PIR)

They call LIBERTY! and you get to go to your sailor. Some have to report right away to the Div but your sailor will let you know. Our sailor was only gone a few minutes then we went to the PX and the Van and took him to lunch and all. and had him back 1 hour early and we hung out in the MWR. NEVER BE LATE!  Hope that helps. the excuse oif I didn't remember military time does not go over well as some girls in my sons division learned really fast. IF one is latet they all can get in trouble. nothing goes back to teh BC div at all! no cookies no gum nothing. No cell phones. it ruins it for all the div if it does.

Oh goodie!!!!  I thought there was a long period of time in between.

Well I finally spoke to my daughter's recruiter today and I got her address. She is assigned to Ship 02 Div 901.  I'm thinking her PIR may be Nov 18 but no matter, I'm excited to be able to mail her a letter tomorrow.

Navy Lodge has grab and go breakfasts for the morning and we took that into PIR hall while waiting. I don't think a shuttle is from there cab only. but I could be wrong. One thing I know for sure is you will enjoy seeing your sailor for the first time as a sailor. God Bless them where ever they get sent.

Take teh rental car and leave about 6:15 ish. the line goes fast adn the gate opens on time. the parking is very close to the hall.

We ended up leaving our van on the base on Sat and walked to the train station and went into chicago that way on Sat. Sun we drove 'cause the day was shorter and we had 2 extra sailors with us.

If you do plan to grab the train make sure you ask the front desk for the train schedule for your weekend. Never plan to take the last train back. that is a BIG mistake. sometimes it's runnning late. when you board at the Great Lakes depot you pay when you are on the train. the sailor has to stop at the ticket window in the Chicago depot for his ticket to return. We brought wekend passes 'cause it's like 50 cents more for the whole weekend. If your sailor doesn't get teh return ticket fromthe counter at Chicago Station they will have to pay full ride price. (yeah even in uniform the don't let it slide by)

Remember the weather and be prepared.

Philly5 - WHOO HOO for you too!!!!!

momofbp - you got that right - dessert is ALWAYS better.  LOL

Public Affairs Office 847-688-2405 call them and ask about this they may let park up close. if you need a wheelchair for your mom,You ask them about that too.

I don't think the taxi gets you there any faster because when you are done since your car is there you can leave faster. the car doesn't really add anytime just my thought. The cabs drop you out front and you walk a bit more. 13 to Grad on 10.7 is a large PIR group. I would still leave any hotel at 6:!5 (maybe 6am) mostly because us moms don't want to be late and if your family is like mine then they run 10 minutes behind.

H- why not ask your OB for a Handicap pass for the rest of your pregnancy? if the driver states to someone by the parking area "My rders have difficulty walking" that should get you dropped not far from the door.

If you have a 900 div (which my son was) ask them where they are most of the time. also 900 divisions go to PIR for like 2 before their own so watch for RDC pictures on their site. (the site you download your parking pass from) 

Hope that answered a few questions. and bring a sweater incase you need it. (if you don't you can use it as adding on the bleacher. 'cause we all know bleacher seating for to long can be a pain.  Wheelchair peopel do get a special area in the PIR.

Hugs to all!  oh attire for PIR is what you make of it. By now you should have your PIR bag started camera, snack food (just a little) hard candy, tissues and a bottle of water. a clean cloth for the sailor to sit on so his uniform stays clean. (we were in whites your I think will be blues so not as big a deal. just make sure he/she looks before they sit. wouldn't want to lose a uniform to gum or anything. .

You might also want to ask your sailor if he knows of any sailor whose family can't come. We adoted 2 but they joined us on Sunday. It was fun.

We went to NorthBrooke mall instead of the one everyone else pretty much goes to. My sailor was a speedskater before he joined so we knew the area from going to National and local meets there.  It is a small mall and my sailor adn like 2 others were seen there. We ate at Stir Crazy since my youngest had his birthday that weekend and he picked. Sat we went to the city via train and had dinner at the Rainforest cafe' 

any questions feel few to send me a private message. 

I wish you all safe travels and warm weather but it is chicago take 1 layer more then ya think if you're going in to the city. might even want light pair of gloves. mornings are starting to be cooler here in Cleveland area.

does she play an instrument or choir in high school? or a flag person. those are who make it to 900 they admit when they are first at BC that they have done it and you in a 900. LOL

My son said it helped make boot camp go faster. Oh FYI write you kid and tell them not to laugh when someone farts it gets ya an extra work out. My son laughs now about the day that happened. For some reason it wasn't funny at the time it was going down. :D

That would be the reason (most likely) My son is a sousa player so he made 900 div.

I'm glad I was able to make you laugh. Being a mom of 3 boys I heaer alot.

So ladies lets keep those letters flowing!!!

Oh, and I found out she is an Alto in the choir. :o)

YEAH! the mail the mail makes ya want to Wag your tail. (ok so you don't have a tale but I'm sure you can relate to when Blue's Clues was big to her. LOL)

I remember blues clues!  Hee Hee!

Thanks for the reminders of what to bring to PIR - I have heard from many Moms that it's really good to get there early, even though it means more waiting!I have asked my son about any sailors who will not have family there - I'd love to take one or two with us for liberty. 

If Sarge is hosting the Meet and Greet at the Sundance Saloon then who is hosting the one at the Ramada now? 

Sarge (John Sparado) asked me to post this information:

The Sundance Saloon in conjunction with Veterans Transportation Network is hosting the first Meet and Greet for Navy Dads and Navy Moms on October 6^th 2011 from 7:00PM until closing. Free transportation will be provided to the Sundance Saloon which is located in the Fountain Square Shopping center (less than 3 minutes from the Hotels). Transportation to and from the following hotels is free, Marriott Courtyard Waukegan, Marriott Spring Hill Suites Waukegan, Marriott Residence Inn Waukegan, Holiday Inn Express Waukegan, and the Candlewood  Suites in Waukegan.  For the Ramada and other hotels the rate is very fair. See our contact information below.

Buffett Food is complimentary and will be provided by the Sundance Saloon.  Every person attending will be given a coupon for their graduating sailor for a free meal this weekend at Trattoria-Pomigliano restaurant located at 600 N. Milwaukee Avenue in Libertyville. Sailor must be accompanied by their family or host family. Here is their face book http://www.facebook.com/pages/Trattoria-Pomigliano/119923645811 link.

The evening will be very informative and fun, yes fun.  Brief subjects covered are:  what to expect at graduation, do’s and don’ts, how to get to graduation quicker than others, places to go and see, and how to save money while in the Chicago land area. Sarge and his partner Gene will be available throughout the night for any questions you may have.

Now I did say fun. The Sundance Saloon will provide a DJ for entertainment and the free buffet food.  There will be dancing and songs by request. This is a country saloon so bring your cowboy hats. The Saloon is actually within walking distance from the hotels mentioned below.  If you prefer you can also order food off their award winning menu. 

Your Sailors, like Gene and I are serving our United States with honor. Gene and I have combined over 26 years in the Armed Forces. As veterans we know what these young men and women have gone through and where they are heading.  Let’s make it a FUN AND INFORMATIVE night.  We will reserve subject material for those who arrive late.

Thank you our Veterans for your service, the parents, friends, wives, husbands and siblings of our proud young men and women.

CONTACT information Dena (Host Sundance saloon) 847-887-0858 – 300 Lakehurst Road, Waukegan, IL

Directions click here http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&gs_upl=4096l10265l0l10776l24l...

John Spadaro (AKA Sarge) 847-212-0246

Gene Spencer (AKA Og) 815-307-5154

I have heard that the Ramada Meet and Greet is alot of fun so I intend to go to the Ramada first and then go to Sarge's. Looking forward to both and to meeting the Navy4Moms people I have met on here!  Three more weeks!!

I don't know, but if he is I will be going to both Meet and Greets.  I have heard alot of good things about Sarge and I have also heard that the one at the Ramada is fun.

I am the same way; although I think the answer was there AFTER you posted this!  I just saw it before you did.  I had the same question, though, so I was glad to see the answer!