USS Harry S. Truman CVN75

I am assuming that us mom's that aren't receiving the newsletter can get some information regarding homecoming from this group.  My son never got around to adding me.  If anyone has the "do's" and "don'ts", I would love to have it passed on to me.  

I have the same problem about not receiving the newsletter.  My sailor has not added me to the group either.  If you can please share any information about the homecoming party and anything else.  Thanks.

Does anyone know how the welcome home stuff works? This is our first deployment.

My son is on the Truman and I told him to get my name added to the list asap because we knew nothing about it. He did that yesterday, so hopefully I should be ok. I'm not really sure when the Truman is officially porting all he said was 4 days before my birthday. but I'm not even sure if this is correct. Sometimes we know more on this end than they do. Can someone who knows any info  message me or private message me. I have no idea what to do or how this works, plus I'll be travelling alone as nobody else in my family can make it, but i wouldn't miss this for the world. So I would need a hotel that is close by. Thanks for any info. All of a sudden this is all becoming real and I feel like I'm not prepared.

What list is everyone talking about? Can someone please help me? I would hate to travel from Texas and not get to see him.

Brandi- It's a homecoming list that our sailor needs to put our name on. Only the names on that list will be able to attend the homecoming. 

Brandi,  I am a new mom too.  My son told me initially they wouldn't let him add me to the FRG Newsletter list so I reached out to COMMUNICATIONS.TRUMANFRG@GMAIL.COM.  They asked me to email my son's Navy email address to them and they reached out to him for permission to add me to the list.  This all happened yesterday and I think it takes a couple of days to get added.  I would reach out to this email address and ask they reach out to your sailor (if you know his email address) so you can get added.  I am clueless too but will only be traveling from NC but I understand.  I am not a big Facebook person so have limited knowledge about how all of this messaging works but if you would like to reach out to me perhaps we can navigate this together.

Does anyone know of some hotels that can be recommended.

Thank you! Does anyone know if they get to leave when the get to port?

Question for anyone who can help.  I've only heard from my son once on the deployment (joined ship in April).  My question is, do they automatically assign a military email address or does he have to ask to get one set up while on the ship?  I'm hanging onto the info that Cam'smom posted (thanks Cam'smom) so I can go that route because I know my son and it's probably the only way to get on the FRG list.  LOL

The list may be the list to get onto the pier/dock, if I am saying it correctly.  My sailor added my brother and his girlfriend just last week when they asked to join me on homecoming day so I know this list is not closed as of last week.  My sailor joined the Truman in March and had an email address pretty soon after joining them.  I hope this helps.

It does, my son just doesn't think about some things.  LOL

I was told by my sailor today that we have been added to the gate list but I told him that he has got to add me on the FRG list.  He first said why but he said he would work on it tomorrow.  I hope so.  Yes, counting the days. He said the Admiral was counting the days.  He ran into him today and spoke to him about the port call and homecoming.  

Hi everyone - lots of chatter going on as homecoming nears.  As too tall Joan reminded - please be very careful of what is posted.  You don't want anything to jeopardize the return date! (So far everyone is good!)

Sorry for asking so many questions. I have an issue and trying to figure out how I'm suppose to be in two places at one time. My youngest son leaves for boot camp the day before "homecoming". We live 19 hours away from Va. so there is no way to drive and make it the morning of homecoming. If I fly, I will have to rent a car to get to the port, which isn't going to be easy to find with everyone going at the same time. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Brandi - well with all the dates your son's could have left & returned who'd have thunk the dates would have been so close....I've been thinking about it and for me personally I think the homecoming is a bigger deal (not to say that leaving for BC isn't a big deal, I just think homecoming is bigger). Maybe your sons recruiter could take him to MEPS (which I know our son's took him - but we did go hang out that night & the next morning) and your family can have a "going away" celebration for him a few days earlier.  I'm sure your younger son would understand (at least once he finally deploys he'll understand the importance of homecoming!). It's not ideal and either way you will miss one :(  I'm sorry this is happening....

Did anyone see the nice report about the Truman on Fox tonight? It was on a little after 6pm (EST) and will be on again at 4 am I think. Really nice report, thorough. I just wonder if any of the sailors that were interviewed belong to anyone here! You never know!

JackRussellMom  You can google hotels near the base and then call to see for openings.  Do this asap as they fill up fast.

Hi all - Happy Red Shirt Friday!

Anyone have any idea about Quality Inn Norfolk Naval Base?  Most of the hotels are booking up and this one is conveniently located.  It wasn't best rated, but...

My son stayed there a lot in between apartments and deployments.  He loved the price and always said it was comfortable.

Thanks  for the replies about Quality Inn...Sounds like it is decent Bigmama!  Great news. :)

Wow - that's kind of neat that so many of you will be staying at the same place!  You'll definitely have to get together ;-)

@bernapet I love that idea!  I wish I was going to see the homecoming.  Hope you guys post some pics just so I can see what its like.  Have fun and Enjoy your sailors.  <3

That would be so cool!  I'm hoping to make it.  I don't know whether to show up in the morning or afternoon!  Ha!  Hopefully the folks at the gate can set me straight!

I love that idea Bernapet! It would be great to see all of us moms together! I am actually staying on the beach in VA Beach but maybe if there is a park or something we could gather at or even the lobby of the hotel you are all staying at...we could do a small meet and greet. Just an idea. My son never signed me up for the FRG so I have missed plenty but he told me because I and my son and hubby have military ID's due to hubbys active service and reserves...we don't have to be on any list to  get on base. I am not sure I trust him that we will be able to be where we need to be so if any of you have knowledge in THAT area please let me know. Thanks!

Here's a tid bit- in 2011 when our son graduated boot camp the mom's of his ship all wore green scarves so we could identify eachother. It truly worked and it was so fun putting the faces with the names. So go for it. We can identify on base too.  Bernapet- I like your idea about designing something. Not too little though because it should stand out somewhat. There will be lots of people Or if it's little, make it bright! 

Thank you Bernapet! Your idea is sooo AWESOME!!! :)

I guess I need to get busy finding a place to stay!  We will be there a few days before as well.  Great idea making a badge so we can recognize each other!  I wanted to find all the moms at graduation but only found a few!  Good times ahead!  

For all you moms on the group: After the homecoming and the sailors going home for a visit...when they get back and get back in the daily routine on their ship, we want you to know that we open our home on the weekends and invite any sailors who want to come over to join us . On Saturday night we feed them and play board games and on Sunday we have a sit down meal for lunch and then we do different things afterwards. So let your sailors know about us after things settle down. 

Yvonne and John

P.S. You can go to our page on this site and learn more about us. :)