Alumni of PIR 8/24/2012 TG 41 — 09 Divisions (261–268 & 941)

Prayers for her, Lala.

dsw93:  So you got the call date from ga mom, right?  I assume by your post below that you got her "message to group" sent out to all on here.  If not and you still need the date, friend request/message me.

diannep thank you for the email info.  Very helpful.  Been trying to figure that out :/  

Got a few letters from my SR yesterday.  I felt sad about some other fellow SR in the same div that do not get much support.  All of them need support and motivation in knowing they are doing a GREAT thing for their future.  I just wanted to share.  

Hi..popping in to say I got another letter yesterday ..makes 3 so far..so far son is still sick and recovering from teeth but aok otherwise..also to leave link for our FB group again for PIR..we also have specific div groups there too..not suggesting you leave here..i love them all to learn the most info possible!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/439741489392686/

Trevizofam..that is so sad..Is there was to get exact names/addresses of ones who arent getting letters?..id write to some in my sons div or others i guess too..as long as they dont mind my boring life but i am encouraging :)!

what ship/div is your son in Trevizofam?

trevizofam:  If you have names of these SRs who need mail, you can tell the ladies on here that you have names/addresses (can't post them here) and ask them to message you for them if they would like to write to them (we can private message them, just can't publicly post).  I have done this many times and the SRs are so appreciative.  Address info would be the same as for your SR, but you would need first/last names.  You might ask your SR for these names....

Glad you got the email situation fixed.  I had the same thing...can become overwhelming!

ethansmom:  HA!  They LOVE mail and sure wouldn't find your life boring! 

Lexxie:  Don't think the SRs have BattleStations info yet, but should soon.  They will be the ones to share it with you...but I do ask that ladies private message it to me because I keep a schedule for those who may not hear from their SR.  That is an exciting time because they are sailors when they are finished!

Could someone please send me the date also my daughter is in 266 Thank you

Lexxie:  I did receive one date for this PIR group....so apparently some do know their dates for BattleStations....so be asking your SRs.  I will message you and sputnik with some info.. 

Can someone private message me the date and the DIV number for Battle stations!!! Thanks so much!!!

I just got a letter from my son! So excited and anxious. Apparently there have been major issues with Div 268. He has been moved into the PASS program and will be taken out of this division. This is NOT a discilinary action, just something that the chaplain recommended.  It is all for the best though. He will be graduating in September with his new division. It has been a pleasure getting to know each one of you! Good luck to you and your SRs!

Good morning all!

Good Morning Navy Family :-)

Diannep...can you please private message me the Battlestations date?  My daughter is in div. 266.  Thanks, Lisa

Good Morning everyone, I hope you all go out and have a fun Saturday. We are having a yard sale YAY I love yard sales.....wait I love going to them, not having them ugggg!!! lol

if anyone has dates on Battle stations can you please send me a message!

 Thanks!

MamaB/CharliesMom:  Haven't received a date for 265/266 yet...all I can tell you so far is that they should be going through during PIR week (some start the week before)....but hoping that someone messages me a date soon for them!  I only have a date for 261/262 so far.  I'm depending on you all to ask your SRs and then friend request/message me with the date.

We can't post them on these public pages.  Thanks, everyone!

Good Morning!

Brandon:  267/268 should be going during PIR week also.  Again, no date yet...hoping to have one soon!

Good Morning everyone, Today is my baby boy's 19th birthday. It is also our Family Reunion today as well. Just what every 19 yr old wants for his birthday right? lol. My oldest son is home for the weekend as well. Just wish our Sailor could be here too. We will be spending the day with lots of family in the Pisgah National Forest so I will be away most of the day. I will be back later this evening. I hope you all have a wonderful Sunday. Go out and do something fun :-) YOu can always crash our party lol.

Diannep - did you do the post that had the comment in it about what your Grandpa asked your Grandma to write to him in his letters?  I am trying to find it again I really loved what it said and what to encourage my sailor with it?

If it wasn't you and anyone else remembers, please let me know.  There was also a message with a link to find other encouragement you can use.

No, FlowerGrower>  That wasn't me.  I had posted on one group that I had asked former teachers of my son's to write to him and he enjoyed that....but not sure I posted that on this group?  Sorry....I hope you find the post!

FlowerGrower05,  I saw a comment on someones post that had the following encouragement...Stay Focused, Stay Strong, Stay Supportive, Stay Proud!

Not sure if this is the one you saw, but it had a story about a grandpa and grandma too.

If you find it post it here so we can all see it as well :-)

I had posted on facebook, that my dad had written to my grandmother asking for her to pray for him to..."Stay Strong, Stay Focused, Stay Supportive, Stay Proud". He said that those words and her prayers would help him thru the rough time he was having. It was his first time at sea, he wasn't getting along with shipmates, etc. He went from there and served with the Navy for 20 years. I write those same words at the bottom of my son's letters and cards, everytime I write. I fiqure if that was what my dad needed to hear, it was what my SR needs to hear. Hope this helps! 

Wonderful words, Race'sMom!  I think they are wonderful words for any of us.  "Military" living is hard...and quite an adjustment for all.  I think clinging to those words gives all of them hope. Thanks for sharing!

Good Morning all!

Thank you  Race's Mom and ProudMomof4, Race's Mom I hope you don't mind if I use those words for my SR.  I really find them insipiring and hope he will too.

FlowerGrower05 - I would love for you to use them. Glad they could help! Have great day everyone!

Hi, I wanted to share some information with everyone regarding some really bad hotel reviews that I read. My son's PIR is August 24th and I initially had a reservation for the Ramada @ Waukegan but one of the other mom's in my son's division had mentioned reading bad reviews so I decided to check them out. YUCK!!! This hotel has absolutely terrible reviews on both Expedia and Trip Advisor. Also, it is note-worthy to let all the mom's know that this hotel is also listed on the Bed Bug Registry.

http://bedbugregistry.com/hotel/IL/Waukegan/Ramada-Inn-Waukegan-Gurnee

I have pasted a few of the reviews as well that were posted on Trip Advisor below. Granted, I am well aware that some people get mad about something silly and will post bad reviews on places just out of spite but... there were MANY very similar reviews for this particular hotel. Just be warned.

“Worst hotel ever!!!!!!!”

Reviewed July 22, 2012

Ok first off, we made our reservations 3 weeks ago. Upon arrival, we found bed bugs on our bed, the hot tub was broken, we never got our rollaway because they were a "first come first serve" basis - we were rudly informed of this the next day, we couldnt sleep due to guests blasting music till 330 am, the hotel smelled pretty bad, there were no extra towels - we had to take them off the cart in the hallway, all in all - DO NOT STAY! The staff is rude and unhelpful, we were highly dissapointed. I grew up in this area, and was in visiting family. I can remember when it was a very sought after place to get a room."

 

“This is one outdated hotel, call it a motel”

Reviewed July 18, 2012

We were just their for our sons Naval graduation, we were there for five days, on the third day I swear my husband got bit by bed bugs on his ankles. They don't clean thoroughly especially the bathroom. When we arrived home , our youngest daughter had head lice..the next time were in Waukegan we will look elsewhere. The resturant hours was posted and no staff in sight and a maintenance worker was going to look for the staff, we waited but 10 min is too late so we went down the road to eat. The pool was not what we've expected, the water was warm and the doors were open during a heatwave so it was very muggy even to swim. When you need housekeeping the phone just rings , we had to go to the front desk to get help.The front desk guy had no personality and seemed very bland knowlingly that he is in the customer service position, he should of been more friendly. The smell in the hotel seemed like some fowl incence. Should of looked harder at other area hotels- Gurnee looks good . At least there is a mall and a varitey of resturants."

 

Read more here... http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g36854-d90331-Reviews-Ramad...

 

Needless to say, I have changed our reservations to the Courtyard by Marriott.

Josh'sMom:  After being on this site since 2009, we have heard good, bad, and in-between about Ramada.  But your info is pretty startling!  My suggestion for those who have reservations there and are concerned is to call the Hotel Manager and talk to him about it.  His name is Clint Cissell (but not sure he is still there?) and this is/was his number  847-244-2400  This info is about 2 yrs old so hope he is still there!

The Ramada does have a MeetandGreet and has been hosting that for several years now. 

Having said that, I can personally recommend Residence Inn Waukegan since that is where we stayed.  The other hotels in the area of Residence (4-5 miles from RTC) that have high reviews from ladies on here are:

Springhill Suites

Courtyard Inn (although I have read that it is a bit older)

The Courtyard Marriott did just go through a renovation on their lobby and courtyard and added a new restaurant according to their site.  They have a reasonable rate through Triple AAA that can include breakfast so that saves a little money.

We are from Wilmington, NC don't know much about the hotels but we are booked at the Courtyard Marriott and hope to go to Sarges meet and greet. NCNavyMom my daughter is 09 266 also.

Race's mom. I love your encouragement. Sometimes our children don't really know what they need to hear. That is a great mantra!

I am also a NC Navy Mom :-) I am in the mountain/western part of the state about 30 min south of Asheville. Are you close to me NCNavyMom? sputnik114, we will be in Wilmington the weekend before your PIR. We are bringing one of our daughter's there to go to school and we have to move her into her dorm room and go to orientation. We are meeting another navy Mom (and her hubby) for dinner one night while we are there. Maybe you could meet us as well :-) 

Sounds good to me just let me know when and where it will be nice to meet you

tjoes- my son is also  ship 11  div 261 maybe they know oneanother he is the iron po he does the ironing  i guess

sputnik, I am sending you a friend request with my phone number in you can send a message back with your or text me and tell me who you are lol and I will save your number. I am thinking we will do dinner on Saturday night since we have orientation during the day. If you are married or have a significant other you can bring your date :-) I know my husband and Jen's husband both love to fish so they will have plenty to talk about.

Oh, one more thing sputnik, before you accept the friend request write down the number because the message attached to a friend request disappears once you accept it. If you loose just send me a message back and I will send it again :-)

Ahhhh.....PamperedMom.  SO sweet....that "final picture of your SR" will soon be replaced by a wonderful one at PIR!  The BEST! 

FlowerGrower:  Thanks for the renovation update on the Courtyard so we can pass that along to the future PIR groups!

Yes, ladies.  If you have AAA, be sure to check that rate too.  Sometimes a hotel "sells out" of the Navy Grad rate.  We used our AAA rate for Residence when we were up there.

Ladies, just saw a post on 07/27 from a lady who stayed at Ramada.  Said it was clean, nothing special, but ok.  But she did mention that it is located in an area where you can't walk around outside...nothing there...that may not be a problem for anyone, but wanted to pass it along.  Springhill Suites and Courtyard are by the Walmart shopping center which has other stores/restaurants there.  Both of those hotels have had good reviews on this site from ladies staying there (Residence, Springhill Suites, Courtyard are all Marriotts).  They all have the PIR shuttle.

Awe, PamperedMom, I know how hard it is missing him but do you know what is absolutely wonderful? That your husband understood why you were there. That is awesome :-)

Diannep -- we can take the shuttle from the hotel to the graduation and back? How are ahead do you recommend or anyone recommend leaving for PIR?

Which meet and greet is everyone going to?

hello all ..im popping in again to leave facebook link this time for my div of 264..well 263/264..we have a great PIR group there too..dont want you to leave here i read emails from here everyday ..great place..its easier to respond on Fb though and private.anyway..im lonely only few of our div there..dont know if theyre on here and havent come over yet or not even here :(..

thanks and hope to see you there

https://www.facebook.com/groups/500000576682558/