My son left to Boot Camp July 2nd and we just received his box and the letter with his mailing address. Graduation date August 29th.....so excited!! We are from San Antonio, Texas.
How well I remember those awful homesick weeks when my grandson was in boot camp. He later told us that the daily doses of letters is what kept him going. He even slept with them. Now that he is in Sub school and has his cell phone, things are much better. We will be visiting with him next month (Aug 21-24) and hope to do a lot of sight seeing crammed into too short a time.
How far would you say the base is from downtown Chicago? We just bought our plane tickets and are going to stay by the base but not sure to rent a car or take a taxi to see downtown Chicago? Any thoughts??
Have you contacted Sarge? He has a meet and great for family the thursday before PIR. I got with him for a taxi to pickus up at airport and take to hotel. We did reserve a rental from enterprise to be picked up after we checked in at hotel-enterprise came to hotel and took us to pick up rental when we were ready. If you rent from airport location its more expensive.- the same driver from airport took us to PIR graduation-we asked him and he said sure:) he knew what to do. After Pir we caught a different taxi-as he told us there would be a line of them waiting. We jumped in one and went back to hotel to wait on out sailor to call to say hes free:) then we knew how to get there already so drove the rental. Our sailor didnt want to do much-He took a shower and got in comphy clothes. We did take out-we did go to a mall but he was ready to relax at hotel.- so we all spent most of time in room . Once all this came to an end. Our same taxi driver from Sarge- met us at enterprise to turn car in and took us to airport.
---so to answer your question we did do both-but Sarges taxi service saved us alot of headack..
It depends on where he is going for A school. My son went to Pensacola and left Chicago around 6 a.m. on Sunday morning. We had Friday with him after PIR and all day Saturday until about 7:00 p.m. He arrived at Midway airport at midnight on Saturday night with a large group of sailors, shipping out to various destinations. We met up with him and gave him his cell phone, laptop, and some civilian clothes (t shirts, jeans and underwear). We got a family pass before going through security and were able to eat breakfast with him (at 3:00 a.m.) and wait by the gate with him before he left for Pensacola.
harpist mom: We got to do almost the exact same thing with our Sailor except we only had Friday after PIR graduation to spend with him and he left for Groton, CT Saturday morning. We got to O'Hare about 3:30 AM and met up with him while he was standing in line to check his baggage then, got the gate passes, ate an early breakfast and he boarded the plane at 7 AM Sat. morning, so there is no guarantee that their loved ones will get to spend much time with them after graduation. We will be flying out to CT. on Aug 21 and hopefully he will have a week-end pass to spend time with us.
I have a funny story to tell about when we arrived at O'Hare during those early morning hours and parked in the Economy Lott. There was a push button machine on the corner near where we parked and we kept waiting for the shuttle bus to come down our "street" and pick us up to take us over to the terminal. It had a sign on it that said "push for assistance", so we did - - - three different times and this voice would ask us where we were located and we gave them the number of the parking space we were in and they said, "We will be right there" but the shuttle just kept going by in the distance and no one showed up. After about 30 mins of waiting, we called the phone number located on the call box. After talking with a real live voice, we discovered the call box was for if you couldn't get your vehicle started, or had a flat tire, etc. We had to walk across the lot and get on the tram to take us to the terminal. Talk about country bumpkins being lost in the big city!!!!!! But at least we finally did make it into the terminal to see our Sailor....just wasted about 30 minutes of precious time messing with a call box. LOL
When my husband and I got to Midway Airport at midnight, we thought, "How in the world will we ever locate our sailor?" We walked up some stairs in the terminal, and there were a "sea" of sailors in front of us. They had just arrived from Great Lakes. My husband and I were fortunate that night because we had no idea where we were going. Wishing you a wonderful visit with your son and good weather in CT!
Dee: We rented a car and also stayed near O'Hare, but didn't have any trouble driving on the toll roads. Just be sure to take plenty of rolled quarters, dimes, and nickels - they don't accept 50 cent pieces. Guess they are too large to go thru the chute. It took us about 35 minutes to drive from near O'Hare to be at the RTC for graduation and our group had to be there at 7:15 AM as our Sailor was receiving an Award at graduation. We spent about $15 on the toll roads for the whole week-end, and we went to Gurnee Mills Mall and all around it. (We also passed by the amusement park that I am assuming was maybe Six Flags). When we went to downtown Chicago, we went to the Rosemont (?) train station (its the next to last station before "OHare and rode the "L" Blue line train into the downtown loop and got off near the Willis Tower (the old Sears Tower). It is also really close by Millenium Park, and then you can catch a Taxi to Navy Pier. We had to rent a Limo to bring us from Navy Pier back to the Train Station and he only charged the four of us $25 for all of us. What a bargain. Cheaper than a Taxi. What an experience to ride the "L". I always wanted to do that.
When you get to see your Sailor after graduation, he should have the flight information by then and which terminal and flight he will be leaving from, probably at O'hare, or possibly Midway. Altho we were told one terminal (#3) at O'Hare and by the time we got into the airport, they had moved the whole group of Sailors over to terminal #2 so we just walked over to it and met him there. He called us on someone's cell phone. You will go to where the tickets are checked and the baggage is checked and loaded to find them.
Elilam46 I am jus about 1 hour south east if yyou son left for BC on the 9th when he finishes BC he has to go to p'cola for A school it's hard I know as my son has never been away from home..I did get a call today for the first time and he said he is extremely home sick but other then that he is doing great he said he is going to make the best out of it it doesn't last for ever he said.
Does anyone remember how often our sailors are allowed to call home during BC? My mother in law missed a call from a 331 area code...which is IL ...I am so sad!!! Will he get a chance to call again today? Or will he have to wait another week???
The surprise calls are the best. Like when your kid has to visit the doctor for some reason, and they keep a phone there just for them to call home. The kindness of those people really helped me survive the uncertainty of BC.
The anticipation drives me crazy. This is the first time that my son is doing something on his own that I am not part of. Usually it was baseball, school, even doing the security packet for the Navy....I helped and was involved. I knew what needed to be done and what was going to happen next. I just miss him :(
Palacios, Texas here. My grandson was in ship 11 (USS Keersarge) in Div 204. He graduated BC on June 22, 2014 and is now in Sub school in Groton, CT. His Dad and I will be there to visit with him the week-end of Aug 22-24 when he graduates Sub school. He will then be in "A" school and after that, I guess "C" school. He is MMS. I have sent for and received a tourism booklet of all the sights to see and things to do around and in the Groton, CT area. It looks like a very pretty place. Can't wait!!!
Hi everyone. I live in Bryan, anyone else nearby? My son is in Ship 13 Div 277 set to graduate 9/5, anyone else? His brother who is stationed in VA right now is planning on coming. I'm very excited to see 2 of my 3 sailors together. Other one is in Greece and will come home in Oct. Cant' wait to see him.
I'm in Bay City, south of Sugar Land. My son is an AC stationed in Virginia Beach. He just got married! His wife will be joining him at the end of next week.
Hi Brandon's mom: I'm from Palacios - just about 30 miles from you. Congratulations to your son on his marriage. My grandson is in Sub School in Groton, CT. We will be visiting him next month when he graduates. My grand daughter (his cousin) lived in Virginia Beach when her husband was stationed there before being deployed to California near San Diego. It's a beautiful place.
There's a sandwich shop in Weatherford on North Main that I've always been a fan of called "Yesterday's". They make their own sourdough bread that is divine. Prices aren't bad. They aren't open late so it would be a weekend only suggestion. :)
I'm not native Texan either! Pure Navy brat here - born in Portsmouth, VA, and resided in Mira Mesa, CA, until my teens and that's when we moved to Texas. I've been here ever since!
Yea! Local Moms finally!! I am near 820 and hwy 26 on the South Side. We must plan to meet sometime! My Sailor is currently in phase 2 of Aircrew school and Im soooo nervous! He has been in 8 years so Im used to some of this but now he after new adventures!!! UGH!
Had to smile at the comments about loving living in Texas. Makes me think of the old saying, "I wasn't born in Texas, but I got here as quick as I could". Those of us who were fortunate to have been born a Texan are crazy proud of that fact. LOL!
1Bodyprof
I don't know why but my computer and/or ipad won't reload this page with new posts.
Jul 14, 2014
Vickie360
Lubbock, Texas - My son leaves in December..
Jul 15, 2014
1Bodyprof
Jul 15, 2014
Dee
My son left to Boot Camp July 2nd and we just received his box and the letter with his mailing address. Graduation date August 29th.....so excited!! We are from San Antonio, Texas.
Jul 15, 2014
1Bodyprof
Jul 15, 2014
Bandit1998
How well I remember those awful homesick weeks when my grandson was in boot camp. He later told us that the daily doses of letters is what kept him going. He even slept with them. Now that he is in Sub school and has his cell phone, things are much better. We will be visiting with him next month (Aug 21-24) and hope to do a lot of sight seeing crammed into too short a time.
Jul 16, 2014
Dee
How far would you say the base is from downtown Chicago? We just bought our plane tickets and are going to stay by the base but not sure to rent a car or take a taxi to see downtown Chicago? Any thoughts??
Jul 16, 2014
harpist mom
I would highly recommend renting a car. Great Lakes is almost an hour away from Chicago.
Jul 16, 2014
Mamma Marsha
---so to answer your question we did do both-but Sarges taxi service saved us alot of headack..
Jul 16, 2014
Dee
Thank you all so much for the tips. How much time do we get with our Salior? My son graduates on a Friday.
Jul 16, 2014
Dee
My son is going to be a Military Police ...his school will be in Texas. So we get them the afternoon of graduation and possibly the next day too?
Jul 16, 2014
harpist mom
It depends on where he is going for A school. My son went to Pensacola and left Chicago around 6 a.m. on Sunday morning. We had Friday with him after PIR and all day Saturday until about 7:00 p.m. He arrived at Midway airport at midnight on Saturday night with a large group of sailors, shipping out to various destinations. We met up with him and gave him his cell phone, laptop, and some civilian clothes (t shirts, jeans and underwear). We got a family pass before going through security and were able to eat breakfast with him (at 3:00 a.m.) and wait by the gate with him before he left for Pensacola.
Jul 16, 2014
Dee
Thank you to everyone....this helps me sooo much!! :)
Jul 16, 2014
Bandit1998
harpist mom: We got to do almost the exact same thing with our Sailor except we only had Friday after PIR graduation to spend with him and he left for Groton, CT Saturday morning. We got to O'Hare about 3:30 AM and met up with him while he was standing in line to check his baggage then, got the gate passes, ate an early breakfast and he boarded the plane at 7 AM Sat. morning, so there is no guarantee that their loved ones will get to spend much time with them after graduation. We will be flying out to CT. on Aug 21 and hopefully he will have a week-end pass to spend time with us.
Jul 17, 2014
Bandit1998
I have a funny story to tell about when we arrived at O'Hare during those early morning hours and parked in the Economy Lott. There was a push button machine on the corner near where we parked and we kept waiting for the shuttle bus to come down our "street" and pick us up to take us over to the terminal. It had a sign on it that said "push for assistance", so we did - - - three different times and this voice would ask us where we were located and we gave them the number of the parking space we were in and they said, "We will be right there" but the shuttle just kept going by in the distance and no one showed up. After about 30 mins of waiting, we called the phone number located on the call box. After talking with a real live voice, we discovered the call box was for if you couldn't get your vehicle started, or had a flat tire, etc. We had to walk across the lot and get on the tram to take us to the terminal. Talk about country bumpkins being lost in the big city!!!!!! But at least we finally did make it into the terminal to see our Sailor....just wasted about 30 minutes of precious time messing with a call box. LOL
Jul 17, 2014
harpist mom
When my husband and I got to Midway Airport at midnight, we thought, "How in the world will we ever locate our sailor?" We walked up some stairs in the terminal, and there were a "sea" of sailors in front of us. They had just arrived from Great Lakes. My husband and I were fortunate that night because we had no idea where we were going. Wishing you a wonderful visit with your son and good weather in CT!
Jul 17, 2014
Bandit1998
Dee: We rented a car and also stayed near O'Hare, but didn't have any trouble driving on the toll roads. Just be sure to take plenty of rolled quarters, dimes, and nickels - they don't accept 50 cent pieces. Guess they are too large to go thru the chute. It took us about 35 minutes to drive from near O'Hare to be at the RTC for graduation and our group had to be there at 7:15 AM as our Sailor was receiving an Award at graduation. We spent about $15 on the toll roads for the whole week-end, and we went to Gurnee Mills Mall and all around it. (We also passed by the amusement park that I am assuming was maybe Six Flags). When we went to downtown Chicago, we went to the Rosemont (?) train station (its the next to last station before "OHare and rode the "L" Blue line train into the downtown loop and got off near the Willis Tower (the old Sears Tower). It is also really close by Millenium Park, and then you can catch a Taxi to Navy Pier. We had to rent a Limo to bring us from Navy Pier back to the Train Station and he only charged the four of us $25 for all of us. What a bargain. Cheaper than a Taxi. What an experience to ride the "L". I always wanted to do that.
Jul 17, 2014
Bandit1998
When you get to see your Sailor after graduation, he should have the flight information by then and which terminal and flight he will be leaving from, probably at O'hare, or possibly Midway. Altho we were told one terminal (#3) at O'Hare and by the time we got into the airport, they had moved the whole group of Sailors over to terminal #2 so we just walked over to it and met him there. He called us on someone's cell phone. You will go to where the tickets are checked and the baggage is checked and loaded to find them.
Jul 17, 2014
Dee
I appreciate everyone !! Thank you :)
Jul 17, 2014
corrie
Jul 19, 2014
1Bodyprof
Jul 20, 2014
Dee
Does anyone remember how often our sailors are allowed to call home during BC? My mother in law missed a call from a 331 area code...which is IL ...I am so sad!!! Will he get a chance to call again today? Or will he have to wait another week???
Jul 23, 2014
1Bodyprof
Jul 23, 2014
Tx Mom of Far Away Nuke
The surprise calls are the best. Like when your kid has to visit the doctor for some reason, and they keep a phone there just for them to call home. The kindness of those people really helped me survive the uncertainty of BC.
Jul 24, 2014
Dee
The anticipation drives me crazy. This is the first time that my son is doing something on his own that I am not part of. Usually it was baseball, school, even doing the security packet for the Navy....I helped and was involved. I knew what needed to be done and what was going to happen next. I just miss him :(
Jul 24, 2014
Bandit1998
Palacios, Texas here. My grandson was in ship 11 (USS Keersarge) in Div 204. He graduated BC on June 22, 2014 and is now in Sub school in Groton, CT. His Dad and I will be there to visit with him the week-end of Aug 22-24 when he graduates Sub school. He will then be in "A" school and after that, I guess "C" school. He is MMS. I have sent for and received a tourism booklet of all the sights to see and things to do around and in the Groton, CT area. It looks like a very pretty place. Can't wait!!!
Jul 26, 2014
Mary123Sons
Hi everyone. I live in Bryan, anyone else nearby? My son is in Ship 13 Div 277 set to graduate 9/5, anyone else? His brother who is stationed in VA right now is planning on coming. I'm very excited to see 2 of my 3 sailors together. Other one is in Greece and will come home in Oct. Cant' wait to see him.
Jul 28, 2014
Anandajoy
Anyone have a PIR graduating Aug 22? My son is Div 262
Jul 28, 2014
Michelle
Jul 28, 2014
Tx Mom of Far Away Nuke
I'm within 20 miles of Weatherford so I could probably make it if we planned something!
Jul 28, 2014
Suzan
Jul 28, 2014
Navyhubby FF
any one 8/15 and 03 div 251
Jul 28, 2014
Pam(Tyler's mom)
Jul 28, 2014
Suzan
Jul 28, 2014
Suzan
Jul 29, 2014
3boymom_texas
Jul 29, 2014
ENMomJapan@8-12(Pat)
Jul 29, 2014
Brandon's mom
Jul 29, 2014
Bandit1998
Hi Brandon's mom: I'm from Palacios - just about 30 miles from you. Congratulations to your son on his marriage. My grandson is in Sub School in Groton, CT. We will be visiting him next month when he graduates. My grand daughter (his cousin) lived in Virginia Beach when her husband was stationed there before being deployed to California near San Diego. It's a beautiful place.
Jul 29, 2014
Tx Mom of Far Away Nuke
There's a sandwich shop in Weatherford on North Main that I've always been a fan of called "Yesterday's". They make their own sourdough bread that is divine. Prices aren't bad. They aren't open late so it would be a weekend only suggestion. :)
Jul 29, 2014
TexasMom
Jul 29, 2014
corrie
Jul 29, 2014
Tx Mom of Far Away Nuke
I'm not native Texan either! Pure Navy brat here - born in Portsmouth, VA, and resided in Mira Mesa, CA, until my teens and that's when we moved to Texas. I've been here ever since!
Jul 29, 2014
Tx Mom of Far Away Nuke
My dad was on the US Lang back then I believe, and then the David R Ray before he retired.
Jul 29, 2014
Tx Mom of Far Away Nuke
USS Lang (FF-1060)
Jul 29, 2014
lmaubry
Lynn, I am so close to you in North Richland Hills!!
Jul 29, 2014
Navy2Marine1Mom
Jul 29, 2014
lmaubry
Yea! Local Moms finally!! I am near 820 and hwy 26 on the South Side. We must plan to meet sometime! My Sailor is currently in phase 2 of Aircrew school and Im soooo nervous! He has been in 8 years so Im used to some of this but now he after new adventures!!! UGH!
Jul 29, 2014
Bandit1998
Had to smile at the comments about loving living in Texas. Makes me think of the old saying, "I wasn't born in Texas, but I got here as quick as I could". Those of us who were fortunate to have been born a Texan are crazy proud of that fact. LOL!
Jul 29, 2014
LisaMAmom
Jul 29, 2014