USS George Washington Sailors

It is disappointing but necessary.  Now to deal with the air lines and/or insurance company.  My problem is that, unlike Sue, the flight has not been canceled ... yet.  But there are some things to pull out of the hat yet.  For example, because I have to have CT scans done ... too frequently ... getting the doctor to order me not to go because of potential of radiation exposure.  The Navy just ordered the sailors at Atsugi to stay inside because of potential radiation exposure.  This was posted on FB by both my g'daughter and her BF and they are in two different locations.

I wonder of the CO of Atsugi/Yokosuka would provide letters like they do when there is a change of port of call.  I think I will e-mail the Ombudsman.

abc, I have ant's mom's cell phone number in Japan and the  number for her son.  I will try to send them to you.  I have not heard from her and I am concerned because last I heard she was flying on Sunday.  I think your decision to fly out if things get worse is a good one.  Radiation exposure to a fetus is not good.  So far staying inside should be sufficient.

Sandra, I wrote the GW Ombudsman asking if the CO would write a letter restricting our travel and received the State Department advisory.  I am finding out that because the plane is still going it is getting dicey.  Here is a link to a site that lists countries that have travel advisories in place)http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110315/wl_nm/us_japan_travel_factbox).  I am dealing with United and I have a travel agent friend who is helping me.  They are dragging their feet but I think it is time to go up the chain of command and get someone higher up than an agent in India who hardly speaks English that can be understood.

I have asked my doctor to write a letter telling me not to travel for medical reasons.  I am also going to contact my senators if need be for help.

I am so thankful that I have all of you who share my feelings.  

 Hi all,

 I am new on this page.My sailor just got orders this morning for Japan.  I am sure I'll have LOTS of questions.

 thanx in adance, Tracy

 Thank you, heatherose!

My sailor sti has 7days left of strand. I am just going to read here and take in as much as I can.

Kate and Sobo, I DO understand your feelings about wanting our sailors far out at sea, away from this disaster.  But the GW is undergoing some much needed maintenance.  To depart early could actually place them at bigger risk.  Also, I can't imagine our sailors feeling relief to be leaving all the dependents behind.  These are very difficult times.

My g'daughter posted on FB that there is a scheduled blackout during the advancement exam.  I know that all the events of this week and the ensuing blackouts and mandatory shut-ins because of precautions against radiation have made it exceedingly difficult to prepare appropriately for the exam.  My prayers are with all who are taking the exam this week!

Masue, I believe if the sailors are supposed to take the test, it is required.  I know last year my g'daughter had just finished C School and everyone said she would not be promoted because she had not yet been to the fleet.  So she asked why she had to take it.  Answer:  Because those are the rules.

I am sure the evacuation packets are a precaution.  Should there be another quake or tsunami and dependents had to get out quickly, they would be prepared.

Many years ago ... we are talking dark ages ... dependents were evacuated out of Lebanon.  They arrived in Naples with nothing but the clothes on their backs.  No evacuation packets/preparedness would have been very useful.  I do not think the Navy anticipates that they will have to use them.  If they really did, they would be evacuating dependents now.

Recently, I was involved with sending pillowcases to the 3/5 Marines.  They are in the thick of fighting in the mountains of Afghanistan and have suffered terrible losses.  I was working with a Marine assigned to the Family Readiness Group and commented about the danger.  He told me that really the Marines deal with it much better than the families.  They know what is going on and we have our imaginations.  Imaginations can dig up the most awful things if we allow them to do.

You know someone once asked Stephen King where he got his ideas for books.  He said that he just took every day fears and amplified them.  So the trick is for us not to amplify our fears ... which are very real.

I know that is is the job of moms and g'moms to worry and we do that job very well.  It is the job of our sailors to be strong and they do that job well, too.  They have been well prepared.  It is very good to have people who understand the roller coaster we are on.

Hi Everybody.......I'm baaaaaack!!  Been disconnected from the internet for a couple of months because of weather extremes here.  When the quake and tsunami hit last friday I said ENOUGH!!!  Get this satelite hooked back up ASAP!!

Hope everybody is doing okay.  I know it has been a VERY anxious time.  I'm hearing from Kelcie daily, with updates, but can't wait to read all of the posts to get other perspectives.

ABC.......you out there?  Check your personal email :-)

My daughter is in the Deck and wanted ne to reach ou to the Mom's and Aunt of the following Sailors Hendricks and Harrison to let them know they are alright.  Our families and friends prayers go out to our men and women serving our country in Japan and our most heart felt prayers go out to those affected in Japan.  God bless.

Hi families,

I don't have a loved one on the USS Geo Washington but lived in Yokosuka for many years as a Navy wife.  We are getting regular updates from a dear friend that retired and stayed in Japan and still works on base.

If you are not on facebook, specifically the USS George Washington's page, you might want to check it out.  This was posted earlier this morning:

Michele, I wish God would ask my opinion!  I realize that in the scheme of things I am much more fortunate than many but sometimes it wears on one.  

I have been sending care packages and have to put that on hold until I know for certain that his address will be the same.  I have to hold for my g'daughter as well until I am certain where they will go.  My uncertainty is because she is with the air wing.  I gather that they are being handled differently.

I find all this uncertainty more trying than I did in the early days.

Hugs to all.  I know all of us are feeling the same roller coaster.

Hi All,

Talking to Kelcie almost daily.  She said that their barracks rooms have not had internet access for the last several days, so if that was your main line of contact with your sailor, not to worry.  Everyone is safe and preparing for departure. I also feel SO much sorrow for the Japanese people.

Take care everyone, hopefully they will be safely underway SOON.  

Welcome back, Leah and Kathy!  When you are rested, please tell us more about your trip.

Leah, abc wrote me about the time that you were leaving.  I was relieved to hear from her.  I am so glad that you were able to give your son the Mom hug you have been saving!

Kathy, I had planned to take the trip on United from Dulles to Narita and back.

Kathy, I was supposed to fly out on March 17.  Monday I canceled and I am disappointed but think I made the right decision.

Navy Ma, having grown up a military brat, I am used to information being limited and constantly changing.  That does not make it less frustrating or disconcerting.

Kathy, Many thanks for sharing some of your experiences.  It also convinces me that I did the right thing.

I do understand about the uncertainty creating stress.  I suspect that the sailors are feeling it as well.  It would be hard to think you are doing one thing only to find out an hour later that it is something else.  I could see the stress on my g'daughter's face when I talked to her on Skype yesterday.

Winavymom, Your sailor may well still join the GW.  The 7th Fleet has a mission in the Pacific and it will continue.  It may be from Japan and it may be from a different location.  I suspect right now, they have new sailors on hold until they sort things out.  There is no sense in having more bodies to contend with.

hi there everyone.  thank you for your concern.  it means a lot in times like this.  :)  i finally got an email from my husband since we parted ways.  he unfortunately had duty, so he's been stuck on that ship... i have been hearing different talk here and there, but think i know what is going on... be assured that the gw will keep our sailors safe.  i got back to the states last night & have been trying to take in everything that has happened...one week ago, who would have know how things would transpire? 

for the moms who were able to make it to japan even though the trip was cut short, at least you got to see your loved ones in person!  every second counts, right?  monday, i will start trying to see how my tricare insurance will work out here and try to get an appt. to make sure the baby is still doing ok...i know i've put him/her through a lot in the past week!  i think i am going to sprout a few gray hairs at this point!  those who don't have a loved one in the military (especially overseas) will never quite understand what this feels like and i'm glad i have this group of wonderful ladies to share with.  most of the navy wives i talk to are also stateside now with a few still waiting around in japan and they are all heartbroken...i hope to find out what happens next very soon!  feel free to private msg. me.

Hugs, Sherrill.  I know that this is a difficult time for you.  Enjoy having your daughter around.  I know she will really be glad to have her family's support in this difficult time.

I saw on FB that the GW is underway.

cfsnowmom, I'm sure that the info that BigDMom posted a couple of comments below is correct.  I used the same address for Kelcie whether she was in port, or out to sea.  The post office sends all military mail to a specific place, then the military sorts and sends it on to wherever the service member is, based on that APO/FPO information. 

also, I found the FB page for the ship but can't locate the other pages...any suggestions?

Thanks!

Jennifer

Kathy16 thank you for the info.  I will give that a try.  I still have not heard from my sailor and this not knowing is driving me crazy!  I guess i'll throw some body wash in the care package going out this week LOL. 

I am so grateful to have you all as friends it helps knowing we are all in the same ship (pun intended) LOL

God Bless you all, and Marcia Dickey love the poem