QUESTION ... for some of you that have had sailors on the George Washington for a while. "Cruise Book for the 08-09 deployment" Anyone get theirs or know who to contact regarding them? My sailor and his GF both were on the boat and paid for the books and have not received them. They are no longer in Japan but stationed stateside. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks
Hey everybody.....I've been seeing on the news where the Visitor's bureau of Japan is looking in to giving away 10 thousand free trips to Japan in order to jump start their toureism back up since last springs quake and tsunami. I encourage everybody to google info.......it might be WELL worth it!
Mollie...I saw that story on YAHOO yesterday.Man,it got pulled down real fast,though ));. I'd LOVE to travel to Japan. My fear is wheelchair accessibility .Though. places can state that they are wheelchair accessible and oftentimes they don't meet my needs.It is hard to explain...
BADma, the hotel I stayed at close to the airport would be very accessible via wheelchair, and as best I can remember everything on base was handicap accessible. I would certainly hope it would work out for you to go, it's an awesome place and so wonderful to see what our kids talk about all the time.
Can anyone get me the "address" for the Carrier Air Wing 5. My sailor just emailed me. And now I know why he never got any of my previous emails to the GW. I owe him a letter and a birthday card. And a care package. Thanks in advance ladies.
BADma, I flew into Norita and stayed the night at a hotel close to the airport, I'll dig up the name and post it for you. I stayed at the Navy Lodge on base, but I know that some of the mom's have stayed at Hotel Yokosuka recently. They could tell you what accessibility there is there. Navy Lodge was "iffy" on accessibility, but I know that there is another hotel right there on base also. I'll get the name of that one for you.
Thanx moms. This does help. IF I were to travel to Japan,my hubmeister would be with me. I would have my manual chair. I'll do more research too.It helps having some 'firsthand knowledge" from people who've traveled there. Thanx again!!
BADma....the train stations have elevators. I know because by the end of the trip I used them as my knees are bad. Navy Lodge (at least the room we were in) bathrooms had a small lip. I would think that they would have handicapped rooms tho.
Hello everyone. I just joined this group. My daughter just finished A school and will be reporting to Yokouska Nov. 6th. Not sure when she will join the ship. Any advice you can offer would be great. Thanks in advance.
Cheryl.... welcome!! My son has been i Japan since May. Before he lefty A School in April he wsa given te namer of a 'sponsor" on Japan. I think it was a 'seasoned" sailor with whom my son could email and prepare for his new adventure. When my son arrived in Yokosuka he had indoc for a bit (tours,lessons on the culture). His ship was deployed but he went on his first tour with them in June.
The moms and significant others here are GREAT and VERY helpful!
Annette....we live in AZ.When my sailor left for Japan he flew out of PHX to Seattle to Tokyo. He already had that ticket from A School. I know SueS and katlanta flew to Japan in Aug but I don't know if they used travel agents or booked straight from an airline
Annette, if you are looking to fly out of SFO, I would expect the cost to be around $900.00 round trip. That's what my ticket cost me last year. I flew from SFO to Narita, then on the way back, had a layover in Seattle. I think I used "Kayak" when searching for flights. Just be VERY careful when looking at times, as some of the airlines will actually have 20+ hour layovers.
I would like to send some baked goods to my son now that the holidays are here.
Anybody know the best way to pack them up so that they will be halfway fresh when they get there. I would like to send some homemade bread, cookies, etc.
Would appreciate any help.
Iwcar-I just packed up some goodies and mailed them yesterday. About 10-12 ago, I sent Cody pumpkin bread. He called a couple of days ago and told me he had gotten it. It looks like the mail is running good. I'm sure the bread was OK.
I packed the goodies with bulky socks and a small blanket so the cookies and bread were cushioned well. I suggest that packing material with bubbles.
cokevmom==Thanks for the help. Did you put the bread in cookies in bags, or did you put them in like glad plastic disposable boxes. I thought about that. I know my son Travis is on the ship right now. Does that take extra time to get there. The only address I have is the address in Japan. Not sure when he is due back there.. He just went out in September. What did you put your bread and cookies in? Sorry, I think I am rambling.
Iwcar: Didn't think about them crumbling into pieces...hopefully my great packing will make them stay together. LOL I wrapped them in packages of three with saran wrap and put them in a gallon bags. I then laid them flat in between the blanket. I, also made Rice Krispie Treats and laid them flat, also. We'll see what happens...I'll let ya'll know.
Hi, thanks to all for the tips for sending my son some treats. I don't know whether to send them now or wait til he gets back to Japan. I know he will let me know when he is back, he calls a lot then. Will be glad to hear his voice again.
Thanks Lisa CCMom. Can I send you a message with specific questions?
Iwcar, mail is delivered to the ship and to the base, although it may take some time. He will get it eventually whenever you send it. There are 2 ways for mail to arrive faster...PAL (Parcel Airlift Mail) for packages less than 30 lbs. and 60 inches in length and girth combined. There is also SAM (Space Available Mail) to APO/FPO addresses for packages 15 lds or less and 60" in length and girth combined. You might have to ask at the post office about it because it seems as though not everyone will automatically sort it this way. Best of luck with this.
So if I am reading some of the prior posts right, my son will need a passport? Is this something the Navy will help him with? He is supposed to report 12/12, is there even time?
The post officer told me about the PAL and SAM options. The priority flat rate boxes are good too. I just never remember to take one with me to pack at home and it can be a little awkward to pack it at the post office.
Your son can go to the JAG office on base and they will do up a Power Of Attorney for him. Remember also the POA has to be renewed every year. And make sure the spelling ad address is all correct.
We use the flat rate boxes.Hubmeister needs to pick up more today. The last 2 boxes we sent were 14.95 each. Ya hafta filll out a customs form too. We have a stack of those onhand and now. I sent 2 boxes on 9 Oct and the sailor received them on 17 Oct. YIKES almost better timing than domestic mail!
I like that idea of ordering the flat rate boxes.Sometimes it is physically too trying for me to get out of the house and the hubmeister often gets back after the P.O has closed.
kathy..I'll ask at my PO about the 12.95.Our postmaster is retred military...maybe he'll agree to it. It is a REALLY small PO. That is GREAT that your sailor is coming home.How long has he been on the GW?
Talk about newbie...my sailor has been on the G-Dub since Aug. 2011!!! I miss him dearly. I just spoke with him and he is doing his "galley duty". He says that this job makes the sailors "crazy". Is this true? Now, I am going crazy!!!
Our post office will only give the reduced rate if the boxes are the "Support Our Troops" boxes. Otherwise, no deal. Now the post office in a neighboring town will allow it even without the "military" box.
cokevmom...is your sailor a CS? Mine is a machinist mate but he said CS' have a lot of grunt work.
Your sailor calls? How awesome and blessed you are! Mine only emails. I haven't spoken to him since May when I took him to the airport.I miss him SO much )):
BADma: He's an airman (AR). He was on DM (damage control) and enjoyed that duty. It said on all the navy stuff that he would have to spend some time in the galley. Does it make him crazy or what?
My sailor calls VERY infrequently. I think that since his duty is in the middle of the night, he might have more time...
OMGsh, my heart goes to you moms! My son doesn't leave to start the GW until Dec. so my journey overseas is just beginning, ugh. I'm not looking for ward to it at all... BUT would love to plan a visit. :)
katlanta - too funny about the ex remark, I can totally relate! I hate "sharing" my time too. Sometimes the gf gets in the way too, lol, but she's a doll so I can't complain too much.
If any of you new moms are on facebook the GW has a page there. The sailors don't have access to fb while at sea .Something about not enough bandwidth?I am sooooo not techie.BUT at least on the fb page ya can leave comments. Supposedly the comment pages are emailed to hte saiilors?
Lisa...I think a mom can never be prepared for separation but at least here ya have the support of AWESOME moms. We'll laugh,cry,kick and scream together (:
If your package is going to an APO/FPO address, it SHOULD NOT have to be one of the specifically marked military flat rate boxes. Someone at that post office does not know what they are doing!'
The FB page was a real life saver for me. When China and North Korea were threatening to use their "Carrier Killer" against the GW in the summer of 2010, seeing pictures of it COMPLETELY surrounded by destroyers, subs etc offered me a little comfort that I wouldn't have had otherwise.
Katlanta, Can I ask how you knew the ship would be in when you went in August, or do you just keep a bag packed and make a last-minute reservation when you see that they're in JP? It's so difficult to know!
Thanks Katlanta! I'm working on getting there. Was the August trip your first time there or had you already been there before? How did you manage getting around, or did your son accompany you most of the time? (Hope I'm not asking too many questions (*o*)
Hi all, It's been a while since I have been on, sorry if this was discussed already.
This is my sons first holiday on the USS GW. What do you think about sending a few small gifts to him? I have his address, sent his computer and received on his end. I was just going to deposit money in his account, but I am feeling bad that he won't actually get a few gifts from us.
Ozzie: This is my son's first holiday away from home and also on the GW. He and I have decided that he would get a new computer for Christmas. I am sending him a few things like socks and a heated blanket in his care packages. I am also sending sunglasses and gloves. It is supposed to get pretty cold in Japan. Since we live in south Texas, snow will be quite fun for him...COLD but fun!!
All great suggestions. I did not realize that Japan would be so cold, he has been so HOT lately. Will definitely put together a few nice gifts. Thanks.
My son arrives 12/12 do you think he will be able to skype by xmas? We are from Florida so he will def need some of the winter gear mentioned, thanks for the tips!
Karyn
QUESTION ... for some of you that have had sailors on the George Washington for a while. "Cruise Book for the 08-09 deployment" Anyone get theirs or know who to contact regarding them? My sailor and his GF both were on the boat and paid for the books and have not received them. They are no longer in Japan but stationed stateside. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks
Oct 11, 2011
Karyn
Thanks...will pass the info on.
Oct 11, 2011
Mollie...Kelcies Mom
Oct 12, 2011
BADma
Oct 12, 2011
Mollie...Kelcies Mom
Oct 13, 2011
BADma
Oct 14, 2011
JennBee
Oct 15, 2011
JennBee
Oct 15, 2011
Mollie...Kelcies Mom
Oct 15, 2011
BADma
Oct 15, 2011
Karyn
Oct 16, 2011
Cheryl
Oct 16, 2011
BADma
Cheryl.... welcome!! My son has been i Japan since May. Before he lefty A School in April he wsa given te namer of a 'sponsor" on Japan. I think it was a 'seasoned" sailor with whom my son could email and prepare for his new adventure. When my son arrived in Yokosuka he had indoc for a bit (tours,lessons on the culture). His ship was deployed but he went on his first tour with them in June.
The moms and significant others here are GREAT and VERY helpful!
Oct 16, 2011
cokevmom
Oct 17, 2011
cokevmom
Oct 17, 2011
BADma
Oct 17, 2011
BADma
Annette....we live in AZ.When my sailor left for Japan he flew out of PHX to Seattle to Tokyo. He already had that ticket from A School. I know SueS and katlanta flew to Japan in Aug but I don't know if they used travel agents or booked straight from an airline
Oct 18, 2011
Mollie...Kelcies Mom
Oct 19, 2011
lwcar
Anybody know the best way to pack them up so that they will be halfway fresh when they get there. I would like to send some homemade bread, cookies, etc.
Would appreciate any help.
Oct 22, 2011
cokevmom
Iwcar-I just packed up some goodies and mailed them yesterday. About 10-12 ago, I sent Cody pumpkin bread. He called a couple of days ago and told me he had gotten it. It looks like the mail is running good. I'm sure the bread was OK.
I packed the goodies with bulky socks and a small blanket so the cookies and bread were cushioned well. I suggest that packing material with bubbles.
Oct 22, 2011
lwcar
Oct 22, 2011
cokevmom
Oct 24, 2011
Sam'sMom
Oct 25, 2011
Lisa FLNavyMom
Oct 28, 2011
lwcar
Oct 29, 2011
Sam'sMom
Iwcar, mail is delivered to the ship and to the base, although it may take some time. He will get it eventually whenever you send it. There are 2 ways for mail to arrive faster...PAL (Parcel Airlift Mail) for packages less than 30 lbs. and 60 inches in length and girth combined. There is also SAM (Space Available Mail) to APO/FPO addresses for packages 15 lds or less and 60" in length and girth combined. You might have to ask at the post office about it because it seems as though not everyone will automatically sort it this way. Best of luck with this.
Oct 29, 2011
momof2sailors
Oct 30, 2011
Lisa FLNavyMom
So if I am reading some of the prior posts right, my son will need a passport? Is this something the Navy will help him with? He is supposed to report 12/12, is there even time?
Oct 30, 2011
momof2sailors
Oct 30, 2011
Sam'sMom
Oct 30, 2011
Lisa FLNavyMom
Oct 30, 2011
momof2sailors
Oct 30, 2011
BADma
Oct 31, 2011
Sam'sMom
Oct 31, 2011
BADma
I like that idea of ordering the flat rate boxes.Sometimes it is physically too trying for me to get out of the house and the hubmeister often gets back after the P.O has closed.
kathy..I'll ask at my PO about the 12.95.Our postmaster is retred military...maybe he'll agree to it. It is a REALLY small PO. That is GREAT that your sailor is coming home.How long has he been on the GW?
Oct 31, 2011
BADma
My sailor has been on the GW since June 2011...real newbie! I look forward to the day when I can see him and hug him (how he HATES that).
One year ago today he left AZ for GL. My oh my how things change in one short year!!
Nov 1, 2011
cokevmom
Talk about newbie...my sailor has been on the G-Dub since Aug. 2011!!! I miss him dearly. I just spoke with him and he is doing his "galley duty". He says that this job makes the sailors "crazy". Is this true? Now, I am going crazy!!!
What do ya'll think??
Nov 1, 2011
DC - G'mother of My Fav Sailor
Nov 1, 2011
BADma
cokevmom...is your sailor a CS? Mine is a machinist mate but he said CS' have a lot of grunt work.
Your sailor calls? How awesome and blessed you are! Mine only emails. I haven't spoken to him since May when I took him to the airport.I miss him SO much )):
Nov 1, 2011
cokevmom
BADma: He's an airman (AR). He was on DM (damage control) and enjoyed that duty. It said on all the navy stuff that he would have to spend some time in the galley. Does it make him crazy or what?
My sailor calls VERY infrequently. I think that since his duty is in the middle of the night, he might have more time...
Nov 1, 2011
Lisa FLNavyMom
OMGsh, my heart goes to you moms! My son doesn't leave to start the GW until Dec. so my journey overseas is just beginning, ugh. I'm not looking for ward to it at all... BUT would love to plan a visit. :)
katlanta - too funny about the ex remark, I can totally relate! I hate "sharing" my time too. Sometimes the gf gets in the way too, lol, but she's a doll so I can't complain too much.
Nov 1, 2011
BADma
If any of you new moms are on facebook the GW has a page there. The sailors don't have access to fb while at sea .Something about not enough bandwidth?I am sooooo not techie.BUT at least on the fb page ya can leave comments. Supposedly the comment pages are emailed to hte saiilors?
Lisa...I think a mom can never be prepared for separation but at least here ya have the support of AWESOME moms. We'll laugh,cry,kick and scream together (:
Nov 1, 2011
Lisa FLNavyMom
Nov 1, 2011
Mollie...Kelcies Mom
If your package is going to an APO/FPO address, it SHOULD NOT have to be one of the specifically marked military flat rate boxes. Someone at that post office does not know what they are doing!'
The FB page was a real life saver for me. When China and North Korea were threatening to use their "Carrier Killer" against the GW in the summer of 2010, seeing pictures of it COMPLETELY surrounded by destroyers, subs etc offered me a little comfort that I wouldn't have had otherwise.
Nov 2, 2011
Sam'sMom
Nov 2, 2011
Sam'sMom
Nov 2, 2011
Ozzy
Hi all, It's been a while since I have been on, sorry if this was discussed already.
This is my sons first holiday on the USS GW. What do you think about sending a few small gifts to him? I have his address, sent his computer and received on his end. I was just going to deposit money in his account, but I am feeling bad that he won't actually get a few gifts from us.
What do you do about holiday gifts?
Thank you for all suggestions.
Nov 3, 2011
cokevmom
Nov 3, 2011
Ozzy
Nov 4, 2011
Lisa FLNavyMom
Nov 4, 2011