...ladies, ladies! you all are terriffic!! I've never been a part of a support group outside of my biological family. Man, i look forward each day to read the comments about your sailors. this is a God send. I need this more than you know, well, i guess you do know, lol. Anyway my daughter is on the GDUB and i received an email this morning. This process makes one release the child and then the parent has to grow up all over again. What a process, whew, to not be able to reach out and touch, talk, and help. i have learned to wait. OH MY GOODNESS, it sucks, but then i dont have any other choice
okay, enough, i guess...thanks again for sharing and making this first deployment a little bit smoother. I ask God to continue to watch over the service men and women as they continue their journey to serve our country, as well as, becoming better people! thaanks again ladies and also the gentleman who shared the financial info.
Just to share with the group, my son called me today as well. It was so great to hear his voice. Thanks to the group for all their posts and helpful feedback.
Luke's Mom, I just noticed your post about sending ship to shore phone cards to your sailor...has your sailor been successful in using them? and if so, where do you get them?
Vivkyky, i think you can get information by emailing the ship's ombudsman at cvn73ombudsman@yahoo.com or gw3ombudsman@yahoo.com. (One of these addresses may not be in use any longer, but not sure which one). The ombudsman will most likely get the command to have your sailor contact you and you can get the address that way.
I just sent 2 big boxes to one of my sons this past Friday. And I got a email this morning saying he got 1 of the boxes already. WOW hows that for service? Now where is the other box?
Got a phone call last night (well, early this morning)! What a nice surprise!
Does someone have a suggestion for finding/sending AT&T phone cards? He requested them, but I can't find any here in the stores. I ordered one from Walmart and had it sent directly to him, but not sure that's the best way to do it.
He said he has been receiving packages - hooray!
I found his squadron's ombudsman on the facebook page, and emailed to be added to the list. She somehow contacted him very quickly to get it approved, so they do have contact with the ship.
If you have caller ID and get a call with "Unknown number" and a long pause, don't assume it's a telemarker and hang up! I hung up twice on my son last night before he called again on my cell. We had a long talk and he sounded great! He may be able to come home for Christmas! Last year he was on duty in Japan over the holidays, not an easy time for anyone in the family. Apparently there are 2 leave periods, 1 includes Christmas, the other includes New Years but they cannot usually get both. As soon as he gets the go ahead, I'm buy his ticket.
AT&T cards can be puchased through the NEX, an AT&T store close to you, or a number of other locations sell them as well. Best Buy, and I believe Wal-mart, both carry them here.
We finally found one of the "old-timers" at our cell carrier's store who told us the girl who would not let us suspend our sailor's service only lasted there 6 days. All has been cleared up at Alltel so we are ok there........
Hi, newbie here. My son got his verbal orders today to join the USS George Washington and I'm very excited/frightened right now. Hoping to find this a place of comfort. Any suggestions or information would be much appreciated.
Thank you barnesyard! I ordered him a card from that site as well. Hopefully something will get to him and work. (Can they not buy them on the ship...or would that be too easy?!) I guess it's still nice to be needed for something - lol.
Today is my son's 20th Birthday, sigh.... I miss him. I bought him some ship to shore phone cards too, That's a good find, thanks barnesyard! Now hopefully he will use it to call me! :)
Does anyone know where the new sailors go to find out their email addresses aboard ship? My sailor is not one to seek out info like that, but his Mom (me) wants to be able to send him emails and pics! He has called which is awesome, and the last phone call I asked him to find out. If I could give him a tip of where to go to ask, I might get the information sooner. :)
thanks for the welcome. Wow, katlanta, that's awesome to get such an email. My son is still texting regularly. I'm sure when he ships over to Japan things will change. I'm so happy to be here to celebrate, share, ask questions, laugh and cry if need be. Today we have cooler weather so heading out to pluck at the garden.
Any moms here have an MM and have received email? I read on the GW's fb page (take it with a grain of salt) that not all depts on the ship have internet access yet. I haven't had a sailor email since Memorial Day weekend.That is not like my sailor to not email )):
My son is an MM too! He has yet to send an email. When he's called, I've asked him to find out his email. Hopefully he have it next time he calls me. I expect a call soon as I sent him more calling cards and two boxes of goodies! The ship hasn't posted pics in two days- wonder if email is down again. Sometimes that happens. Rosemary S and BADma, you're lucky to have great communicators, mine doesn't like to write! Glad he calls though, always the best hearing his voice! :)
Luke'sMom....glad that ya've heard from your sailor. How long has your son been on the GW? Mine doesn't call )): He has been in Japan since last May and I've heard his sweet voice only once since then.
...hi everyone. I've enjoyed reading the conversations from the moms. This is truly a God send. This has helped tremendously, it has been like chicken soup for the soul. I have a sailor on this ship and I hadnt received emails for a couple of days. Remember they have to share computers. So in mom told be in the beginning to practice the patience I had to acquire while they were in bootcamp. Anyway, hello and enjoy the rest of your evening. Btw, I'm thankful for the technology, cause, Oh my goodness, what would we have done if we just had to rely on the postal service. Ummm
The only way I got a letter back from bootcamp was to send a list of questions with lines and check boxes for answers! I will always treasure that letter, its pretty adorable! As I said, my son is not a writer. I'm hoping when he does find out his email address that he will find it easier to type something. I am very proud of him that he figured out how to buy a calling card and find a pay phone to call me. He understands how important it is for me to talk to him. And I think it's just as important for him to hear my voice. BADma - he arrived in Japan 3 days before the GW left port on this patrol. Does anyone know what it's like for them when they get back to Yokosuka? Do they get time off? Do they get to rest up at all? Says they are working long hrs.
Just received a call from the GW. He sounded good. They are 13 hours ahead of EST so we're always off schedule. Talked about his dad making a trip over this summer if they return to port. He received some of my recent emails, no packages so far. Hopefully they will land somewhere soon and get a chance to go ashore and skype home to the family. I am a happy mom tonight!
Thanks katlanta! Helps a lot. I would love to get a chance to visit my boy in Yokosuka! Sounds like you have a very good understanding of your son's life in the Navy, getting to see things first hand as you have. I'm trying to learn all that I can about what he is going through. He promised me pics when he gets to go ashore. Can't wait to see what he's seen :)
Finally got an email and when I answered it didn't get returned as undeliverable like all the others i've sent. It is the same email he gave me, but maybe they have to use the account b4 they can receive emails. His email was short and sweet, "let me know if you get this ...love u S...". Just glad to get some word from him!
Luke's mom- so u said ur sailor arrived just days b4 they left...so did he go out with them? I know my son and his friends had indoc for a couple weeks b4 moving onto the ship when it was in port. Just wondering how it works when they leave port cuz I know another sailor heading over soon.
TexasSailorMom-He is on patrol with the ship. He went right out with it. Don't know many details, just that he was surprised to be sailing so quickly, was expecting it to not be till the fall. Still waiting for email!
Movie theater experience sounds awesome. I would have cried, especially if all the sailors stood at attention. The National Anthem always makes me cry! :)
Thanx for that link about the GW. Last year my sailor emailed that he was not happy about Korea because they don't have a Hard Rock Cafe. I guess that's his 'thing' at each port of call he visits a Hard Rock Cafe. He loves music.
Hi All, just reading down the message board here and all VERY interesting and informational. I talked to my son for over an hour tonight and guess I better hold that dearly. He has his paper orders now to the GW, with a date. Sounds like they are in port but leaving soon?... I guess. Maybe that's why the date. I was an airman so a lot of this talk is so different for me. I didn't deploy.
I take it they won't be able to use their own cell phones to text while on deployment? Will they be given a military email for us to use then? Also, he's asking about the weather... can someone tell me what the weather is like? When we visited Japan a couple years ago it was hot and humid... do we have a web site that shows weather? I'm going to go click on that link Luke'sMom posted yesterday. I sure hope I'm doing this right. Someone tell me if I'm wrong here... thanks... Vi
Cell phones won't work onboard ship. Put my son's cell on military plan, basically suspends the service for 39 months (AT&T). He said he was going to buy Japanese cell when back in Yokosuka. They all say that's the way to go. I had him keep his cell service until he set sail as he was able to text me when he was in Yokosuka, he even sent a picture!
Here's a pretty good website for Yokosuka weather also other good info included: http://www.timeanddate.com/weather/japan/yokosuka
Hope this helps :)
childcarefun... thanx for posting that there were pix. there actually 2 of my sailor <3. I haven't had an email from the li'l stinker BUT I got to 'see' him <3.
Hi Vi - I'm a newbie here also. My sailor arrived in Yokosuka May 30th. The moms here have a lot of great information. The Japan Mom’s group has also been very helpful.
The GW left on May 26...I think. My son is in INDOC (training) in Yokosuka right now. He was told he would be sent to the ship in three weeks from his arrival date. His cell phone doesn't work there but we have been able to Skype and send fb messages and chat. He seems to love it there and has been doing a lot of sight-seeing on the weekends.
What operating system are you running on your computer? My laptop has Windows7 and allows me to have an additional clock, so I added Yokosuka...now I always know what time/day it is in Yokosuka.
Luke’sMom - Thanks for the link to the Yokosuka website
Click on the welcome package and u will find answers to a lot of things in there.
Have received several emails from my son in the last few days, guess he just found the computer room, lol. He had given me his email but it didn't work until he sent me one first. It is great to see his name in my inbox again!
I know this is kind of random, but I'm going to ask anyway. My son just joined the Air Force and I havent' been able to find an AirForce4Moms. Does anyone know of one. This site has been so helpful with my daughter being on the GDub so I'm hoping to find the same thing for the AirForce. Any help would be great!
Yay for all who received emails and calls! That is such a good feeling isn't it! My email from son yesterday stated that he was going to get COed today due to his smart @$$ mouth in class. Not a real surprise, I hope he makes it through ok? This is an exercise with pepper spray like stuff in the face and then you are to perform certain tactical training. Usually worse than the gas chamber in boot camp. When will he ever learn?
I think he is pulling your leg about being a smart @$$ in class. Because if he is assigned to security at all whether it be permanent or temporary they go thru training and part of that training is being sprayed with pepper spray in the face. It isn't used as a form of punishment for being a smart @$$ in class. My son was assigned to security and he had to go thru it. But not punishment.
Yes, they all get sprayed with that stuff. They even have a video on UTube showing some of them getting sprayed. Also, my daughter is a 'smart***' as well, lol.
Luke's Mom-thanks for the weather link. that will be helpful. Do you have a map that you use to kinda watch the area they usually go to?
katlanta- thanks for the help too. I really appreciate it girls.
JDMK-NavyMom-SC- I'm a MAC girl, but bet I could find a clock too. Good idea. I love this place and the comfort I've already found.
TexasSailorMom- thanks, I've bookmarked that site, but need to actually read something now, LOL.
thanks everyone! I'm learning to keep my mouth closed. I think I'm learning things here before him and well... mommy just doesn't need to know anything. It more fun when he tells me what he just went through. OH THIS IS HARD! Even being told that a million times, being a veteran... THIS IS HARD! thanks for all being here and supporting. I look forward to the day I'm seasoned mom and can help someone else. We need a GW mom's party somewhere?
Over the weekend family was asking if GW ever has family days. Do they actually take families on board and out to sea?
years... and I mean years ago, I went out with my boys on a ship for a family day. They were so young then, but had so much fun. Everything was so "COOL", LOL. To think one of them is living his dream now.
If you haven't already done so, you might want to send a email to the GDUB Ombudsman a request to be added to the email list. You will get some updates regarding the ship and what is going on over there.
The GDUB Ombudsman sent out a email yesterday:
ALCON,
Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka has ordered the setting of Tropical Cyclone Condition of Readiness (TCCOR) THREE for the Yokosuka and Yokohama areas effective 0600:18 June 2012. This means that destructive winds of 50 knots or greater are possible within the next 48 hours.
Hello, I'm new...my son just arrived in Yokosuka today. I received a call from him this evening (his today, my tomorrow..lol) letting me know he arrived safely and he did mention the typhoon. Just wanted to say 'Hi' and thanks for all the great info!
My son's birthday is coming up. I can't hug him, call him, reach him even. I email into the darkness, hoping he will get my message eventually. Sent him 2 boxes. Next year will be the same. They are doing that training thing and hopefully landing soon, going to a hotel, calling the girlfriend and then the mother in no specific order. Miss my son.
Luke'sMom
Glad to know squirt guns are okay! I just sent some too, along with a small
glow-in-the-dark football. Thought he'd get a kick out if it!
Also, with all the talk about coughs and colds I sent a bag of cold medicine, tums and pain reliever just in case he needs it.
The ship-to-shore phone cards are the most important thing, added those too!
Jun 3, 2012
TexasSailorMom
Jun 3, 2012
punkinsmom
...ladies, ladies! you all are terriffic!! I've never been a part of a support group outside of my biological family. Man, i look forward each day to read the comments about your sailors. this is a God send. I need this more than you know, well, i guess you do know, lol. Anyway my daughter is on the GDUB and i received an email this morning. This process makes one release the child and then the parent has to grow up all over again. What a process, whew, to not be able to reach out and touch, talk, and help. i have learned to wait. OH MY GOODNESS, it sucks, but then i dont have any other choice
okay, enough, i guess...thanks again for sharing and making this first deployment a little bit smoother. I ask God to continue to watch over the service men and women as they continue their journey to serve our country, as well as, becoming better people! thaanks again ladies and also the gentleman who shared the financial info.
Jun 5, 2012
Raberta
So glad to have heard my son's voice! Made my week! Working hard, learning and putting things into action!
Jun 5, 2012
navymims
Just to share with the group, my son called me today as well. It was so great to hear his voice. Thanks to the group for all their posts and helpful feedback.
Jun 6, 2012
yamamom
Luke's Mom, I just noticed your post about sending ship to shore phone cards to your sailor...has your sailor been successful in using them? and if so, where do you get them?
Jun 6, 2012
yamamom
Vivkyky, i think you can get information by emailing the ship's ombudsman at cvn73ombudsman@yahoo.com or gw3ombudsman@yahoo.com. (One of these addresses may not be in use any longer, but not sure which one). The ombudsman will most likely get the command to have your sailor contact you and you can get the address that way.
Jun 6, 2012
momof2sailors
I just sent 2 big boxes to one of my sons this past Friday. And I got a email this morning saying he got 1 of the boxes already. WOW hows that for service? Now where is the other box?
Jun 7, 2012
momof2sailors
cvn73ombudsman@yahoo.com is the correct email address.
Jun 7, 2012
CArol
Got a phone call last night (well, early this morning)! What a nice surprise!
Does someone have a suggestion for finding/sending AT&T phone cards? He requested them, but I can't find any here in the stores. I ordered one from Walmart and had it sent directly to him, but not sure that's the best way to do it.
He said he has been receiving packages - hooray!
I found his squadron's ombudsman on the facebook page, and emailed to be added to the list. She somehow contacted him very quickly to get it approved, so they do have contact with the ship.
Jun 7, 2012
Navy Mom
If you have caller ID and get a call with "Unknown number" and a long pause, don't assume it's a telemarker and hang up! I hung up twice on my son last night before he called again on my cell. We had a long talk and he sounded great! He may be able to come home for Christmas! Last year he was on duty in Japan over the holidays, not an easy time for anyone in the family. Apparently there are 2 leave periods, 1 includes Christmas, the other includes New Years but they cannot usually get both. As soon as he gets the go ahead, I'm buy his ticket.
Jun 7, 2012
Mary (Chris' mom)
AT&T cards can be puchased through the NEX, an AT&T store close to you, or a number of other locations sell them as well. Best Buy, and I believe Wal-mart, both carry them here.
We finally found one of the "old-timers" at our cell carrier's store who told us the girl who would not let us suspend our sailor's service only lasted there 6 days. All has been cleared up at Alltel so we are ok there........
Jun 7, 2012
CreativeVi
Hi, newbie here. My son got his verbal orders today to join the USS George Washington and I'm very excited/frightened right now. Hoping to find this a place of comfort. Any suggestions or information would be much appreciated.
thanks... Vi
Jun 8, 2012
CArol
Thank you barnesyard! I ordered him a card from that site as well. Hopefully something will get to him and work. (Can they not buy them on the ship...or would that be too easy?!) I guess it's still nice to be needed for something - lol.
Jun 8, 2012
Lisa FLNavyMom
Jun 8, 2012
TexasSailorMom
The phones on board are payphones so they use the calling cards, like at bootcamp.
Lisa- Happy Birthday to C!
Jun 9, 2012
Luke'sMom
Jun 9, 2012
CreativeVi
Hi everyone,
thanks for the welcome. Wow, katlanta, that's awesome to get such an email. My son is still texting regularly. I'm sure when he ships over to Japan things will change. I'm so happy to be here to celebrate, share, ask questions, laugh and cry if need be. Today we have cooler weather so heading out to pluck at the garden.
Jun 11, 2012
Raberta
So, how do I access the email? Is it general, or do wait for him to contact me?
Jun 13, 2012
momof2sailors
Raberta,
Your Sailor will need to give you his email address.
Jun 13, 2012
BADma
Any moms here have an MM and have received email? I read on the GW's fb page (take it with a grain of salt) that not all depts on the ship have internet access yet. I haven't had a sailor email since Memorial Day weekend.That is not like my sailor to not email )):
Jun 13, 2012
BADma
Rosemary S... I think that was the date of my sailor's last email. I assume that your sailor is an MM also?
Jun 13, 2012
Luke'sMom
Jun 13, 2012
BADma
Luke'sMom....glad that ya've heard from your sailor. How long has your son been on the GW? Mine doesn't call )): He has been in Japan since last May and I've heard his sweet voice only once since then.
Jun 13, 2012
punkinsmom
Jun 13, 2012
Luke'sMom
Jun 13, 2012
Navy Mom
Just received a call from the GW. He sounded good. They are 13 hours ahead of EST so we're always off schedule. Talked about his dad making a trip over this summer if they return to port. He received some of my recent emails, no packages so far. Hopefully they will land somewhere soon and get a chance to go ashore and skype home to the family. I am a happy mom tonight!
Jun 13, 2012
Luke'sMom
Jun 13, 2012
yamamom
Thanks for posting this link SueS (ABF Mom), it does help to have some idea about where in the world our kids are!
Jun 14, 2012
Luke'sMom
http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=67797
Jun 14, 2012
TexasSailorMom
Finally got an email and when I answered it didn't get returned as undeliverable like all the others i've sent. It is the same email he gave me, but maybe they have to use the account b4 they can receive emails. His email was short and sweet, "let me know if you get this ...love u S...". Just glad to get some word from him!
Luke's mom- so u said ur sailor arrived just days b4 they left...so did he go out with them? I know my son and his friends had indoc for a couple weeks b4 moving onto the ship when it was in port. Just wondering how it works when they leave port cuz I know another sailor heading over soon.
Jun 14, 2012
Luke'sMom
Movie theater experience sounds awesome. I would have cried, especially if all the sailors stood at attention. The National Anthem always makes me cry! :)
Jun 15, 2012
BADma
Thanx for that link about the GW. Last year my sailor emailed that he was not happy about Korea because they don't have a Hard Rock Cafe. I guess that's his 'thing' at each port of call he visits a Hard Rock Cafe. He loves music.
Jun 15, 2012
childcare fun for kids!
If you go to the GW's FB page and click on Photos they posted more!
Jun 15, 2012
CreativeVi
Hi All, just reading down the message board here and all VERY interesting and informational. I talked to my son for over an hour tonight and guess I better hold that dearly. He has his paper orders now to the GW, with a date. Sounds like they are in port but leaving soon?... I guess. Maybe that's why the date. I was an airman so a lot of this talk is so different for me. I didn't deploy.
I take it they won't be able to use their own cell phones to text while on deployment? Will they be given a military email for us to use then? Also, he's asking about the weather... can someone tell me what the weather is like? When we visited Japan a couple years ago it was hot and humid... do we have a web site that shows weather? I'm going to go click on that link Luke'sMom posted yesterday. I sure hope I'm doing this right. Someone tell me if I'm wrong here... thanks... Vi
Jun 15, 2012
Luke'sMom
Here's a pretty good website for Yokosuka weather also other good info included:
http://www.timeanddate.com/weather/japan/yokosuka
Hope this helps :)
Jun 16, 2012
BADma
childcarefun... thanx for posting that there were pix. there actually 2 of my sailor <3. I haven't had an email from the li'l stinker BUT I got to 'see' him <3.
Jun 16, 2012
JDMK-NavyMom
Hi Vi - I'm a newbie here also. My sailor arrived in Yokosuka May 30th. The moms here have a lot of great information. The Japan Mom’s group has also been very helpful.
The GW left on May 26...I think. My son is in INDOC (training) in Yokosuka right now. He was told he would be sent to the ship in three weeks from his arrival date. His cell phone doesn't work there but we have been able to Skype and send fb messages and chat. He seems to love it there and has been doing a lot of sight-seeing on the weekends.
What operating system are you running on your computer? My laptop has Windows7 and allows me to have an additional clock, so I added Yokosuka...now I always know what time/day it is in Yokosuka.
Luke’sMom - Thanks for the link to the Yokosuka website
Jun 16, 2012
TexasSailorMom
Here is the link that was helpful b4 my son left
http://www.gw.navy.mil/
Click on the welcome package and u will find answers to a lot of things in there.
Have received several emails from my son in the last few days, guess he just found the computer room, lol. He had given me his email but it didn't work until he sent me one first. It is great to see his name in my inbox again!
Jun 16, 2012
Cheryl
I know this is kind of random, but I'm going to ask anyway. My son just joined the Air Force and I havent' been able to find an AirForce4Moms. Does anyone know of one. This site has been so helpful with my daughter being on the GDub so I'm hoping to find the same thing for the AirForce. Any help would be great!
Jun 16, 2012
Lisa FLNavyMom
Jun 16, 2012
momof2sailors
LisaCCMom,
I think he is pulling your leg about being a smart @$$ in class. Because if he is assigned to security at all whether it be permanent or temporary they go thru training and part of that training is being sprayed with pepper spray in the face. It isn't used as a form of punishment for being a smart @$$ in class. My son was assigned to security and he had to go thru it. But not punishment.
Jun 16, 2012
Janis
Yes, they all get sprayed with that stuff. They even have a video on UTube showing some of them getting sprayed. Also, my daughter is a 'smart***' as well, lol.
Jun 16, 2012
childcare fun for kids!
New pictures on GW"s FB. Page click on pictures
Jun 18, 2012
CreativeVi
Luke's Mom-thanks for the weather link. that will be helpful. Do you have a map that you use to kinda watch the area they usually go to?
katlanta- thanks for the help too. I really appreciate it girls.
JDMK-NavyMom-SC- I'm a MAC girl, but bet I could find a clock too. Good idea. I love this place and the comfort I've already found.
TexasSailorMom- thanks, I've bookmarked that site, but need to actually read something now, LOL.
thanks everyone! I'm learning to keep my mouth closed. I think I'm learning things here before him and well... mommy just doesn't need to know anything. It more fun when he tells me what he just went through. OH THIS IS HARD! Even being told that a million times, being a veteran... THIS IS HARD! thanks for all being here and supporting. I look forward to the day I'm seasoned mom and can help someone else. We need a GW mom's party somewhere?
Over the weekend family was asking if GW ever has family days. Do they actually take families on board and out to sea?
Jun 18, 2012
CreativeVi
years... and I mean years ago, I went out with my boys on a ship for a family day. They were so young then, but had so much fun. Everything was so "COOL", LOL. To think one of them is living his dream now.
Jun 18, 2012
CreativeVi
OH I CAN'T wait to get smart like you girls.... WHAT TYPHOON?!
Jun 18, 2012
momof2sailors
CreativeVi,
If you haven't already done so, you might want to send a email to the GDUB Ombudsman a request to be added to the email list. You will get some updates regarding the ship and what is going on over there.
The GDUB Ombudsman sent out a email yesterday:
Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka has ordered the setting of Tropical
Cyclone Condition of Readiness (TCCOR) THREE for the Yokosuka and Yokohama
areas effective 0600:18 June 2012. This means that destructive winds of 50
knots or greater are possible within the next 48 hours.
Jun 18, 2012
jedds
Hello, I'm new...my son just arrived in Yokosuka today. I received a call from him this evening (his today, my tomorrow..lol) letting me know he arrived safely and he did mention the typhoon. Just wanted to say 'Hi' and thanks for all the great info!
Jun 18, 2012
Navy Mom
My son's birthday is coming up. I can't hug him, call him, reach him even. I email into the darkness, hoping he will get my message eventually. Sent him 2 boxes. Next year will be the same. They are doing that training thing and hopefully landing soon, going to a hotel, calling the girlfriend and then the mother in no specific order. Miss my son.
Jun 19, 2012