USS George Washington Sailors

WOW and Whoppee!

Yeah for you Katlanta, but Boo for me...I will miss you and all your knowledge :-)

Yes, Katlanta, you will check in. You will not be able to help yourself. Trust me on that. And you will feel a sadness leaving this group that you may not expect. Your son is sure to have mixed feelings too, leaving Japan. He gave some of the best years of his life there and there are friendships and experiences that will stay with him forever. My son is in transition and I'm not sure what the next assignment will be like, neither does he, but I do know that there will be Moms out there who will find each other, and all the Sweethearts who graciously share our sons and daughters with us.

sherry 73    thank you so  much  My son first wrote VFA 195   now I think its 196  but Im not sure   I will send another letter out today...he is a man of little words and communication isn't his best trait...

It's so fun to read about all of the adventures your sailors are having.  Do you have any suggestions on getting my son to keep in contact with us at home.  He called between xmas and new year's and then we heard from him the beginning of may and that's it.  Nothing about or while in Australia.  We send him letters and packages regularly.  He was never a the great communicator but  really?

Starting to get a little worried, we haven't heard from our sailor for 8 days ( I honestly thought it was 3 weeks, lol )  I sent him an email, and he replied saying they were in port and that was it. He's usually good at replying, but hasn't replied to my last 4 emails. We never got any calls emails or Facebook messages while they were at port :-(  I understand they are busy, but it's not like him. 

Probably just me worrying about nothing but it's driving me crazy !!!

Sethsmom, Mattsmom;  I'm right there with ya!  He feels no need to keep in touch with mom.  I got SO jealous of my husband.  He turned 50 this week, and recieved a Happy Birthday email from David, and all I said was "why didn't he write to me?" .  I'm so bad!

Thanks ladies, it helps knowing I'm not the only one.

However I sent him another email yesterday saying I was getting worried. Yesterday our 16 year old daughter answered a call from a strange guy asking for my husband or myself, he wouldn't leave a message, so she panicked and said, "What if something happened to Matt? ", so that made it worse. I woke up this morning checked my IPhone and Matt had said he was really busy and tired, and he was sorry!!  Phew!!

My husband is retired AF (22) years, so he gets mad at me, saying give the boy a break, but he's my baby, so its hard, right ladies??

Hope you all hear something soon, take care, Sue

I guess I'm the lucky one my Sailor called while they were in port last week and then yesterday because he wanted to check up on his Dad who was suppose to have knee surgery yesterday. The longest I have went without hearing from him is 3 weeks.

Last week I got a unknown number and I answered thinking this might be my sailor and it was a young male voice asking to speak to me and I was thinking...this is my son being funny and no it was not, it was my tv service calling to offer me something and when I hung up I cried for an hour. I know how silly, but I hate the never knowing when and if they will call. 

I had not heard from him in over a week either. I got an email yesterday and he said it has been "crazy busy at work" is why he has not sent me a message lately. I know he must have felt bad because instead of the usual 1 line I got 6, so I guess it evens out :)

Ok, I just got an email from my son and he started a conversation with one of the guys in his squadron last night. Come to find out my son was a senior in hs the same year this sailor was a freshman at the same school! They had a good evening talking about their ROTC classes and instructors. They also shared memories of local hangouts, neighborhoods, and restaurants. I think it was one of the best times he's had since he has been in Japan! His email was so upbeat. If the other sailor is the son of a mom here, I just want to say thank you for sharing your sailor with mine. It makes him realize that no matter where in the world he goes, thought the world it huge, "it's a small world after all." :-)

Navy Hugs to All

I just tried to reply to my sons email address and it came back undeliverable.  He and I have had no trouble emailing until today.  Anyone else get a bounce back email?

I've emailed my son a couple of times this evening and none have come back yet, but his job requires him to be on the computer so that might have something to do with it. Or it might be that I got mine to him just in time. Good luck getting through Teresa, I know how frustrating it is to have to wait to send a string of emails.

My son's email rejected a couple months ago and cause us to panic because we hadn't heard from him for 4 months.  come to find out his mailbox was full and that's why it bounced.  Maybe that's what happened with your son too.

Hello ladies! 

I had some emails bounce back about a month ago.  I just re-sent them the next day and they went thru.  I just figured that when they're out at sea the internet connection goes in & out. 

Willsmom - hang in there!  Yeah it's tough when they go overseas...the lack of communication really sucks but it makes those precious emails & phone calls sooooo exciting.  I hope you hear from him soon. 

Mary (Chris' mom) - cool story!  Hope you can connect with that other Sailors mom that would be awesome.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend and {{{{{{hugs}}}}} to all!

Hey all,

New to this type of correspondence so bear with me. Miss my son, haven't heard from him in a few weeks. I know that's normal but it is tough to get used to

ccrred50, You are right, it is an adjustment. I thought it was bad when my son went to his first overseas duty station and we could talk for 4 or 5 days in a row for hours and then suddenly I would not hear from him for a couple of weeks other than a fast email. Now, he is overseas and his wife is too so he does not feel the need to call mom so often, he calls his wife when he is in a port. :-( I know however that there are Navy personnel in other areas of the world where they are likely to see combat so I remind myself...it could be worse, it could be worse.

Mary (Chris' mom) 
My son had the same thing happen to him in talking to a fellow sailor. Only they find out not only are they from the same State but they went to the same church together. It is a 'Big' but 'Small'  world.

Haven't heard from him for awhile other than he is busy and on night duty. With the time difference I guess I will settle for a quick one liner email until they hit land somewhere.

JPeder, How awesome! I know how that must make them feel to know that not only are there folks with them from their area but who they can connect directly with! It must be a real comfort and pass a lot of time to be able to go back through memories with someone else.

Sherry, My son will not send anything home until near Christmas, but he did say he had bought enough stuffed koalas and 'roos for each and every kid on his side of the family and his wife's side too. When I asked about sending him a box of stuff he refused it. He said his seabag is soooo full, he is going to have a hard time getting off the ship and onto the shuttle back to Atsugi as it is!

Robin & Punkinsmom -- I'll be there as well.  Flying in from California!!!!!

Happy Day Ladies!

Well I'm jealous of those going to Family Cruise Day!!!!  Oh but I wish you all a great trip and please share pics and stories.  Happy Happy Times!

Robyn & Punkinsmom -- I'll be arriving the latter part of the week.  I'm actually staying at Atsugi my 1st night.  Then head to Navy Lodge where the 2 special events will be then head back to Atsugi.  My son bought a car so I'm assuming he'll be driving me around.  Although I'd love to ride the train.

I'm told its hot and humid right now and to possibly bring a small umbrella.

Hi all, What is Family Cruise Day?  We haven't heard from our son since May.  Figure he's working hard and having fun.  He's not very communicative.  Does any one know what "got my rating and points" means.

Sethsmom: Did your son go in as undesignated (or the PAC-apprentice program)? If yes, then my guess is he put in a "strike for a rate" and got it. Which means he applied for a certain job and got it. I'm not sure about the points thing. I am still knew to this too, and my son went in as undesignated and hasn't been there long enough yet to apply for a rate. That's why I'm guessing!

Thanks so much for the info.  I have no idea if he was undesignated.  I don't think so but not sure.  He is an Airman and went to school in Pensacola after bootcamp and before he went to the ship.  He said he was designated for engine training but had to wait.  Maybe that's what his comment was in regard to. 

How do you know about the Friends and Family cruise?  My husband and I would absolutely love to do this with our son.  We would finally get to see him.  We miss him so very much!!!  As you all miss you sailors too!

Thanks Katlanta!  All of the moms on this site are so helpful.  If I ever get to talk to my son, I will be sure to ask him about it.  Happy for you that your son will be a little closer to home soon.  It's so hard not being able to talk to him unless he calls.  We just keep sending letters and packages and hope he will eventually have a desire to make contact.

Thanks for the full address. been sending letters but  have not heard if he has received them yet....also never heard about the family cruise deal!!!  I couldn't have made it anyway this year but it would have been nice to know about it...boy it is a communication thing that "stinks"...

I agree it's so hard not being able to talk to our Sailors.   Fingers crossed we all start getting phone calls soon.

Have a Great Day Ladies and Stay Strong!

Mine is back at Atsugi now. :-) He says he will Skype tomorrow after he and his wife have some time together. Woohoo! katlanta, I know you are super pumped this time. Sorry you didn't get up here for the 'ritas this summer but our weather has been just miserable. I've been dumping chemicals into the pool and draining out rain water but I bet I've only been in the water about 4 times. The water can't even get warm this year, but... Anyway, I will send you a pm sometime so you can call me and maybe come up next summer. You can tell me from the mom view what Japan is like. :-)

Talked to my son tonite also. I was lucky because the rest of the household was sleeping so I didn't have to share the phone call what so ever.!!!!   He will call again so he can talk to his dad and brothers.
Have a fun time all you moms etc that are in Japan right now

Happy Momma here - I got a call from my Sailor this morning!  YEAH

Robyn & Punkinsmom - How exciting for you and all the families who are over there.  We definitely want pictures!!!  Have a great time.