Seabee Moms

Last time I hugged him was January 1st

I'll do it. Good luck to you.

the Mormon Tabernacle Choir just rebroadcast episode 4130, to honor our veterans. Probably for 9-11. Anyway, they showed the Seabee Memorial and Lloyd K Newell talked about it in his spoken part. You can watch it online. http://www.musicandthespokenword.com. Just be sure you have your hankies ready. I can't watch anything patriotic without tearing up and seeing the Seabee Memorial about did me in.

But NO chocolate. Mark's much asked for chocolate Easter candy was a melted mess by the time he got it in Africa.

Mark took off with wife and child for Mississippi yesterday after noon. It will be 29 hours of behind the wheel time, with much more time taken considering a very demanding three year old in the back seat. Hopefully he'll get there by Wednesday. Anyway, it was nice visiting with him, HUGGING him, knowing he's still Mark, despite being grown up.

My son just got orders to go to Coronado.

Today's one of those hard anniversaries for me. But I still have to teach today. So I'm going to work and wondering how much I dare let myself think about my dad and his life and how much I've missed him in the 30 years since he died.

As for cravings, my son didn't want banana bread--he just wanted my sausage and pimento pasta casserole. It's one of those throw together with a can of soup (tomato) meals that I've pulled together on many a rushed night. But that was what he wanted. He'd missed that.

Anyone have a Seabee in Coronado?

Girls, if you all are going to keep talking banana bread, at least share your recipes. :)
I made Mark's favorite mom food last night . . . probably because I had him on my mind. Keeping to my own advice, here's the recipe: 12 oz al dente shell pasta, 2 cans tomato soup, 1-2 Tbs hot sauce, larger jar pimentos, 12 oz cooked sausage-crumbled and broken. Mix all together and bake at 350 for 15 minutes. Serves 4.

Yes, you cook the noodles to al dente first. As far as the name goes . . . hmmn . . . how about Kelley's sausage pimento pasta bake?

I like it. The main reason I make it is because it's fast and easy. You can use any kind of sausage, but I like regular old country sausage the best; Italian sausage makes it spicier.

It looks like our Son will be joining the Seabee's (construction engineering) after all, What is the next step after BC which he should be done with on 12-4-09? Does he stay at Great Lakes for a time or might he be shipped off to a warmer part of the Country?

Hey malamama, my son's in the same one.

Does anyone know anything about Beachmasters unit?

Barbara-Adam's Mom, thank you so much for that information! He went there today to get housing and will be coming home Thursday for a few days before returning out there.

Happy Veteran's day from the granddaughter, niece, daughter, sister, and mother of Veterans.

Just curious, what is the Navy's policy on new babies and deployments?

where'd everybody go?

So, erm . . . my question again. What is the Navy's policy on new babies and deployments?

While it's too early to make announcements, if someone arrived at the beginning of his or her daddy's new deployment, would daddy be sent home for the event? Or would his deployment be delayed?

this place has been awfully quiet lately

Mark's next deployment has been moved from August to May and will be nine months long instead of six. It doesn't make it any easier that his new bride is expecting in August. But I'm not sure of the best way to support her other than call her and pray for her. I'm just glad they have 'now' time together.

Hey Joanne... how is she liking Africa? Mark deploys again in May, but he's in Gulfport for Christmas.

Merry Christmas Seabee Moms . . . My love goes with you and my prayers to your Seabees.

Joanne--big hugs. And no, I'm not surprised. Are they still burning camels on the roadside?

nice . . . a monkey named George is a lot more fun than dead camels burning by the road . . .

My son was in the states, but couldn't afford to come home for Christmas. He'll be deployed again in May, so I may not see him for awhile.

Happy New Year Seabee Moms. I have been lucky enough to have my Seabee home for Christmas and New Year's. When he returns to his base he will be getting trained for something seems to me is different from what Seabee mechanics usually do. Do you find your Seabees are being trained for things that don't relate to building? It is scary think he will go somewhere soon where might really have to use this training. I assume you can understand my feelings better than most people.

I feel guilty just posting my worry. I would like you to know that I am proud of my Seabee. He is thriving in the Navy, learning new things, and having an adventure. He just made Petty Officer Second Class has been in the Navy less than three years.

I'm not saying I don't worry about my son, because I do. But he was on a bad path before he enlisted. He got out and away from that path. Of the friends who remained behind, two are in jail, one is dead, the others are going nowhere. Those are of his close group. If I add his extended group, then the deaths are four. He's safer in the Navy.

you can type along with your seeing and speaking on skype. My skype was free.

My son used his laptop in Africa all the time.

I'm pretty sure it was sandy, or at least dirty. Son said he got his share of dust anyway.

Horn of Africa........

Carol F. you asked about cell phones during deployment, I know a little about that. My CM had his Sprint cell phone on deployment status while he was deployed last year. At first it was vacation status then it was changed to deployment status. His brother was still able to use the secondary phone he has on his plan while he was gone.

Your son must be training with my son. My son is a CM in the 11th battalion. He is learning to be the rear gunner for convoy security. He scheduled for deployment in a couple of months. I doubt he is headed for Okinawa with the main part of his battalion if he is learning to do convoy security. I would like to know more about what they will be doing.

Barbara, our sons probably do know each other if he was just in D'jibouti with the 11th. I added you as a friend if you want to chat more.

hi i don't know how relevant this is but do any of you have kids leaving for bootcamp in march? and possibly as a cm? i'm going then and can't seem to find anyone going the same time as me that isn't nuke or it

Not my son's division, but BMU2 is going.

My son leaves Great Lakes in Feb. to be attached to a Seabee Unit in Gulfport. Do they fly into Gulfport airport or New Orleans? Also, do they have taxis available in Gulfport?

Actually we live about 2 hours from Gulfport. I was just wondering about his flight from Great Lakes into Gulfport. We'll be able to visit regularly and he'll be able to come home a lot.

Tyler is a Gunner's Mate. He's being attached to Seabee Unit NMCB 133.

Seabee Mom-Michelle: My son will probably get to know your son soon...we're from southern mississippi, so the humidity, bugs, etc are not a problem for us...there are a lot of mosquitos in Mississippi....but we've had enough freezing weather and snow this year that the mosquitos shouldn't be too bad this year.

I will keep all you Moms in my prayers. I haven't had to experience deployment of my son yet, but I would be right there with you-venting, worrying.

I am really appreciating Navy for Moms. As I was reading the comments about sons and daughters in Afghanistan and moms needing to vent, my Seabee called from Camp Shelby where he is being trained in urban combat. He is worn out but he thrives on the hard stuff. When I asked if his whole battalion was there training he said no, only those who are assigned to convoy security. My son and I feel that he is going to be deployed to Afghanistan when the main part of his battalion goes to the South Pacific. When I tried to talk about this to my husband, he disagreed with me. He feels this training is just so some people in the battalion have the training. Maybe I am being a nervous mom without reason but I can’t shake the feeling that my son is going to Afghanistan.

I have a question. My son, a Gunner's Mate, will be heading to Gulfport in Feb. to be attached to NMCB 133. He currently uses our hometown bank. We want to open him a military account. When he is on deployment to Afghanistan what banking facility would be available there? At which military bank should we get an account. He wants an account that doesn't charge fee for ATM withdrawals, free checking, debit card, etc. Thanks for any info.

Thank you for the video, it brought tears to my eyes.

My son will be on his first deployment with the NMCB 133 when they leave next. He's only been in the Navy since June 09. Are there items I can send with him when he leaves that will be helpful to him in Afghan? Also will there be a special mailing address for them overseas while they are there, where they can receive care packages?

You ladies are wonderful with so much helpful info. I look forward to learning more as I go along. Thanks for your help.

Question for anyone who has been through deployment to Afghan.....what is best card/bank to use for cash withdrawals/purchases over there? Someone mentioned Navy Cash Card...any ideas what this is? Also, won't bank debit cards work over there?

My son graduates this Fri from Basic...yea!!! So proud of him and so ready to see him! He's going to "A" school in TX for Construction Electrician training. Anyone in this rate and do they like it?

Congratulations, Brogden's mom!! I know you can hardly wait! You will enjoy it!

Just got back from the SeaBee Base in Gulfport picking up my Gunner's Mate for the holiday weekend. It is great having him so close to home. The SeaBee Base is really great!