Norfolk Sailors - Family & Friends

Aww Janae, hope you're doing better this week!  

Michelle, I have some thoughts for you, sending a PM/friend request.  BTW I've done the car shipping thing between California & Hawaii, lived on Oahu (Hawaii Kai) for two years.  Good ol' Matson :)

Before deployment, we had an apartment in Hampton and we got it from rent.com. If you find the apartment you want off of the website you can tell them and they will send you a 100 dollar visa gift card just for renting through them and the apartment we had gave us great discounts on rent every month. I highly recommend it.

Mari, here's their website: http://www.public.navy.mil/usff/ddg51/Pages/default.aspx

Also, go this group to find her ombudsman - http://www.navyformoms.com/group/whatsanombudsmanandhowtocontactthem - just ask "A Sailor's Mom" and she'll help you out, or read how to DIY in the Discussions.  Then ask the Ombudsman for contact info for the Family Readiness Group (FRO).  

Hey MTsWife- which one are you guys going to be living in?

interesting article in our paper this week:

http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/05/24/2233048/spending-cuts-will-fo...

G's Mom, I think they can only access it from military computers.  I'd ask your recruiters what their 'take' on it is.  I would think it best to limit his military email address to official stuff and use a gmail account for personal correspondence...

Anyone know if our Navy men/women can use phone cards somewhere in the foreign ports?

Concerning Jedi: if he hasn't found a home yet, they could check about local boxer and collie rescue groups who may be able to foster Jedi until a home is found. 

I came across these, with lots of good stuff :)

the Summer Fun guide from hamptonroads.com:  http://hamptonroads.com/SummerFun2011

and the Visitors' Guide:  

http://hamptonroads.com/2010/05/hampton-roads-visitors-guide

Maryann, I haven't stayed there but - in April this year I was visiting my son's condo, I stopped at the Navy Lodge, toured the rooms, got info and took pictures; here's the link to the Discussion: Navy Lodge Norfolk info, rates and photos.  Read CShore7222's comments there too, she said that despite having a two-burner stove, there was nothing to cook in, plan accordingly!  :)  There is a free continental breakfast served every morning, and coffee & tea 24/7.  


The double rooms (two queen beds) and family suites have a range (stovetop + oven) and microwave plus fridge.  The single rooms (one queen bed) only have a microwave and small fridge. To speak to them, the direct number to Navy Lodge Norfolk is 757-489-2656.

Here's something to be aware of - Gossip Shuts Down USS Bataan's Facebook Page (NavyTimes.com)

"Loose tweets sink fleets, and as sailors and Marines aboard the amphibious assault ship Bataan learned, unchecked gossip can bring down a command’s Facebook page.  The Bataan’s page was shut down May 15, severing a major communication line to sailors’ families as the Norfolk, Va.-based ship continues its deployment in the Mediterranean. A page for at least one other ship may also be removed, as well."

For that single (or not) sailor with "nothing to do" :)   Here's the 2011 Captain's Cup Athletic Program Calendar for Naval Station Norfolk

  2011 Captain's Cup Athletic Program Calendar for Naval Station Norfolk

Sandra, every sailor is given an email account so he should be able to give that to you.  His access may be limited though as they're busy and it also depends on his job. 

I would give anything to do a tiger cruise!  We were scheduled for one last November but after we (350+ people) got to the base, boarded the buses and rode 4 hours to the point of embarkation, only to wait a few hours until the seas were finally deemed too rough for us to go out to the ship.  Talk about a bummer!  Everyone was sooo disappointed - families and sailors alike.  The upside was being able to be at the pier for homecoming the next day, so that was the silver lining :)

Hi all!!! Joining this group.  Hubby just received orders to Norfolk.  He's joining the USS Mesa Verde.  He's meeting her on deployment, so I'm taking care of the relocation for us.  Any help about the area and the move would be great!!!!  Thanks in advance!