Norfolk Sailors - Family & Friends

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For families and friends of Sailors who are stationed at Norfolk; for either Sea Duty or Shore Duty Sailors. Just make sure to keep OPSEC issues in mind and not disclose ship movements in advance.

Weather - Norfolk

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Grasshopper

Nautical Mom..So sad for Sean! I sent a card off to him. I also shared the address with my son and mentioned to him that maybe some of the Sailors in Norfolk could send cards to him as well as his Navy Brothers. As far as your Son, he will do great in Norfolk. This is a great group of Moms here. I live in NC only about 3 hours away. I'm lucky that my son gets to come home on his weekends off.

SMCK...don't give up hope that your Son also took the PO exam and said it was HARD but don't give up until the results come out in a couple of months. Your son may be surprised to learn that he in fact passed. No use studying again unless he has to.

MaryAnn...I think you are referring to the Gateway Inn or something like that. I'm told they don't always have availabilty and it's more like a dorm room. Not real nice and not the best of service as it's not an actual hotel. My cousin stayed there once and they ended up leaving and getting a hotel.

Sep 16, 2011
navy25

Hi JoJo thank you for sharing the photos where did u find those Awesome plus Great for The Young Lady Pilot of that awesome plane

Grasshopper thats a great idea, Ill do the same might be awhile for my son to get info they are out to sea now.Im sending my card out as well this weekend

Sep 16, 2011
Sandy's_sailor son

Jeff'smom, Congratulation to your son. I hope he will be happy in Newport-news. I think it is neat that he will be on a new sub.

Sep 17, 2011
Proud Navy Wife

does anyone have any info about base housing at little creek base?

Sep 17, 2011
Sandy's_sailor son

Connie~ Congratulations to your son. Love this photo of you all together. I wish Matt and his wife the best of happiness.

Sep 19, 2011
Connie(Memphis Belle)

Hello! my son just checked into Norfolk from Oceana. He will be meeting up with his ship soon. My husband got home Friday after spending a couple of days with our son.

i already see some friends here!!! MNM great pic!!!

Sep 19, 2011
Connie(Memphis Belle)

thanks for the welcome!!

Sep 19, 2011
Jeffsmom1380

Thanks for the welcome Sandy! I am hoping my son will enjoy being in Norfolk! I know he is ready to be leaving Groton & onto the next adventure! Do you know what is acceptable to put in the local newspaper about graduating from A school? I'm trying to find out before I put an article together.

Sep 19, 2011
ckmom

Connie, Great picture of family and wish them all the best of happiness.

Sep 19, 2011
ckmom

Welcome to all the newbies!!! This is a great group!

Sep 19, 2011
Grasshopper

Congratulations! What a beautiful bride and a handsome Sailor! Hope they have many years of happy sailing together! Sorry the weather didn't cooperate so that you could see more of the area. Oh well, just an excuse for you to come back sooner. lol

Sep 19, 2011
kellydeedee

Congratulations. Beautiful picture, Wishing them many years of happiness

Sep 19, 2011
Kim

Sandy's Sailor Son, how does your son like Dam Neck? Hope he likes it! I just talked to a Marine mom who said her son hated it!

Sep 20, 2011
Sandy's_sailor son

Hi Kim. How are you?? My son loves Dam Neck.

Probably the reason why Marine mom's son hated it there is because it was his (A)school. Sailors/Marines in (A)school have a tough time. (I am assuming her son is a Marine.) My son said that the Marines there at Dam Neck have all the Duty and most of the watches. (due to being in (A)school.)

Kim, how is your son doing?? Is he out of (A)school and in the fleet? Where is he stationed?

Sep 20, 2011
Sandy's_sailor son

Jeffsmom, Congratulations to your son. I bet he is happy to be done with (A)school and to be moving on in his Navy career.

I think an (A)school announcement is quite safe. (as long as you are not mentioning ship movements.)

Sep 20, 2011
Kim

Sandy's sailor son, my son went to both A and C school at Dam Neck and is now on the USS Enterprise in Norfolk. Glad to hear your son likes DN!

Sep 20, 2011
Sandy's_sailor son

Kim, your son did not have far at all to go to (C)school, LoL. How long was he in DM for? Does he prefer being in Norfolk? I heard that is a very big base.

I think my son is going to be in DM for at least 7 months. Gives me a good excuse to go visit him.

Sep 20, 2011
navy25

Hi Connie, Beautiful foto Congrats to the Happy Couple the very best to them,my son is engaged and they also want to get marry in VA his fiancee is trying to look for a place but we have no idea where to start and actually I see Matts wife is from the VA area is there a way if you dont mind we can chat where your son got married if you could send me a private message and send me your personal email also I wanted to ask any of the wives or moms if they can give me any suggestions im trying to help out my son and his fiancee.Thanking in advance for any help or info on this.Thank you so much appreciated it .MariaNavy25

Sep 20, 2011
Kim

Sandy's sailor son, my son was in DN for four and a half months. I don't think he prefers Norfolk at all! We are a west coast family and I don't think he really likes the East but I do know he likes being close to the beach! I guess there are trade offs everywhere. The navy keeps him busy and when the ship is out it doesnt really matter where they are based!

Sep 22, 2011
dms

hi sissi remember me, we went to lunch before we went on the ship my daughter is doing well. she will try to come to CA this christmas. will be nice to see her we talk almost everyday how are you? what job do you have that you have to work over time. Donna

Sep 23, 2011
navy25

Hi Ladies, has anyone stayed at The Virginia Beach Resort Hotel & Conference Center is located at 2800 Shore Drive VA Beach would that be downtown is suppose to have a private beach we are looking into it for a wedding reception

Sep 23, 2011
dms

proofreading sounds easy but time consuming. do you do this at an office? never heard of that type of job. I work at an elementary school. feeding the kids lunch, it was great because I was always off when my kids were not in school.

Sep 23, 2011

tasstables

please can any one help me. If you have ANY information please email me TASstables@aol.com

My daughter sent this to me and I and not sure where to look.I dont know Norfolk very well. I am in Ohio. I need to find this out before there ship comes back home in Dec ?

Mom   Could you help OS2 out? Our internet is too slow  She is trying to get the veteran places (VFA, VFW, American Legions...)

in the Norfolk area also the VA Hospital/Offices.

 She is getting out and will need help getting all of

the paper work done which is what the veteran's places do

so that nothing is missed by VA.

Sep 23, 2011

dms

sissi i did not get the fb friend request send it again Donna L Harlow Miller

Sep 24, 2011
dms

oh are you florence?

Sep 24, 2011
Sandy-SailorMom

Hi everyone I just joined this site. My son has been in Norfolk for a few months now and enjoys it there.

Sep 25, 2011
dms

ok you have a job that is not at risk of layoff. the teachers and the all the staff get threatened for layoffs every year for the past 3 years. very unnerving. we belong to a union too. and if we were to strike it is too easy to replace us with lower pay employes, so it would save the district money. so we have are at their mercy

Sep 25, 2011
dms

my daughter likes it too except too much rain and not enough sunshine

Sep 25, 2011
Edeli

Hi Everyone, My daughter is about to finish A school (OS) and will be heading to Norfolk the middle of October. What words of wisdom does anyone have regarding the necessity and/or practicality of my sailor having a car in Norfolk? She has heard that is it "nearly impossible" to get around Norfolk without a car. Has anyone experienced this? Does she really need a car now or would it be best for her to wait awhile before we drive her car across the country (we live in No. California) especially if she may be deployed in a few months for 6 months anyway?

Thanks is advance for your words of wisdom and experience.

Sep 25, 2011
ckmom

Heck my son had to have his car already after boot camp. There was no waiting for him. LOL

Sep 25, 2011
Sandy's_sailor son

Well my son would like to buy a car but does not want to go into debt. He says that if he wants to go on a long drive, he will just rent a car for a couple of days. He says it is cheaper than making car payment that he will be enslaved by for several years.

Sep 25, 2011
ckmom

sandy, your son is very smart wish my sailor would have waited to buy a car. He had a truck that was paid for but when he was home after A school and before he started C school he bought a Mustang to drive back to Jacksonville Fl. with. After A school he drove home with his truck and of course gas milelage was terrible he decided to get something different. Went car shopping and came home with a 2005 Mustang. LOL

Sep 25, 2011
Ken-55 (OS Dad)

Homecoming?? It's a couple months away but I'm beginning my research now. My son has already said that he'll probably volunteer to stay on duty so shipmates with wives and children could leave sooner but the family wants to be there to see his ship come in. Not sure how many of us will make the trip (there were 11 of us at PIR and YES we all got in). Does anyone know how it works? My son said something about family being able to tour the ship if he can't leave and asked if I would stay in the area for a few days. I want to be there and give him as much support as I can (I'm saving my vacation days now), but I don't want to encourage his brothers & sisters, spouses, kids, grandparents etc. to make the 10 hour drive if they won't get to see much of him. From what I understand he'll get leave within a week or two of getting back. ANY homecoming recommendations or info would be appreciated. I've heard a lot of good things about Navy Lodge but I'm leaning towards BEST WESTERN PLUS Holiday Sands Inn & Suites , lots of room options and overlooking the bay. Thanks all!

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Sep 25, 2011
Sandy's_sailor son

ckmom, my son has an old 1967 Ford Mustang that he just paid off. It is a fixer upper and a gas guzzler. He was thinking of moving it to Dam Neck but he is only there for 7 months. He is planning on moving his car back to his permanent duty station. Guys and their Mustangs, LoL

Sep 25, 2011
Sandy's_sailor son

Connie, I think my son just learned to be careful with money from watching the tough times we have gone through. He has seen the stress being in debt causes.

Sep 25, 2011
ckmom

That's cool a 1967 and I know what you mean about boys and their Mustangs. My husband still has his from High School. A 1972 Mach 1 it runs yet but the body needs some TLC. The boys would love to have it but he always said not over my dead body. LOL Yes those older models don't get good gas milelage the Mach 1 gets 9 miles to a gallon. Where the 05 gets 25 miles to a gallon not bad.

Sep 25, 2011
Edeli

Thanks to everyone who gave me feedback regarding my question about my daughter needing a car in Norfolk. I appreciate the help.

Sep 26, 2011
navy25

It sounds like we alot of Mustang Lovers on this Group you can add Me and My Son Mustang Cobras Top Notch

Sep 26, 2011
navy25

forgot the word have oops eventually my son will bring his he was told that there was plenty of space on base to keep cars and from reading on here during the hurricanes that there were garages that are safe to keep the cars im just not sure I presume off base and not sure of monthly cost

Sep 26, 2011
claudia

awsome cars had 69 mach 1 myself...but boys need to watch their speed around norfolk

Sep 26, 2011
Sandy's_sailor son

My parents bought me a 1967 or 1970 Mustang. I loved it. I was a newly wed at the time and did not have the money to fix it. It had some major problems.

Now we have a 1999 Ford Taurus station wagon. We have put 350,000 miles on it. It is still going strong. I like Ford cars and truck.

Right now I have a Kia Soul. I love that car. It is my baby. I will try to post a pic of it. My hubby drives the ford.

claudia, Amen on the speed. Even though I live out in the country sheriffs are everywhere and it is so easy to get a ticket. I heard Norfolk is just as bad.

Sep 26, 2011
Grasshopper

Not just Norfolk but all of Virginia!! Virginia is very strict State with their laws and radar detectors are ILLEGAL in VA! My son is stationed in Norfolk and he said there are places to store cars when guys are on deployments but the guys need to be sure they are preparing the cars for sitting and not being started for a long period of time. Special additives need to be put in them so if your Sailor is not mechanical and has never stored their car before, they need to talk to a mechanic first!

Sep 26, 2011
Sandy's_sailor son

navy25, that is good to know about storing a car in Norfolk. My son will be upset if his baby gets wrecked.

Sep 26, 2011
timmyswife (09/248)

Hubby just got orders for Norfolk. Reports in 45 days!!!! We are currently looking into on-base housing for us and our 2 yr old son. I have visited the Lincoln Military Housing website and done my research on the moving process, but it is kind of hard to choose a community from 12 hours away. Anyone out there that can give me suggestions on what communities are best?? Which ones to stay away from??

Sep 26, 2011
navy25

Oh Sandys Sailor I had a 1976 Cobra just like Charlies Angels Farrah F. but blue and white awesome back then brand new. I love that Kia Soul I m looking into getting new wheels and I think those are cute too how is it with gas mileage comfortable how does it run on snow if youve had snow tryouts yet LOL

Sep 26, 2011
navy25

Sandy my son too he loves his Cobra Baby

Sep 26, 2011
claudia

my son lives on s budding st in vb...its not housing but area is very nice ..i wouldnt be afraid to stay there,,if u look it up on map maybe it will help....

Sep 26, 2011
Sandy's_sailor son

Navy25. My Kia Soul runs really well on wet and muddy roads. It has a thing on it. (don't ask me what it is callled. I think ABS breaks) Anyway, I was driving in the mud 2 weeks ago and almost lost control. Luckily my car held the road and corrected itself. It gets great gas mileage. I get 35 in the City and 38 on the freeway. I will let you know what happens when the snow gets here, LoL

Sep 26, 2011
Kim

Ken 55- my son returned from deployment in July. The sailors who had watch and stayed on the ship were able to invite their families on board for a pizza party and over the weekend were able to give tours. They might have two days of watch then a couple days off, etc. His ship had leave in two week incriments so first leave started the day they pulled into port and second leave was two weeks later. It was very cool watching them come into the pier and then walk off the ship!
When the sailors are deployed, they leave their car in a giant car lot on base. They can pay extra to have their car started throughout their deployment. I know one female sailor who rented a storage unit and parked her car in it during the deployment!(it didn't start, though, when she got home). I can't remember the cost but it wasn't bad for a 6 month period.

Sep 26, 2011
Sandy's_sailor son

Ladies, my son is planning to make a trip to N. Carolina next month. He is planning on driving there. (mom is having a small stroke) Anyway, my son wants to know if he should take the back roads or take the freeway??

Sep 26, 2011

Norfolk Sailors - Family & Friends

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