Norfolk Sailors - Family & Friends

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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  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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!
    BEST WESTERN PLUS Holiday Sands Inn & Suites
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Edeli

    Thanks to everyone who gave me feedback regarding my question about my daughter needing a car in Norfolk.  I appreciate the help.
  • navy25

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

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

  • 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!
  • 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.
  • 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??
  • 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
  • navy25

    Sandy my son too he loves his Cobra Baby
  • 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....
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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??

     

  • ckmom

    Sandra, My son has a 05 Mustang he bought when he came home after A school. Insurance is pretty expensive so far 900 every 6 months.  Wish he would have waited to get a sports car till he was older. 
  • Sandy's_sailor son

    Sandra AM, My son's Mustang cost him $4,000,. It is really hard to find old Mustangs for cheaper than that. He would have to look for awhile but he might find one.  If my son were here now. He would tell you that mentioning a Mustang in the same sentence as a Subaru is sacrilege.
  • Sandy's_sailor son

    ckmom, my son has a really good insurance company. Has your son looked into USAA auto insurance. It is only for Military and their dependance.
  • Sandy's_sailor son

    Ckmom, Geico is also a good insurance company to try. My son has heard a lot of good things about that company too.
  • Sandy's_sailor son

    Sandra AM. My son has been very very happy with that insurance company. He also has a bank account through them. You can even do your transactions through your Iphone if you have one.
  • ckmom

    I will have to check on USAA and Geico insurance thanks for the info.  Right now we have American Family.
  • Kim

    We drove our son's car from Montana to Norfolk so he would have it. Watched the ship come in and then all of us flew back home for his leave. He wanted as far away from the ship as possible after spending 24/7 on it for 6 months!
  • Sandy's_sailor son

    Kim, that must have been a beautiful drive. I love road trips. There is so much to see and do.
  • navy25

    Welcome Timmyswife to Our Group Good Luck with the apt. im sure youll get info on here from some of our Moms/Wifes also once you know which ship he is on you can see if there is a group and ask that question as well. My son is also looking for a place for when he gets married in the near future so then keep me posted LOL.
  • navy25

    Timmyswife check out group of Navy Wives of Norkfolk/Portsmouth or Ladies of VA especially first one there is more recent posts from this month
  • claudia

    to sandy i always take 95 without a problem

     

  • tasstables

    This was sent to me by my daughter

    Please i need help getting the information.

    I am in Ohio .

    this girl is getting out next week . will be in Norfolk VA

    I do not know who she is. (she might be your daughter ) all I know she is on the Bush.

    but a sailor needs help !!! I have put this on the blogs but have had no one email me.

    please if you know any where i might call ..

    TASstables@aol.com

    614-390 1722

     

    Mom

    Could you help OS2 out? Our Internet, inter net, intern et, interment, internment, internee, in... is too slow

    She is trying to get the veteran places (VA, FA, FAA, FAQ, FAX, FDA, VAT" id="sp-7" class="spell"">VFA, VHF, FEW, FWD, FAWN, FOWL, FAWNS, FEWER" id="sp-8" class="spell""&g..., 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.

    she is getting kicked out due to her weight and failing the physical
    readiness tests well 3 in the past 4 years.  She has a thyroid problem.
    I just want to make sure that she can get the resources that she can



    Brenda Howard
    614-390-1722
     
  • Grasshopper

    Sandy...really depends on where in NC your son is going.  I live in NC near Raleigh.  My son comes home just about every other weekend and it's about a 3 hour drive.  To get here he has to take a smaller back Hwy and is then able to pick up Interstate 85.  Going to the beaches of NC he would be on smaller Highways getting there.  He'll do fine as long as he obeys the speed limits especially in VA.
  • Kim

    Sandy's sailor son, the drive would have been nice if we hadn't done it in three fays! Course we think there is no more beautiful place than what you find in Montana! After driving across it, instead of flying, you truly see how immense and diverse a country we have! Our country,USA, is a beautiful place and well worth protecting! Bless our military men and women!
  • Sandy's_sailor son

    Thanks for your advice ladies. I will remind him about the speed limit. It is hard to believe that driving over 80 in VA is a felony. There must be lots of felons in VA.
  • Grasshopper

    I knew that my Son's 2 years were just about up in Norfolk and that he was going to be looking at orders soon but got hit by a bombshell when he sent me a text yesterday saying "going to Naples, Italy...will call shortly".  I texted back saying that I thought a phone call was certainly in order for that news. lol  It's a 2 year order and he's really excited.  I am excited for him also but it sure caught me off guard!  He's currently only a 3 hour drive from home.  I told him that will certainly be more than a 3 hour drive. lol  Guess I will start saving and planning for my vacation!!
  • Sandy's_sailor son

    Grasshopper, Wow and double Wow...  How lucky your son is. I went to Italy as a teenager and loved it there. He will really enjoy life there. Even though he won't admit it. I know he will get a little homesick.

    I heard that it is smart to have your Sailor put you on the Ombudsmen list that way they can give you information about your Sailor while he is deployed.

    When is your son leaving?

  • Grasshopper

    He has to report no later than June 6th.  Fortunately that gives us time to prepare and get things in order.  He admits he'll get a little homesick.  He would have preferred a one year deployment but that was not available.  His first choice was Rota, Spain which was only for 1 year but that was for E-6 and above or something like that.  Thanks for the info about the Ombudsmen list.  He is very concerned that something may happen to my Mom while he's there.  She lives with us and she has serious health issues and he's very close to this Grandma!  I'm just putting it in God's hands!

  • ckmom

    Grasshopper, my sister was stationed over there also back in the day.  She is 59 yrs old now so I think she was in her early 20's. She also got to see many places and different countries while she was stationed there.   She told my son to be sure and buy souvenirs and have them shipped home on their expence.  Most of the countries will do that to get your business.  lol
  • Sandy's_sailor son

    Francine, My great grandmother and grandfather were from Italy. My Grandpa was too. (on my mom's side)  It is funny because Italian food in Italy is nothing like Italian food in the USA.

    When I went to Italy many years ago. I went up the Leaning Tower of Pizza. I went to Mount Visuvius, and Pompeii. In those days you could still walk amongst the bodies of preserved people form the volcanic eruption.

  • navy25

    Grasshopper wonderful news for your son the best to him and yes start saving for that Italian Vacation Fabulous Naples as they say!!!
  • ckmom

    I love the holidays but this year we will be one son less, Curtis wont be home for the holidays he is on the USS Bataan which has been deployed since March. I just might have to leave my tree up this Christmas till 2012, I wont get a real tree this year.   I think he is getting homesick now.  Every email I get now says I miss home!!  Can't wait to be able to drive a round.  lol  I miss him too, but we have to keep those sailors spirts up during the holidays expecially!  I love those sailors God Bless them!!!
  • TexasMomof2

    Hi KK!  Sooooo we've ended up in the same place  :o)

    Good to see you!

  • navy25

    The Holidays wont be the same for Us last Christmas was one of the very best because my son was with us but this Xmas he wont be plus his Bday falls around Thanksgiving and it looks like it'll be the second one I wont be able to be with him so Im not looking forward to the Holidays this year unless something changes in the next 2 months.This is one of the tough parts of being a Parent when they are not Home anymore, A Mom who has to remember he is not a little boy anymore that he is a Man making his own Life and Decisions, Im just a Mom who misses her only son very much and Bdays and Holidays are Tough.God Keep Our Sailors Safe Always and Our Military
  • Jeffsmom1380

    Navy25, you are so right!  My son will be in Norfolk for his birthday which is around Thanksgiving also.  We don't know about Xmas.  So our Xmas last year was the last one for our whole family to be together.  It is tough but better times are coming.  I am so proud of my son & the commitment he has made to our country!
  • navy25

    Hi Jeffsmom,Oh so both our sons are in Thanksgiving Weekend ,I know we are so Proud of Our Sailor and Yes its a Big Commitment they all make for Our Country.Our 2010 Xmas was so Special Ill really be missing that this Year, I should have left mine up it was up until Feb.Has your son been long in Norfolk mine just got there this month.
  • claudia

    im so ecxited i get to see my son this weekend his ship is pullin in an hour from our home...they are pickin up supplies...before goin back home...what a suprise blessing...love where they r pullin in great little seafood resturant right by the base..my husband was stationed across the the navy base at the coast guard base,,
  • ckmom

    Sandra AM Mom,  That would be a great x-mas gift to have our sailors pull in for the holidays. 
  • navy25

    Oh Claudia pretty awesome gift enjoy the weekend
  • Jeffsmom1380

    Navy25, My son gets to Norfolk next weekend!  I'm looking forward to seeing the area!