Norfolk Sailors - Family & Friends

Diane P, I just got back from visiting my son in Portsmouth/Norfolk area. It's weird to live out of a hotel. I'd much rather have a house with a kitchen to cook for him and friends. I'm not sure what you like to do, but if history, food, alcohol, shopping, or musice interest you read on. ;^)  I saw a lot of great historic stuff while there. I only got to spend a little time in Williamsburg. Had a good lunch at the Seasons restaurant and did a wine tasting at the Williamsburg Winery, interesting history if you take the tour. Also went to a beautiful new winery in New Kent, not far from Williamsburg. It's built from old materials: pre-Civil War bricks, giant heart of pine beems that came from an old factory in New York, etc. The Jamestown Visitor's Center is pretty awesome, and so is the Yorktown one. I'd recommend the ferry too. It's just fun to be on the water and it tends to let you off in areas where there will be a lot to see. The Portsmouth to Norfolk ferry let us off right by the MacArthur Memorial (must-see) and a great mall where I found some very comfy shoes and we roamed a big bookstore. We also found an ad about some live music at a restaurant/bar called The Jewish Mother and a canned food fundraiser concert next to it at the NORVA, a small, inexpensive concert venue. We went to The Jewish Mother for some good bar food before going to a very enjoyable Bison (local indie band) concert at the NORVA. Other than that, we were in Portsmouth most of the time because my son just got stationed on the USS Truman that's in dry dock there, and he hasn't gotten his housing at the Barracks in Norfolk yet. I hope you have a great time with your sailor!

Hi Diane, it sounds like you kept busy while visiting your Sailor glad you got to spend Thanksgiving with him.Thanks for the tour details its good to know if I ever get to visit my Sailor

DebbieinCA  Thanks for the info. I'm going to need some ideas when my sailor comes home from deployment next year.    Glad to hear you had a good Thanksgiving!    My hubby and I spent Thanksgiving in Branson Mo.  Went to Silver dollar City and Dixie Stampede for Thanksgiving dinner.  It was great!!

Hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving!

Hello my son is Stationed on the USS Bataan he wiil join them on December 19, afther he finis A school in Great Lakes. How can he get a sponsor?

My apology for the mispelled words, Just finish profreading. Thankyou

Welcome mso, my son is also on the Bataan.  Sorry I don't know about a sponsor. I'm sure someone does.

Hi mso!!  I heard that after Sailors are finished with their (A) or (C)school, they will be given all the information with their orders. The information will tell them who their sponsor is along with their phone number.  Some sponsors call the Sailor they are going to sponsor before they are due to go on ship. Or your son will have to call.

Thankyou so much.

Yes, mso, I agree with Sandy.  That is how it worked with my son.  His sponsor met him at the airport. 

Debbie:  Thanks for the info!  The ferry sounds like a great idea.  I actually saw that on the water when we were there and wondered what it was.  Will put it on the list for next time!  Thanks for the other tourist tips.  We love that area and will continue exploring!

Good morning, all!

Thankyou

my son is a seaman recruit who just came to his ship on 11/15/11.  Right now he lives on his  ship.  Can he live off base or on base with a girlfriend?

A link to frequently asked questions about housing and BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) is here:  BAH / FAQ.  New, single, junior sailors are typically are not authorized to live off base. They live on the ship or in barracks and do not collect BAH. 

By the way, your sailor is a sailor now, not a recruit!  Here's a good summary of initial terminology: Navy lingo

Thanks for the link Marcy.....also E1 which is my son is still listed as recruit, I know he is a sailor, he became one when he passed boot camp.

MJ, Seaman Apprentice usually comes automatically after 6 months and I believe it is the same to advance from Seaman Apprentice to Seaman.

Hi Everyone,have just joined this group as my daughter arrived in Norfolk this morning.She had leave after A-school and then came home for 10days and now is in Norfolk.Her ship is out on exercise at the moment so I think she is feeling a bit lost and overwhelmed and not sure what will happen next! Very different compared to bootcamp and school where they were told when ,where,how to eat,breathe and sleep 24/7!!! Hopefully I can get some tip/advice that I can pass on to her :)

Hi Ship 12...she doesn't know yet,hopefully find out this week.

Is there any kind of message or disscussion board that has carpool or rides needed information.  Trying to get my son North for christmas and with his lack of a car and limited time off we are unable to firm up any plans but if could even get a part way we could come and get him.  We live 8 hours north of Virginia. 

My son arrived in Oct to Norfolk for C School (which starts in Jan 2012).  He will not be able to take leave at Christmas, and I am wondering what does the base do for sailors stuck there over the holidays?  Any special meal or celebration?  Do they have "adopt a sailor" for Christmas Dinner? 

Dear Justinmom,

Don't know about the base, but we open our home on the holidays as well as every weekend and invite any sailors, marines, soldiers over for a home cooked holiday meal. Your son would be welcome to come and join us! :)  And if he needs a ride we would be happy to provide one for him.  If you think he would like to join us, let us know and we can give you our information so he can call us, or we could call him.

Yvonne and John Wagner

Hi everyone. My son arrived in Norfolk in Oct. He is on the USS WASP. He sent a message saying he was upgrading his clearance and switching to OPS. Can anyone tell me what that means ?? I'm clueless with all the letters they use ! Thanks !

Thanks Kim. He is in the IT program. It's funny when he has things going on and he uses these letters to tell his Navy friends. They all know what he is talking about, and I have to keep asking "what does that stand for" !! Sometimes I think he just does it to see if I will question him !!

Hi Robsmom64 check out our New Jersey Group if you like we have a nice group and we like to have luncheons to meet each other and support each other

oh I dont remember seeing you on the Jersey group too bad you cant make the luncheon they are nice ones plus we send a package out everytime we meet plus get to spend time together bragging about each others Sailors and seeing their accomplishments who knows maybe one of these times. I know what you mean about trying to get extra ZZZZZs I hardly get any working 13 to 14 hours a day but Thank God I have the weekends to myself , my family and friends.The Best to you and your Sailor

Grasshopper-Thank you for the info about the USO. I didn't know that they were all volunteer and completey funded through donations. I'll bet a lot more people would donate to them if they knew that!

MarylandMom, your son should enjoy IT! My son is IS! Luckily I work with a retired Navy guy so he gets all my questions when I have no idea what my son is talking about!  I'm getting better though!

Cool website for the USO...I've always sent phone cards but this gives alot of choices! Thanks!

Wanted to share this with you guys, my son posted it on Facebook.

A Sailors Christmas ~ Twas the night before Christmas, and he lived in a crowd, In a 40 man berthing, with shipmates so loud. I had come down the exhaust stack with presents to give, And to see just who in this rack did live. I looked all about, and a strange sight I did see, No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree. No stockings were hung, just boots close at hand, On the bulkhead hung pictures of far distant lands. He had medals and badges and awards of all kind, And a sobering thought came into my mind. For this place was different, it was so dark and dreary, I had found the home of a Sailor, this I could see clearly. The Sailor lay sleeping, silent and alone, Curled up in his rack, dreaming of home. The face was so gentle, the berthing in such good order, But not how I pictured a United States Sailor. Was this the hero whom I saw on TV? Defending his country so we all could be free? I realized the families that I've seen this night, Owed their lives to these Sailors who were willing to fight. Soon round the world, the children would play, And grownups would celebrate a new Christmas Day. They all enjoyed freedom each month of the year, Because of the Sailors, like the one lying here. I couldn't help but wonder how many lay alone, On a cold Christmas Eve, on a sea far from home. The very thought brought a tear to my eye, I dropped to my knees and started to cry. The sailor awakened and I heard a rough voice, "Santa, don't cry, for this life is my choice. Defend the seas this day, the peace do I keep." The sailor then rolled over and drifted to sleep, I couldn't control it, I continued to weep. I kept watch for hours so silent, so still, And we both shivered from the night's cold chill. I didn't want to leave on that cold, dark night, This guardian of honor so willing to fight. Then the Sailor rolled over and with a voice soft and pure, Whispered, "Carry on Santa, it's Christmas..All is Secure"

Congrates to you and your son and bride to be soon.  God Bless them both!!                    Enjoy your 2 weeks!!    Yes God is so Good!!

Congrats Barbara on getting to see your Son and on gettig a new daughter-in-law!!  Best to the Newylweds!!

dear rod, as i sit here with tears streaming down my face thank you for sharing , i thought about it all night and my son in his cold birth..so the message i get from him is .."Dont worry momma...All is Good"........

Claudia,  I think Moms take it worse than our Sailors do.    I also had tears my son is on the USS Bataan and been gone since March and wont be back till next year.  :-(((

Rod......I had to copy your post....I love it, I continue to pray for all of our military and am proud my son serves as well.

Can anyone recommend a place to stay in Norfolk?  We are coming to spend time after Christmas and some of the reviews of places to stay are horrid.  I am looking for a place that will also let his dog stay

nicknboone...I can't recommend the Navy Lodge highly enough!!  The rates are great, the rooms big and the staff are super nice!!  They even have a couple of 2 room suites and they do allow pets!

Plus when you stay at the Navy lodge, the rates are incredible and you don't pay taxes!! They are clean and the room I stayed in had a kitchen.

So excited for all of you that have Sailors coming in from deployments!!  Just saw pictures of the Bush down in Mayport.  I know all the Sailors are getting excited to be coming home!

Hello all,

Can you buy NEX gift cards on the internet ?? My son asked for one for Christmas since he has no space to keep gifts. We are searching, but coming up short. Thanks !!

thank you so much !!

My son just got his orders-he is going to Norfolk for his C school and then to the Kearsarge!  I keep hearing about off base housing.  Do I need to start looking??

SusanL- I wouldn't risk my life on a scooter in Norfolk! Maybe if the housing is close but there is a lot of traffic and everyone drives crazy! (Course I live in Montana). This is my son's second winter there. Last winter they had snow, this winter has been milder, so far! We brought my son a car back to him this summer. He lives on the ship so having the car allows him to escape when needed!

My son comes home on the 20th-27th!  I am happy his sub is finished being built.  He gets more leave that way!

My son has just finished "A" school Great Lakes and has been assigned to the USS New York.  He'll be flying out to Norfolk this Sunday and I have no idea (nor does he) of what to expect or where to even begin. 

OOPS! I meant still being built.  It won't be finished until 2013!  He does lots of training until then!

My son likes the Norfolk/Newport News area.  Yes it is crowded but driving in Groton, Ct was crowded too.  They get used to it.  We parents have a harder time!  He has a nice two person apt.  It has a kitchen & living room.  He & his roommate each have their own bedroom with their own bathroom!  I'm sure your son will enjoy his stay.

any one have a sailor on a frigget?    friend of mine's son is report to norfolk to one on christmas eve.

if they don't live in the barracks or off base can they live on the ship?  my daughter is on a carrier so i know how big they are but i don't know anything about frigates.