Norfolk Sailors - Family & Friends

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.

thanks

Hi Navy Moms! Hope you're all able to atleast talk to your sailors and enjoy the holidays.

I just had to share this video. Warning!! You will want to be this mom and you will cry. :)

http://www.godvine.com/Mom-Gets-a-Huge-Surprise-When-Santa-Turns-Ou...

thanks debbie im still cryin

Thats just awesome!!  Wow what a Christmas Gift, couldn't get any better!

That was a great video. What a wonderful way to surprise her. Yes, the tears are still flowing !!

My son came home late last night!  Its a nine hr drive from Norfolk to Syracuse-Fulton NY!  He is here til the 27th!  Merry Christmas everyone! 

Wishing Everyone a Merry Christmas and a Healthy New Year and Thanking all Our Sailors/Troops for their Service and Sacrifice especially to those who are far from Home Protecting Our Freedom and To Our Navy Families that We Miss them All so very Much.Sending Love and Lots of Hugs to My Son who will not be with Us this Christmas Missing you soooo very much,Love Mom

Merry Christmas to all!

Amen Navy25!   Navy {{Hugs}} going to all families who Sailors can't be with them this Christmas. Thank you Sailors and Soldiers for all the sacrifices you make for us.

kk,

norfolk area is not only a military area but it is also a tourist area (the beach).  if you come down in june do it before school lets out.

Thank you, Norfolk family, for taking care of my sailor thru the holiday season. We miss her . . . our very first Christmas and New Years without her home. Trying to hold up here -- as she is there. 

another year over and what have we done.....

Loved the Poem.

I am fairly new to the group. My son arrived in Norfolk on 12-27-11.  Barbara thanks for sharing even though I cried.  Our God is Always Good.  May America alsoways be good to our men and weman serving their country proudly.

Welcome Christy!!   

HAPPY  NEW  YEAR!!!!!!!!

Hi - I just found this site. We drove 9 hours Christmas day to bring my son to Norfolk.  He checked in 12/26 to the USS New York LPD21.  We received an awesome welcome from his commanding officer and a tour of the ship.  I feel relieved knowing where he is staying and met a few of the crew.  As a mom I feel very blessed with his new journey and comfortable.  They will be deployed in March 2012 for several months :( 

He is getting hammered in taxi/cab fees to get around with liberty and I would appreciate any suggestions for him to buy a car just to get around in for several months - he won't be 21 until August and it is hard to get a weekend car rental if you are under 21 - is there anything available specially for the Navy in Norfolk or any site where he can look into?  suggestions appreciated.  I am also on N4M facebook page and continue to met awesome women - expanding my Navy family of love, concern and support.  Happy New Year to all!

My son is moving from Great Lakes to Norfolk in two weeks.  He has not yet heard from his sponsor.  What should he do?

his sponsor could also be on leave.  this time of year they do a 2 week leave, first half of the holidays or the last half.  my daughter's on leave now, 12/29 - 1/11.  what ship is your son going to?

Proud Navy Mom. I agree with duhhuh and Rhonda. I am sure his sponsor is on Christmas leave and will contact him shortly. That is kind of how Navy guys are. They don't want to deal with work until after the holidays.

Need ideas on where we should stay for homecoming.  Is best that we stay close to the base or is it ok stay where ever.  Meaning hows the traffic and is it hard to find the base.  I know the base is huge from what people have been saying.  I notice on the map it showed a amphbious ship location.  My son is on an amphibious ship is that where he will be going?  Sorry so many questions I just don't want to be lost, I want to know where I should be.

That's a wonderful poem Barbara. Thank you for posting it.

I'm catching up because I spent a week in Florida with my sweetheart's family. They're wonderful and the two little toddler boys were a lot of fun. It was a nice distraction from the fact that I couldn't see my sailor but couldn't remove that empty ache for my boy. I did get to talk to him on the phone on Christmas day. That was nice. 

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and New Year's Eve!!

Wishing you all a new year filled with good times with the people you love.

ckmom,

the navy lodge is good.  little efficiencies (micro, fridge, sink) about $75 a night.  right down the road from the base (maybe 3 miles).  you sailor will have to sign you in that day or the next. the base is easy and you'll probably be going in gate 1, there are 2 gates on the main road, and you'll see signs directing you where to go, the guards can tell you too.  make sure everyone has their id. 

are you a member of the ships FRG?  you should if not.  you will gets LOTS of information from them, even when in base. 

Question what is the ship's FRG?  I am new to this, so how would I go about doing this.  Also KK Navy Federal offered my son 15% and we thought that was too high - OMG, he thought he'd come home and buy a car in one week since that didn't work out - I told him to get a clunker just for around town and use his savings. Checking on Craigslist for about $5k OR Less.

Also, how can I get his new address?  I've been asking him for a week now to no avail.  thanks :)