Norfolk Sailors - Family & Friends

Robsmom - I was just down there Christmas and we stayed at the Navy Lodge on the same road a mile or two down from Hampton Inn on Hampton Blvd.  They are pet friendly and the cost was only $75/night with kitchen and buffet breakfast. No pool. There is a NEX inside the Inn to buy food, snacks, micro.  It was definetly a great place for pets and family.  Highly recommended. You do need your sailor to check in.  also you don't pay tax :)

We stayed at the Navy Lodge in Great Lakes.  Very nice, very family friendly, very inexpensive and no tax.  We even had a full kitchen with pots and pans-for $75!  Great to hear about the Hampton being w/in walking distance, though.  I would also like to know what is the FRG please.  Also, Rhonda said he can call or email them.  How can we get the phone # and/or email address?  I am getting nervous about finding his sponsor-especially if they are on leave for 2 more weeks.  That would only give him a few days before he leaves for Norfolk.  He wants to mail the stuff home that he can't take and doesn't know what he can take.  Thanks.

The base is not in a bad area of Norfolk where the base is located is very safe. Jane(Steph's mom) was referring to the DMV.

We also learned that VA sends out a property tax bill on the car! It arrived in November and was due in December. We don't have property tax on automobiles in Montana so was unaware of this. When they get it, the sailor just has to print out a current LES statement and mail it in with the bill and they don't have to pay it. The LES proves that they are active military. Of course, it doesn't state that anywhere on the bill. I learned it from another mom on N4M's!

Sandra- I just messaged you on the Pcola site  :)

Does anyone have any more detailed info regarding the Lincoln Military Housing in VA - specifically Norwich Manor. We're having a hell of time getting answers from people who are supposed to be helping us.

How do you get mail to a sailor stationed at Naval Air Station in Norfolk?  My son told me to use his "work" mail address, but stuff is coming back undeliverable.  Do they not have mail boxes in their barracks?

Ok new at this on the taxes with a car what is LES that is being referred to?  Son got to Norfolk on 12-27-11.  This is such a long process or just slow it seems.

Justinmom...my son told me that he is going to have to get a PO Box and pay for it.  He also said that they are told to share a PO Box with a couple of navy mates.  They have to pay for the box. Son is in the process of trying to get a PO Box.

I sent out a box for my son who is on a ship in Norfolk with his address being an "FPO" Fleet Post Office I needed to fill out a customs slip (which is a pain in the A**) he is stationed in Norfolk but they said because it is Fleet the slip always need to be filled out.  I like the idea of having him get a PO Box.  My question is.... Is the Post Office on Base?  he does not have a car - how easy would it be for him to check his mailbox?  any ideas?  When the go to sea I know I'll have no choice - how long does it take normally for them to get mail?

thanks Address for "shop"  not sure what that is.  Son is IT.

Thanks guess will wait and see...AI do a lot of that lately.

Hi Sandra I guess Im not the only one thats up in the wee hours of the night when most people are sleeping. I was just catching up on some of the reading on here been kind of busy and not on that often. I hope all works out for you and your Sailor with the car situation it sounds a bit complicated it. I'll have to keep this on mind if my son decides ever to have his car at VA.Good Luck to you and Happy New Year

Nancy/Sandra, I have Power of Attorney for my son which enables me to do banking and even sign the title of his car when he sold it.  It is a real Must for anyone with a military person in the family. All the things you take for granted we saved alot of time with the power no more sending paperwork back and forth.  good luck.

nancy,

as long as the notary's commission is valid at the time of the notarization then the document is valid, i don't care if it's 10 years later (unless of course the POA has an expiration date on it)

Any lawyer can do a Power of Attorney - I did it before my son left, I believe there is a small fee charged but I was lucky that a close family friend is an attorney and did not charge us.  My son came with me to her office and the forms were all filled out and we just signed away - made extra copies and she has an original in her office - I did for both including - God forbid any medical decisions if need be.  I'm surprised your sons recruiter did not recommend prior to his leaving for boot camp.  Make a few calls this is something you want to do when he is home with you for signature.  This was for the state of MA and your state may be a little different - but I would think the laws are similar.  Good Luck.

sandra,

he can go to legal on the base and have them do one

shouldn't cost anything thru legal

Hello navy mom how are you all doing fine I hope well my son is about to go back out again on the  water so I will have to take care of penny my son dog I hope you all had a happy NEW YEAR

Hello my sailor just moved to Norlfolk in Sept 2011, he graduated from Boot camp  in 08/2011. Is a YN . Loved the boot camp for Moms group. I don't know how I would have made it without this website. I didn't see this group before It will be nice to see other news of where he lives. He is 19 and finding out things can be hard. He is not assigned to a ship but to a Admiral. He was told last week that he will be going on deployment on a ship next week. for about a month. That is the only information he has given me. I m not sure if it is him not giving me more info or he is not able to do. Any thoughts???

theraysmom - my son is also in Norfolk and told me to day that they are going underway in two weeks for a month.  My son is a Fireman/DC - preparing for a longer deployment in Spring ;(  pvt msg me when you find out what ship he is assigned to - also be sure to sign up for Navy Mom on Facebook.  I will friend you with more info. on regular email.

Sandra, I agree that driving's best to DC - though it takes me to 3+ hrs  from Portsmouth, and don't forget that commuter traffic in and out of DC is to be reckoned with at peak times.  The Amtrak station is in Newport News, not Norfolk, so not all that convenient, and the trip is long.  Be prepared for parking surcharges at many DC hotels, can add $30 or so per night so check first and avoid a surprise.  If you're going up for sightseeing, you could stay/leave your car in Springfield, VA and take the commuter train (Metrorail Blue line) in, get off at the Smithsonian stop - just a thought.  The station is near the Springfield Mall.

Not sure what you mean about "leaving before dark" - ?

Regarding POA's:  I downloaded a copy of a Power of Attorney from a free legal website in our state and retyped it with our info, then we got it notarized at a bank.  

Speaking of banks:  once it's done, go ahead and get it on file with your son's bank now.  USAA's legal department takes up to two weeks to review and approve it, so have it on file before you need it.   We also gave a copy to the management office of his apartment complex in case anything came up while he was underway. 

Like any city, it depends on the neighborhood :)  If they're just sightseeing, the Springfield option would be easiest, since most folks want to go to the National Mall where all the museums are and the train stops right there.  

If you have a joint bank account, then I don't see why you'd need one there.

On Face book  do you  just do a search for Navy Mom?  I have been trying to find the page.

Shortybecky -  https://www.facebook.com/groups/SailorsMoms/ this will bring you to the page and you can ask to join.

Navy Moms

This group is here to help support and assist other Navy Moms.

Mom of 2  , I tried to get there from your link and I couldn't.  Thanks anyway.

Sandra...things I never thought about...so now I am so mixed up but that does not take much since my son started is navy life.  We have his truck in our name and just sent him a copy of the title.  Not heard any issues from him or the base.  I am on this checking and savings accounts but not thought about all the rest...really do not know how to proceed.

Christy, my understanding is that your son should have a notarized letter from you in his possession authorizing him use of the truck, just in case any issues arise.  When my sailor deployed Legal had them do a power of attorney and living will.  

Marcy...thanks I will look into that.  So much to learn.  "They" need to give classes to us parents on all the stuff they forget to tell you...lol.  Love the Navy.

Sandra so true ...I ask a 100 ???'s to my son and he sayes they have not said anything about it.  So I wait. 

Jess thanks.  My son has land duty first so no info.  Oklahoma is a long trip for such but it would make a good excuss to go and see my son. 

Sandra...congrads that son is coming home.  I know you are excited and that well make a long trip even longer.  Be careful and enjoy your time with your son.

cheryl,

welcome!  what and where will your sailor be attached?

Hello Ladies ! I'm a new resident of Norfolk as a few months ago. I'm pretty familiar with the area, seeing as I used to have family in the area. Just trying to get to know some new faces && meet new people to make this move a bit easier. My Sailor is dry docked as of now in Newport News && his ship will be moving to Nofolk later on this yr. Any of you have Sailors on the Teddy Roosevelt ship ??

the FRG will send you emails keeping you updated on things.  if it's a homecoming you won't get much info until the week before.  if you know when the tiger cruise is homecoming is normally 2 days after the tiger cruise starts.

Hi duhhuh58, My sailor will be attached to the USS Harry S Truman when he gets there. I really hope that he likes it there, I think he will, the really cool thing is if I ever want to visit, one of my dearest friends lives there her husband is stationed there also. I am just getting the hang of the Navy for Moms website and I think that it is great that they came up with it. I have met alot of really nice moms here. And I hope to meet alot more. Hope everyone had a great New Year.Thank You all very much.

Welcome to the new Ladies. 

Is there any moms/wifes/gf that have a sailor that is stationed for their duty to be on base, not on ship.  My son is on his first duty assignment for IT and got land duty.  He sure wanted a ship but said he would get that the next time. 

Hello I new to this  My son will be in Norforlk  is a couple weeks. Getting a early start checking things out. 

Welcome pschip!  It's a great place to be stationed.

Christy  My son is on his first assignment  and got Land duty. He is a Yeoman  in Admin. His assigment officailly is sea duty though, but he is not assigned to a ship but to a Admirial. Funny though he is currently on a ship out to sea for a month. His Superiors tthought that he should have some sea experience. So I will say land doesn't always mean no sea duty. He is adjusting to his job There is a lot of advantaqges to land duty the bed is a biggie. I am sure your son will find all the good things of being on land and if he wants like he says he can to sea duty later.

headed to Norfolk Sunday to help son with move.  on house hunting leave from IKE and back home to get all their stuff.

Welcom pschip to the group

Good luck Rod with hte move and house hunting

theraysmom thanks for the words of encouragement and knowing there are other navymates in the same spot like my son.

Hi! My son is in Norfolk for about 2 months now and he likes it.

Kaleigh- cool ! =) are you guys staying in the Newport News area ?

Oh okay, we're out in Norfolk. Thinking about relocating pretty soon though