Norfolk Sailors - Family & Friends

Sandra Ill keep your son in my prayers for his safe return back to USA'

pschip Good Luck for your Son

Navy25-My heart breaks for you!!! and for your son!! I pray you will be able to see him very soon and that he will be on the mend!!!

Thank you for putting into words what we all feel. Of course we want them to become wonderful men, but it is not natural for it to be so far out of reach of their Moms. Only military moms can understand. Have you been able to speak with or write to his Captain?

Navy25,  My prayers are with your son and you, hope he's getting better and just remember a mom's job is to worry about their kids, we just love them so much and always want the best for them.  I'm sure he's getting good care and like Debbie said are you able to communicate with him?

Let him know that all your friends on Norfolk Group is praying for him!

My son is also with Sandra's son we all have been on edge with this long deployment but soon we will be united again with our sailors that we are sooo proud of.

Hello everyone!  My son is stationed in Norfolk and has been there about 7 months. Wondering if anyone can recommend where he might find the best deal on a Honda purchase?

pschip, he should have been given a sponsor.  If he needs to find his own way to the base, it's practically next door to the Norfolk airport (literally) and it's extremely unlikely he'll be "taken advantage of," as the Navy and related industries are the dominant source of income in the area and get respect.  Don't be borrowing trouble before it happens, he'll be ok.  Seriously!  All is ok.  

Sean'sMom

my daughter bought her honda at hall honda.  she really liked the service and the people there.  they are also a reputable business.

as moms we will worry together and pray together....we do love our family.

Hi Norfolk family. My son is stationed on the San Jac since this November. He just lost his father in a terrible car accident on New years day. He is back on his ship now, and obviously really hurting. Please pray for him I know he would really appreciate it and so would I....thank you so much.

MJ(Dan's Mom),  My prayers are with the whole family, I'm so sorry!!!!

As tears are building up inside of me, can't immagine what the family is going through, Your son will be ok the Navy will be right there for him.

Barb

dear dans mom, my son is also on the san jan...my prayers are with you my daughter died this thursday.my son is grieving as well...what does your son do mines a dc

Claudia, Prayers are with your family also.  Sooo sorry for your lost!

MJ(Dan's Mom) and Claudia: My Thougths and Prayers are with you, your sons and family.

MJ and Claudia My thoughts and prayers have been with your sailors and your families. all day. I know how hard it is to lose family member but not having each other to lean on that must make it so difficult.  so sorry for your losses

My son bought his Honda in South Carolina, but he got an amazing deal through the Costco auto buying program. You have to go to the Costco approved dealers and email them ahead that you'll be coming. Go to the website and follow their directions. As soon as he flashed that Costco card, they took $3,000 off the list price and credited us $300 in accessories because we wanted to skip the $300 rubber trunk tray that they, apparently, weren't allowed to take back. Honda also arranged financing at 6% rather than the 20+% Navy Federal was willing to give him. If your son doesn't have a Costco card, it would be worth the 50 bucks for this deal alone.

Oh Claudia, I'm so very sorry about your daughter!!! I can't imagine how difficult that is. My prayers are with you and your son.

MJ, I'm so sorry for the loss of your son's father too. Even if you aren't together anymore, he's still the father of your child and that has to be a tough loss for you, as well as the sadness you feel for your son. My prayers are with you both.

Good Morning, ladies. I have a question.  I know the tunnel traffic is awful during rush hour.  Is it bad in both directions--- both morning and night, or is one direction worse than another in the morning and then in the evening?  I ask because my sailor works in NewportNews.  He is starting to think about getting an apt and I'm not sure he is considering the tunnel traffic since he has never experienced it...when he considers living in the area of Norfolk, Chesapeake, etc. 

Just thought I would see about the tunnel traffic before he starts  his apt search.  Thanks for any advice!!

MJ praying Gods peace to your family  also to yours claudia.

Rod glad the trip and move went good.

Thank you all for your prayers and support for my Sailor....Claudia, I am praying for your family as well with the loss of your daughter. My sailor is a seaman, he went in undes.

Diannep, yes the tunnel traffic adds at least 30 min to a drive. We watch the traffic report every morning and thank our lucky stars we live right across the street from the hospital in Portsmouth and don't need to drive, just walk. Good to see you are still here!

Anyone know if it is a law in VA that you cannot have 3 people (husband/wife and infant) in a one bedroom apt?

There are many variables to consider (size of bedrooms, ages of children) that can affect a family's safety.  This could help - take a look at this page from virginia.gov and scroll down just a bit to "Establishing Occupancy Standards," it goes on to cite examples of different circumstances. 

Since this office follows the occupancy statement that HUD issued in December of 1998, we have reproduced a few paragraphs of HUD's statement.  "... the Department believes that an occupancy policy of two persons in a bedroom, as a general rule, is reasonable under the Fair Housing Act."

And any renter should have a copy of their state's Landlord/Tenant Act; this is Virginia"s Virginia Residential Landlord Tenant Act

Dianne, the traffic heading towards the base in the morning and headed home at night is peak awful-time; anyone with the reverse commute is in much better shape.

any advice on cheap hotels in the area

Dear MJ and Claudia so sorry to each of you for your loss my prayers to both your Sailors and Families- God Bless Navy25

Agree about the Navy Lodge and Hampton Inn.  There are some lower-priced ones on this site military-hotels.us

thank you!!!  my condolences to MJ and Claudia it s so hard to loose a family member ..harder to loose a child  sending prayers your way

Thanks for the info, zipsue!

There was a mom and daughter on their way to PIR last week from Arizona. Driving.  Accident.  Mom received a broken back; sister was killed (she had planned on going into the military in 2013).  News didn't get to their sailor(daughter/sister) before PIR.  Other N4Moms missed the mom/sister at MeetNGreet.  They saw the daughter sailor after PIR with a big smile on her face, looking for her mom/sister.  So heartbreaking.  So glad that the ladies were there to embrace their sailor.

omg that's horrible.... so sad  my prayers to that new sailor

This is so horrible and scarey, I will be leaving next week to see my son in for homecoming.  We have a 1000 miles of driving, been worring about this drive.  This doesnt help at all.  My prayers are with this family.

Greetings group:

I am a new to this group and my sailor is new to this ship.  I am excited for him.  My sailor was captain of the swim team and waterpolo team.  But of course that did not prepare my sailor for sea sickness.  It is all under control now.  I cannot wait to hear of adventures that await...

Hey everyone, DH and I are getting ready to send in our application for Runaway Bay Apartments in Virginia Beach - We're not even close to the area but I was hoping to get a couple of reviews from ANYONE! Thanks!!

is this new sailor in Norfolk?

Good morning everyone! Just a note, my daughter's BF has a cute little Subaru for sale in case anyone is in the market. PM me for the info. Thanks!

Caityrose, I'm visiting the area, so I took a quick look at Runaway Bay for you.  The grounds look very nice and well kept.  Pool, two tennis courts, even a pretty fishing pond in the center that's catch-and-release.  It's a big complex, with covered parking for an extra $35, and a few folks have small boats and RVs parked in the back.  

I talked to a resident (nice young guy, Joe, walking his Boston terrier).  I asked how he likes it and he immediately answered "I love it!"  He recommends getting a third floor unit, as quieter and they have fireplaces.  He went on and on about the place and was very positive.  Hope this helps!!

Hi,I'm from New York-my son and nephew's  are stationed in Norfolk. My son has been with the Enterprise for 15 years attached -flies to and from the ship .Hope to get to know you all Margee'

Thank you Theresa

  Has anyone heard about cuts and non-reinlistments ? Some have over 10 years in and can't re-inlist ,so they  have to take a lower rank or join the reservist * sp* to stay in the Navy?  My son has 15 years in - never heard this before? They come home when they are on reserve.

Yes, this isn't fair to the ones that would like to stay in and being let go, while others want out and they have to stay.  Don't understand but I'm new to all this. My son has only been in 1 1/2 yrs and 10 1/2 months he's been deployed on the USS BATAAN.    Homecoming SOON!!!!!

i've heard alot about that here.  i think the problem is there are so many people wanting to go in that they can bring in new people at a lower pay.  with the budget cuts the government is doing it's happening everywhere.  it's sad. 

  I can't understand this: my son and my nephews wanted to make this their career, put in their 20 years then go on with what the Navy offers. They only have 5 years to go. I thought the milatary was the most safest job serving your country that there was. You could go on to bigger things- not get fired? They all have clean records, no problems yet to hear that makes me sick. This is what the outside world does in business-not the milatary . what about the Chiefs, CO's and even higher? Are they getting rid of them also? Some have 25-30 years in . My son is only 29 with 5 years to go for his 20. He planned to go further then the 20 because this is all he knows. For him to rejoin the outside would cause problems , he would have to find a job and all. This makes no sence. If they want to put a halt on the milarty- don't sign anyone up for a while -do a freeze. Don't cut these young lives off esp. when they have families.

We we can make it to see Obama voted out of office for he is the one that really does not care about our military or having a strong military.  Anytime they have had to make cuts in the military before they allowed the ones that wanted to get out to have a choice to get out first, also they have offered early retirement.  I know last year the US Coast Guards were offering their members so much money and benefits or something like that to get out.  My grandson has only be in the Coast Guards 4 years and really loves and and plans on making a career out of it and he was telling me this... but he refused the offer... But I believe when we have a change in leadership we will see much more respect for our military.  Romney, Newt and Santorum have all said that they would build the biggest military and it will be the top and stay the top in the world etc... so we just have to hope and pray that these people that want to stay in will have a chance... prayers are with all of them... when you lose a job now days it is very hard for someone to find another one.  

I found an article on this. With the wars in the Middle East, it's inevitable that all military branches have to cut back, especially in jobs that are at high demand in war time but not in peace time. It's sad, but sailors are offered the opportunity to change jobs to something that fits the "needs of the Navy." As a Navy mom, that phrase has come to put chills down my spine.

http://www.stripes.com/news/navy-job-cuts-lack-of-retirements-put-t...

If we're going to get political on this site, I just want to say that history shows the military getting more pay raises and benefit increases from Democratic presidents than from Republican presidents. It seems that the Republicans are quicker to use the military, while the Democrats are slower to put their lives in danger and take better care of them.

Oops. I meant with the wars in the Middle East coming to an end, it's inevitable that all military branches have to cut back on personnel...

Thank you DebbieinCA. This site is to share our stories about our sailors. Political issues can become such a touchy topic especially like the comment that was made. Your comment was right on point. Let us not lose focus on the unity of this not and not develop a separation.

Thanks, Marine-NavyMOM,   I can't get into political views (that I keep to myself) best way , but your answer makes sense to me. As for my son, what he was trained in is all he knows and like me don't care for change . I had the same job for 30 years, so I believe he would love to stay in the Navy and climb the ladder as I did in my job (retired). He went in at 17 1/2-he's 29 now . He could have left after the 4 years , but liked it so much he kept re-signing & kept climbing the ladder to an E-6 right now and I know he wants to stay. He even bought a house down there to be near the base,for him to do so would tell me he wants to retire there to the highest he could be. Not pushed out. I think if they offer him tons of money- he might just reject it to stay. What kind of job on the outside would he get that all the Navy provides. This kid is single yet-no family. I was most surprised when he didn't come out after the 4 years,then I figured by talking to him -he is just like me & sticks to one thing. Thats not a bad thing, if it can be done. Iworked for the GOV. also but there rules were 30 years or 55 years of age. I worked 37 years in total .I'm still young yet but this kid is only 29-what would he do or what kind of job? He would have to go back to school for something?  I just feel for these kids who want to do right and retire with the Navy esp. if they have families to support and to be pushed out? We have to do the wait & see approach and hope for the best. I just pray-thats all I can do.God has a plan. Margee'