Norfolk Sailors - Family & Friends

How do I get the address for the ship my son is on?  I need to send him his luggage that our ignorant airport refused to check yesterday when we flew him out.  I can't reach my child, because most likely his cell phone charger is in the suitcase that they refused.  I'm stressing trying to figure out a way to get him all of his stuff.  Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you.

Jess is right.  If you need to, use this link to locate your ombudsman and/or FRG. Good luck!  Just wondering...why wouldn't they check his luggage?  At least now cell phone chargers are universal, hopefully he can borrow one.

They refused the luggage because we arrived 1 hour before the plane left instead of 1 1/2 hours.  I had been told 45 minutes was plenty of time for our tiny 1 gate airport, but the guy at the counter was a royal jerk.  The guy at the next counter offered to check it in, but our guy was his supervisor and would not allow him.  He told us that there was not enough layover time at DFW to transfer the luggage.  When I called American Airlines (American Eagle), they told me that the guy put us as a late arrival check in, which she said meant we barely made the plane. She said there was plenty of layover time, that the issue was us being late to check in.  It is so frustrating.  So lesson learned, always arrive 1 1/2 - 2 hours before the plane leaves no matter what the size of the airport.  He did get his phone charged and has called me just 10 minutes ago, but he doesn't have an address yet because he's not checked into the Truman yet.  Thank you for your help.  We definitely learned a life lesson.

Hey everyone - I am moving from NC to Norfolk soon to be with my husband. He is an E-4 and on the Bush. We want to RENT a HOUSE in Norfolk? Any areas we should be looking at/avoid? Average price range? I am a teacher and won't move til schools out. I think by the time we officially move, it will be too late to try to find a job for the upcoming school year. Do most wives work a full time job? What do yall suggest? Thanks!

*When I say moving to the Norfolk area, I mean Norfolk. We would love Chesapeake (because we've heard it is very safe), but that would be 1.5 hour commute for him everyday. :\

ANY suggestions welcome! THANK YOU!!!

NavySoccerMom. The same thing happened to us when we flu Frontier Airlines. We were on our way to our son's PIR. We nearly didn't get there. The head of Frontier Airlines, who just happened to be a retired Navy Submariner, got us tickets with another airline.

This was American Airlines, and they didn't have any problem sending him, just his luggage, which I guess is better than them not sending him, that would have been awful.  He's had one heck of a roller coaster ride since he got there, but it was smoothing out when we got off the phone last night. Someone gave him their home address off base for me to ship his stuff to so he can get it quicker.  That was a major relief, but it's going to cost between $200-$300.  But, like I said, it's a life lesson learned.  If he ever flies out of this airport again, we will go early and check his luggage in, and then go eat or something, because this airport is awful.  I'm really not sure we will ever use it again, it was just more convenient than driving 2 hours to DFW.  And yes gonavymom and I go way back, and she was a wonderful help to me yesterday.  She's wonderfu.  We love her and her family.

I was reading about marriages (few pages back) -my son just got married, "nobody knew " I'm guessing before he was deployed . I just found out,family didn't even know till I told them . I hope they had a nice day & place (if in the chaple,or court) wish I could have been there, couples in love ,deployment, gone from each other for months, I just have to understand & just support them on their new life.

sandra, if it's for your sailor they are going to need to go to portsmouth naval.  the naval base is good, my daughter had all her ob/gyn and delivery thru the navy.  she has a pediatrician in nc tho since that's where she lives

connie's right.  she is now his dependent and gets quite a few good benefits.  medical, prescription, dental

Does anyone else have a problem with things getting stolen?  My son lives in the military apartments.  He had his lap stolen awhile ago and now after being gone for a few weeks he comes home to his bedroom door frame smashed in and his safe stolen.  The apartment door was fine and his roommate doesn't know anything about it. I don't understand how the roommate does not know anything. Just very upsetting.

Cindy D, in my opinion and gut would tell me is to find another room-mate. My son will be looking for an apt with a few of his buds once they get back from deployment.  I think he is getting tired of living on a ship. I'll surely tell him about the military apartments.  Good Luck.

He is leaving soon for depolyment so he will be out soon anyway. Just makes me sick.  He had all of his important papers in there along with some cash.  My youngest son is flying down there on his 18th birthday and he was going to use the cash to go skydiving with him. Upsetting.

Connie, thanks, but I would not feel right about accepting any money.  I just want this stuff to stop.  The sad thing is everyone believes the roommate had nothing to do with it!  Even the police! If he had nothing to do with it then how did someone get into the apartment and only break into my son's room?

Cindy, it could be that the locks weren't changed when your son and roommate moved in, and the former tenant used his key.  When locks aren't changed, anyone may still have a key and come "visiting" with ill intentions - former tenants, their old girlfriends/boyfriends, relatives, someone in the complex who was given a key to walk the dog or water plants, etc.

 Even if he's leaving soon, they should get management to change the lock right away.

Congratulation to the newlyweds!!

My son reported to his ship yesterday for the first time. He is on the USS Gonzalez DDG 66.  I wonder if he will be able to email me from his ship if it deploys?  

His apt. does not have a key, you swipe your military ID to get in. I hope the person is caught!

I told you all about my grandson being shipped last Sept from San Diego to Norfolk. He drove straight through.. He and his wife had contacted a real estate agent about housing etc and when they got to Norfolk they only had one day to house hunt because they had to evacuate because of the Hurricane or storm that was hitting there... so they looked at several houses and found one they really liked, signed all the papers, rented it and came back here to Georgia until the storm passed etc.  The next week or so they had to be back there for the furniture etc was being delivered from San Diego etc. So that was about the middle or last of Sept. after they got moved in realized it was not in a desirable neighborhood and his wife told me she was scared to go out on walks etc. My grandson was immediately sent out on the boat for 3 weeks and she was stuck there in the house, scared to death.  Well thanksgiving he had the long weekend pass and they loaded up everything and left came home for thanksgiving, returned on Sunday and got there to find their home had been broken into and everything valuable was gone.. left them nothing of value.. all the furniture, computers, tv, play games etc. just almost everything... so they went to my grand-daughters who is also stationed there and stayed a few days to talk and get out of the lease and rent another place.  When I found out the name of the apartment they were trying to get I contacted a friend that his son is something on the board or something with the city of Virginia Beach and the new apartment was in Virginia Beach instead of Portsmouth or maybe Norfolk... but he said that the ones they were looking at had a low crime rate... said there was another one that was also a good complex but they got approved and moved in right after the first of December... they do like this complex and feel safe... My grandson has been on the ship now for 40 days or longer and she has stayed by herself and feels safe... Someone probably saw them loading the car to come home and went in as soon as they left.  The house was on one of the main streets... they went in through a window on the side of the house and lots of houses all around and no one claimed to see anything...  He is about 20 minutes to his base and does not have to go through any tunnels or over bridges to get to base... and is right off where two of the main highways cross etc...  It is sad that people will just go in and steal from any of our servicemen... sad times...

actually, theft is a problem on the ships.  make sure your sailors keep their lockers and racks locked and DO NOT leave anything out that is valuable even if they only have to go to the head.  there was a guy on my daughters ship who had his cell phone stole.  he had it on the charger and figured it would be okay under his pillow while he slept, think again.  for some reason it is more prevalent in the male bearthing than the female berthing.  my daughter and her shipmates say it's because they are more apt to lock their stuff up. 

and there really isn't a rhyme or reason to what they'll take.  one girl in my daughter's berthing had her towel hanging up to dry after her shower, went to get something to eat, came back and her towel was gone.  who wants a wet towel?  it's really sad that you can't be on a ship and have to worry about your shipmates taking your stuff.

SANDRA@  Yes quite sad not seeing my (only) son married, but they both made this choice, he's almost 30,I was hoping,but not this way. I messaged them both- telling them Congrts, & her welcome. He is still deployed for a while- has to get use to Navy life.

my son let us now yesterday he made petty officer...now a DC3 so proud of him...at fleet week great place to celebrate

Wow, I havent been on here for awhile since my son's back injury, Im pretty upset and stressed out over the whole incident. I want to congratulate you Connie soon to be Grandma how sweet is your son away will he be in Norfolk for when the baby is born I hope so.

Im with everyone on here how disgusting all the stealing that goes on in the Navy its a shame that these are the same people our sons and daughters have to Trust in Time of War to have your Back - IS A SHAME. I hope everyone affected were able to get some resolutions. Enjoy Memorial Day Everyone

Congrat's to your son Claudia!!   I'm one happy Mom, Curtis made Petty Officer also.   :-)))

Your so right navy25, how are you suppose to trust your fellow sailors in a crises that they will help you.   It is so sad!!

Happy Memorial Day!!!!!!!!!!!!

My son just got his orders for Norfolk. I have to say to come in here and see all the conversations about stealing concerns me. In A school he did not have that problem which surprises me as crazy as it got there. You would think that of all the places the Navy would not put up with this! It sounds like no one is getting in trouble for these acts. Im sorry for your Sailors and that they have to go through this!

A,,,      There are always dishonest people inside and outside of the military. That is why Sailors are advised to lock their belongings up.

I have a friend who used to be in the Navy. She said that while she was on ship. Someone stole her new undershirts from the dryer.

Happy Memorial Day everyone!!

This is a great article about helping your sailors and their wives, husbands, & kids readjust after a deployment.

http://likeitfortime.com/2011/05/06/reintegration-its-more-than-com...

The stealing issue is a big thing....but I have heard this saying " Only one thief in the Navy, everybody else is trying to get there stuff back". I sent my son an older version Kindle, they stole the charger to it, not the Kindle.

My son and his wife live in Hampton. They have a townhouse (2 bedroom) one and half baths. There is a pool, playground area as well as a laundry facility. The rent is very reasonable and only 15 minutes from base.  The area is very good but I'm sorry to say I can't think of the name of the place. I'll get the name and phone number from them and post here. My daughter-in-law feels safe as my son works mids (11 at night to 6 in the morning).

Hello Everyone.  today in our local newspaper a picture was published pertaining to the USS Carr and a Sailor and his wife.  i think i found the wife on facebook but since most of her page is closed i am not 100% sure it's her.  i would love to send this picture to the wife and his mom.  the newspaper identified the Sailor and his wife but i will not post that information here. if you think you can help me get this picture to the wife or his mom send me a message.

Connie~Matt's Mom, i did some checking back on facebook and i am now pretty sure i sent the picture to the right wife!!!  since the picture was released through API it can be published world-wide.....now wouldn't that be the coolest thing ever!  the picture just touched my heart....now hopefully this pretty little wife will get my facebook message and send the Sailor's momma a copy too! i thought about going to the USS Carr N4Ms page but they only have four members and no posts since 2011.

Cindy D, yes the picture in on the CommercialAppeal.com site.  i sent you a friend request so i can send the info.  thank you sooooo much!!!

Johanna, the picture was in your paper in CT....how cool!  since it was released by API i figured it could go far and wide.  i never heard back from the wife (sent the pic in a message on facebook) but i am sooooo happy that Cindy D jumped on board and sent it to her son on the Carr who was going to make sure that the Sailor in the pic got it!

goldnG8r, it can be frustrating when a group is quiet and the ship isn't a huge one - but don't give up, you may be the one to kickstart it into action.  Try posting about N4M and give the link to your group on their Facebook page, maybe you'll get some new members - a lot of people just don't know about NavyforMoms!

GoldnG8r,

My son just joined the SanAntonio yesterday....I was thinking the same thing about that group.  My older son is on the Abraham Lincoln and that group is very active so I was surprised how quiet the SanAntonio was.....I will meet you over there!

My son is on the San Antonio.  I guess since they aren't "doing anything", no one is active.  I know they've been working their butts off to get it shipshape.  Lots of underways and training runs. 

Does anyone on this site have family on the Big E

Hi jballard~ My son is on the Big E.

Hi Edsmom33, my daughter is on there.  Seems like everything is going OK.  I was worried there for a while because she seemed as if she was letting things get to her.  All we can do is pray and hope these few months go fast. I haven't heard from her in a few days.  Lets keep in touch.

Here's a handy little list!  All the N4M groups for ships, listed alphabetically: Groups listed by names of U.S. naval ships

Below is a beautiful pic of the USS New York (LPD 21) and the Big E

together in the final deployment of the BIg E and the maiden voyage of the USS NY. My son is on the USS New York and he has many friends on the Big E.  It is great how they get to met up with each other being in the same fleet at the different ports - God Bless them on their Journey - sending hugs and kisses