Norfolk Sailors - Family & Friends

My son complete A school at P'cola mid July and is headed to Norfolk for C school.  He is AD.  He is home right now on leave (California) and will be headed out to Norfolk early next week.  He has a 5 hour layover in Washington DC before he heads to Norfolk.  Flight arrive around 2am and leaves for Norfolk around 8am.  Any suggestions on what he can do during that 5 hour layover?  Would hate to see him sleep in the airport.  I thought maybe he can go to the nearest hotel to Dulles for a "cat nap".  However, I don't know that area well.  I'd appreciate any suggestions.  Thanks!!

Hi cbc mom- have your son go to the USO at the airport. They usually have a place where they can rest and they have food too. Our son got stuck in Detroit in July overnight due to his flight being cancelled on his way home to Portland, OR. He got a bed and some food. :)  I just checked and both Washington D.C. airports have a USO.

Hi, didn't see earlier post!  Unfortunately the USO isn't 24/7 (it closes at 10 pm), and I know Dulles - your sailor won't have time to leave and return to the airport.  Looks like he'll have to camp out at his gate; his total time waiting will only be about four hours or so before they start to board for Norfolk.  Tell him to pick up snacks and water for Dulles before he boards in CA, as nothing will be open there.  Here'e the Dulles USO's link and phone # fyi Dulles USO 

Hi CBC-I agree. The USO is probably going to be the most help. Here is a different em with a phone number. Maybe they can give you and your sailor some advice even if they are not open while he is there.

http://www.usometro.org/location.php?p=14

Thanks DebbieinCa, Marcy & Proudkmom for the info.  I didn't even think about using USO.  Will definitely check them out.

Theresa Cox -- Will keep  your son in our prayers.  You might want to check into whether there is a Blue Star Mom chapter in your area.  These women are wonderful at helping with any questions you may have once your son is deployed.  Also, don't forget OPEC.  We shouldn't post too much detail (first name, last name, ship, etc) on N4M blog as ANYONE has access to reading our posts.

Here's a clever way to keep Operational Security (OPSEC) in mind, from the USS Iwo Jima Ombudsman Team:  OPSEC: the Dr. Seuss version  :)

Very cute Marcy

We are going to visit our son in Norfolk and was wondering if anyone knows of a good but reasonable rate hotel. I cant believe how much they are when I have looked online and of course I dont know the area at all. So, if anyone has suggestions I would appreciate any help at this point!

Our first night we stayed here:

http://www.sleepinn.com/hotel-norfolk-virginia-VA059

Wasn't fancy, but the rate was great, the room was clean and they offer free transport to/ from the airport and breakfast buffet. Also has a pool and an exercise room. It was convenient to everything. (Just do not get a connecting room, in case the neighbors are as noisy as ours were- I think they had everybody from baby to grandma in the room but hubs slept thru it). Just about everywhere you will need a car to get around. Have a safe trip!

Here's our Discussion with contact info and pics of the Navy Lodge:  Navy Lodge Norfolk

Just west of it is a Hampton Inn, no sailor check-in required :) The contact info is in that Discussion too.

*Navy Lodge would be first pick for the price and in-room amenities* 

Thank you all so much!

Morning...we have stayed at Navy Lodge in Great Lakes & Pensacola and have reservations for Norfolk  VA  this month.....always been happy there  not real fancy but its clean & affordable & kind staff!  Always had a pleasant stay at Navy Lodge!  Price is great -  no taxes or surcharges of any kind.

Are they're any wives here who's husbands are on the Normandy? We're new here and hoping to meet some new friends :)

Hello.....I am trying to find out if my son can take his car  on base in Norfolk Va  if it is registered to his dad....Title is in my son's name but registered to my husband because insurance is much cheaper .....plan on getting his own insurance when he turns 21.....i read on here that all we need is a notarized letter giving him permission to drive the car...but  not sure if that is true for Norfolk VA base or not?? any help would be appreciated we plan on driving the car down to him next week .....thanks 

I believe the notarized letter is all you need, plus registration and insurance - perhaps best to call the Pass and ID office to get the final word:  757-322-2978.

Thank you Penny & Marcy for the information.  Much appreciated  -  I was stressing about the car thing -  have enough stress don't need anymore.....Have a good day ladies....Thanks

@Cmyhero - cross rating all depends on the current rate, demand, how much training they've already been given, etc.  My son wanted to crossrate but they won't let him.  He spent a year and a half training for his rate.  Not many in his rate anyway so they want to keep who they've trained. 

Navy Lodge has 1 - 2 bedroom suites with kitchenettes https://www.navy-lodge.com/lodge_page.html?p_lodge_number=34

allie1928, he can take the car but cannot store it on base if deployed w/o a power of attorney. He will have plenty of notice before then though so no worries! And the insurance is cheaper even after age 21 in your name!

allie1928, my son has his own car on base.  We just put him on our insurance and he's saving about $150 (he has two cars and we are driving one of them).  He's only 23.  When he gets deployed, I'll be going out there to drive it back home to Texas.  He's still on our cell plan also.  $50/mo on the family plan as opposed to $200 plus his buddies are paying with their own plans.  They don't make that much, so we help out where we can.  He still pays but he pays us. 

Cmyhero- we stayed at the Navy Gateway Inns and Suites on base. Our son is stationed at Little Creek which is near Norfolk. You could check and see if there is a Navy Gateway Inn at Norfolk. We had a one bedroom suite and it was very nice.

allie1928, I would check with your insurance agent because it may be best to keep him on your policy depending on where you live. I am sure that Norfolk has high insurance rates just because of where they are located and the volume of drivers in that area. Plus each year the rates will drop for boys but in many states the big drop in insurance rates does not happen until they are 25 or if they are married then they will drop some too. It would just show as garaged in another location on your policy.  And as far as phones, in most cases it is cheaper to have them stay on your family plan.

As far as places to stay at a reasonable rate we have looked at renting a home for a week in the area. There are some for rent for one week at a time as long as you have a car.

Everyone have a great day!

Hello, Allie.  Yes your son can take his car on base in Norfolk even though it is registered to his dad.  He will be required to register the car with the base , they will provide him with stickers (to be applied to the windshield) so they can be seen. He will have to have a notarized letter from his dad stating that he has permission to operate the vehicle.  He will need to list the make, model, vehicle identification number as well as the tag number in the letter. Off hand I can't remember the actual name of the place he goes with the letter to get everything approved but I am sure there are people at the base that can give him directions. If I talk with my son today I will ask him where your son should take the letter and post that information for you.  Good Luck.

Thank you to all you great Navy Mom's.....I called the # for pass  & ID  and lady told me what I need in the letter....my son is thrilled he can have his car to get to work.  Appreciate all of you responding to my question.  I knew I could get the answers I needed.  We leave next week:)  can't wait to see my son again. Thanks again...Have a great day!  Allie

Have a fun time in VA Allie!  

hi everyone!!!   hope you are all having a Wonderful Summer   :)

Heading down to Norfolk on Wednesday to bring remainder of baby stuff from the shower. Its an 8hr trip and im not thrilled to drive that long. Will stop at my mother-in-law in Delaware 5hrs and continue on thurs. morn. Will do the same coming back on Saturday. Cant wait to see Norfolk and the kids. Hope the weather stays. Keep hearing about all these tropical storms on the horizen. Enjoy your sunday all.

Good morning everyone.  I'm a bit stressed out this morning.  My son just bought a car and yesterday, he was in Norfolk and drove through a BIG puddle or somehow got stuck in one, not sure which.  He said his engine "locked up" and will have to be replaced.  He got the car towed to his apartment in Virginia Beach.  Now I need to figure out what next.  I guess he should take it to a shop and have them say whether it's something that can be fixed or if it will need a new engine. 

Of course, his safety was number one, now that I know he is safe, I'm worried about him handling all this on his own.  Yes, he is very independent, but I had always been there to help him out, it's stressing me out that I can't be there.  I can just give him advice as to what to do. 

I don't even know if there's a shop he can take it to and "trust" that they'll be honest.  Does anyone know of an auto shop that he can take it to?

Thank you.

JackieD...My Son got to know a really good auto mechanic when he was stationed in Norfolk. Let me email him and get the information from him.  Philip was an MA and as such was one of those considered essential personnel and had to be at work!  He had to have a dependable mechanic for things like what you are describing b/c they have water problems us there. I just know he had a great relationship with a mechanie up there and actually sent a bunch of his buddies to him.  Philip is in Naples now so it may be tomorrow before I hear back from him depending on his work and sleeping schedule. :) 

Hi Mom's & Wives!!  I need to ask you all a favor!  Any of you that have Sailors stationed in Norfolk and that are not on deployment, I'm looking for a Sailor to help with a fundraiser in Raleigh, NC.  Funds are for a charity called Active Heroes which is a group that helps Military Families that need financial assistance.  I worked with Troy Yocum in 2011 when he was walking across America and we did this event.  It's a Stand at Attention Competition and we have guys from each branch of the military compete to see who can stand the longest.  We did this last year at a local mall and raised right at $10,000.00 and were able to help 3 families that had lost everything in tornadoes that weeks earlier had torn through our area. 

We have someone from Army, Marine and Air Force but I need a Navy representative now.  It will be on Sept. 15th in Raleigh.  We are having a Gala on Sept 14th also and would like the person to come as our honored guest to the Gala as well.  Just learned that one of the men from the movie/documentary Restrepo is going to be our Key Note Speaker.  This movie is intense but really shows what our guys in war go through!  Hard to watch as a Mom!  Anyway, last year the guys stood from 10:00 am until 7:00 pm.  They do get a 5 min break each hour and a 30 min break after 4 hours.  For the folks that came out to the mall it was a very emotional day!!  The guys were glad they had done it afterwards! 

Please, if any of you have a Sailor that would be willing to help us out contact me immeditately!!!Stand%20at%20attention%20Flyer%202012.jpg

Grasshopper - Thank you so much.  I greatly appreciate it.  I'll let my son know to sit tight until we hear back from you.

Trevor's mom - Thank you too. 

JackieD,

if your son just bought the car does he have full coverage insurance?  if so have him call the insurance company, they may pay for repairs and give him the name of someone to take it to.

Yes, he does have full coverage.  Someone told him it wouldn't be covered.  But I'll have him check.

JackieD...Def check and see if insurance will cover.  I think Philip used to tell me that insurance would cover his.  I just heard from Philip and he said he used Accurate-Tune Plus and it's the one on Monticello Ave.  You or your son should ask for J.T.  Philip said "they don't offer Military discounts per say but they work with you if you're on a budget and they're definitely great guys to go to."  I have 3 Sons and they are all car knowledgeable so Philip would know if someone was pulling something over on him. 

Grasshopper - THANK YOU TO YOU AND YOUR SON!  I will pass this on to my son.  He may be at work until 5pm, therefore, I'll call for him.

Jackie

There is an auto repair shop inside Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek in Virginia Beach  - the prices are comparable or in some cases a little less than some other mechanics'.  It's called Autoport, 757-363-3285.  Does your son have AAA?  Only about $50/year and cheap for peace of mind, he's needed a tow; dead battery after deployment, etc; I renew it for us both every year :) 

Grasshopper, I'll help spread the word about your "Stand at Attention" fundraiser. Congrats to those taking part, a great cause and I'm sure it's incredible - it would be great to see your photos after the event. 

ps people at Autoport aren't exactly warm and friendly....

Hello All,

I will be in Norfolk, to visit my son from Sept. 7 - 13.  I would love to meet any of you that are in the area and available for lunch or coffee.  Looking for something to do while my son is at work.

Thanks Marcy for spreading the word!!  Really need to find a Sailor to Stand!!  Jackie D...let me know if your Son would like to make a trip down to NC for the weekend!!  I'll take good care of him and feed him while he's here! :-)  It's about a 31/2 drive.  My son used to come home about every other weekend when he was up in Norfolk. He is loving Naples but I miss him being in Norfolk so that he could come home!  The link below has pics from last year's Stand.  I have some other pics from last year.  It was a really awesome day!! 

Seriously, any Sailor that will come down and do this for us, I will take good care of them while they are here!!

Grasshopper I will talk to my son and see if he is able to help you.  It all depends on if he has watch that weekend or not.

Sailor Mom DDG55...That would be awesome!!  If your Son has watched the movie Restrepo, we have one of the featured guys from that film as our Key Note Speaker at our Gala on Friday night. He is now the Command Sergeant Major at Ft. Bragg, Lamonta Caldwell. I watched the movie last night for the 1st time and it is intense! After watching it I came away knowing even more that no Man or Woman that serves this Country should ever come home and be without! This Country should take care of every single need they have after all they give!! As a Military Mom Restrepo is hard to watch but at the same time I'm glad I watched it!

Grasshopper, I posted it in the Camp Lejeune group too :)  It looks like about a 2 1/2 hour drive from Jacksonville.  

I had not thought about that...Growing up here in NC we only think of Lejeune as Marines and we have our Marine to stand.  Great thinking Marcy...your right, Lejeune is only a couple of hours way!