Norfolk Sailors - Family & Friends

@Timsmom....we spend one Christmas in Pensacola with our son.  It was his first Christmas away.  We had a nice family Christmas with all three kids.  Not sure if he gets to come home this year.  We'd rather he come home in February when his one of his sisters gets married.  They planned it then so that he could possibly be there.  He's being deployed next year and she didn't want him to miss it.  We're praying he gets the green light to attend.  The pictures won't be the same without him in them. 

I don't know if you have seen the military camo socks for each branch.  I ordered one for our son.  He loved it!! 

http://militaryprideonline.com/navy/home-and-office/ornaments/u-s-n...

So Im new to Norfolk and me and my husband are pretty new to the navy. I do not know a single person other than my land lord. Anyone out there that can help me learn about the community and way to get active. I would like to find a gym close by that has a child care center inside for my 2 year old. I am currently pregnant and would love to find other wives or gfs to meet and just keep busy.

Dear NewNavyWife-

Welcome to the club!  I hope you enjoy your experience as a Navy wife as much as I have.  A few suggestions for you to find people to connect with:  call the Fleet and Family Support Center to get the contact information for the ombudsman for your husband's command.  Their number is 757-444-2102; you can also get the contact information for the Family Readiness Group (FRG) for the command.  This is a great way to meet other families from the command and to form a support network for yourself. 

The gyms on the military bases don't offer childcare; you can contact the child development center on the base to see if they offer drop-in services.  Some do, some don't.  The only gyms I can think of in the area that have child care are the YMCAs, but they tend to be pretty expensive.

When my girls were small and I wanted to meet people without incurring the cost of child care, I volunteered with the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society.  They paid for my child care and even reimbursed me for mileage!  That way I could get out and mix with other adults, but I wasn't committed to a job and it didn't cost me anything.  I also learned a lot about the Navy and miltary pay...good information to have. :-)

The Fleet and Family Support Center also has a volunteer coordinator who can help you find other volunteer opportunities.  Their relocation office can help you get information about the Norfolk area...ask to speak to Mary Ann; she is awesome!

Feel free to send me any questions you have about the area.  This is our 4th time being stationed here and my husband is finally retiring.  We like it here so well that we decided to make Virginia Beach our home.  Good luck!

Hello.....my daughter is transferring here from Pensacola the first of November.  She was just recently married and her husband is not moving with her right away so she is looking for a cheap apartment or possibly a roommate.  Any and all recommendations would be welcome and appreciated!  Thanks!!!

Your Sailor should be able to request a ballot online with the county election commission.  They need to get it done pronto as time is critical.  My son had it sent to our house and then gave me the address of a friend who lived off base, ie real address rather than PO Box.  This allowed me to send the ballot via FedEx 2 day.  He should have ample time to get it back to the election commission via USPS

Probally have been asked a hundred times but....we hear such bad things about places to live there in newport news but my son is looking for an apartment and of course wants a safe place. I hear everyone talking about getting broke into when gone and what not so this is a little scary! Any good places that dont cost you the moon? Any suggestions are appreciated!!

Good morning A'6, here is a link that should be some help in getting to who can help you.

http://www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil/moving

I would also check out the webpage on this site if he has been assigned to one of the ships there. Go to "all groups" at the top of this page and locate your group or groups. I found since our son is attached to the Enterprise that site has been a wealth of information as well as a way to connect with those military people who work with your sailor. 

Enjoy your day!

Good advise, having a son in Norfolk but living in FL. it is so important to be prepared. Another item or two, ATM's will not work if the power is out and if you do go to a grocery store that happens to be open they too will be looking for cash.  Another item, flashlight and batteries plus if they actually call for a hurricane you may want to consider filling your bathtub and bottles with water for washing because sometimes when you are in a location where you are at sea level the water coming in can have issues so for washing dishes, flushing toliets. I know it may sound weird to those who do not live in areas that deal with hurricanes but it is what we do, this way you are not using bottled water, save that for drinking and baby formula. Paper plates and plastic utensils are always good to have around. Plus with the batteries don't forget your clocks that may have backup battery systems.

Hopefully you will not need to go into hurricane mode, but better to be prepared because once it is a reality it will be too late to get out and get things.  Hope this helps.  Good luck and I hope it heads to sea, just not where our returning ships are coming.  We are heading up next week for a homecoming. 

One other note, I suggest that you get all your important papers together just in case they should ask those on the coast to leave. Insurance papers and contact information (agent), marriage cert. Wills, anything that would be hard to replace. And it can not hurt to just have them all together in case your roof starts to leak or a window blew out and rain starts to come in and you need to leave, take them with you and any real valubles. Again, hopefully nothing will happen but from the experiences of living here in FL and speaking to those who have been through it they say just have everything really.  If nothing happens just say Thank you Lord!

From FB:  Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces has modified guidance for all U.S. Navy ships in Hampton Roads, Va. Ships currently in port have been directed to remain in port. Ships at sea continue to maneuver to clear the path of the storm.  http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=70383

Thanks Marcy for the update. Our son is stationed at Little Creek and will be riding out the storm there on base. We are in Oregon. It is so far away and so any information is helpful.

does anyone know the weather report for norfolk for sunday afternooon, and nite?  have someone traveling on road from south to norfolk, will be arriving sunday nite. little concerned....

Depending on the route they are taking, they may have to wait before getting into the Norfolk area.  Bridge traffic is often halted during severe storms and tunnels may be closed.  We are not expected to get the brunt of the storm, but it will be windy and they are calling for 6-10 inches of rain over the next day or two.  It won't be impossible to travel here, just not recommended.

Thanks for the updates and info Theresa and beach mom76! marine_navymom, I've been sharing your Red Cross app here and on FB.  Here's another good way to track the storm, from the New York Times:

Are you on the East Coast and tracking Hurricane Sandy today? Enter your zip code into our continuously updated interactive map and see the current storm forecast for your area: http://nyti.ms/Sp99Pf

So far, so good.  A lot of wind, some rain, but nothing terrible.  Power is still up and running.  For those of you concerned about your sailors in the Norfolk area, rest assured we are accustomed to storms like this and the local community responds well.  Seems the worst of the storm is heading further north.  We will likely get a lot of rain, some downed trees and branches, but not a lot of damage.  Mostly an inconvenience! 

As Theresa mentioned, check out our local news stations: wtkr, wavy and wvec.  They can give you the most current info.  All is well here!

Sure thing, Sandra!  There is a lot of flooding on area roads, all of the traditional low spots locals know to avoid.  Basically, they are telling us to expect wind and rain for the next two days and for everyone to just stay home.  One of our neighbor's trees came down, just missed my bedroom window, but really very little damage done.  Most of the impact so far seems to be high water on the roads.  We have a fire in the fireplace and a pot of chili on the stove.  Actually, it is kind of nice....

thanks, all moms....... great information......

Thanks for all the great information....appreciate it!   my son has been texting me all is ok for now...hope it stays that way...Have a good day everyone!

Thanks for letting us know what's going on. I am a bit anxious about this since we are so far away and our kid hasn't had to deal with this before. Of course he says he will be fine, and I know he will. But a mom does worry. :)

Sure appreciate the updates Theresa and Beachmom.  My sailor is underway so I am sure he is safe, but I am concerned about the base and those still there.

Windy and rainy here in Virginia Beach, but still have power, cable, phones, etc.. Forecast predicts we will have these conditions for the rest of today into early tomorrow.  The bases are closed, everyone has been asked to just stay home!  But my newspaper was delivered on schedule this morning, so some traffic must be getting through.  There have been no reports of serious damage anywhere; the area seems to be coping pretty well.   We're good!

Glad to hear! Stay dry and safe!

Sandra, this was on the Naval Station Norfolk Facebook page seven hours ago:  

There's also this posting from three hours ago:  "I just got back from driving the base, there are no parking lots, parking areas and roads that are flooded. We just passed high tide and the water didnt make it over the piers so that's a good thing. the only areas that are flooded are the grassy area and areas designed for high water."

Great to hear situation is tolerable.  Thanks for the information.  My son's ship is in FL and I was concerned his car might be flooded, but sounds like it should be ok.  

Good morning, my son is just finished A school and is headed to Norfolk next week. What are the chances of him getting to come home for Christmas.  He is also working at the recruiting office this week to get extra days back.

Hello,

I am in Missouri and my son is in Norfolk VA. I miss him. sending prayers to NY NJ and all the east coast..

Roses4bud....I miss my son too...he is norfolk...I am hoping he can come home for a visit around the holidays  but I am not getting my hopes up...then I won't be disappointed.  If he can't get time off...I get time off from school then so I will drive downt to visit him.  take care

Connie- Thanks for the info!

Helen, you will be in my prayers.

About the car... can you check with the ship ombudsman?  Base security?

Just a thought.

Helen, the water didn't make it over the piers and your son's car should be ok.  This was posted on the Naval Station Norfolk Facebook page by an observer Monday: "I just got back from driving the base, there are no parking lots, parking areas and roads that are flooded. We just passed high tide and the water didn't make it over the piers so that's a good thing. the only areas that are flooded are the grassy area and areas designed for high water."  

So very sorry for your brother's passing; sending prayers for your family.

Helen

Your family will be in my prayers.  I pray that God will give you peace and comfort.

it's been a while since i've been on ... just wanted to say hi hope everyone is doing ok in the aftermath of "Sandy"  wishing a wonderful weekend to all of you  :)

Jackarita, what a wonderful and amazing thing you've done for for your family!   

Interesting article from the Virginia Pilot/HamptonRoads.com - Military Commuters Sound Off on Local Traffic.

Brittany: my son wife and baby girl are in the Park towne apts. in Norfolk they are across from Little Creek base and about a 20 min drive to Norfolk base. Nice complex. Walking distance to a grocery store. Reasonably priced

Welcome Brittany     There is a group for the Truman you need to check it out. And welcome aboard.   My son is on the Truman.

what do you need lori?

Morning Ms. Wanda....I will keep your son in my prayers  I am sure he is fine just busy .  My son is very homesick as well...he is in Norfolk but has shore duty...he loves his job and is learning alot and is in C school right now  but he doesn't have friends in Norfolk like he had in Pensacola so spends his free time alone and that bothers me alot.   I can communicate with him daily...usually by texting and I talk to him couple times a week ...I worry too...that's what good Moms do!  Take care  we are here for you...Allie

Hello Everyone.

Hi Lori, my son moved to Norfolk in September 2012 after A school in Pensacola.  It's kinda confusing since I don't have a mailing address yet because he's in temporary housing.  He was supposed to start working on the USS TR this week. I'm concerned about military housing, especially since staying in an apartment would be too costly and unnecessary.  His birthday is fastly approaching and I want to send him a birthday present!  What is going on in Norfolk?

Good morning Wanda, here is an address for the Destroyers. Now the Cole is listed but it looks as if they do not hae their own site.  You may still want to check it out.

http://www.navyformoms.com/group/destroyermomsddg?xg_source=activity 

This is a great group for information too.  Hope this is some help.  I know with my son who is with the USS Enterprise, at times I did not hear from him. Mainly because he was so busy or could not get to a computer or just wanted to go back and catch some shut-eye. 

It is so hard at first when we are so use to picking up a phone.  Here another link with email addresses to the support team.

http://www.public.navy.mil/surflant/ddg67/Pages/default.aspx 

• Family Readiness Group (FRG): usscolefsg@yahoo.com

This is ok to post, it is public knowledge.

Good luck and stay in touch with the group.  We are here to support each other. Have a great day!