Norfolk Sailors - Family & Friends

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!

Trisha A1Son, here is a link to the USS Harry Truman 

http://www.public.navy.mil/airfor/cvn75/Pages/HOME.aspx 

When my son arrived in Norfolk he was able to live on the ship so he would not need to get a place to live.  He is currently assigned to the USS Enterprise.  In a way it was a good choice, he was able to get use to living in a small place before they deployed. I know for some of the other newbee sailors even though they went out for trials before they deployed for 8 months they found it hard to adjust at first.  This way too he got sea pay and was able to bank his money.  I do not know if that is an option for your son or not. 

Again, the link above will get you to the right people should you have other questions. 

One thing I found out was when Scott got his assignment after BC he was given contact information etc. but we never say any of it so I just started to hunt on the Internet and came across this site.

Good luck and stay in touch.

Here is the link to the USS Truman group on N4M

http://www.public.navy.mil/airfor/cvn75/Pages/HOME.aspx 

Lori, here is a link to the Readiness Group.

http://www.cnic.navy.mil/norfolk/index.htm It has a lot of information. There should be a group for the USS Truman but can not find the link right now. Your sailor will be getting a package with his orders which should also have contact information for those re-locating. He can also go online and request a sponsor which is a good idea. Hope this is some help. Have a great day! 

Happy Veterans Day to all near and far....God Bless You for all that you do and are willing to give up.

Lori my son is on the Truman

Hi all, just got off work so I'm catching up on the messages.  I probably need to clarify I said my son is on the USS TR some sight think Truman but I meant Theodore Roosevelt and actually it not in Norfolk its in Newport News.  He just got there a couple of weeks ago and is trying to adjust.  He's a Florida boy so the weather has been a big factor.

Duhhuh58- My son was asking about getting a vehicle, would that be wise this early and he would love to live off the ship.  Not sure about any of this.  This is all new to me and him so I'm trying to educate myself on these things but I do need advice.  He also stated he would not get deployed until 2015, don't know how true that is.

*might

Joyce-Scott'sProudMom, awesome link, thank you for sharing!

Duhhuh58- I don't know if that last sentence was TMI but remove if need be.

lori,

you're fine.  if he's going to be there for the next few years then a car would be a good idea.  as for living off base it depends on his circumstances.  if he's married it isn't a problem but if he's below a certain rank (i think it's E-4) they kinda frown on it and everything would be out of his pocket as he wouldn't get any BAH.  he can see about single sailor housing, it's kinda like the barracks, 2 bedrooms, shared kitchen and living room with another sailor.  tell him to talk to his chief.

Ms Wanda-- my son has been in Virginia for a little over a year now.  He loved A school and hated his ship.  He got very depressed and didn't communicate much.  When he did call, I was very concerned.  I told him to speak with the chaplain.  That's one of the things they are there for.  It has really helped my son deal with some things and he's much better now.  He still lives on the ship.  His first year on the ship was like Hell Week but for a year.  They hadn't been deployed in a long time and most of the crew hasn't been on a deployment.  INSURV was crazy.  He said things have calmed down now and he's in a much better place sanitywise.  Prayers for you and your son.  When you do speak with him, encourage him to talk to the chaplain.  He will find friends to hang with.  Being the new kid on the block isn't always easy. 

A note from the Navy Lodge General Manager :)  "I have attached an electronic version of a holiday flyer featuring the three Hampton Roads Navy Lodges. The message is Navy Lodges are available to our military members and families as well as associates and families over the upcoming holiday seasons at a savings to them."

Thanks Marcy!  We just had our son look into booking for us the week prior to Christmas.  He has only been in 8 mos and didn't have enough leave left to get much of a trip home this year.  He got us 3 nights with two queen beds for $225 he said.  Not sure which location, but I am hoping the one closest to him!  sounds like a great deal!

Hi ladies, any ideas regarding cheap airline tickets for the holidays?

Thanks Jackarita, I'll check it out.