Norfolk Sailors - Family & Friends

Sadly, the Sailor passed away as a result of his injuries. Local news is reporting that his family has been notified but they are not releasing the name at this point. No word yet on what happened.

The well deck is the part of an amphibious ship that they open up and flood to allow Marines and equipment off. You may have seen old movies where the back of the ship drops down like a ramp and small boats sail out...that is the well deck.   

And you are wise to ask questions!

I googled - Navy Ship Well Deck and have been on my son's ship and still cannot figure out what might have happened to this sailor - I'm sure an investigation will persue, yet we'll never know. I can't imagine an accident like this happening - my heart aches for his family and his shipmates.  Either way there is probably more to what happened than will ever be made public.

Thank you for that information.  My heart breaks for that family and his shipmates. 

How tragic, my prayers go out to the family.  Our children are not suppose to go before us. 

Those who have been asking about the barge set up with the Big E.  From what Scott has told me it is set up like a typical barricks.  One big area with bunk beds plus a lounge area and kitchen.  They do have more space than on the ship. On the ship they only have about 2 feet between the racks.

As far as the mail, you can use the same address you have bee using and they will get it to them.  If you are new you will need to know sailors  department and Division, The address would read:

Sailors Name, USS Enterprise CVN 65, Box 76, Dept/ Division, FPO AE 09543 

Merry Christmas to all - Can not wait our son has leave starting tomorrow!

My heart is breaking for this family!! I will pray for the family!!!!!

Is there any place that we can send out condolences to this family. 

I will be moving to Virginia in the next two weeks...I will be stationed on Little Creek base and I am trying to get some assistance finding some where to stay on that area...we are looking for a 3 bedroom 2 bath home...any help will be greatly appreciated

Hi latate2! We PCSd to Little Creek a few months ago and found www.AHRN.com and www.militarybyowner.com to be very helpful. It was hard to get the owners/ renters to call back so we enlisted the help of an agent who received payment from the renter. I love living in Virginia Beach area. We were looking mostly at VB and Chesapeake because long commute/traffic or crime were an issue in most other areas that otherwise would have seemed more convenient. Good luck!

Welcome to Virginia Beach!  I hope you will love living here.

You can contact the Housing Service Center on Little Creek for information about rentals and base housing. 

LittleCreekHousing@navy.mil

(757) 462-8939/7069

The Fleet and Family Support Center has a Relocation Specialist who can answer questions about the local community. Call 757-462-7563

http://www.cnic.navy.mil/JEBLCFS/FleetAndFamilyReadiness/SupportSer...

Does any one Know about the Budweiser Clydesdales in  Norfolk my daughter seen them but I cant not find where there are going to be at . Iam back in ohio trying to look.. any help please  TASstables@aol.com 

Tasstables: try this:

http://www.budweiser.com/en/world-of-budweiser/clydesdales/event-sc.... I think that will help you!

Thank you for these, Theresa.  I donated a toy to a Marine collecting for Toys for Tots (and when he turned around to accept it, it was my neighbor two doors down - I didn't know he was in the Reserves, funny how things happen)).  I have electric candles but hadn't gotten them out for Christmas; I'm putting them in the windows tonight, and will share this sentiment with my friends.  Amen, to your gratitude and blessings. 

Just realized you said star, not candle - the act still helps my heart a tiny bit...

My son just got news his home base will be Norfolk - so happy for him.  Glad to know there's group for us. Happy holidays to everyone.

mommaross  welcome!  people in this group very helpful...so if you have questions just ask away  if they can help or direct you they will.  Merry Christmas!

Hi Ms. Wanda, have you heard from your son yet? my son is on the Uss Cole as well and all I got lately was a "Nope" for Christmas about a message that I sent him asking him if he had receive his Christmas care package (that broke my heart especially if all the other sailors got their package) and he posted a message on his facebook page that they were on land.  I'm trying to get the homecoming date? please message me if you hear anything.  Thank you.

Hi all, I will be in Norfolk New Years eve thru Jan. 4th seeing my Sailor off for his deployment January 4th.  If anyone is available to get together for lunch please let me know.  Patty

Hi, Patty...wish I could be there. Recent injry prevents it. I'll be there is spirit to seeing my son off. Hope to be there for the return. Would enjoy meeting you then.

Anybody with a loved one leaving for deployment tomorrow?

Elaine, I am already planning a trip for September.......

USS Mahan departing Norfolk ~ Best to all of you with loved ones deploying :)

Thanks Marcy!

Enjoy you sailor, CindyLou.

A Happy and Blessed New Year to all with sailors serving the USA. My prayers are with you and your sailor.

Cindy Lou....our son is home too  ....we are loving every minute of having him home!  Time going too fast though.  allie

Good to save!  

Happy visiting Allie.

My son headed back to Norfolk this morning, so good to have him home, so sad to say our good byes. :-((

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year!!

My son headed back to Norfolk this afternoon.  Had a great military Christmas while he was here.  Miss the guy already!

Welcome cawin123!  Oh dear :(  But - Now you can call, text, send care packages, learn about the area and start saving for a trip to Norfolk!  :)  

Cawin123 hang in there. It is hard when our kids are away. Our son is there too. Since we live in Oregon it is really far away. We went to visit over the summer. We stayed on base at the Navy Lodge. It sure helped to see the base and get a little more familiar with the life around there. 

This should be interesting!  A story in the Navy Times says "six Navy-themed TV shows are coming in 2013," including two based on carriers, and this one:  "In development for the youth-skewing CW network, “Norfolk” will take a dramatic approach to the life of young sailors on the big East Coast base. Academy Award-nominated director Taylor Hackford (“Ray”) is part of the production team and attached to direct the pilot, according to The Hollywood Reporter."

 Think we could volunteer some plot lines?  :)

Navy Times has a story too - they're not meant to be 'flame retardant' apparently - I read a Navy Q&A- they all will burn, but the Navy's will also melt!  Terrible; wonder if we'll see a change...

I am new to this forum, I also had a Sailor just finished A school in Great Lakes and now is stationed in Norfolk. Had a great Christmas with him and his new lil family (wife and son) and a Great New Year, but sad he is gone to Virginia 12 hours away.  On a great note his wife and baby boy have gotten to go up there and spend some great quality time with each other on the weekends. It is so hard to have them gone already for 8-12 weeks and come home and then leave again. I just thought bootcamp time was bad I think this is worse, especially since he will be shipped out on the USS Turman in Feb. So glad to have this group to lean on during these rough times. I am learning to take it one day at a time and it is great to know that I am not going thur this alone. He is my ONLY child and it just leaves an empty space in my heart. Good luck to all of you going thur the same emotions here.

Rosie-Dalton's Mom - Welcome!   My son is also my only child.  He is also assigned to the HST.  We are going to visit him this weekend (we are also 12 hours away - MI) since we have been advised that this may be our last chance to really spend any time with him before the Big D.  I know what you mean about empty space in your heart.  I have been trying to keep myself busy and have taken up a lot of new hobbies.  I even bought myself a new sewing maching (but afraid to even open the box at this point LOL)  I just made myself and my DIL what I call "deployment wreaths" for our homes which I plan on keeping up until they are all home!   Are you a member of the USS Truman group?

http://pinterest.com/pin/16466354859623049/

Depoyment wreath - They didn't have the Navy Digital Camo at my local JoAnn's so I emphasised with patriotic fabrics I had on hand - when I go to VA I plan to go to JoAnn's there (if I have a free moment) and see if they have it in stock and buy some to bring home.

sandman,  welcome and I like your idea on the deployment weath, I will keep that in mind when my son leaves on his.  Don't know when yet, but I know it will be in 2013.  I should get started on it now since I know it will take me awhile to do it. lol

I love the idea of making a deployment weath, where do I need to go on how to make one, great great idea. Thanks sandman713.

Just Google "rag wreath" and you can find instructions.   I made an 18 inch.  I cut my strips 5 inches long by 1 inch wide.  This is much easier to do if you have rotary scissors.  I posted a link below if you didn't see it. :)

Hello all......feeling sad today  Sailor son just flew back to Norfolk...House is so empty without him in it.  We had a great time  having him home....hate it when he leaves  it never is easy.   He hugged me and said  keep it together mom..  I tried...now the tears are flowing...guess i need to make plans for a visit to Norfolk:)

allie1928 I think you should plan a trip to Norfolk. Our son got stationed very near there at Little Creek last April. After we found out where he would be stationed we planned a summer trip to go there. Since we are from Oregon, it was a big deal to plan it. It gave me something positive to focus on and it really helped knowing when we would see him again.

Oh my I know how you feel!  Keeping it together?  Ha, they'll never know till they have one of their own.  In the meantime ... browsing Southwest Airlines + Enterprise car rental + Navy Lodge = my idea of happiness!  Anticipation is half the fun  :}  

(Southwest b/c good rates, no fee for baggage, no cancellation/change fees, they 'bank' your $), Enterprise for their $9.99 weekend rates (join Enterprise Plus for upgrades etc too), Navy Lodge for price, quality, convenience.)

I like how you think Marcy. :) Planning a trip is good therapy.

I am not very good at "holding it together" either. 

My son heads back to Norfolk tomorrow, he has been home for 14 days, was not a good trip for him.  He missed his flight home, and had to catch a flight the next day.  Once he got here we had our family Christmas at my moms, while all of us were there, she had a heart attack, and we rushed her to the ER.  5 days later she had open heart surgery with a triple bypass.  Alot of trips to the hospital for us, and now she is a rehab trying to get her strength back up to adventure home.  On a positive note, he did get to eat out alot at his favorite rest.  So once again, have to hold it together at the airport, and fall apart once I get to the car.  I also have a 5 yr old, so I keep busy and have to bounce back real quick.

I hope all are ok!

sandman713 - you can find digital camo fabric at fabric.com; I bought some to make a diaper bag for my new grandson.  I wanted something that my son would carry.  They also has a couple other Naby themed fabrics.

Thank you Jesus!!!!   My daughter is an AFB.   And it really bothers me that she is probably one of the people who has to wear them.  Lord willing they will get them fixed and distributed to our brave kids.