Norfolk Sailors - Family & Friends

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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.

@Sherry-I go to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel and watch the ship sail from the bay into the Atlantic.  There really isn't much to see on base since your son would have to escort you onto the pier and he will probably be a bit busy.  It will cost $17 for the round trip toll, but I enjoy driving out to the rest area on the bridge, having something to eat at the restaurant and hitting the visitor gift shop.  There is a great lookout point where you can watch the ship sail over the tunnel portion as it heads to sea. 

Others may have their favorite spots, but this is my top pick!

Sherry - You are able to get on base the day the ship leaves. We went down last March to see my son and his ship off. Main gate - need drivers licsense and registration of vehicle. There is a list that your sailor needs to have you put on. Pull up to the gate and give them the name of the ship and your sailor.  I was also in contact with our ships ombudsmen in case there was a problem (which there was not). We had no trouble getting on base - Be sure to get there early - parking is horrendous and be sure to park legally - the police are ruthless and were giving out tix left and right.  I suggest your bring a pair of binoculars to see your sailor when they are manning the rails and the ship begins to leave - and of course a box of Kleenex is a must.  Good Luck and enjoy this experience. I was so glad we were in a position to go - but the bestest......is the Homecoming.  I survived  it was tough - but remember day by day.  We even had an extended deployment. 

I did both! - watched the Iwo Jima cast off, then (thanks to the tip from a Navy wife at the pier) raced to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel and parked by the restaurant, got out onto the pier, and saw the ship pass - beachmom is right, a fantastic experience!  Plus got to see the LCACs come roaring (literally) out from Little Creek and join the ship, so impressive.  Since I'd never seen a ship depart, it was very cool to me to watch the process of sailors and Marines arriving at the pier that morning, captain talking to the TV crews, etc.

Here's how to get in touch with your Family Readiness Group, and Ombudsman, here (and it's important to be on their list during deployment):  http://www.navyformoms.com/group/whatsanombudsmanandhowtocontactthe...

In response to Sandra AM Mom....is there any way for us to talk to the FRG if our daughter has not signed us up for it.  It makes me nuts that we don't have this kind of information.   I would LOVE to see my daughter off, and be there when they come back. 

Thank you Sandra AM Mom.  I must miss some comments...not the best computer at home.    Hopefully my daughter will be able to find the time and resources to do this.  May the Lord bless them and keep them safe!!!!

In response to Theresa....I am very interested in joining this group.  I am pretty computer illiterate....lol...where exactly do I go on the website to find out information for this.  Lord willing my daughter will put me on that list ASAP so I will be good to go.  Thank you so much for any info you can provide to me.

My son will be arriving in Norfolk in a little over 2 weeks after SERE in Maine, he is now in Pensacola and will be graduating this week from RSS.  any comments on what it is like in Norfolk? we have never been there  before

thanks for any info

The google alerts thing also works on yahoo. If you have email with gmail you sign up for google alerts or if you have yahoo email, sign up with yahoo alerts. You go to the search page for which ever one you are signing up for and typ in "sign up for alerts" and go from there.

Here's info for finding your Ombudsman and also Family Readiness Group - http://www.navyformoms.com/group/whatsanombudsmanandhowtocontactthe...

Theresa, that's a great idea about Ft Monroe!  There's an interesting retirement-type place there called The Chamberlin; we walked through and it's really beautiful.  That website has a nice aerial of the point.

Laurie, there is a ton to do there, and neighboring Virginia Beach is Virginia's most populous city.  If your son doesn't have a car yet, he'll definitely need one.  Norfolk for starters has a pretty waterfront on the Elizabeth River it has Nauticus to visit, day/sunset sailing cruises and the McArthur Mall for movies, Nordstom, H&M etc, and the $1.50 ferry across to Portsmouth where you can walk to shops and restaurants and the Children's Museum; or just stay on for a  quick roundtrip back to Norfolk :)

thank you, Marcy for the info about Norfolk.  Hoping we will get to visit him sometime as well. He does not have a car, though.

Theresa, thanks for the info!  Love knowing the history of the Chamberlin.  

Gs'mom, have you looked through all the Discussions above?  Members have posted a lot of info about apartments, perhaps that will be of help.

Laurie, if your son is going to be living in Norfolk vs. deployed for a long time, he'll be needing a car - I think the others here will agree :)

There are multiple gyms on Norfolk Naval Station.  The best hours on Norfolk Naval Station can probably be found at the Waterfront Gym (Bldg Q-80) which is right by the aircraft carrier piers.  Is he at Norfolk or Little Creek?

to Marcy, my son will be starting SERE in Maine, then will be at Norfolk, so I am not sure at this point how long he will be in Norfolk, he is a Rescue Swimmer. So the car situation may be a problem.

The $17 is the round trip fee if you complete the trip within 24 hours.  Normally, it is $12 each way.  Pricey, but I love the view and much prefer traveling 13 up the eastern shore than I-64 and I-95.

I am probably a wuss, but I always avoided watching the ship pull away from the pier...too hard for me! But the Bay-Bridge Tunnel is so beautiful, watching the ship from there never bothered me as much. Besides, hubby was an engineer and was usually on board the night before so I rarely got to see him the day of departure.  If he didn't have duty, the girls and I would drop him off at the pier and head to McD's for breakfast.  That became our little ritual.  Even when they were in high school and I suggested going someplace nicer, they insisted on pancakes at the golden arches.   

I can understand, it's different and no doubt easier at the pier for a mom than a wife - we've already had to come to grips with separation of a different kind :)  For moms who haven't been to the base, the McD's is on-base across a parking lot from the piers.   Beachmom, you're right about 13!  For someone who does want a day trip, right across the bridge is a conference center/hotel on the left side.  You can drive down to the beach where there's an outdoor bar in summer.  I've only gone in off-season when it's deserted, and it makes for a great walk on the sand at water's edge. 

I am shipping my sons truck to him via a semi truck car carrier service. Does anyone know of a process or service available to take delivery of his vehicle if they are underway or on duty and can't sign for it . The only reason I ask is the carrier can't promise a firm delivery time because the truck is traveling xcountry

Thanks Dustin'sMom I can imagine some of the nightmares out there but I'm kinda in the business of vehicle transportation so not too worried about the carrier just looking for some help on the recieving end... If  all goes well I will share my refrences and tips with anybody else here that may need the same help.

Perhaps you can give a car storage facility authorization to accept it?  Also, try asking your Family Readiness Group and/or the Ombudsman for your ship.  They should be familiar with car storage or have some advice.  

If you're not in touch with your FRG or Ombudsman, here's info http://www.navyformoms.com/group/whatsanombudsmanandhowtocontactthe...

Hi Ladies! My husband is on the USS Jason Dunham, my son is about to start C school at Dam Neck. Me and my other 3 boys are moving to the area in June from WI. I am looking for some tips for a good area to live that's an easy drive from Norfolk Base. I have been told by a few that they recommend Chesapeake over VA Beach. I see that Grassfield High School looks like a good school thats a 30 min drive and I was thinking of looking more into an neighborhood around there. Any advice?  Thanks so much! :)

@Tumbleweed... The 30 minute drive is calculated without traffic; it will probably be closer to an hour during rush hour.  Lots of people like Chesapeake because you seem to get more house for your money.  Grassfield is a new school, but that area is growing like crazy, so you might want to check on school crowding.  There may be someone who lives in that area and can give you more specifics. If you can (or your Sailor can) try to drive to a few locations during the busiest hours to get a sense of the commute.  Traffic here starts picking up by 6 am and starts to ease around 8 am. By about 4 pm, the roads home get pretty congested. The HOV (minimum 2 in the car) lanes are restricted from 6-8 am heading to the base and 4-6 pm heading away from the base.   

I think it is all a matter of personal preference, but I like Virginia Beach; we have great schools, awesome community centers and, of course, the beach!  LOL We can also take back roads to get to the base that let us avoid the highway.  Always good to have a plan B around here.

Whatever you choose, I hope you like it here as much as we do!