Norfolk Sailors - Family & Friends

@HuffyMom, yep some need a bigger nudge than others LOL But just trying one trip is a great start.  On the base, they have sailing lessons available for sailors at the marina this summer.  It's a nice marina too, some great boats there.  I would love to have that opportunity right where I live!

Yeah, I remember, in January when my son graduated from boot camp, I thought it was horrindous for him to have to walk all the way from his ship to the visitor's center to meet us in that freezing cold, snow!!  He is a Texas boy for heaven's sake!  I just knew he was going to get hypothermia!  lol  He has faired that weather better than I could. I offered to mail him an umbrella, he said he didn't need one. I guess he didn't want to been caught dead using one, or maybe they weren't allowed.  I have no doubt he will take advantage of his liberty with trips to various places.  That is...if he has any money left from cab fares etc...He is currently paying on a student loan also. 

HuffyMom, I have a friend at work that shipped his sailor's car to her in Washington State at one time.  Would you like me to ask what shipping company he used?  It may take a couple of days for me to get back with you. I don't blame you, that would make me very nervous too!!

Have him take a cab to the Navy Lodge on Hampton Blvd, I just called and the smallest room they have is one with two queen beds, rate $76, available for tonight only, phone # is 757-489-2656.  He'll be right by the base and can get in touch with his command.

Address is 7811 Hampton Blvd, all cab drivers will know it.

Only Navy enlisted and veterans and their families can stay there, he'll be safe there too.  I took a sailor there last fall when his sponsor failed to show.  Wish I or my sailor was there to help!

Sent you a PM too :)

OH GOOD!!  Looks like he lived up to the Marine Corps mantra "improvise, adapt and overcome"!

Don't blame you for worrying though, as it's all a new experience.  We're all here for you! 

Co-Twin Sailors Mom: My son has many of the same interests as you son. In fact, he also went camping memorial weekend and likes to fish, hunt too. My son does have his truck there. Right now my son is still living on his ship (Truman) but would like to get a place if he could find good roommates. What ship is your son on?

Leach 73 - My son is on the Truman and looking for a roommate or roommates to get a place off base. He has a couple friends who just rented a place. He has one female friend (just friends) he has thought about asking. If your daughter would be interested, maybe the two girls could share a room. He is a good kid - never gave me any trouble and grew up in the church. He has been in Norfolk for about a month and hasn't attended church yet but I think he is willing/interested. He does have his truck there. I sent you a friend request. Let me know if interested in discussing. 

My son will be on the USS Iwo Jima starting this Friday, 6/6.  He's a Christian, single and a CSSR.

Hi, Is there a mom on here that's Sailor just reported to the USS Gonzalez in Norfolk?  Thanks, Patty 

DARmpm - thanks!! I accepted our friend request. I will reply to you later. For some reason when I try to send a message from my work computer, it doesn't work :( I have to do it from home but sometimes i don't get to the computer every night. and Yes, I too hope my daughter plugs in to a good church.  CO-Twin mentioned Hampton Church and I meant to tell my Sailor about it. I forgot!

Does anyone know how to reach B-Ready whose son Steven had the skin problem. They were from Texas. She left the group and I would like to speak with her. 

<tford517@gmail.com>Here Is her email. I asked her first and she is OK with whoever would like to keep in touch.

C)-TwinSailors Mom THANK YOU!

Forgot to mention my son also likes the line dancing. We will have to see if we can get them together to go to the Wagners.

thanks CO-TwinSalorsMom for letting DARmom know how to get in touch with B-Ready. :)

And we would love it if both of your sons came over on the weekends.

Yvonne

To Fritz,

You've probably seen my husband and I mentioned...we open our home to the sailors stationed here on the weekends to have a place to hang out. We feed them and play board games or go to special events in the area on Saturday evening from 5 to 9, and on Sundays we go to Azalea Garden Church of God (he is welcome to come) and after church we gather at our house for a home cooked dinner(including homemade bread and dessert) :) from 1 to 5. If he needs a ride we can provide that too. 

Yvonne and John Wagner

I am so excited!  My Sailor graduates from HT A school Thursday & should be coming home Friday on leave, before heading to Norfolk!  Wahoo!!

Congratulations!!  Have a wonderful visit!  :)

Thank you Marcy!  Haven't seen him since January.

Hello ....just wanted to say goodbye to the Norfolk group...our sailor has new orders so it is time to move on.  It has been  great being part of this group  you have all been very helpful at times when I need it.  Take care all...maybe I will see some of you on chat.

Thank you, so much, Yvonne and John!  What is the best way for you and my son to contact each other?

No I have tried calling and texting my son.

What happened??

What news feed?

Got it on local Norfolk channel. Apparently "incidents" are so common place these days the major news networks are not even covering. I think it's about time families start demanding better mental health screening of those coming into the military and better education, treatment for those serving - including how to handle stress, anxiety, frustration and when to seek help. 

Pray for peace for our Naval bases and all military bases.

just went on to CNN.com and read about the lockdown at the base in Portsmouth.

God help us.

My son is at the Norfolk base and they were on lockdown too. It just seems that too many young people these days do not have adequate conflict management skills - how to resolve differences peacefully, de-escalate situations, walk-away... that combined with increasing percentages of mental health issues among young people, and I do not see this getting better any time soon - unless screening and training changes. This is the third incident in about six months. If our sailors cannot decompress when they are not on deployment but instead have to be on guard for the next person who is gonna snap they will all likely end up with PTSD or other mental issues. Also, I was sharing with some other folks this week that my son has worked 114 hours in eight days - Oh, and no OT because apparently the military personnel do not get the same benefit of our labor laws (minimum wage / overtime) that every other American and non-American working in this country. Don't recall the recruiter mentioning that, and I certainly don't see where he waved his rights as a U.S. citizen in his contract! While he loves his job, he is fatigued and exhausted and was irritable and frustrated until he finally had a day off to rest. I understand those kinds of hours on deployment or in a combat zone, but not when they are not on deployment. And then we all wonder why these young people snap and hurt themselves or others. I'm just a concerned mom and concerned American....

CO-Twin,

Were these long hours for cranking?  They are similar to what my son endured for 3 long months washing dishes.  If one guy showed up late & drunk, they all lost their few days off.  The worst part is that new sailors that came in after him are now more advanced because he missed 3 months of training.  Yea, overtime pay would wake them up to this situation.

Co-TwinSailorsMom - I agree that people anywhere in society can snap. I don't know what the answer is but when you have so many young in close quarters so effort needs to be made. I know colleges teach conflict resolution skills in the dorms. Not sure if they do anything like that for military. I have also heard stories that when kids do speak up and say they are struggling in one way or another some are ridiculed - basically bullied - by chain of command. 

Yeah, it would be nice if our elected official worked even 1/2 the hours of our military. It's messed up.

Hello all! Just joining in! My son is stationed in Norfolk..YN right outta A school!

Hi HawaiiKat!  Welcome..  So he has just recently arrived?

Hi HuffyMom23..yes, he arrived last week Wed..

What does he think so far?  Is he on a ship on the base or a ship in the shipyard?  My son has been in the shipyard with his ship every since he arrived out there the middle of January.  He does have a room on the base but was mainly staying on the barge until recently.  We took a TV out to him in May, so he likes going to his base room now. ha