Norfolk Sailors - Family & Friends

Good Afternoon-

My daughter will be arriving on the USS GW, any idea how I find out when the actual arrival date will be?  I need to make travel arrangements.

singingbird - it can really flood in the area (Hampton Blvd by Gate 5 is notorious) but the parking lots on base seem to do ok.  I recall that the storm surge following Hurricane Sandy in 2012 caused a lot of similar concern about the parking lots near the piers but the water didn't top the piers and the lots were ok, water of course from the storm but no flooding.  Hope that helps allay your concerns :)  Fingers crossed for your sailor!

Margie - here's how to find your ombudsman and FRG.  Specific info about ship movements and dates can't be discussed on social media due to OPSEC (operations security) guidelines.

Hi all - Happy Wednesday!

I sent another email to sailor last night asking how the weather is affecting them while on the underway. Woke up this morning to a response from him: "Ya we are rocking real hard on the ship!  Have been for the last couple days.  Makes working out a little harder haha."  Hopefully they all stay safe.

My son is on the Truman!

You can follow the hurricane/storm updates from WAVY-TV 10 at http://wavy.com/category/weather/hurricane/  and on their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/wavytv10?fref=ts.  This is from a few hours ago... "Here's the 5 PM update from the National Hurricane Center:

Hurricane Joaquin is expected to strengthen into a Category 2 hurricane by tomorrow, then a major Category 3 storm by Saturday. The latest track takes Hurricane Joaquin directly into Hampton Roads by Sunday. PLEASE NOTE: The European Model (which did very well with Hurricane Sandy) takes Joaquin out to sea! The track is still VERY UNCERTAIN, however, if you want to prepare, buy an extra case of water, batteries, flashlights, and maybe fill your car with gas."  

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — All Navy ships in Hampton Roads have been ordered to Sortie Condition Charlie due to Hurricane Joaquin.

The order was issued Wednesday as precaution due to the hurricane’s possible approach to the area this weekend. Sortie Condition Charlie means all ships must be prepared to get underway within 48 hours if deemed necessary.

Navy officials also ordered all installations in the area to set Tropical Cyclone Condition Four, meaning the trend indicates possible destructive winds within 72 hours. The hurricane is expected to bring high winds and rain to the Mid-Atlantic coast.

Navy families can get more information at: https://navyfamily.navy.mil

Hi all - Happy Thursday!

Saw on the Truman FB page a post from the Captain.  Said they were pulling in to restock supplies & then heading right back out to sea.  Trying to stay ahead of the storm. I have faith the Navy knows what they are doing - they've been doing this a long time lol!

Thanks for the update Marcy! 

Stay safe everyone!

My son has gone from the desert of Bahrain to the flooding of Norfolk. Where's the happy medium??

BTW, my son still hasn't found a place to live so is living on the ship. Will they move the sailors somewhere inland if it gets bad enough? His ship is in drydock I believe.

All ships have been put on 48 hour Sortie notice.

what the heck does that mean? Never heard that term

The notice was put out yesterday and means all ships if able prepare to get underway within the next 48 hours.

Thanks. Don't want to talk about ship movement, but wondering if that's what's going to happen. Considering he just got to Norfolk, not sure he's ready to ship out

Depending on the weather track, they very well may have to be at sea. Orders are orders, don't think he'll have a choice to ship out or not.

Concernedad - Capt. Scholl from the Truman posted late yesterday on the public Truman FB page "Truman friends & family, Hurricane Joaquin is expected to move up the East Coast.  As a flagship, for command and control, we are directed along with many other ships to remain at sea.  We will conduct a 4 hour resupply in port and head back out.  Only supplies and Sailors on travel orders will be allowed on the pier - unfortunately, there won't be a chance for liberty.  We will continue to provide updates, so stay connected with the FRG".

Wonderful. My son just bought and picked up his new truck yesterday. With his luck, he'll come back and find it under water.

http://www.navytimes.com/story/military/2015/10/01/norfolk-ships-pr...

This is from Navy Times.

New improved South wall of bakery. Display goes in the big opening. Granite counter goes on the little window and the bigger one. 

Conserned.... One of my sailors had PIR, came home on leave, got a call to report to Norfolk early. He got 5 days with us then flew to Norfolk. 4 hours after landing at the airport he was on a moving ship. Got a pic from another mom, he looked like a deer caught in headlights. Did just fine that deployment. 

We have to praise the Lord because He answered prayer and Hurricane Jochiem (sp) went out to sea!  Yay! There has been some flooding in various but nothing really serious. :)

Yvonne and John

For those of you moms and dads who haven't heard about us, my husband and I invite sailors(soldiers and marines too) over to our home on the weekends to have a place to hang out. We feed them and play board games, watch football and movies occasionally and also do some special activities. Like Re-enactments in Yorktown, Williamsburg, etc. If any of you think your sons or daughters would be interested , we can pm you our cell number and they can get in touch with us if they want. We even provide rides if they have no transportation.

Yvonne and John 

Just had to share!  My son and his wife bought their first house in Chesapeake...I am so proud of them!  In the past two years, he has joined the Navy, got married, underway upon arrival in Norfolk, got his OWN cell phone, truck, insurance and now a home!  So much happened in such a short period of time that it makes my head spin!  Where did my little boy go?  Grandchildren next I hope!!!  Thank you Lord for all your blessings!!

Just had to get it out!!  Everyone enjoy your evening...

Joe&NatesMom - Congratulations! It is exciting to watch our kids grow up but definitely bittersweet as well.

Hi all - Happy Tuesday!

Joe&NatesMom - Yes that is exciting!  Nice to see our kids growing up & becoming responsible young adults.  Sounds like you've raised a great son!  Great job momma!  (& I hope you get those grandbabies soon ;-))

Joe&NatesMom, that's wonderful to hear!  You have a LOT to be proud of!

Hi all,  it has been a while since I have posted.  I read all on my I Phone and have to turn on desk top to replay.  My son  has my lap top and will until he deploys on his sub later this year.  He has not earned his dolphins yet (first deployment) and can not have lap top until dolphins are earned).  I will enjoy having my lap top back so that I am not tied to desk top to do any computer work.  So happy all of our prayers were answered and Joaquin went out to sea and did not make landfall.  SC is really having it rough and I can not imagine all the work ahead of them to get back some since of order in their lives.  My prayers are with all effected by the weather last week.  In GA just lots of rain last week.  My husband loves to white water kayak and he is excited that the water levels will be going up again.  They have been very low.  My sailor is underway for the third time in as many months.  They are getting ready for their long deployment.  They went out before the weather got too rough.  Just hoping the car was not left near his barracks.  Time will tell I guess.  Take care and remember to pray for all of our military families.   

Joe&NatesMom,

I hope the chocolate carmel apple makes it there without melting too! I know in the past whenever we have sent care pkgs. to the sailors who have been to our home, it has either melted or clumped together. I would try and package it individually somehow so they have a better chance. :)

Is your son in Spain on the Ross by any chance? A couple of sailors of ours are...just wondering. :)

Have a great day!

Yvonne and John

John and Yvonne

No, my son is not on the Ross.  He is stationed at the hospital in Rota.  He told me that when he got there, he met two Sailors from one of the Ships.  He didn't say which one.  They went sight seeing, and they showed him around the city.  He sent some wonderful pitctures!  Very exciting for him.  I thought my oldest was lucky because when he got to Norfolk, his ship deployed within two weeks of his arrival.  He got to see a part of the world that not many get a chance to see.  Now my youngest is in Spain!  I miss him very much, but when else would he be able to live in such a wonderful place doing something that he didn't even know he wanted to do (Corpsman)?  Anyway...thanks for the Carmel Apple tip...I got two from Gertrude Hawk and they are individually wrapped, so I am going to keep my fingers crossed! 

We have two of our sailors stationed in Spain and they love it! So much to see of Europe.

Yvonne

Happy Birthday to the Navy!  HOOYAH!

Hooyah indeed!  This has some interesting did-you-know Navy birthday info, from the Norfolk TV station WTKR-Ch 3 http://wtkr.com/2015/10/13/u-s-navy-celebrates-its-240th-birthday/  such as... How many acres and buildings does the Navy own in Hampton Roads?  How many ships and aircraft at Naval Station Norfolk?  How many active duty and reserve sailors in the Navy right now?  Impress your sailor!  LOL

So THAT's where I left my car!  LOL  Norfolk airport to hold auction for left-behind items and abandoned...  I admit I would love to check out one of these sales someday  :)  

Hi all - Happy Wednesday!

I don't know for sure Brooke but I can say I wouldn't give up the original to them - it would be horrible if it got lost!  I would just send them a copy (maybe call them 1st & let them know a copy is coming).  Then you can show them the original when you arrive....

Thanks for the trivia Marcy - some interesting tidbits there. I'll impress my sailor with a few new facts!

B'sNukeMom is right, don't send the original, just send an email or copy of the notarized POA.  This page has contact info for the Relocation Assistance Office for Naval Station... if you have other questions (phone is 757-444-2102) along with a list of other PCS-related links.  And there's also Military OneSource; this page also has links to more info about moving.  Best of luck with everything!

Check these out!  Cake and cupcakes from http://www.yumyumeatemupcakes.com in Virginia Beach :) 

Hello All,

     My husband and I will be greeting our son when his ship comes into Norfolk in Dec. This will be the first time for all of us. I would appreciate any information that would make it special for my son and hopefully lots of buddies.