PIR Reference Information

Sarge (John Sparado) asked me to post this information:

The Sundance Saloon in conjunction with Veterans Transportation Network is hosting the first Meet and Greet for Navy Dads and Navy Moms on October 6^th 2011 from 7:00PM until closing. Free transportation will be provided to the Sundance Saloon which is located in the Fountain Square Shopping center (less than 3 minutes from the Hotels). Transportation to and from the following hotels is free, Marriott Courtyard Waukegan, Marriott Spring Hill Suites Waukegan, Marriott Residence Inn Waukegan, Holiday Inn Express Waukegan, and the Candlewood  Suites in Waukegan.  For the Ramada and other hotels the rate is very fair. See our contact information below.

Buffett Food is complimentary and will be provided by the Sundance Saloon.  Every person attending will be given a coupon for their graduating sailor for a free meal this weekend at Trattoria-Pomigliano restaurant located at 600 N. Milwaukee Avenue in Libertyville. Sailor must be accompanied by their family or host family. Here is their face book http://www.facebook.com/pages/Trattoria-Pomigliano/119923645811 link.

The evening will be very informative and fun, yes fun.  Brief subjects covered are:  what to expect at graduation, do’s and don’ts, how to get to graduation quicker than others, places to go and see, and how to save money while in the Chicago land area. Sarge and his partner Gene will be available throughout the night for any questions you may have.

Now I did say fun. The Sundance Saloon will provide a DJ for entertainment and the free buffet food.  There will be dancing and songs by request. This is a country saloon so bring your cowboy hats. The Saloon is actually within walking distance from the hotels mentioned below.  If you prefer you can also order food off their award winning menu. 

Your Sailors, like Gene and I are serving our United States with honor. Gene and I have combined over 26 years in the Armed Forces. As veterans we know what these young men and women have gone through and where they are heading.  Let’s make it a FUN AND INFORMATIVE night.  We will reserve subject material for those who arrive late.

Thank you our Veterans for your service, the parents, friends, wives, husbands and siblings of our proud young men and women.

CONTACT information Dena (Host Sundance saloon) 847-887-0858 – 300 Lakehurst Road, Waukegan, IL

Directions click here http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&gs_upl=4096l10265l0l10776l24l...

John Spadaro (AKA Sarge) 847-212-0246

Gene Spencer (AKA Og) 815-307-5154

I have heard that the Ramada Meet and Greet is alot of fun so I intend to go to the Ramada first and then go to Sarge's. Looking forward to both and to meeting the Navy4Moms people I have met on here!  Three more weeks!!

I don't know, but if he is I will be going to both Meet and Greets.  I have heard alot of good things about Sarge and I have also heard that the one at the Ramada is fun.

I am the same way; although I think the answer was there AFTER you posted this!  I just saw it before you did.  I had the same question, though, so I was glad to see the answer!

Oh! OK! Thanks Kathy! The laptop seems to be his main concern, worried it won't fit in the back pack. I was unaware they could use an additional bag. This soft pack laptop bag is really good news! Does that count as a 2nd carry-on? I HAVE heard they can check as many bags as they want. Is this true?

You might be the perfect person to ask about HM A-School too! LOL! My SR will be going to San Antonio. Do you know how roommates are assigned? Is it random or do they get to choose? Thanks for your help!

Just got back from Chicago - what a great event!!!  It was so awesome, seeing the divisions march into the hall.  I hope everyone who can make the trip to PIR does - it's the memory of a lifetime!

Regarding the black backpack - it is very large (expandable) and we were able to get the laptop, shoes, various undergarments, some food and other electronics.  They also had their seabags and a garment bag to carry.  Hope this helps!!

Philly - I had brought him some brownies and we picked up some candy when we were out on Friday.  I know others have talked about snacks as well.  Remember, since you're giving them this stuff at the airport, it just has to fit in the backpack.  The brownies were nearly gone by the time they checked their bags (watching them move their gear was pretty amusing!) - kids can smell brownies a mile away! Since my son's group had been up and out so early, they were pretty hungry by the time we showed up...That was a challenge, since there are limited food options before going through security.

Each airport is different - his group flew out of Midway.  After they checked their bags, they went to the USO and hung out for most of the day.  They had the option to take the train into the city, but decided not to.  Since we had to drive back to Atlanta we stayed with the sailors for about 90 mins - enough time to visit and meet his buddies.  They didn't head for the gate/security until after we left, so we didn't need to worry about gate passes.

So, if we want Sarge to have a meet & greet on 11/4 we need to call him?  or is he planning one every week?  I wonder if his first one was well attended, and if not, maybe he is thinking it isn't worth having more.  But I liked the plan of his and it sounded much more fun.  So, please let us know what is in the plans

I am happy to go to both Ramada and Sarge's., but I have too much on my plate to try to set up a second one for Sarge... Is he having them automatically?  (sorry if this sounds snarky, I just want to know and not have to chase the info)

I'll be posting some information on Sarge's meet and greet over the weekend for PIR on 11/10.  I just might go to his instead of the Ramada.  Not sure yet.

I have a question about PIR - alot of moms recommend sitting on the upper levels of the bleachers.  But after watching some videos of PIR I'm wondering why they feel the upper seats are better.  From the video, it seemed harder to see your sailor and people standing up in front of you blocking your view. 

Philly5- I'm also staying at the Springhill Suites for my daughter's PIR 11/18. Did you as for a military discount? If so and if you don't mind me asking what was the rate of your room? I didn't but received a AAA discount. I'm paying $80 per night for 2 queen beds. Also, did you get a hot breakfast buffet or was it continental? The photos looked nice online. It's just nice to hear it a review from someone who stayed there.

We stayed at the Navy Lodge, in Great Lakes, for our son's PIR, on 10-21.  Very nice and really close.  $65 per night.  You sign in under your SR's name.  They gave us 'breakfast to go' in a little bag.  It was a bagel, cream cheese, OJ and a granola bar.  They also have a little gift shop there and info on local attractions.  We also had access tothe NEX, which is right in the same complex as the Navy Lodge. 

Hi, Philly5!!

Trying to prepare for PIR and came across this in one of the discussions above...

"7. You don't have a lot of time with your sailor in the PIR Hall....they will urge you to get out after some photos. Your sailor will return to their ship to get their pictures for you....could take a while....arrange a place to meet him/her on base."

Here are my questions... About how long is the wait generally, for those flying out the next day? Do the shuttles wait too? Where do parents typically wait for their sailor? Thanks!

Just got back from my son's PIR on the 28th.  It was amazing, and just wanted to share my limited experiences.  We stayed at the Residence Inn, which was really nice (we drove all night and got in about 10am and they let us check in early).  We decided to go to Sarge's Meet and Greet since most of the people I have gotten to know best were going there, and it was really nice.  About 10 families came, which wasn't many, but with two to pick from, I think most went to the more established one.  He had great info and is a really nice guy. 

We were actually able to drive directly onto base without having to wait in a line, which is almost unheard of, from what I understand.  There was not a long line inside, either.  We were not asked to show my 11 year old's birth certificate there, but did need it for the gate pass at the airport.  We sat about halfway up in the bleachers, and unfortunately, I had not checked out the camera I planned to use before I went, and it wasn't working properly, so I didn't get the pictures I wanted.  I got some, but there were blurry.  Definately check out your equipment before leaving home!  We waited at the NEX for him to go back to the ship to get his pictures, so we ordered the DVD while we waited.  Major crowds in the NEX; wouldn't recomment going there right afterward.  I got a sweatshirt for my younger son and realized when I got home it was a woman's size, not a men's size, so he can't wear it.  It was just to crowded to shop.  We went to lunch and to Verizon to upgrade his phone and get a hotspot for A school since he can't get internet there without it, and then just hung out at the hotel.  We met him at the airport the next day.  We didn't use a taxi service and didn't have time to tour Chicago, so I don't have any info on those things.  It was a great experience, but next time we visit him, I will NOT drive there!  It was a long trip. 

Has anyone who's been to PIR taken the "Navy Tour Chicago" bus? It's a bus or shuttle that takes you all over Chicago. $40 round trip. It departs from the base at 11am after PIR and returns you around 7pm. Just wanted to get someone else's take on it.

Bellachella, I figured my daughter would not have the energy to go into the city. She liked the idea of staying fairly local. She really liked the idea of hanging out at the Gurnee Mall and eating at Cracker Barrel then head to the hotel and just relax and talk. All she wants to do is talk and catch up with us. So since her father needs to spend time with her separate from us. He will spend time with her Friday and Sunday and my family and I will go into Chicago after PIR on Friday and hang; Saturday will be our time with her. We'll have her the whole day :o) Sarge also told me the train station is 100 yards away from the base; easy walk. So we may just do that since it's a lot cheaper as well. I can't wait for PIR which is November 18.

Congrats to you and your sailor!

Wanda G - The best advice I got last weekend was the train station parking!  The driveway/road literally ends in the parking lot.  Just keep to the left, as everyone else will be turning right onto the base.  Get your "space number" because you will need it when you pay for parking.

Thanks Whit's Mom but we will not be driving. We will be using Sarge's service to get picked up and dropped off, except for Chicago. We plan to take the train in for that.

We parked on base and it was very easy and didn't have a long walk to get in...they say if you are trying to get off base quickly after PIR that there is a lot of traffic.   But for us, we hung around for a little bit so it didn't matter and there wasn't a wait to get off base.

@kristie yes, for $2 you can park in the train lot.  You don't have to wait in traffic and it is literally a stone's throw to the hall.  It is closer than any lot on base.