Sub Moms

My son has been in the Navy for over 6 years.  He has flown home from Connecticut and Hawaii several times.  We have NEVER found any military discounts.  So if there are discounts available, PLEASE tell me where and how to get them!  It is very expensive to fly to and from Hawaii and he is planning to come home next year sometime.

My son is in GC and just finished A-school and will be starting power school in January. I can't wait to see him on his leave at New Years!!!

Moms:

Long, long ago, in a galaxy far, far away, there were journey Jedi we called, "Travel Agents."  They are near-extinct (thanks to internet), but it's worth tracking one or two down to become friends with.

Why:

• She knows the tricks of the trade.
• Her services are free to you.
• She'll save you DAYS of sitting at the computer.
• She's alerted at all fare changes.
• When 'SNAFU's occur, the kid calls HER to get right on it.

1) Meet her in person, to get a sense of the "helpfulness" factor.  I'd also use one nearby, if possible.  My banker knows me by sight, because I purposely go in occasionally to ask about the family.  He has a lovely family, but my real aim is cutting out the "crap" when I call him from London because my credit card is suspended.

2) Tell her you're skeptical, but you'll try it to see if it helps save money or time - letting her know she'd better come through, or you're gone.

3) Tell her everything affecting your kid's travel - medical (epileptic?), food (kosher?), situation (MILITARY?)  She should create a profile alerting airlines & hotels to all this stuff.  Also, is he willing to fly "red eyes?"  Use alternate airports? Take multi-legs or multi-airline trips?

4) Let her enroll you in frequent flyer programs. They're free AND they  improve the service airlines give YOU.

5) Tell her all the elaborate "IF... THEN... ELSE..." scenarios the Navy has created for his visit. Jumping through the hoops is what she's paid for.

6) See what she comes up with. You can still be looking at home, but she might beat your price, or else come so close that it's worth letting her deal with the hassle!

Oh, BTW ('by the way')...

'SNAFU' is a military term meaning... um... uh... "not working right."  For a more precise translation, ask Mark ;-)

This holiday season, keep a "candle in the window" to show you're thinking of military personnel who won't be with loved ones, and to keep them in the minds of those who live around us.

"Putting a candle in a window is an ancient practice.  Throughout history, fire has meant warmth, security, food, and a barrier against the unsafe in an untamed wilderness.  The glow from the family hearth has come to represent these very feelings.

In most cultures, a candle in the window was used to signal a family's loyalty to a loved one away traveling. To the traveler, it was a signal flare during bad weather and indicated someone was awake, awaiting their return.  It also began to show a ready welcome of any traveler needing warmth and safety." **

Let our service people know that your home is their home, and someone there is thinking of them and waiting for their return.

(Please use an electric or battery-operated light, to prevent fires. **History text copied from www.americanfamilytraditions.com)

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!
I will try the militarytravel and every other sugestion,,
My son just called me,he wants to add a little more exitment to my job and wants to fly from an other city.
I am vewry happy to see him...

Lisbeth: I think it is tough when something like this changes, and I would not want to be one of the 1st to do this, but I guess that is how change comes. My son is on a fast attack so this won't happen on his sub anytime soon, but he did say he would not like it. 

At Groton submarine base do the sailors who live in the barracks just park their cars in an outdoor lot (even when they go to sea)?   Is there any provision for indoor storage of automobiles when they are deployed?  Thanks.

Thanks everyone I will be giving my son my 2010 Hyundai to replace his old beater so I ordered a car cover for it and am also thinking about a battery disconnect switch. The other risk is getting flat spots on the tires from being parked in one spot for too long but I suppose that cannot be avoided.

This is a little late ( I haven't been able to go on N4M's much do to illness) But....Thank you Kaye S. for the your helpful tips on getting the best price on airline tickets....amoung other things.

Susank- I was wondering if you knew what your son did to his tank before going on deployment? My son is on his first deployment. Before he left he covered his car and disconnected his battery. For future reference, I was wondering if anyone else had other tips on how to 'secure' a car before deployment?

-Thank you for the useful tips you mentioned Susank.

Hi Ladies,

I'm new here - my son will be graduating from A School mid January, and found out recently he'll be stationed in Honolulu, HI on the USS Bremerton.  Can anyone tell me if there is a group specifically for that sub?

Thanks!

Marlene, Sorry but it wasn't through Molly's Adopt A Sailor as we adopt deployed troops. Good luck, I hope you find someone to share some Christmas love with.

Marlene, Try to get in touch with the chaplain @ Groton.  This would probably be your best bet!

Patrick's mom- at the top of the page (left hand side)above the picture next to the title of this group 'Sub Moms' is a link titled All Groups. If you click that it will take you to a page with a listing of all the groups available. You can then enter in the search box whatever group you are looking for. I took the liberity to try to find if there was a group for the USS Bremerton. Unfortuantely there is not one.  You can make a group for USS Bremerton. Yet, if that group, or any other group is inactive for a certain amount of time it will be eliminated. You might want to see if you can find some other moms in this group that have sons on the USS Bremerton, before making a group.

Susank- Thank you for your information and for your kind wishes. It is greatly appreciated. I will have to let my son know about the helpful hints you mentioned on preparing a car,before going on deployment (if and when he is deployed again). 

 I'm dealing with a mild cold and a kidney infection...a UTI gone wrong.Plus, I have some chronic health problems.  All I want to due is curl up in bed and get better....but, I still need to get some Christmas shopping (& other stuff) done and time is flying by! I've had a couple pity parties for myself recently.

-Then I take a look at the horror that happened in Newport CT. and I become teary eyed and speechless with grief for the loss of all the families involved.  My prayers go out to them. My God be beside them and give them strength to deal with their loss of their love one/s.

Rebecca, thank you so much for taking the time to look into a group for the USS Bremerton for me.  I so appreciate it.  I will take your advice and look for Moms here with sons on that particular sub.

I do hope you are feeling better and get those last minute things done!  It's hard to do when you're healthy, not to mention when you are not.  I just cleaned house today in preparation for my son coming home this Friday.  But... still have presents to wrap, cookies to frost, etc.  I really need tomorrow or Friday off, but that isn't happening because I took the whole next week off.  So, somehow it will all just have get done!

I am so with you on the Connecticut tragedy.  As I prepare to receive my beloved son home for Christmas, many parents are burying their precious kindergartners.  It's just absolutely unthinkable and so very tragic.  My husband and I continue to pray daily for all affected.  Hopefully our prayers coupled with thousands of others, will bring peace and comfort to all who need it so desperately right now.

Again, thank you for your advice and help.  Merry Christmas!

Hello Everyone! We just found out our son is to report for duty on the USS Pittsburgh on February 20th. He will be graduating Prototype in January. Any advise?

does anyone know which sub is out at sea the longest?

Stephanie - the Boomer subs can be out from 3-6 months while the fast attack subs can be out 6-9 months at a time.

Merry Christmas to everyone, I am enjoying a visit from both my Navy grandsons this Christmas

Fast attack sailors have the most at sea time especially since there is only one crew on the fast attack and two crews that alternate on the Boomer's.

Can anyone tell me what, if any, restaurants are on the base? I would like to get him gift cards to use when he gets back to Groton but I'm not sure what is there. Thanks.

Thanks. I know neither of my sailors need any more stuff for Christmas (my son in Pensacola says its too much to move around all the time!) so I figured food cards would be best. Wishing all of you a safe and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Stephanie - Fast Attack subs have the longest deployments but they also have many "short trips" of anywhere from 2 to 8 or 9 weeks in between.  The deployments are usually 18 - 24 months apart.  But nothing is set in stone. 

Thanks, Seahorse. Luke doesn't have a car. I don't know how often he leaves the base so I'd better stick to Subway.

Ray ray, there's both a Longhorn Steakhouse and an Outback Steakhouse not far from the base near Crystal Hills Mall.

It has been a while since I have been on.. it's just been so busy.. I hope everyone that has their sailors home have a wonderful visit for the holidays. My sub son is home but the other one is not :( .. Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all. Stay safe! 

A Sailor's Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas, he lived in a crowd,
In a 150 man berthing, with shipmates so loud.

I had come down the exhaust stack with presents to give,
And to see just who in this rack did live.

I looked all about, a strange sight did I see,
No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.
No stockings were hung, just boots close at hand,
On the bulkhead hung pictures of far distance land.

He had medals and badges and awards of all kind,
And a sober thought came into my mind.
For this place was different, it was so dark and dreary,
I had found the house of a sailor, once I could see clearly.

The sailor lay sleeping, silent and alone,
Curled up in his rack, dreaming of home.
The face was so gentle, the berthing in such good order,
Not how I pictured a United States Sailor.

Was this the hero whom I saw on TV?
Defending his country so we all could be free?
I realized the families that I've seen this night,
Owed their lives to these sailors who were willing to fight.

Soon round the world, the children would play,
And grownups would celebrate a new Christmas Day.
They all enjoyed freedom each month of the year,
Because of the sailor, like the one lying here.

I couldn't help but wonder how many lay alone,
On a cold Christmas Eve on a sea, far from home. The very thought brought a tear to my eye,
I dropped to my knees and started to cry.

The sailor awakened and I heard a rough voice,
"Santa, don't cry, for this life is my choice."
"Defend the seas this day, So others may rejoice."
The sailor rolled over and drifted to sleep,

I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.
I kept watch for hours so silent, so still,
And we both shivered from the night's cold chill.
I didn't want to leave on that cold, dark night,

This guardian of honor so willing to fight.
Then the sailor rolled over and with a voice soft and pure,
Whispered, "Carry on Santa, it's Christmas Day, All is Secure."

Merry Christmas to one and all.

susank-Thank you for this poem.  I loved it.  I read it at dinner last night to grandparents, a great aunt, and my husband and daughter.  There was not a dry eye in the place.  I did this all knowing and trying to keep secret that our sailor was coming for a surprise visit Christmas Day. 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you and your sailors!  Hooyah!

Merry Christmas to All!!  Have a wonderful day.  God Bless Everyone.

Merry Christmas everyone!  Thinking of all our sailors that are standing the watch today.  May the good lord keep them all out of harms way!  Our Sailor is not at sea this holiday.  We were able to skype with him a short time ago while he opened ALL of the presents I sent him and we opened the presents he sent us.  How great to be able to see and talk with him. What a great thing to do with us being in Pittsburgh and he is in Seattle.  It was almost like having him in the living room with us for an hour.  This is the 3rd Christmas that he has not been able to come home and I really miss him! Happy Hollidays to all!

Merry Christmas everyone! May God Bless you all and our service men and women

Look who surprised everyone for Christmas dinner at Grandma's house.  Yea!!!

Merry Christmas everyone!

My son is stationed in Guam and on Christmas Eve, something very tragic happened- One of his friends, a sailor, drown. He is very upset about this and I think he needs to talk to someone to help cope- Does anyone know who I can contact that maybe could reach out to him?

Bonnie - how horrible and especially this time of year.  You can contact his Ormsbudman and they might be able to give you some information

Hi Bonnie,

My son was also friends with the Sailor that died. He is very upset. Please share with me what you find out.