USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77)

My son was on a all day working party and he emailed and said they brought on around 84 pallets of mail. Hopefully your packages are arriving.

Hi everyone!! I'm new to this group...my son just arrived on the Carrier last week.

Ok  GO! Fill me in on what I need to know.... He called me Monday to say hi and hes doing well ....made it aboard safely... and that he may be able to call me regularly. He is an AOAR

This website was a godsend all through basic and even A school and strand so Im hoping to continue that streak...

I hope all of you and your sailors are doing well.

Welcome Aboard, Scooter!!!

Biggest "no no" I know on here is don't say your sailor's name in posts AND never mention dates (when they are arriving here, there, whenever...)

Lucky you, call from your sailor!  I'm still waiting for 3 care packages to arrive to mine (mailed out April 28th). 

HOT HOT HOT over in their area....highs near 111, lows near 80.

Hi scooter, welcome to the group and glad your son made it to the ship safely. Biggest thing to know is they are very busy out there and while communication may start out strong a lot of mom's get concerned the first time they don't hear from their Sailor when they think they should have. Don't panic and freak yourself out because more than likely he's so busy and tired he works, eats and goes to sleep. Care packages can take a long time to get there 4+ weeks so plan accordingly. Ask away if you have any questions as there is a lot of knowledgeable mom's in this group.

Scooter - don't let Dad (of Sailor) fool ya ;-)       We mom's may know a little but he's a walking encyclopedia on this Navy stuff!  If he doesn't know....you have to go directly to the Pentagon in D.C.

Anita, lol...I may know some Navy stuff but you guys got the "mom stuff" mastered. 

Hey all!!! I have the new Yorker magazine with the article in it!!! Just not sure how to share it. I do not have a scanner. Really enjoyed the article!!!

mrjmom, without a scanner it would be tough to share. It looked like a good article and I wanted to read it but have not been able to find it anywhere. Even searched my college library and no luck.

Here's some pics from the swim call that my daughter sent.

Dad of Sailor, thanks for the heads up on the shipment of mail arriving!  I'm thinking there's a good chance our packages are on it..

Hi everyone...thanks!!!

I know the basics from being in the other groups. Its so nice to have people to talk to who can share their experiences with ship life through their sailors. For instance....I didn't know they had "swim call" that's GREAT!! especially since its so hot.

@ Dad of sailor....Thx...I do remember that communication can be sparse.....I was just glad to hear from him... I won't freak myself out I know how busy they can be and he's not one for writing or emailing so I will just have to continue to keep my cell taped to my head in the chance that he does eventually call again...LOL

I'm looking forward to the stories they will all share when they return

Sending love, prayers and NMH's to all

Dad of Sailor, I took a few pics with my cell, came out ok..gonna see if my hubby can scan at work....

mrjmom, don't go to a bunch of trouble...I could quit being cheap and go out and buy that copy if it was really important to me. :) For other uses though, if you have a smart phone there are free apps that turn your phone into a scanner. Don't do it for this but it is useful for those that don't have a scanner available.

MarianneKT's, looks like a few of them are having to get their nerve up to make the actual jump. Thanks for posting.

For those that don't see the FRG Facebook posts, this was just posted...

From CMC Carter,
Just wanted to remind everyone that May is the last month we will receive hostile fire pay. We will continue to receive tax free pay until we depart the tax free zone. Please discuss with your Sailors and let them know they can expect their pay checks to be a little less starting
15 June.

gem6, thanks for the info...The article was dated April 21, 2014. Would they really post an article that a book has already been written about a couple years later? Would be interested to know what the story is between the older book and this recent article.

oh, sorry...thought you were saying the book came out last deployment. I'm with you now.

Since our sailors will no longer receive hostile fire pay on June 1st, that must mean that the area they're in will become instantly safer in less than two weeks.

I think it's time for Congress to take a pleasure boat tour into that area.  A little fishing, a little tubing, then they can let us all know how safe they felt.

I'm going to send my Congressman a note now.  Think he'll go?

Laura, great point. It is so easy for our elected leaders and the country as a whole to look to the military for budget cuts when they are safe in their homes and get to live their lives under the security provided by your and my Sailor and all those who serve around the world. I just heard on the news this morning that the IRS (one government agency) cost taxpayers $25.5 million for employees conducting union business during their working hours. Imagine the cost over the entire government? Yet they keep looking at military service members to make budgetary cuts. It saddens me to think that we allow this as a country.

As our Sailors are deployed off the coast of Iran and they prepare to lose their hazardous duty pay, Iran puts out an attack plan showing how they would attack a United States warship as it enters the Persian Gulf. 

I guess maybe it isn't as safe out there as the politicians at home would like to believe.

Iran Publicly Boasts Of Attack Plan Against The US Navy Read more: ...

The article is worrisome to me as well. This has been a difficult week for my family with the unexpected passing of my brother.I think as I sat and read a email from my sailor last night I realize he is truly a man.He is doing better with not being able to come home then I am with him not coming. It is with great pride that I get to announce my sailor is now a 3ed class Petty office and Blue Jacket of the quarter. 

NavyMomDPL,

Congrats to your Sailor on his noteworthy accomplishments.

Hello Everyone - This is my first time commenting on anything although I have enjoyed all information shared. 
The article shared by DAD is important information.  There are ways to help.  One of which is to join your local Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary.  Most all of you are eligible through your Sailor.  If you are interested in this send me a message and I will help you.  Please continue sharing your stories as I enjoy.  I have only heard from my Sailor twice since he has been gone so I enjoy the stories you all share.  Especially the pictures. Thanks Again!

very cool, my son is on the Bush as well:) hes fresh. Like two days before they put to sea, he came from A school>

Got a SKYPE call from my sailor this morning, he is loving being in port. Was so good to see his face!

I guess he finds the architecture fascinating because I get lots of pictures of buildings. The middle one is the indoor snow skiing.

He's doing a Dune Buggy tour tomorrow and really looking forward to that. He says the place is amazing, so much wealth.

Hope everyone has a good Memorial Day and find time to stop and remember those who gave everything so we can enjoy what we have today.

Good morning all,

I have a question that I'm hoping one/some of you could help me with....

Are there any restrictions (aside from the obvious) keeping limited space in mind when we send things to our awesome sailors? I have multiple friends/relatives that want to send care packages and I wasn't sure.

Thanks!!!

I hope you all have a great day... God Bless our sailors and all of you!!!!!

scootersmom94 - If he doesn't have room, then there's more to share with his fellow sailors! There are always sailors who never receive any packages!

Oh make no mistake.....when we send we send plenty to share. I also include notes to be passed along to those who don't get any mail....  :)

So as for restrictions..... anyone??

A happy day!  My son   just called!  My day is complete now!

YAY!!!!! now if he could just tell my son to call..... LOL

scootersmom,

The normal restrictions...nothing flammable, no alcohol, no girlie magazines,  no weapons, etc. Sending chocolate or other things that melt isn't smart as it is very hot where they are at and it will melt long before it gets to them. Also, avoid sending liquids like soda and other things that can leak and ruin everyone's mail. If you send anything liquid like sunscreen, lotions, etc. make sure you seal it in plastic so if it does leak it doesn't ruin the whole package. It can take 4-6 weeks to receive the package so don't send anything that will spoil either.

Basically, use common sense and you'll be fine.

Good advice, Scooter!

I've even taken a large garbage bag and placed it inside the box, then put the items in (incase if another box explodes, theirs won't be ruined.)  If you have enough, separate the food items from the non-food items and box them apart.  Try to reduce excess packaging as much as you can to put more in.  If you are sending granola bars, take them out of the cardboard box and only pack the individual bars (still in the wrapping).  Send zip-loc bags (heard those can be a life saver for items there in their lockers.  And LOTS and LOTS of pictures of home.  Mine lines their locker with them like a wallpaper.  Even pictures of their fav places around town, the pets (funny letters from the pets), friends, family, their old car still at home.  Goofy pics go over well too :-)

Thanks everyone!!!

- scootersmom

My sailor LIVES on beef jerky and vanilla wafer cookies  LOL  That's all they want shipped to them.   Go figure

I think we overdosed ours on beef jerky. He asked for it so we sent a bunch the first couple of care packages. Last time he asked for stuff he didn't mention beef jerky.

I send mine the bumblebee tuna salad kit and completely tear it apart and send it separately. 

I wish I could jump on a plane and fly to Norfolk for these FRG meetings. It makes me sad to hear "We have very exciting news to share straight from the command", but you have to be there to hear it :-/

Yeah Tracy, that is tough for those that can't be there in person. Hopefully our Sailors can share it with us at some point soon.