My sailor daughter suggested I post my supportive poem for their ship onto the ship's Facebook page. Since I can't post to the ship's main page-- only comment on a pic they have already posted, instead, I thought I would post this poem I on friendship here.
A poem, for u n urs--
~~~THE GIFT~~~ ~~~OF FRIENDSHIP~~~
Every dog has his day... every friend, their time to shine.
Every day is a gift.
Let's not waste it to complain and whine.
Look to having each other's backs.
Look to the new day's dawn.
For each day is a gift...
Whether blessed by brains or brawn.
Let each person step to the beat
Of the music that they hear.
Each day is a gift...
To "wrap it up"... let's b thankful throughout this year.
Let's fill each other's cups... appreciate a friend.
This day is a gift...
It will not come our way again.
Each day is a blessing. Each day is a gift, so rare.
Appreciate a friend today.
Let someone know that you care.
Being truly thankful... of blessings that may come your way...
Telling a friend they're such a gift...
Don't waste time... tell them today.
Don't take for granted a friend
Who may be a diamond in the rough.
Give the gift of friendship... for a friend who's got your back
is
enough.
Perfection is not necessary.
Perfection should not be our goal.
The gift of friendship is enough...
Without it our hearts would have a hole.
Each and every one of you
Indeed has their time to shine.
Each one of you are a gift
I'll have your back, 'cause you've got mine.
Be thankful to your friends.
Don't be afraid to show you care.
For having a friend, while deployed,
You know it is a gift so rare.
With not one friend while overseas
It would make us half not whole.
Let's hope we have them still
When we are gray and old.
Give the gift of friendship
With a pat on someone's back.
Warm someone's heart with friendship
And you'll be on the right track.
From your friends, stateside...
From your friends back home
To our friends deployed
Remember... you are not alone.
Our thanks to you... you have our backs.
No complaints... for you are bold.
Some friends are silver
But YOU, my friends, are gold....
I always send my husband tide pods he loves them and I also send dryer sheets for some extra smell and less static he loves them that's all he will use on the ship
As with any liquid, you must be sure to package it properly and safely. Just as you would not want someone else's care package ruining your loved ones when a leak occurs - be sure to pack it wrapped may times in a ziploc bag AND also inside another bag. I would imaging anything you can send them and save from having to get in the ship's store is cheaper here at home.
And remember don't send food items with non-food items. Beef jerky that tastes like Tide can't be that enjoyable :-)
But I'd imagine by the time you figure in the shipping the savings is gone. Not to mention, they just transferred the cost from their pocket book to yours by having you purchase it for them.
I send my son care packages and stuff he NEEDS but lord help him if I find out he's making me buy stuff he can get himself.
Maybe that's the dad in me and I'd feel different if I were a mom. :)
Being a couponer, it cuts costs down, and yes Dad, us moms are wired differently when it comes to our kids no matter how old they are-they will always be our baby LOL
Thanks, Caring Mother and Stuntsmom. Glad you appreciated my poem. I wrote 20 poems last deployment, was commissioned by one of my sailor's officers, an E-9, woowee, to write a poem, to include specific vocab terms they taught me, cuz they wanted to sound like hot shots. :) The poem about AO's "went to the AO world", my sailor said. It went to three ships across the globe, which was cool.
I usually include cuss words or I figure the guys aboard will never read them, lol. So far this deployment, I've written only one other poem, about how bad the food is, which, it IS horrible.
On holidays they get "cold chicken and mashed potatoes that don't taste like mashed potatoes", per my disgruntled sailor.
I've sent her enough desserts, for her birthday to remind her of the whole family (a little bit of home, with plenty to share), pepperoni, sausage, tuna in foil packs, squirt cheese and crackers.
She can't wait to get those cooling head scarves they advertise (for under helmets on the steamy flight deck) and a cooling towel to place around her neck after 100°+ shifts. I like to send holiday plates and napkins with food for a festive feel.
Last deployment I sent a Christmas party in a box, which I spent too much money on, but I was so frazzled over her first deployment and the middle east does have so many hot spots.
Her older sister sent her a 4th of July "party in a box", this time, with all kinds of stuff to wear, that they had a lot of fun with. Last cruise she had sent her a Halloween party in a box, with plastic glasses with silly noses and mustaches attached.
Just some ideas to share to help keep the weariness at bay for them all. They say the mid-cruise time is hard for them. They've been out so long and know they'll not be home for a while, my sailor's last ship's officer said in a Facebook letter to families.
God bless them all, and all their loved ones, stateside, who are sharing them with our military. It drives ME crazy to not get many phone calls this cruise. Does anyone else have this problem?
Avengers, I'm proud to announce the results of last night's Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist Boards. The following personnel are CVN 77's newest Enlisted Surface Warriors:
ET3 POSEY (CS) FC3 WILLIAMS (CS) EM3 YONKOSKY (AIR) CS3 SCOTT (TRAINING) MC3 STEPHENS (TRAINING) SHSN MITCHELL (SUPPLY) YN2 QUINN (VFA-213) OS2 GRANT (OPS) ABEAN HERNANDEZ (SECURITY)
Bravo Zulu shipmates on a job well done!
Very respectfully YNC(SW/AW/IDW) "Brad" Long Reactor Admin LCPO Command ESWS Coordinator Command FRG Liaison Assistant CPO 365 Training Coordinator
You're welcome Mahler. It's always a good thing to make people smile.
The party packages are a fantastic idea. They sound like a lot of fun. I just sent a 28 pound package off on Friday to my son. I sent him an email to let him know that it should arrive Saturday I included masks in his box however I didn't really know which kind to get. Do you know which ones they need?
I haven't had any phone calls from my son only emails. The last one was last Monday.
Caring mother, that makes me feel better about the reduction in phone calls this deployment. I don't know about the masks, myself.
One thing my sailor said is she dries out her gross, sweaty shirt halfway through her flight deck shift with the hand dryer/blower in the bathroom, THEN has to wear it a 2nd shift because she doesn't have enough. I wish they wiuld issue them enough shirts! Lol.
Wow! A 28 lb. box! Your sailor must be popular, if they're sharing some of that, Caring Mom!
My son had me order him a flight deck jersey awhile back because he had caught his on something and tore a great big hole in it. You can get them from Amazon, but they're not cheap. (good thing I have his debit card info...lol). He had me order another one this week for a buddy. I guess it's easier to do it that way instead of waiting for a chance to get online.
Anyone have good ideas for stress relievers when your kid's deployed? One military Mom has told me she gets more involved with her Grandkids. I've read, for military members, as well, poetry (which is my niche) is helpful, which they've used for a past deployment entertainment nights and emailed throughout departments, or ship-wide. I like the humorous list that was posted. What about some good song lyrics that are up-lifting or cheerful, anyone? I would also like to share good jokes or humorous anything with my sailor so please share, if you would. My daughter is good at sharing cheerfulness, yet a friend of hers still had monumental stress concerns just before deployment. Maybe this is not a real common question, yet my Army vet neighbor asked me, how do they handle being stuck aboard a ship for months on end (my kid's last deployment was the 4th longest in the history of our Navy)?
Mahler: I'd suggest getting involved in local military family groups that have gatherings to share, or do care package events together. Sometimes easier when you are with others going through the same thing.
Songs? Most are not to uplifting.
Movies? I love the following (comedies) - Hot Shots, Down Periscope, Mister Roberts, McHale's Navy (recent one), Operation Petticoat. For Drama, I'd choose: Men of Honor (very good and based on a true story), The Final Countdown (worth finding!!!), The Hunt for Red October, Top Gun and Under Siege.
"Navy Strong" is not just a slogan. It is a way of life when one is in the Navy or has family/friends in the Navy.
Navy Cartoons - if you go to Google.com and type in Navy Cartoons, you'll find all kinds there.
Here's a prayer for you to recite for support:
A NAVY MOTHER’S CREED
I am the mother of a United States Sailor.
I will support, love and honor my Sailor as they defend the Constitution of the United States of America and I will pray for those commanding officers over my Sailor and those serving along side of them.
I represent the proud spirit of a Navy Mother and all those who have gone before me that prayed that God would protect our sailors as they defend freedom and democracy around the world.
I stand strongly as my Sailor serves our country’s Navy combat team with Honor, Courage and Commitment.
I have given my greatest excellence to our country’s Navy – my flesh, my love, my Sailor!
Written by Anita K. Ficke
Inspired by the current sailor’s creed.
Written while her sailor was in boot camp, summer 2011.
Come here, great place for support, talk and info (especially from Dad of Sailor!!)
Thank you Anita N Ohio. I really appreciate it. I just saw your previous post about your daughter's accomplishment, and I'm feeling proud for her as well as you. Congratulations!!!
Hello, Friends! My sailor left Norfolk in the middle of the night Tuesday to join up with VAW-124. He should have arrived yesterday. Since I'm assuming he is on board, I'll take a moment to introduce myself. I'm married 23yrs, have three grand babies, two cats, a dog, I'm a salon owner, love to read, crochet, hike and camp. My sailor is #4 of five kids. My extended family have all been Air Force or Army, so this Navy thing is new to me. Any first package ideas would be greatly appreciated...
I got an email from my son this morning and he mentioned a timeframe for homecoming which is quite different from the date he gave me when they left. Has anyone else heard of a change?
Tracy mine hasn't mentioned anything at all about a change... I know we can't say any dates but is it sooner or later than the original date he gave you just out of curiosity?
He said they would be back in X # of weeks, which is sooner than the original date. I don't know if he misunderstood something he was told, or if he just forgot how to count, LOL. Or he maybe taking the word of someone else who maybe doesn't know what they're talking about. I just don't want to go changing reservations and scheduled vacations from work until I know. I told him to find out an actual date from someone who knows and mail it to me.
Soccermom see you are apart of this sight as well. My sailor said that the original date was goos so I booked airline tickets and hotel based on that. Boy I hope it doesn't change
Just received the first ship email from my boy. Said he "arrived safely" and that "email would be his only means of communication at this time." Boy, I sure have such a hard time with how minimal his words can be with him so very mindful of OPSEC. I just gotta remember he's not off at summer camp...
His birthday is next week, too late to send him a party in a box... any other ideas?
TBT (done early so peeps can get early pics of loved one from years ago by Thursday for "Throw Back Thursday). My sailor, 15 years old. Time has flown!!!!
I found a way to send you all the Avenger magazine. I heard about the Tiger Cruise and all I heard is that we'll be picking up people around Bermuda and the price to get there is $1500. I'm thinking it's not worth that much to come onto the ship. It's probably better to give you all a tour when the ship is in Norfolk.
I searched for flights to Bermuda and they aren't even close to that expensive. I was playing around on Expedia and found a 1 way flight for around $400. My husband is very interested in doing this so I am starting to check things out.
Officially your Sailor has to tell you but they need to make sure they get it directly from their CO. Rumors run rampant on that ship so hear-say is not to be believed.
Since I'm guilty of it as well I thought a friendly reminder was in order. We should not be discussing future port visits of the ship until it has been made public by the ship or the Navy. Discussing the specific pick-up spot for the tiger cruise isn't appropriate on an open forum so we should all avoid listing specifics in our posts. Thanks and I've slapped myself on the wrist and deleted my post.
The captain had a q and a session before deployment this is what he wrote about tiger cruise :
We are going to do everything we can to do a tiger cruise at the end of deployment. This is when your sailor can bring someone aboard for the last few days of deployment. No significant others are allowed! The minimum age is 12, maximum is 75. They are doing a homeport shift of several ships to Mayport, so we are working through issues there. More details will be coming.
Caring Mother
Tonya, this is a very good laugh!
Jul 15, 2014
Nitamarie434
I found the humor in it. Very funny.
Jul 16, 2014
Mahler
A poem, for u n urs--
~~~THE GIFT~~~ ~~~OF FRIENDSHIP~~~
Every dog has his day... every friend, their time to shine.
Every day is a gift.
Let's not waste it to complain and whine.
Look to having each other's backs.
Look to the new day's dawn.
For each day is a gift...
Whether blessed by brains or brawn.
Let each person step to the beat
Of the music that they hear.
Each day is a gift...
To "wrap it up"... let's b thankful throughout this year.
Let's fill each other's cups... appreciate a friend.
This day is a gift...
It will not come our way again.
Each day is a blessing. Each day is a gift, so rare.
Appreciate a friend today.
Let someone know that you care.
Being truly thankful... of blessings that may come your way...
Telling a friend they're such a gift...
Don't waste time... tell them today.
Don't take for granted a friend
Who may be a diamond in the rough.
Give the gift of friendship... for a friend who's got your back
is
enough.
Perfection is not necessary.
Perfection should not be our goal.
The gift of friendship is enough...
Without it our hearts would have a hole.
Each and every one of you
Indeed has their time to shine.
Each one of you are a gift
I'll have your back, 'cause you've got mine.
Be thankful to your friends.
Don't be afraid to show you care.
For having a friend, while deployed,
You know it is a gift so rare.
With not one friend while overseas
It would make us half not whole.
Let's hope we have them still
When we are gray and old.
Give the gift of friendship
With a pat on someone's back.
Warm someone's heart with friendship
And you'll be on the right track.
From your friends, stateside...
From your friends back home
To our friends deployed
Remember... you are not alone.
Our thanks to you... you have our backs.
No complaints... for you are bold.
Some friends are silver
But YOU, my friends, are gold....
I hope you all enjoy my poem.
Jul 18, 2014
newnavywife2014
Jul 18, 2014
diane
I always send tide pods to my son. He figures if I am willing to send them he will let the others buy the ones in the ship's store.
Jul 18, 2014
sailor93mom
My daughter wants us to send her tide pods too. Are they expensive on the ship?
Jul 18, 2014
Anita n Ohio
As with any liquid, you must be sure to package it properly and safely. Just as you would not want someone else's care package ruining your loved ones when a leak occurs - be sure to pack it wrapped may times in a ziploc bag AND also inside another bag. I would imaging anything you can send them and save from having to get in the ship's store is cheaper here at home.
And remember don't send food items with non-food items. Beef jerky that tastes like Tide can't be that enjoyable :-)
Jul 18, 2014
stuntsmom
Jul 18, 2014
Dad of Sailor
But I'd imagine by the time you figure in the shipping the savings is gone. Not to mention, they just transferred the cost from their pocket book to yours by having you purchase it for them.
I send my son care packages and stuff he NEEDS but lord help him if I find out he's making me buy stuff he can get himself.
Maybe that's the dad in me and I'd feel different if I were a mom. :)
Jul 18, 2014
Caring Mother
Nice poem Mahler.
Jul 19, 2014
Navy Brat's Mom
Jul 19, 2014
Mahler
I usually include cuss words or I figure the guys aboard will never read them, lol. So far this deployment, I've written only one other poem, about how bad the food is, which, it IS horrible.
On holidays they get "cold chicken and mashed potatoes that don't taste like mashed potatoes", per my disgruntled sailor.
I've sent her enough desserts, for her birthday to remind her of the whole family (a little bit of home, with plenty to share), pepperoni, sausage, tuna in foil packs, squirt cheese and crackers.
She can't wait to get those cooling head scarves they advertise (for under helmets on the steamy flight deck) and a cooling towel to place around her neck after 100°+ shifts. I like to send holiday plates and napkins with food for a festive feel.
Last deployment I sent a Christmas party in a box, which I spent too much money on, but I was so frazzled over her first deployment and the middle east does have so many hot spots.
Her older sister sent her a 4th of July "party in a box", this time, with all kinds of stuff to wear, that they had a lot of fun with. Last cruise she had sent her a Halloween party in a box, with plastic glasses with silly noses and mustaches attached.
Just some ideas to share to help keep the weariness at bay for them all. They say the mid-cruise time is hard for them. They've been out so long and know they'll not be home for a while, my sailor's last ship's officer said in a Facebook letter to families.
God bless them all, and all their loved ones, stateside, who are sharing them with our military. It drives ME crazy to not get many phone calls this cruise. Does anyone else have this problem?
Jul 19, 2014
Mahler
Jul 19, 2014
Anita n Ohio
(Pardon me, Bragging Momma)
Avengers,
I'm proud to announce the results of last night's Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist Boards. The following personnel are CVN 77's newest Enlisted Surface Warriors:
ET3 POSEY (CS)
FC3 WILLIAMS (CS)
EM3 YONKOSKY (AIR)
CS3 SCOTT (TRAINING)
MC3 STEPHENS (TRAINING)
SHSN MITCHELL (SUPPLY)
YN2 QUINN (VFA-213)
OS2 GRANT (OPS)
ABEAN HERNANDEZ (SECURITY)
Bravo Zulu shipmates on a job well done!
Very respectfully
YNC(SW/AW/IDW) "Brad" Long
Reactor Admin LCPO
Command ESWS Coordinator
Command FRG Liaison
Assistant CPO 365 Training Coordinator
Jul 20, 2014
Anita n Ohio
Won't say who is mine....but they are on the list!!!!!!!
Jul 20, 2014
Caring Mother
Congratulations to your sailor Anita.
Jul 21, 2014
Caring Mother
You're welcome Mahler. It's always a good thing to make people smile.
The party packages are a fantastic idea. They sound like a lot of fun. I just sent a 28 pound package off on Friday to my son. I sent him an email to let him know that it should arrive Saturday I included masks in his box however I didn't really know which kind to get. Do you know which ones they need?
I haven't had any phone calls from my son only emails. The last one was last Monday.
Jul 21, 2014
Mahler
One thing my sailor said is she dries out her gross, sweaty shirt halfway through her flight deck shift with the hand dryer/blower in the bathroom, THEN has to wear it a 2nd shift because she doesn't have enough. I wish they wiuld issue them enough shirts! Lol.
Wow! A 28 lb. box! Your sailor must be popular, if they're sharing some of that, Caring Mom!
Jul 22, 2014
TLC72
My son had me order him a flight deck jersey awhile back because he had caught his on something and tore a great big hole in it. You can get them from Amazon, but they're not cheap. (good thing I have his debit card info...lol). He had me order another one this week for a buddy. I guess it's easier to do it that way instead of waiting for a chance to get online.
Jul 22, 2014
Dad of Sailor
Congrats to your daughter Anita, that is a huge accomplishment. Good for her and you can definitely be proud.
And I know which one is your Sailor. :)
Jul 23, 2014
Mahler
Jul 23, 2014
Caring Mother
Wow Mahler, it seems your sailor daughter is a real trooper and a survivor.
Oh yes! I want him to share. :-))
Jul 23, 2014
Anita n Ohio
Thanks, Dad :-)
Mahler: I'd suggest getting involved in local military family groups that have gatherings to share, or do care package events together. Sometimes easier when you are with others going through the same thing.
Songs? Most are not to uplifting.
Movies? I love the following (comedies) - Hot Shots, Down Periscope, Mister Roberts, McHale's Navy (recent one), Operation Petticoat. For Drama, I'd choose: Men of Honor (very good and based on a true story), The Final Countdown (worth finding!!!), The Hunt for Red October, Top Gun and Under Siege.
"Navy Strong" is not just a slogan. It is a way of life when one is in the Navy or has family/friends in the Navy.
Navy Cartoons - if you go to Google.com and type in Navy Cartoons, you'll find all kinds there.
Here's a prayer for you to recite for support:
A NAVY MOTHER’S CREED
I am the mother of a United States Sailor.
I will support, love and honor my Sailor as they defend the Constitution of the United States of America and I will pray for those commanding officers over my Sailor and those serving along side of them.
I represent the proud spirit of a Navy Mother and all those who have gone before me that prayed that God would protect our sailors as they defend freedom and democracy around the world.
I stand strongly as my Sailor serves our country’s Navy combat team with Honor, Courage and Commitment.
I have given my greatest excellence to our country’s Navy – my flesh, my love, my Sailor!
Written by Anita K. Ficke
Inspired by the current sailor’s creed.
Written while her sailor was in boot camp, summer 2011.
Come here, great place for support, talk and info (especially from Dad of Sailor!!)
Jul 23, 2014
Caring Mother
Absolutely Anita, I agree with sharing with others that are having the same experience.
Just reading others post about their saliors just warms my heart and enlighten my spirits.
I love Ellen DeGeneres, she has a dance album out that is fun and entertaining. I think this would be lots of fun for the saliors in there spare time.
Also, Anita I like the movie suggestions. Good choices.
The prayer is awesome, can you e mm ail it to me please.
Jul 23, 2014
Anita n Ohio
Caring Mother - friend me and I'll send it to you :-)
Jul 24, 2014
Anita n Ohio
Congrats, trloguem!!
Jul 24, 2014
Caring Mother
Thank you Anita N Ohio. I really appreciate it. I just saw your previous post about your daughter's accomplishment, and I'm feeling proud for her as well as you. Congratulations!!!
Jul 24, 2014
Caring Mother
Congratulations trloguem. I feel the same as you with this connection-:)
Jul 24, 2014
Dawnette7
Jul 25, 2014
Dmaeship12div410
My son is in the VAW-124 Bear Aces.
Jul 25, 2014
TLC72
I got an email from my son this morning and he mentioned a timeframe for homecoming which is quite different from the date he gave me when they left. Has anyone else heard of a change?
Jul 26, 2014
Soccermom loves her Sailor
Thank you to all the moms and dads for adding comments about their sailors. This keeps me going.
Jul 26, 2014
MarianneKT's Mom
Dawnette, welcome from MI! My daughter is a DC on the ship.
Jul 26, 2014
stuntsmom
Jul 26, 2014
TLC72
He said they would be back in X # of weeks, which is sooner than the original date. I don't know if he misunderstood something he was told, or if he just forgot how to count, LOL. Or he maybe taking the word of someone else who maybe doesn't know what they're talking about. I just don't want to go changing reservations and scheduled vacations from work until I know. I told him to find out an actual date from someone who knows and mail it to me.
Jul 26, 2014
NavyMomDPL
Soccermom see you are apart of this sight as well. My sailor said that the original date was goos so I booked airline tickets and hotel based on that. Boy I hope it doesn't change
Jul 26, 2014
Dawnette7
His birthday is next week, too late to send him a party in a box... any other ideas?
Jul 26, 2014
newnavywife2014
Jul 26, 2014
SailorMom94
Jul 26, 2014
SailorMom94
Jul 26, 2014
Laura
Hi Dawnette. I feel your pain!
Every branch of service has their own language and it can be mind boggling!
My hubby is Army, my oldest son is Navy and now my younger son just joined the Air Force. I have an entire new set of acronyms to learn!
Jul 27, 2014
Anita n Ohio
TBT (done early so peeps can get early pics of loved one from years ago by Thursday for "Throw Back Thursday). My sailor, 15 years old. Time has flown!!!!
Jul 29, 2014
Anita n Ohio
Today from my Sailor:
Jul 29, 2014
KathyWQ
I searched for flights to Bermuda and they aren't even close to that expensive. I was playing around on Expedia and found a 1 way flight for around $400. My husband is very interested in doing this so I am starting to check things out.
Jul 29, 2014
Laura
My sailor's last deployment was on the Enterprise (CVN65). The tiger cruise guests got on at Mayport, Florida when the carrier made a port call.
A lot of sailors permanently departed the ship, making room for the tiger cruise members.
Jul 30, 2014
stuntsmom
Jul 30, 2014
Anita n Ohio
Officially your Sailor has to tell you but they need to make sure they get it directly from their CO. Rumors run rampant on that ship so hear-say is not to be believed.
Jul 30, 2014
Anita n Ohio
Here's some basic info:
NOTE below is on another cruise..but some basic "what to bring" info:
http://www.public.navy.mil/surfor/lpd20/Documents/What%20to%20bring(2).pdf
This page is from Navy for Moms:
http://navyformoms.com/profiles/blogs/tiger-cruise-frequently-asked...
Video:
http://www.nbcnews.com/video/nightly-news/51755386#51755386
Hope this helps some.
Jul 30, 2014
Dad of Sailor
Since I'm guilty of it as well I thought a friendly reminder was in order. We should not be discussing future port visits of the ship until it has been made public by the ship or the Navy. Discussing the specific pick-up spot for the tiger cruise isn't appropriate on an open forum so we should all avoid listing specifics in our posts. Thanks and I've slapped myself on the wrist and deleted my post.
Jul 30, 2014
Angeleyesm
The captain had a q and a session before deployment this is what he wrote about tiger cruise :
Jul 30, 2014