Chicago Mom's

I know very little about what my son is doing. Other than he is leaving for the sandbox in a few weeks.

I am on the Southside of Chicago. What day is better for all of you. Friday night, Saturday or Sunday? Let's start with day then place and time. Please send your input.

I would like to get together before Christmas.

I am 55 a mother of 4 boys and have been divorced for 7 years. I have been an RN for 12 yrs.

RJ is comming home for 2 weeks then to aphganastan. I am very upset. On top of it all I just lost my mother.

He is my youngest child.

Strike your rate--I can't remember exactly, but my son did it. He missed taking the test for MA, so he picked the next closest thing, GM. I think when he picked, that was strike your rate. I have to ask him.

Don't know if this will help, but one of my Navy Mom friends has a son who owns several restaurants in the Chicago area--they all have the name Grille something. I can't ask her--her sister was killed last night in a car accident. She's in PA. Her son is Santino Patragas (in case you want to ask for him)--his sister is a sailor on the Roosevelt. Deborah sent me the location of the places:
Oswego
123 Washington Street
Oswego, IL 60543

Saint Charles
3341 West Main Street
St. Charles, IL 60175

Glen Ellyn
411 North Main Street
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137

Westmont
6010 South Cass Avenue
Westmont, IL 60559

Tap House Grille! That's it. She said that Navy Moms are always welcome. When my son is stationed at GL in February, I plan on stopping in whenever we visit from Rock Island.

Hi,
My name is Becky Morgan and my son Jason leaves for b/c on Nov. 25.
I am a little nervous for him. Its the unknown and not being able to
talk to him and ask him if he is ok, that I know will kill me for 8 weeks.
When I tell people he enlisted I am proud on the outside but, a wreck on
the inside!! I am tired of people saying oh he will be ok. I know he will. I hope :)
Unless you have expirenced having your child come home and tell you that they have enlisted, you can't possibly know what it feels like.
Am I just an over protective mother or has anyone else felt this way?

I just keep thinking about that "Navy swagger" they get in boot camp. Yes, he will be ok, Becky, and I really mean it. It's been almost five years, but I remember my son being concerned that he wouldn't pass the physical test--my husband and I knew he was worried for nothing cause he was in great shape. He worried about battle stations--I've never heard of one that didn't make it. Just remember that he's not alone and not the first to go through what he's going through. And you aren't alone either! You'll make it (but it is hard, I know)!

Jason shipeed off for basic training yesterday. When I dropped him off at the recruiter's office and heard him say " Seaman recruit Morgan reporting for
duty, permission to come aboard sir" it really hit home hard that he will be gone]
for the next five years!!! I wanted to cry but, I didn't cuz he told me as we were walking in don't cry mom. Little does he know I cried as soon as I got outside.
I am hoping these 8 weeks go faster for him then I know they will for me!

Well, I am really disappointed I call Jason's recruiter
and he told me he doesn't have his address yet. I told him
I thought he could look it up on line and find it.
Told me oh no you will get it before me. Said he will
call me back on Monday. Its going to be a long weekend
I was hoping to address letters. Mary how is Dan feeling??

Mary, Yea you got a got a call I am happy for you.
Becky

My son just called from London--he's on his way home, too! Sometime in the next week, he and I are going to look at apartments in Zion before he has to go back to Norfolk for a month. He warned me that 12 boxes are being delivered today--all his stuff from Afghanistan. Twelve boxes in addition to the three foot lockers already sitting here AND a Christmas tree! This place looks like a holiday warehouse!

I drove to Zion yesterday from Rock Island to sign the lease papers for my son who is in Norfolk till the end of the month. He's renting an apartment at Horizon Village. I hope it's a good choice. If you know anything about it, let me know! I'll be studying the area--I'm so excited that I'll be able to get on the train and go downtown or go to Milwaukee! My poor sailor--he doesn't realize how his family is going to visit him for the next three years!

Please keep the family of SN Calvin Meeker in your
prayers. He was my daughters good friend home on
leave for the holidays and passed away suddenly
last Saturday. He was to leave for Calif. to start
Seal training. Such a tragedy only 19. I keep
all our kids in my prayers. Only 8 more days until
PIR for me, now more than ever after this happening
I cannot wait to see my son and give him a hug!!!!

I live just off of I88 and Route 31. Lunch would be fine on the weekend but dinner would be better during the week. I work by Oakbrook so let me know when and where and I will be there.

I am close to oakbrook too!

I survived BC!!!! Glad its over. Thank God 4NM would never have made it
without everyone here!!!!

OK how is February 2, 4 or 5 work for everyone. Dinner? What time? If those dates don't work then I would havet o go into February 18, 23 or 26. These are just a few dates that work for me but we can always choose something else. I thought dinner would be better because we will have more time to chat.

I don't know if this will help, but one of my Navy Mom friends has a son who owns the Tap House Grills. She says to let Santino know anytime I want to show up and he'll treat Navy Moms well. His sister is on the Roosevelt.

Oswego
123 Washington Street
Oswego, IL 60543

Saint Charles
3341 West Main Street
St. Charles, IL 60175

Glen Ellyn
411 North Main Street
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137

Westmont
6010 South Cass Avenue
Westmont, IL 60559

Any of those locations works for me. What does everyone else think?

Oswego would be far for me too!! Jsut heard from my sailor! I'm happy he
made it to Misssissippi safely. He was on cloud 9 that he is able to watch T.V.
again. Starts school on Thursday!! Can't wait to meet everyone.

Let's narrow it down to Westmont or Glen Ellyn. What time is the earliest anyone can make it? I thought we could meet 30 minutes before the last person so we can meet and greet and we can wait to order until all are gathered. Sound good?

Thursday the 5th in Glen Ellyn. Meet at 5pm, order at 5:30 so everyone can make it. Does someone want to make rsvp's? and for how many? under navy mom's?

I'm three hours away, so I'm not sure I'll make it. I let the Navy Mom whose son owns Tap House know, so she can "warn" him!

I am in for dinner. Add one to the revp's.

Does anyone have an address for the resturant??

This is coming up fast, but maybe someone should add it to the calendar???

I know I'm not going to make it--three hour drive. I hope you have a great time and agree to meet again later in the spring. I checked to look at distances for my son--I thought maybe I could get him to meet you. I'll suggest it, but it's an hour's drive from Zion, too, and his first full day of duty at GL. I really want to meet Santino who owns Tap House. He's been somewhere warm, but his mom was going to call him and let him know as soon as he got back that the Chicago Moms are coming in.

woo-hoo-- things changed! I talked to my son, and he said, "I'll go have dinner with the Navy moms!" How can I let him go and not me? So I called my husband and asked if he'd leave work early and go with me. He said sure--so I think you'll end up meeting all of us!

I just received a message from Santino's mom with the following message. What do you think we should do?

Just talked to Santino.He just got back from Mazatlan so this is all real FAST. The Glen Ellyn Tap House is being run by the franchise now so he suggests you go to the Westmont Tap House only 8 miles difference. He would still meet you if you want in Glen Ellyn BUT at Westmont he can arrange for your comps.(would be WELL worth it to you) In any case, let me know so I can arrange for him to meet you

Going tot he one in Westmont is fine with me if it is ok with the rest of you.

I will be there still I am looking forward to it!! Glad you are going to make it Ruth.

Mary, how about sending a message to everyone in the group? Santino's mom Debi was trying to contact Laura yesterday, but I don't know if Laura got the message.

Mary, if you'll edit the calendar, I'll send out the message to move to Westmont. I apologize for stepping on toes--I don't mean to take over, but Debi, Navy Mom, really wants us to meet her son. Her husband even offered to fly her in from Pittsburgh! I'm so excited about meeting all of you tonight!

Have a good time tonight!

It's Laura that has to change the calendar--I thought it was Mary who had posted it. I sent a message out to all the Chicago and Illinois moms that the place changed. I'm leaving right now and getting on the road.

Absolutely--I live in Rock Island though my sailor is now at GL for three years. Hope I spend more time in the Chicago area!

count me in. If I am available I will be there.

I'll help, I just don't know any sailors out right now. I can get some soldier and Marine addresses, but it would be nice to support our sailors. I'll ask around.

This is the time of year with a lot of rotations--going out and coming home, so in a month or two, I'm sure we'll have some addresses. I did get the address of a JAG officer in the Army in Afghanistan who would enjoy St. Pat's cards if anyone wants his address. His mother is a retired teacher and prays for my son and all our military everyday.