marybutler

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-Colleen

Hi, Mary,

My son was in OCS Class 03-13.  When he graduated, we flew in on Wednesday, attended "Pass in Review" on one day (I don't remember which one),  Hi Moms on Thursday (you don't want to miss it!), and graduation on Friday, followed by First Salute outside by the water.  Families attended all events.  The new ensigns have to check out of quarters on Friday, but my son then moved to our hotel and stayed with us until everyone scattered on Sunday (my son to Pensacola for flight training, my brother to Utah, and the rest of us back to Seattle).  We went on a mansion tour in Newport on Saturday.  We stayed at Newport Beach Hotel and Suites (http://www.newportbeachhotelandsuites.com/default-en.html) in a corner suite (two bedrooms, full kitchen, view of the water) and it was wonderful!  We really appreciated the home-like setting for the time my son was able to spend with us - we visited, watched TV, ate leftovers from his CANDIO box, played cards, and just enjoyed my son's company.  It also gave us space to hold all of my son's stuff!  I had no idea they would have so many uniforms.

Have a wonderful time!

Melodie

Hi!

Wow that is awesome!!  I will let my son know!!  His name is Adam Baker; his first name is Christopher but he goes by Adam.   He was born down in Pensacola, but we live up here in NW Indiana.  He went to Purdue and he is heading back down to Pensacola for the Flight Program after OCS.  

How is your son doing?   Were you able to keep in touch through all this?   

I told Adam about chatting with you last night.  I understand totally about the posting of their names.  So no problem here!   Adam is getting so excited about Sunday!   We have been trying to make sure we have everything together that he will need.  Someone advised getting calling cards and stamps; do you have any other suggestions?   Thanks for the advice on the letters!   I have been reading about how tough the physical tests are.  I am glad it turned out to be a good experience for him.  Adam has been running and swimming quite a bit plus his normal workouts at the Y, so hopefully he will do okay; but it is encouraging to hear how your son found it to be a positive experience.  Do you have military background in your family or was this a totally brand new experience for you?   

Oh my gosh!   That makes me feel so much better!  This has been the hardest day in the world.   My husband just walked out of the room after trying to console me and telling me that I have to let go.... but, Mary, this is so much harder than I thought.  I know I am feeling sorry for myself, but I never went a night while he was at college without texting him a quick "I love you" before I went to sleep.   It makes me feel so much better and at least some sort of a connect with him knowing someone knows how he is doing.    I realize totally that Andrew can't talk about anything, but I just feel better for some reason that he is in your son's group -- silly, huh?  I bought a prepaid calling card for Adam, but it sounds like that it can be from any area code....  I will remember that!  I was expecting (401).   Thanks for letting me know that he is in Andrew's group and at such perfect timing too!!  I was right in the middle of another big old pity party here!   I feel better now -- thank you.   How is Andrew doing?  He just has three more weeks?   Will you be heading out that way?   I know you are so excited!   Where will he be heading afterward?  Do you think he will be able to have time in between to come home?

Hi, Mary!  Have you heard anything that you can tell me about how Adam may be doing?  I was just worried.  I can't stop thinking about him.  I know yesterday that he went through physicals and his only issue there was anemia which they said was not problem and they will give him vitamins.  I just wanted to see if you have heard anything at all....  Thank you

Oh no!! I was just telling my youngest son, Corey,about what you said about the push-ups because we have sent several already!!   Oh well!  I hope what we wrote was worth it!   It sure is hard!  I know that -- no one around here really knows or can identify with it because in our small town there have not been but a handful in the past 20 years I bet!  We have a few enlisted that I know of, and Adam has a close friend that attended Annapolis, but that is about it.  We are very small!  In fact, it was was a big thing around here when they found out about Adam!  Our Mayor (who wrote a letter of reference) and the Judge were all excited for him!   So needless to say we do not have many groups in my area to meet with!   That is why it is so wonderful to talk with you and I have met a few other Mom's through the Facebook group for their class.   We had our first photos posted on the Newport OCS training Facebook page early today!!!   I cried and cried!! There was a great picture of him standing right out side of a door!!   He looked tired..... The more I read about OCS the greater and great respect I have for these men and women.  They really go through so much.   I just hope he is okay and staying positive.  

I think we are going to drive out to see Adam when he graduates.  My mom and dad will be driving up from the Carolinas so we plan to stay there a little while if we can and celebrate as long as we can all together!    Thanks for keeping in touch!!!   It really means so much to me!      March 27????  That is just right around the corner!!!   I know you must be so excited!!  

Yeah, they got married right before he left.  She still lives down at school and he lived here at home.  That is why he doesn't have it, I'm guessing.  I just sent a message to her and I will send it to you when I get it.  Thanks for doing this for him!!   So I am assuming that he is receiving his mail and it able to write now?   I know this is probably against protocol but when you give the address to Andrew, can he sneak in an "I love and miss you" from his Mama?   If he feels awkward doing it, I understand.  But this is like the first contact I have had so I can't help but trying!  :)    

I know you are thrilled to pieces about seeing your baby!!  I know I would be!!   Will he be returning home after graduation for a while?   

Thanks again to you and Andrew for being there for Adam!   

I thought you might like this,  http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrbrkly/11453235363/in/photostream/. It is the USS Harry S. Truman--well, not really--in the Dominion Garden of Lights at Norfolk Botanical Garden.