Ship 10 Div 168

[Moe]

My 19 yr old son Tony is in this ship--going for navy Corpsman Fleet marine

[lj1422 (Josh's mom)]

Did anyone get letters this week...I got a very long one from Josh a little written every day. He sounds okay, he hurt his knee and had to go to physical therapy for a few days but was better by Sunday when he finished writing. Said this next week he probably wouldn't get to write much will be very busy with inspections that are coming up. He definately sounded a little more home sick...mentioned that it has been the longest time away with no contact to us. He says he is hungry all the time (which is usual, he was that way at home) but says he is just tired of having the same food every week. He has told me exactly what he wants to eat and do after graduation and in what order. LOL He says at the time of the letter that the division is still not coming together and there is a lot of bickering going on..he told me he is just keeping to himself except a few that he has made friends with and they are doing the same thing. He says he can't wait until it is over and after every day he wrote something had the days left. Told me the only thing he has gotten in trouble for was having a calendar...RDC told him they didn't need to now the date. Hope you all got letters too... have a great night all.....it won't be long now!!

[Cheryl (Josh's mom)]

lj1422 I did get a letter, well more like a note!! haha The friends got the longer letters this week! That's ok! I got a phone call tonight going into church for Good Friday Service....I was so excited and he sounded so good and not home sick like last time.. he also said that their unit has a lot of guys that are not getting it and they don't have as many flags as others.. he didn't get a chance to explain the flags but I'm guessing you earn them for a job well done...my Josh said the same thing about the food..same thing all the time..I hope they get something a little nice for Easter!! Josh also said the samething about made a couple of friends and they stay out of trouble and do what they're told... how funny would it be if our Josh's were friends staying out of trouble together!!! LOL Well everyone have a very blessed and wonderful Easter, it will be different w/ out our kids, husbands, daughters w/ us but they are always in our hearts and in prayers!! I agree it wont be long now!!!! count down 20 days!!!

[lj1422 (Josh's mom)]

Cheryl I got a phone call last night also....My Josh sounded really good too. That would be great if they were friends because it sounds alot a like about laying low and doing what they are told. I also hope they get something good to eat for Easter. I will have a good Easter you and your family do the same....love to say 19 days now....we are in the teens....hooray.


Happy Easter,
Judy..(lj1422)

[Cathryn (son is in Pensacola )]

I got a call! My son said he earned a ribbon for shooting a 9mm , jeez didn't know he had such good aim! LOL he sounded better, he said he passed his swimming test and he did mention there is one small group he hangs with and they help each other I am not sure who they are but he said there are some not getting along, My son had 3 days LOD because he had 15 blisters on the bottom of his feet, needless to say they got infected. He said they are healed now and I sent him gel insoles for his boots. That is helping! Do you know where your kids are going to be going to school at? My son did say they have a good Chief, so that helps our kids, I think?

[lj1422 (Josh's mom)]

Cathy, I am glad to hear you got a phone call from your son, also it sounds like he is doing great. Except for the blisters on his feet glad there better. Josh says the boots they have are horrible and uncomfortable. My som Josh will be taking A school at Great Lakes for Communications. Josh also earned a ribbon for his live fire test. I am glad that they have all found some guys to hang out with and they are helping each other out. Won't be long now....We all just have to hang in there.

[Cathryn (son is in Pensacola )]

I can't wait! I write my son daily, I know mail is everything to them. I have invested in 50$ worth of band aids and shoe inserts made by Dr. Scholls..... They should have informed us we could have mailed those the first week! I think if they are marching 150 avg miles a week they deserve them! My son stays to one small group because he doesn't want to get in trouble, from what I am gathering there are a few who are not getting along! He will be going to Pensacola Nas to school, that has to be better than GL. LOL It is on the beach litterally! I hope all of the soon to be Sailors do good and prosper... And achieve a great career... Can't wait for Thursday that is mail day for me! I hope when we are in Chicago we meet it is nice to meet others who are dealing with the same thing as me. I have alot of sleepless nights, I try but I just can't sleep. Just think 17 more days! I can't wait!

[Moe]

I had no idea we could mail inserts until I read your note! I bought Tony some yesterday! I will send bandaids today, what a great idea--he says his feet are killing him and wishes he got the thick socks at the NEX.
Thursday is mail day for me as well!! WOOT!
I am so looking forward to seeing him in 17 days!

[Cathryn (son is in Pensacola )]

Moe I was told that 100% wool socks are excellent for those marching boots, but we have to wait till they are out of GL to give those to them. My son is sharing bandaids I have sent 4 boxes of the butterfly ones so I am sure he is helped some of the guys out that needed them, I thought of sending 2 more boxes this week so he has enough to get thru BC. I am glad you saw my post, most parents don't know they can send band aids and shoe insert supports. THEY NEED THEM! I can't wait to get to Chicago I miss him so much! I hope my mail comes tomorrow, it usually comes thursday! We are getting closer! Time to write my nightly letter LOL Good night!

[clark36]

Thanks for the tip about the wool socks. Ben said he's picked up athlete's foot- eeuwww!
Maybe I can get away with sending him some treatment since foot stuff seems acceptable.
Also sending inserts and bandaids... the WORKS! My son Ben is in the same ship/div as yours. Hope to meet you all at GL! It's coming right up!!

[Cathryn (son is in Pensacola )]

I heard Athletes foot is caught there, My son has the nicest feet. LOL he never goes barefooted I am sure they all will get it. I know we can't send medicine of any sort just inserts and band aids! So don't send any cream they will throw it away. Just a heads up! Thank Heavens tomorrow is mail day! I am so stressed! I am having the Empty Nest syndrome, I just need to hear from him! LOL

[Cheryl (Josh's mom)]

Hi ladies, I can't wait tomorrow is my mail day!!! My Josh will be going to Pensacola for A School..He hasn't said anything about his feet so I will have to ask him..I hope all of your boys' feet are feeling better...it sounds like all of our sons are trying to stay out of trouble that's good!! Cathy, Josh said he's meet a couple of guys going to A School w/ him maybe he and your son are friends...I love the idea that our kids have become friends and that we are N4M friends...it makes me feel good to think they are forming a bond like us!! :0) I can hardly wait only 16 days!! WOW!! it has gone faster than I thought it would!!
Is it possible for any of us (families) to meet and see each other in person when we are there??? I would love to get to meet you ladies...Have a good night girls!!

[Cathryn (son is in Pensacola )]

I hope he is going to A school with my son, they are so out of their own worlds it has to help having a familiar face around them. I am so sad today and I can not explain why? I just miss him so much, and I am so glad his feet feel better.... He is sharing the band aids with his fellow mates. Almost 2 weeks away and I think the days are getting longer the closer it gets! LOL Having you guys does help the frustration of feeling alone. I hope we all meet in Chicago, I think having each other will really help in the long run! Good night if I can sleep! LOL