Just joined

[jobeans]

Hi, I just joined the site and want to let everyone know its been very helpful.  I have learned a lot so far and I don't feel so alone.  I miss my son but I've been reading some things and its very nice to hear what others have to say.

[JessicaB-Sailor Mom]

I'm glad you're finding this site helpful. I had left you a greeting message on your page...scroll down and read it..join the group that I recommended.

What is your sons graduation date? Jon the PIR (Pass In Review=graduation) group for that date. Your PIR group will be your lifeline for info and support

After he gradautes you'll get to spend that afternoon till about 8pm with him then the rest of the weekend from about 7a to 8p. He will be able to go to the hotel with you to hang out...so bring him comfortable clothes to wear n the hotel room.

The only reason he would not be able to spend the weekend with you is if he is Grad and Go which means he flys out after PIR (usu early Sat morn) but you do get to spend Fri with him....NOW he may NOT be G&G or he may be G&G to A school in Great Lakes and if he is G&G to GL then you may piossibly get him for overnights. Only he will be able to tell you if he's G&G...usu a few weeks before he graduates

I hope I haven't confused you...my best advice is to join your PIR group

[jobeans]

Thanks so much you've been very helpful! We received a standard Navy letter today explaining all he will be doing for the next two weeks. But at the end of the letter it stated that we may not be able to attend the graduation that it would be closed to visitors. Is this just a standard letter that goes out? I would be very disappointed if it were. Ed my son is to graduate in September and we are looking forward to it. Thanks again for your answers looking forward to speaking with you again.

[JessicaB-Sailor Mom]

When in Sept is he to graduate?? I'm going to leave links to all the graduation groups for Sept. JOIN THE ONE THATIS WHEN YOUR SON GRADS..there you will be ke[t updated on waht is going on in his PIR group and his divsion. Just click on the http address of the grad group to be taken to that group

9/2 grad http://www.navyformoms.com/group/ship4div291pir922010

9/10 grad http://www.navyformoms.com/group/pir091010

9/17 grad http://www.navyformoms.com/group/pir9172010

9/24 grad http://www.navyformoms.com/group/pir9242010

[jobeans]

Oh thank you so much this was wonderful info. We have not heard from our son my mail yet so I am going crazy this Tuesday will be 3 weeks since he left. W e have gotten 2 letters from the Navy, so I know he is OK. But this site was great because I now know what he has been though and will be going though for the next few weeks. My husband and I are very grateful to this site. Thanks again.

[fly 2]

My son was a Grad and Go and we got about 2 hours with him. He could not leave with us at all. We had lunch in the Hall which I think everybody was at!!!! It was quite sad, 8 weeks without him and 2 hours with him NOT PRICELESS...

[BeckyP-Kyle's Aunt]

I know what you mean...... Our sailer was a G&G. We spent time talking in the visitor center for about an hour and then he had to be back at his ship by noon for the bus was leaving for the airport at 1pm. They told us to meet them at the airport which we went straight there and waited for about 2 or 3 hours until their bus showed up. The great thing about Chicago airport is the family of sailor flying out, they gave us special passes to go through security with him so we could go all the way to his gate. We were able to take him to eat and wait for him until it was close to him leaving and by that time about 3 or 4 more sailors arrived at the same gate for they were all flying to Charleston together. By far not near enough time to spend with him, all total about 3 hours , maybe 4 tops. You just never know how it is going to play out after PIR.

[Victoria Steven's Mom]

Hello everyone just wanted to say thank you so much for this site i enjoy reading everyone elses now i know i don;t feel so lone, i even got some ideas from reading some of the other moms in what to send my son that will make him happy and put a smile on his face and that we are all thinking of him i know it will make him feel good to so thanks for this site take-care Steven"s Mom

[BeckyP-Kyle's Aunt]

Hi jobeans! I just joined the site myself about 2 weeks ago. I wish I would have known last year when our sailor left for BC. I would not have been such a wreck. It will be a year next week since he is gone and he is now in power school in Charleston and next week we are going down to see him. I am so excited I can hardly wait! It is different now and we talk and text often but I think of him and miss him every single day. But OH how proud we are of him! Good luck!

[Victoria Steven's Mom]

Yes my son is in boot camp and can;t wait to see him and hopefully be able to take him to a Cubs Game at Wrigley and to show him off to everyone there and that i am so proud of him

[pamom]

Hi , I am also new to this site. Very informative, I am learning quite a bit. My son left for BC
Aug 5 2010. I can't wait to hear how he is doing. He did say he would be making a mandatory
phone call home in 3 weeks. But I am hoping I get a letter before that!

[BeckyP-Kyle's Aunt]

Hi pamom, it was last year on 8/18 that Kyle left and we went to Great Lakes for his graduation on 10/16. Our first contact with him was about 2 weeks after he left we got a form letter that had his address written in and the form letter talked about BC etc... . This letter was also to let us know when graduation would be and he had to list who he was inviting, which was only my husband and I, and explained about graduation in this form letter. There was room on this form letter for him to write about 4 lines and that was all. The day after the letter came I was on the phone making hotel reservations. I am sure you will hear sometime next week or not too long after that. Hope to talk to you again.

[J'smomAME-Norfolk]

how many do they get to invite to graduation?