THE RIGHT TO BRAG ABOUT MY SONS

[JULIE CURTIS]

I hear many parents brag about their children regarding their career choices, and I feel I have more pride in my little finger than they do. Two of my sons serve in the U.S. Navy, one of my sons has been deployed to Iraq twice and my youngest son is assigned to a frigate that helps fight drug smuggling, keeping those drugs from coming into our great country. Unless you are a parent to an active duty sailor I don't think anyone can understand the concern you always carry that they are alright and safe. I hear my sons tell me about long hours with little rest and constant working details but yet they don't complain, they work with the pride and team work that the Navy has instilled in them, they care for their fellow sailors and treat them with the respect they feel they also receive. I am proud to know my boys are serving their country with the knowledge they are insuring our country's freeedom on a daily basis. But, I will tell you when I hear other parents brag about their children as soon as I state my sons are in the Navy a real light gleems in their eyes to know my sons make a difference in their lives everyday!!!! 

[ladybugforme]

My son is stationed over in Japan right now and he loves it. He is stationed in Sasebo which I never heard before he went over there. He is called an Engineman someone who works on the engines and air conditioner on the ships. I have a son at home and is planning on going to the navy next year when he graduates from high school. I'm so proud of both of my sons for picking the Navy over all the other braches they could of went into.

[Navy Nana]

Well said... When I hear the response "I wouldn't let my kids do that " my response is always the same. " Aren't you glad someone does" I have a son and daughter-in-law in the Army, she is in Ft Hood Texas, my son is on his third tour of Iraq, my Grandaughter is at Navy Bootcamp and will graduate 9/2, I couldn't be prouder of all of them. Most people have no idea the sacrifices our young people in the military make everyday to keep this country safe.

[Vknorr]

Well, I have to agree, Our son is in the Navy and our Daughter in the Air Force. Having them stationed far from home is very hard. But, the pride we feel at how they are serving cannot compare. They are making a difference! Proud Moms!

[carol]

i am so proud of my son. he joined the navy after high school over 21 years ago. we have a very loving and special relationship i consider myself a true navy mom. when he joined i made sure he received a letter from me every week, for the first 6 weeks. and i have supported him during those many deploments. his first ship was the uss nimitz then the uss roosevelt( first to deploy 911) and now the uss harry s truman. the local news have been to my house 2x concerning him and televised it on the local news.during (911) but i am also proud of my other son he's 2 years younger and has definitely looked after me, we have each other while our sailor is keeping us and the whole united states of america safe. i refer to him as my own personal hero! he looks after me and make sure mom is ok, THE UNITED STATES MILITARY is making it safe for "WE THE PEOPLE" i write him ,e-mail him and send him goody's for him and his sailors. one particular box i sent him with chips and such he took it to an orphange in africa and gave it to the children. i had also sent a table top christmas tree with lights which he gave also.

[2sonmom]

Well said, Julie. My husband and I are proud of both of our sons. We were at PIR in GL last week for one son. Now he is waiting to start A school there. Anther son will graduate from the Navy's officer candidate school in a couple weeks. We also have a 5th grader who talks about the Navy, so we will see. : ) God Bless all who serve in the United States Military!

[karen p]

Julie Congrats to you having 2 sons serve our country. I too am a veryproud mom. My son joined the Navy right out of high school. That was 16 years ago. He is still going strong. Last Sept. I had the honor of traveling to Italy and pinning his Chief Anchors on him at his promotion. I have to say that that day was the proudest day of my life. May God watch over your sons and mine and all the other brave men and women serving our great country. May God bless. karen

[Anne PIR 7-27-12 Ship 04 Div 817]

That is  beautiful, you must be very proud of him.  I'm very proud of him and I don't even know him but I am very thankful for all of our military men.  My son just joined the Navy and is BC now, I hope he is as successful as your son. May God Bless All

[lstrebeck]

Amen! My son is on a frigate that discovered $15 million worth of cocaine in the Atlantic and kept it from getting to America. I am proud no matter what he does, but you can be sure I shared that story with everyone I knew. He is a DC about to end his first tour. Two sons in the Navy, I know you are proud of them. I was an Air Force daughter, then a Navy wife, now a Navy mom. I am pretty darn patriotic. May your sons stay safe as they serve our country. Just doing their everyday tasks in the military their lives can be at risk. I know that feeling of concern for safety. Take care.

[Del El Bor]

I believe every navy mom has the right to brag about their sailor/sailors and like you Julie, I have two in the navy.  My eldest served as MA in the base and will be in Bahrain next month for a year and my youngest who was in Afghanistan right after A school and was in the Vinson just recently, will be in the same carrier soon as his third deployment.  The pride I feel for having two navy sons is probably the same with all the navy moms here as each of us feel the same concerns when our sons are deployed especially in the war zone.  I believe this is how we keep ourselves balanced between worrying and the feeling of emptiness now that they're away from us moms.  I feel there is more pride for the moms with two or more sailors but you also have two or more to worry at times when you don't hear from them.  You are right Julie. As a widow, I felt the navy has taken my two sons away from me and all I could do is to accept that fact and with great pride that my two sons are a part of the sweet freedom we are enjoying at this moment and the pride of the great change in their lives....and you're right again on your last statement...i experienced the same...the pride I felt is overwhelming.

[My2Sailors]

I am proud of both of my children as well.  My son is currently serving on the USS Maryland & my daughter will be leaving for boot camp on October 6th.  I would also like to say that I am proud of my husband as well, he served in the Navy for 9 years, most of which were on a frigate (the Fahrion & the Antrim).  He got out of the Navy to be able to spend time with our children & I believe it is because of him that they have decided on their current paths.  There is nothing like being the PROUD parent of a sailor, unless it being the proud parent of 2 sailors.

[Helen, T-man's mom]

You're absolutely right Julie!  I've had people ask me why I "let him" join the Navy.  I didn't let him.  He was 20 when he joined.  He had a job before he left and was attending college.  College wasn't for him and he wanted something more.  Something with a purpose.  My dad was in the Coast Guard and he really admires him.  He's had his ups and downs and setbacks, but still loves what the Navy stands for.  He's very driven.  I'm extremely proud of him and don't hesitate to let others know what he's doing, when asked.  A Navy flag flies in front of my house. 

I'm so proud of him and his friends from high school that I have a special project at his high school.  We are going to have a permanent display at our high school for those kids that joined the military.  This is to honor them and show the other kids there what sacrifice is.  I will post a picture when it's complete. 

I couldn't be prouder of him and his friends (my boys)!