Ship 09 Div 140

[Odi_Ship09_Div140]

My son is in Ship 09 Division 140 if anyone wants to join me in a discussion. I have found this site incredibly helpful and supportive

[carolyn772]

Hi all!  I can't believe how fast this is flying by!  I want to thank amyndria for making the banner!  I know hom much that would have meant to my son since he has a 7 year old brother at home too.  I'm hoping he is the "Cameron" that sent a thank you! 

As far as restaurants in the Chicago area, I'm going to ask around for more recommendations, because I tend to stick to the suburbs!  But here are my recommendations:

Downtown, the big-name chains are good, but if you have them where you live, you might want to try something more local.  Cheesecake factory is fantastic.  Rainforest Cafe is quite an experience, especially for younger kids, but the food (in my mind) isn't as good as some other places.  Uno's (or Due's) are my favorites for deepdish pizza, but my kids like Lou Malnatti's.  I like spinach deep dish, but the sausage or pepperoni is good too. If you get a chance to try a "Chicago Style Dog", thats an experience too.  Think a hotdog with tons of toppings, including some peppers.  One of my favorite culinary outings is a trip to Devon street, on the north side.  They have a strip of nearly all Indian businesses. The sari and jewlrey shops are are really interesting, and there are numerous restaurants that serve a lunch buffet.  With the buffet, you are bound to find someting you like.  For museums, my favorite is the Natural Science museum, their animal collection and American Indian artifacts collections are huge. Shedd Aquarium is my second favorite - although the shows are a little cheesy, the kids love it.  The Museum of Science and Industry has a lot of interesting hands on displays, and might be particularly fitting for our Navy guys because they have a real submarine from WWII and a tour through that that is really really cool.  Lastly, the Art Museum is in a class by itself.  Everyone who goes through it says the same thing:  It was so amazing to stand there and look at a piece of art I have seen my whole life and realize I'm looking at the real thing!.  I actually haven't been up the Sears Tower, but some of our guests have enjoyed that.  There are bikes you can rent to ride

up and down the shore - my husband and older kids have done that and love it.  And sitting on one of the beaches is always fun (I like to look for 'sea glass" - always think I'll do some cool craft with it, but have never found enough!).  Anyway, I hope everyone enjoys their trip to ChiTown, its a great city to visit.  I'll have more resaurant recommendations  soon !

[mom1970]

I got a letter today. My son sounded very positive, and very much anticipating Battle Stations. He says that the division has earned a total of 4 flags, and he himself has earned 2 ribbons. He also said that the dress uniforms are uncomfortable and whoever decided that the dress blues be 100% wool was an idiot. LOL! He still has his sense of humor.

He said that this last week they done the gas chamber, and that he has lost 24.5 lbs, and 4.5 inches off his waist. He has lost the date for Battle Stations but I am fairly certain that the information I read here is correct. He says the division is working better together now. And he wants me to bring him a cheese burger to graduation.

I haven't received a call today so I am left to assume that he has passed his final PFA. I cant believe that things are about to be done with boot camp, it seems like just yesterday he left home. I cant wait less than 2 weeks to go!

[proud4son85]

Hi

I am so glad to hear the division was won some flags. My son hasnt mentioned winning the flags and he also said the division is doing better working together. He said the division is known for the most talkative division. My son has been iritated by this all along LOL.

 

Well at first I was wanting calls and now Im sayin go calls mean good news LOL. I will have my phone with me all day on Friday for that Im a Sailor call.

 

We cant wait to see our Sailors and to finally meet each other also.

[proud4son85]

Thanks for your lil one making a banner for the Division. I am sure that made the division happy to see that others are thinking of them.

 

At this point I dont want any calls until after Battlestations. My son fell last Friday and hurt his right hand. They took to the hospital and no broken bones or no sprain. Thank God. They put him on light duty.

He said this past Monday he was going to get it re-checked and hope to get back to full duty if not he coudlnt do fire fighting and not graduate. UGHHH. No call is good News. I am praying our kids will make it.

[amyndria]

We are guessing he passed as well since we didn't get a call on being held back. Now it should be easy sailing (ha) for us at least. Since our recruits are first for battlestations and they can go in with other divisions if anything goes wrong I'd say "see you all on the 22nd"

[mom1970]

So sorry to hear that your SR has been injured. Prayers that he will be fine and well enough to continue. I am sure he will make it. Please keep us posted on how he is doing. Again prayers.....

[talia]

Hello all,

Thank you everyone for your posts.  I appreciate the information about what the SR's are doing as I haven't got much info from my son.  His letters tend to be very short.  I haven't had another phone call since the 3 week call.  I guess at this point, no news is good news. I'm glad to learn about when battlestations is.  So the SR's get to call home after they pass it?  Thank you "amyndria" for the banner.  I'm sure that was a good morale- booster for the guys.  I too have a young one (5 year-old) as well as a 13 yr-old.  We will all be attending graduation.  I am looking for scarves for all of us.

[amyndria]

I'm so happy to hear there will be other lil ones there at graduation. I get strange looks when I tell people I have an 18 year old and a 6 year old. What? like I can't do the math. yes they are 12 years apart. so. BTW I loved it having them so far apart in age, until they started arguing last year, then not so much. But now my oldest missest the lil guy so much,  I bet he gets the first hug LOL

[carolyn772]

Hi everyone!  I can't believe graduation is so close!  A while back someone posted a link to a facebook page that had photos of great lakes and pictures of bootcamp - but I can't find the link now.  Does anyone know what that facebook page was?

thx!

 

[proud4son85]

On Facebook its recruit training command. they have loads of pictures in there. good luck to you too.

[mom1970]

I got my phone call today! My son is a sailor! I am so proud.....and I have never felt a feeling like this before!

We talked for almost an hour. He had so much to talk about. He mentioned a last name that begins with D, and the banner that the kids sent. He is battling sickness and he was getting off the phone to go to Sick Hall. He is very tired. And cant wait till Friday.

He got his orders, he will be an ET (Electronics Tech) and will be staying in GL till January 2012, and then he will be going to Norfolk for C school. He said that he has an awesome division, and that they worked well together.

He has a list of things that he wants me to bring.....to include a cheeseburger and a frap from Starbucks. LOL! I told him that when he is off on Liberty I will get him whatever he wants. I guess the highlight of the week they got a Kit Kat bar this week. HAHA!

I hope that all of you will hear from your sailors today. This is a feeling like nothing else!

[Odi_Ship09_Div140]

We got our "I am a sailor" call. I agree, the pride was awesome. Son will be in GL for several months for A school. I can't believe we get to see them in one week