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RESUMING LIVE PIR - 8/13/2021
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graduation question
Views: 525
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by BunkerQB on
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Join this group. Click on link below, then click +JOIN when page opens up. You'll meet other families with same PIR date. The admins of the group are wonderful ladies who have taken newbies from th beginning of this journey thru PIR. Good luck.
PIR: 08/01/2014 TG 38 - 9 Divisions (231-238 & 938) 4 guests
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Permalink Reply by plutana on
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Congratulations...My family just left 4th of July weekend. We stayed at La Quinta (Gurnee) near six flags and they also gave me military discount rate because we were attending the graduation. Distance probably about 10~15 mins. away. Some people were in everyday wear, some in dresses and suits. Just wear comfortable shoes dont make the mistake i made with high heals.
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Permalink Reply by Popeyesmomma on
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My son graduated (PIR) 6/27 of this year. We stayed at the Courtyard in Waukegan, IL which was very nice and close to the base. We were close to Sarge's Meet and Greet (http://navyformoms.com/events/event/listByLocation?location=SUNDANC...), but our flight got in too late to make it. There's one on Aug. 7.
We splurged on Friday and stayed at the hotel at O'Hare Airport. We were able to have my son come up after he got to the airport (VERY early - 1:00 in the morning) because it was in the airport. BUT it depends on where he'll go after basic as to which airport. He might fly out of Midway. I checked he flights from both Midway and O'Hare. The Midway flights had 3 legs and O'Hare was a direct flight (he went to Charleston, SC). The hotel is a Hilton, and it was nice, and it definitely would have been harder to see him, but... It's expensive and I actually preferred the Courtyard.
By the way, in either case you will want to meet up with your sailor at which ever airport he flys from because he's not allowed to have anything (cell phone, snacks, comfortable underwear, etc.) until he's at the airport.
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Oh, also... We ate very close to the courtyard - can't remember the name of the restaurant - but it was right in front of the courtyard, it was DELICIOUS (Chicago pizza), and it was cheap ($20 for 3 people). They gave a 10%discount (which we just ended up giving back in the tip because the service was great), but it was really reasonably priced anyway.
Sarge has detailed info on some restaurants that offer FREE meals to new sailors. Go to his Meet and Greet if at all possible.
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Permalink Reply by snuglebuny34 on
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My son is PIR on August 29 and then head to Charolette North Carolina for schooling. Would it be better to stay near the airport so I can see him before he leaves or not?
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Permalink Reply by lemonelephant on
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It doesn't matter where you stay. You will have time to get to whichever airport your Sailor flies out of. I left info for you on your My Page. I suspect you mean Charleston, SC since there is no "A" School in Charlotte, NC. If I gave you the wrong info you can let me know in a comment on my My Page.
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Lemonelephant is right - it probably doesn't make that much difference where you stay. Waukegan seemed like a very nice area.
As for dress, I read somewhere that you should wear what you would wear for church. There were all kinds of dress there from cocktail dresses to jeans and t-shirts. Before I went, I read online what some people said, and one of the gentleman answering said that his son would be wearing his dress whites (or blues) and that wearing anything but a suit and tie would be inappropriate. If you have served in the armed forces, they encouraged you to wear your uniform (if it fit).
I think what's most comfortable for you and your sailor would be the best. Also, they have the hall (which is HUGE, by the way) set to extremely cold.
It's an emotional ceremony. I'm not a particularly emotional person, but I was wiping tears away. You might need a box of Kleenex with you.
As you walk into the hall there are sailors standing next to signs that have the classes that are graduating. You'll want to sit in front if where your sailor's division number is posted. If your sailor's in a 900 division, sit in the middle. They have concessions at each end of the hall up until 15 minutes before the ceremony begins, so if you miss breakfast, you should be covered.
The 900 divisions perform first (great show)! Then the large garage doors on either sides of the hall open and the Divisions march in to thunderous applause from all the proud parents and family. It's amazing! The problem is finding your sailor. My son was fit when he went to boot camp, but he dropped 20 pounds and his face looked different. See if you can find out where your sailor might be in the line up.
Good luck to you! Have a great time and be proud of your sailor - he's worked very hard these last weeks!
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Permalink Reply by bethjh on
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My sons PIR was yesterday. We stayed at the holiday inn express in Waukegan. They have 2 room suites. It was nice to have room to relax. We checked out at 3:30 am so we could meet his bus at the airport. If we had reserved a hotel near the airport we would not have been able to hang out Friday afternoon where he could be out if uniform for a while.
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Check with others in your hotel and see if they will be going to the same airport around the same time. Post in your PIR group that you will be looking for a ride.
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I am going to be staying at the red roof inn in waukegan and I will be going to the airport really early and if you would be interested in riding together we can. I don't have a car but have a taxi and am going to get it to show up at a specific time so I can see my son before he goes off to A school.
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I'm not trying to make a plug for any service - I'm sure they're all very good. But if I were going back (and not renting a car) I would check with Sarge. Not only does he run the meet and greet Thursdays, but he runs a taxi service. I can't remember exactly how much it was, but it seems like $60 was the cost to get to O'Hare. He can also get you to the right terminal (I think it's 2 where the USO is).
Good luck! It's going to be a great weekend for you and your sailor!
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Sarge has a taxi service and he is a wealth of information and has a Meet and Greet at the Sundance Saloon in Waukegan the night before PIR. His cell number is 847-212-0246. His M&G and services have been getting great reviews. Find Sarge on N4M as OldSarge.
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