Navy Daughters and their Dads

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Comment by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on August 5, 2013 at 12:41pm

Sometimes our kids do amaze us don't they Jason!!  Great to read your words....

Comment by Jason Wagner on August 5, 2013 at 12:29pm

Hey all

Great group - Thanks Paul for kicking something like this off. We dad's need a place that is safe for us to "let down" and "unpack" what we have on our hearts.

My daughter, Savannah, left for GL 7/29. Got our kid-in-a-box on Friday 8/2 so hoping to see the form letter by the end of the week (fingers crossed). Leaving on Monday turned out to be an experience! We said our good-byes at the airport checkpoint, and with a "I'm proud of you. Never forget where you've come from, but never look back." and a kiss on the top of the head, off she went. Watching her enter the check point was surreal. She has been my mission for the last 18 years. She has been instrumental in my life. Helping me keep focus when it just she and I for a time, frustrating me to wit's end as a teenager, but helping me learn patience. I am the man I am today, in great part, because of my daughter and the lessons I learned by being a father. Now that she has departed, the hole I feel in my heart is bottomless. BUT, the good news is this....the path she has found herself on, the plans she is executing, though VERY different from the plans we had just back in January, is the EXACT path that the Lord intended her to be on. There have been too many variables and too many things have fallen exactly into place for any of this to be happen-stance.

Anyway, back to Monday. Once we said our good-byes, we (myself, my wife, and our son) didn't want to just go back home and sit around so we went and checked out Pacific Rim (fun and entertaining, I recommend). While there, I got a call from Savannah, who tells me her plane was delayed by 2.5 hours. She had already talked to her recruiter who had given her direction and she was good. Then, an hour later, another call. Another 2 hour delay. Then a third delay. Eventually, the plane left Vegas about 6 hours late. I was so glad to see that the plane had left when it did. The agony she must have felt while waiting for the plane. She was so eager to begin "Her" life, on her own, and here was this stupid plane trip standing in her way. She handled it so well. I am so proud of her.

We got the "I'm here" call at about 12:45 PST (2:45 CST), and off she went. 

I miss her immensely, but I know that for one, no news is good news, so I hope I don't hear a word from her other than letters and scheduled phone calls and if I DON'T get a call, that only means she has a job that won't allow her to make the call and that means that she is still in active training and is scheduled to PIR on time! 

It's been neat to watch my son handle this. Once she left, he came completely out of his shell. He's not shy by any means, but he's your typical 13 year old with one word answers, leaving clothes all over the house, etc. But when Savannah left, all of a sudden his answers to questions were sentences, he engaged in conversation, we found him doing the dishes (Savannah's last household chore) and when asked about it, he simply said, "Well somebody's got to do it now that Savannah is in the Navy". It was like he knew, the family needed him, and he stepped up.

I am so proud of both of my kids. Ethan wants to be a helicopter pilot, and I will point him in the direction of the Navy. It served his Mother and his Great Grandfather well, and it is now working wonders in his sister.

I can't wait to see what the Navy has in store for her.

Well, that's if for now. Apologize for the long windedness. When I get rolling it's hard to stop. Hope to get to know some of you in the group.

Comment by Randy B on August 3, 2013 at 6:29am

Chuck-  Yes, her "A" School will be in San Antonio. She is going to be a Corpsman.

 

Comment by Bob Dixon on August 2, 2013 at 11:03am

Hi Kevin.  I echo your comments about my daughter.  She's a part of VAW-126 Fighting Seahawks in Norfolk.  They are attached to Carrier Wing Three aboard the USS Harry S Truman currently on deployment.  She's been a part of the squadron since March 2010 and this is her second deployment with her squadron aboard the Truman.  I hold a deep admiration for all of these young ladies!  Fair Winds and Following Seas to all of them!

Comment by Kevin Stockwell on August 2, 2013 at 8:59am

Just wanted to say how proud I am of my daughter who is attached to VFA-31 Tomcatters fighter squadron in Virginia Beach, going on 3 years since she was in boot camp, seems like yesterday. She has come along way and overcome a lot so Bravo Zulo to her.

Comment by Chuck on August 1, 2013 at 7:37pm

Randy B. Sounds like she is beginning to flourish.

Is Sarah's A school in Texas?

Comment by Randy B on July 29, 2013 at 11:42pm

Thanks Chuck.  We are excited and proud, that's for sure.  Her PIR is August 30th.  So she is alomost 1/2 way through BC.

  I did receive a 9 minute phone call from her this past Sunday.  She stated she got promoted to E-2 already and has 3 jobs.  So she has been busy.  August 30th cannot come fast enough.  I just hope everything keeps working out for her and her division.

Comment by Chuck on July 27, 2013 at 9:50am

Randy B I am sure she will do her best and you will be pleased with the young woman you are reunited with at her PIR.

My daughter recently finished her first year in the Navy.  There is a lot of great help and advise on this site.  I have two sailors in the Navy. If you think I might be able to offer help please ask.

Comment by Randy B on July 25, 2013 at 9:29pm

Revived our first call from my daughter on Saturday the 20th.  We also received our first letter from her on Wednesday the 23rd.  It was great to hear from her and know she is in good hands and is really excited to be there.  She is scheduled to graduate August 30th.  Anyone else have a daughter scheduled to graduate at that time?

Comment by Chris H. on July 11, 2013 at 12:52pm

Very true.  But we would like to see for ourselves.  LOL!

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