April 2009 Blog Posts (19)

I talked to Trevor this morning and he informed me that he may be graduating A School next friday the 8th of May. He is scheduled to graduate the 22nd of May. This means that he will be getting out of A school 2 weeks early. Sometimes this boy is to smart for his own good, but that's how he has been since day 1 of his life.

One of the bad things about this is that he found out last week that when he graduates from a school that the Navy has put a hold on all moves right now. He says that… Continue

As I said in Day 1, Part2, sleep didn’t come easily for me….think more so the unfamiliar place and excitement than anything else. I’m also used to a very quiet environment- not at all like an active aircraft carrier. I really cannot imagine the noise level if they are conducting ops at night, though both Eric and Kat have told me that they are so used to the sound of the catapults and arresting gear that they have trouble sleeping in the quiet. The racks are pretty comfortable once you get…

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well they finally pulled jon's ship out and turned it around.he said dad the ship sure looks alot bigger now that you see it from the other side.he is on the carl vinson.didn't talk to him for 3 or 4 days and got worried as most parents do.he then called and said the ship was on a mock sea test or trial and everyone was at their post as if they were at sea underway.sure was different he said. they are suppose to move to norfolk in june and then i think they will be going out forafew weeks at a… Continue

For those that have been following the Tiger Cruise posts- fear not. I'm about half way through the first part of Day 2. Having Eric here visitng has been great, but like many good things in life that have to come to an end, he headed back to Norfolk this AM, I headed back to work and now am trying to re-establish a routine. I'll be working on the post over the next day or two and am Photoshop'ing a bunch of pics to post as well.

After the handshake and hugging it was time for introductions to all……it was a great way to see our sailors as you realize that they still seemed like kids when they left but now seem like grown adults. All naturally were in uniform and looking pretty darn sharp….but then after not seeing the boy for a year…..’nough said.



It was time to make our way to the check-in gates. Our sailors had come out to escort us through the gate and onto the ship. It was nice to be able to finally…

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I think we were all anxious to get the adventure going…I know I was as I didn’t really sleep much at all. I even spent a little time on the computer at the internet café seeing what was new on NavyDads.com at 05:00. Fred, Tom and I met up, checked out and proceeded to catch the shuttle from the hotel to the USO at the airport. Tom was still not feeling well and came very close to going to the airport and flying home- he toughed it out though and was a real trooper even though he was feeling…

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Tiger Cruise has come and gone and I guess I have returned to earth and will start some blogs about the entire experience. To sum it up…AWESOME. We’ve all seen much on TV and the movies about carrier ops and many of us have poured over the PBS DVD set “CARRIER”, but until you have experienced a cruise on one you have no real concept. I’ll try to start and the beginning and try to give an idea of what my 2 & ½ day cruise was like.



Packing is an experience…you are advised that…

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Well" had to say good bye for the second time, just saw him a couple a days ago (Michael) And i already miss him like crazy, I think the second good bye was harder I wanted to bring him home and show him off a little to Family and Friends before A school, It's amazing how much he changed in boot camp I mean the confidence i saw in him was awesome ,So he leaves to A School today (Pensacola) and the rumor at PIR was there is a 2 month back up,In fact a lot of his Buddy's that were supposed to go… Continue

Bravo Zulu! to the Sailors aboard the USS Bainbridge. You must click on this link and see one man's account of the Bainbridge.

We received the official letter yesterday that Jeff graduates 15 May 2009. Now we are really getting excited, deciding whether to fly or drive, and where to stay. Can't wait to see him again. He is in Div 195 USS Enterprise; anyone else out there with a son/daughter in that group?

Waiting here for the breakfast buffet to open and get to the USO to sign in and get going! Met with Richard at the Atlanta airport yesterday and then met up with Fred and his father-in-law Tom at the hotel over some beverage. The shirts have attracted some attention and think we have some more potential members- haven't even been to the base yet! Great Weather-- in the 70's when we landed yesterday and there are bunch of dads as giddy as kids on Christmas eve......will try to spend some more…

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Matt had his first liberty over easter and got to come home for 3 days. It was really good to see him he is looking fit as ever. Past his first PST for Pre-Buds. That was a big relief because I know he really stresses over that stuff. He is really enjoying A-School in Chicago which is a big relief because he was so bored in boot camp. He gets to leave A-School at the end of June and gets to head for San Diego he is really looking forward to that and we will be able to drive out and see him on… Continue

HooYah! Go Navy!

Capt. Phillips has been rescued by the Navy's finest. Our Navy SEALS have taken over the life boat and have killed three pirates, captured one, and have freed Capt Phillips. Let the world know that the United States Navy and our SEAL's teams are ready for anything that terrorists and pirates can throw at them. We do have the world's most powerful and best trained Navy on the globe. Thank you to our Navy and the Navy SEALS for freeing Capt. Phillips and bringing this… Continue

 

I would like to start by saying Thank you to everyone for all the support you have given my husband and this site. This is what I didn't get. When our son left for boot camp I thought I was the only one that was hurting, EG was very strong until I guess he just could not do it anymore. He stayed on the computer researching everything that he could find out about what was going to happen from point A to B. I went…

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As soon as I got the email re: NavyDads having a group on Facebook I went onto my page there and joined the group - it showed 2 groups there for whatever reason, so I joined both. Simple enough decision.



On another issue - I would like to encourage every member here at NavyDads to send their Congressmen and Senators, local VA offices, local recruiting offices and whatever or whoever else you can think of letters, emails, personal visits, whatever, requesting that the Navy acknowledge… Continue

I think from time to time we forget what a valuable resource NavyDads.com has been for us. The information, support, and encouragement available to the members are immeasurable.

Thank you to the site administrators EG, Paul, and Terry for your unwaivering dedication to the members and their sailors.

I will commit to doing my part to "get the word out" and I will also do my best to stay involved on the site.

I admit, I never think about adding a blog because it's a "dad's" site. How many dad's are going to read an emotional blog?



Truth is, I want to help others find this site, so I will leave a blog.



I became a member of NavyDads.com to augment my membership on NavyforMoms.com. When my son went to bootcamp in June '08, I was a basketcase. I almost lived on N4M's trying to find some mom's who I could feel connected to and who would help me get through bc hell. That's what it… Continue

My son Matt arrived at Camp Moffit on March 16. I have recieved two letters from him so far. Everything sounds like he is doing real good coping with the situation. He is in Div 926 and will be graduating on May 19

I Will Be There. He has a older broyher who spent 6 yrs in Marines. I went to his graduation and cried like a baby when I saw him march by. So If any if you will be at graduation on May 19, and you see a father crying it will be me. I get choked up reading his letters to his… Continue

We lost one of our surviving Medal of Honor heros today leaving 97 living Medal awardees. I think we all need to take a minute to reflect on these brave American heros and take a moment to bow our heads in prayer and thanks.......