Happy Anniversary NavyDads.Com
Where do I start?
June 18, 2008, I launched NavyDads.com two days before my son's PIR. Once finding N4M's when my son left for boot camp I had a light bulb go off in my head to create a site for us dads too. I felt that we needed the support just as much as the moms but as men we weren't suppose to show it. To keep myself busy during Evan's boot camp days, I raced to have the site up and running before his graduation. June 20, 2008 my family and I watched Evan graduate as a United States Sailor. What a proud moment for a dad. June 21st my Sailor was able to see the site that I had created and joined as a member. It was my small way to show him how proud I was of the choice he made becoming a Sailor and serving his country.
June 24th, I had my very first dad join me, Jim Gramza. I'm happy to say Jim is just as involved today as he was in the beginning and I thank him for that. So, thank you Jim for proving to me that I wasn't the only dad who needed support to. I thank you for your friendship and support over this first year.
On another note, their was another dad that was just as CRAZY as me, Terry VanDyke co-admin of NavyDads.Com and creator of AirForceDads.Com. We didn't know it at the time but both sat at the same graduation watching our sons graduate together. Terry had seen the dads site was coming soon and anticipated it's launch. Well, he wasn't the first dad to join but I understand him missing the launch because he was traveling to Chicago the same time as I. Terry played a huge role in making this site a success and I couldn't have done it without him. ( I truly mean that ). Two crazed dads with the same mission, to build a site that us dads and our children could be proud of. Thank you Terry for being such a great friend to me and my family and for being such a vital part of the success of this site.
Now!
How do I explain this next dad? An absolute crazed maniac Navy dad joined us Sep. 4, 2008. Paul Corona our sites administrator joined Terry and I in our quest to make this site a success. He had twice the passion as Terry and I, which later we found out why. He not only had a Sailor serving in the Navy but a son and daughter both serving in the Navy. Paul jumped on board right away taking Navy Dads to the next level. Paul has been the rock of this site in making sure we grow and to help as many members as possible. Paul I thank you for your friendship and the passion you have for this site. This site would not be where it is today if not for your involvement, insight, and passion. I cannot thank you enough and cannot wait for the day we sit and are able to have a drink together. Thank you Paul.
I also want to thank every member for their involvement, support, and friendship they have given me over this past year, as well the success that Navy Dads has experienced. I could have never imagined the support that this site would provide for so many of us.
Also thank you to my family and children for the love and encouragement you have given.
In closing, I want to thank my wife Cindy for being so understanding and for putting up with me over the time I have dedicated to this site. As they say, behind every good man is a good woman. This couldn't be more true when it comes to my wife. I have the best woman, no offense to the rest. Cindy has encouraged me every step of the way. She has been there thru the ups and downs and has always kept pushing me to do better. So Cindy, I love you and thank you for making me the luckiest man alive.
To my son Evan, I wish you the best in your journey in the Navy and will always support you.
Thanks again to everyone for making this first year more successful then I could have ever imagined. May Navy Dads continue to grow and help many families that follow behind us. I look forward to many years of support, friendship's and success in this site' future.
Sincerely, EG
Comment
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Comment by Paige on June 18, 2009 at 2:12pm
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EG, there are not enough words to express my appreciation to you for all your time, dedication and devotion to NavyDads and its members. Thanks to you, Terry and Paul we all have a site to visit with a wealth of information about the Navy and our sailors and a place where we can give support or advice to others or receive it ourselves if it's needed. And, on this site we have the opportunity to make friends with other Navy parents and families from all over the U.S.
I had become aware sometime last Fall of NavyDads existance, but did'nt take the time to check the site until early January this year. Once I saw that all family members were welcomed and encouraged to join, I did just that. I wish now that I had searched for the site much sooner than I did. Like Tim, I spend my lunch breaks at work visiting the site to see what's happening. But, I extend my time even further than that by going into work early every day to check my emails for activity on the site and I often stay after work to post messages on some of the various groups we have. I truly enjoy the site!!
Thank you again EG, Paul and Terry for everything you've done to make NavyDads.com a success. I'm looking forward the the next year and all the great things the site has to offer.
With Sincere Appreciation,
Paige
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Comment by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on June 18, 2009 at 11:57am
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To give you all a little understanding about the size of NavyDads, I pulled a couple of usage statistics:
Since Jan 1, 2009 we have had 34,898 visits to the site with 283,042 page views.
That is a lot of use and it indicates that we are poviding the kind of support and information that you as members want and need! I'm proud to be part of that effort- Paul
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Comment by NavyDads Admin, Tim on June 18, 2009 at 8:19am
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E.G., Terry & Paul I can't thank you guys enough for what you have given all of us dads. I look forward to getting into trouble at work for checking the emails that I get on my phone when someone posts something in a group I belong to. I know I haven't been on much lately (kind of hit and miss) but I do get on everyday at lunch and scan the blog posts, new members, member updates and most importantly I love watching the slides of the new pics.
I get excited when a dad or mom gets on here and tells of their childs P.I.R.. I hope that everyone goes back to that point in time when their child P.I.R.'ed and remembers that same feeling. I have just this last week had the enjoyment of seeing my son and his family on their way to San Diego for his C-schools.
I personally would like to get all 3 of you guys together here in Oklahoma and buy you guys a Redneck tea and cook you a steak dinner. I can't think of any other way to show my appreciation for what you have givin me in the understanding of what my son is going through. I only have one thing left to say to you very wonderful guys that I feel as though I know yet we have yet to meet. "HOOYAH BRAVO ZULU" here's to 2000 members for birthday #2.
Thanks guys, Tim Sullivan
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Comment by louis r. kelly on June 17, 2009 at 10:33pm
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Thanks to you! Happy anniversery! Your inspiration has given unmeasurable comfort to so many caring patriots. I don't think it has been given enought recognition yet . YOU ARE THE MAN! again, thanks. louis kelly
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You guys are the best!! Keep up the great work! If it wasn't for you guys us Dads would be lost. NAVYDADS
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Comment by Dee Leach on June 17, 2009 at 9:14pm
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Congratulations to all of you who have made this a great site. I was surprised to read that you have been with this a year when I only found out about it. I only joined Navy4Moms a few months ago and am glad there is one for the "dad's" too. I wish you continued success with this fabulous site!! Dee
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HooYah my friend! It has been a crazy journey so far and I hope we continue to see the growth and success we have over the past. I wish I would have had something like NavyDads when my two were at Great Lakes as it would have made both PIRs that much easier. If not for all the hard work by EG and Terry, I would not have felt as comfortable as I did in stepping in and making myself part of this great group of Navy dads and moms. We enter our second year with more than 700 members and expect nothing less tham continued growth. It is the members that have made this site a success- EG, Terry, and myself can generate ideas and try to provide the information that we deem important, but it is the members that form the foundation of this site. Thanks to all for your involvement in NavyDads. And I'm holding you EG to that drink promise!!!
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Comment by NavyDads Co-Admin, Calvin on June 16, 2009 at 11:11pm
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Congrads to you and your Team for your work to make this site a place where we can come and share the advancement of our loved one. I am sorry it took me 4 months to find the site. I joined Oct. 20, 2008 and it has helped me understand I am not the only one in the world going through this. Unfortunately my Grandson is in a part of the Navy that is not discussed in public. I have made some good friend here and we try to keep each other sane as we go through this. I hope as time goes by I will be able to post more and help others get through what my family has gone through. As in the Navy getting though the leaving for Boot, going to training and getting a assignment is a Team effort not only for our loved one but for the parents, grandparents, brother & sister, girlfriend & boyfriend and all the family and friends of each Sailor. I feel like I am a member of the NavyDads Team just as my GS is a member of a Team. The Team helps each other make it through each day and night till the job is done and we as a Team help each other make it till the next phone call, letter or liberty.
My Family and I would like to thank NavyDad members for there support and would like each of the members to know you loved one is in our hearts and thought.
HooYah U.S. Navy
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