Anyone with Sailors/Soldiers in Iraq & Afghanistan

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Comment by Lora Gibson 1 day ago

Navy 08 Mom, no problem with rambling. If you know what squadron he deployed with, then they should have an ombudsman. That is probably the emergency contact form he filled out. You might try to search for a website for his unit or at least contact the base they are stationed at and find out how to contact the ombudsman. Remember, if he didn't complete an ombudsman form, they will not be able to give you direct information on him but should be able to put you in contact with the FRG for his squadron. The only reason I had all that information on the first deployment is I was with him when he left. There were some navy wives looking official with clipboards so I went and asked questions. That's how I found out about the ombudsman form. He had some paperwork with the FRG site on it so I could subscribe to their emails.
Typically, with my son, the relief squadron was there for a 2 week turnover and then they had about another week prior to flying home. They do use commercial charter flights but fly into the airport on base. I've never had a problem getting on base. We just went to the gate and told them we were there for the Riverine homecoming. They only wanted to know if we knew where to meet them. The first time we didn't have directions to the airport, so they gave us directions at the base. You have to be flexible with the military. There are too many factors that can cause flight delays. That is why they originally give you a window. Once he gave us a date and time, they were close. Both flights have come in early.
I know about being a planner. I've learned the military does things on their own time frame and you have to be flexible. I'm sure it will all work out.Hope this helps.

Comment by TexasDocMom 1 day ago

Lora, especially if Gibson is your real last name! please PM your personal information to other Navy moms, do not post it online for any one to read and have! It's just not the safe thing to do, for yourself or for your sailor.
thanks!

Comment by Michaels mom Karen 1 day ago

Navy 08 mom, the "planner" part of you might as well give up. Everything I have planned since BC has been changed. Some for the good, some not so good.

Comment by Navy 08 mom 1 day ago

Lora I did get a banner and I bought red,white and blue star lights during the 4th to use around the banner when her gets home. I'm just nervous because when he deployed he had just finished C school so he flew to meet his squadron and left on deployment the next day. So he had no predeployment preparation. I have never received a phone call or update from the Navy. My sailor said all that they had him do was put me down as a emergency contact. So I feel like I'm in the dark. He will be back in the states soon. We plan to travel about 17 hours for his homecoming. He has given us a rumored date but part of the replacement squadron has arrived. Nothing official yet. We are driving but my daughter lives in Montana and will be flying if she can get a flight on short notice. My son said they will be flying on a commercial flight but fly into the Navy Bases flight line. We are planning to spend a week or so with him after his return. Then he will come home several weeks later on leave. So did you have clearance to get on the base to meet your son? I have never been contact by the FRG. This is all so new and it just makes me nervous cause I'm a planner and my son tells me I'm on the Navy's plan now which is to be flexible. I like the idea of the ribbon and flags. So I'll need to do something here then too. Sorry for rambling and thanks for the info.

Comment by TexasDocMom 1 day ago

Marines fly in too, when they are deployed overseas, they are great on keeping families informed, it's sad when you cannot be there but still get all those calls! I still got a great photo tho, and it's my favorite one!! boots down, North Carolina!! fresh off the bus from the planes...

Comment by Lora Gibson 1 day ago

Navy 08 Mom, my son is a Navy Riverine so no carrier to meet for me either. They flew back into Norfolk. For planning your first homecoming, do everything you can to make it special. We hung a large banner in the front yard. Ours came from Build a Sign and we put his picture on it. It was right by the driveway so he could see it when we drove in. We also lined the driveway with American Flags and tied a huge yellow ribbon on the tree by the road. No one driving by could miss it. Of course we were there to meet his flight. We are lucky Norfolk is less than 2 hours away driving. The FRG does a great job with homecomings to keep the families up to date on information. Ours had a confidential care line they updated with date and time of their flight. They had a room set up near the airport so the families could wait for the flight. It was just a short walk from where the plane taxied in. The guys walked over from the plane and had a brief ceremony before they were released. We took lots of photos.

The main thing was lots of hugs and anything and everything he wanted from the grocery store. I had him send me a list before he came home so I could stock the kitchen.

Comment by TexasDocMom on November 20, 2009 at 12:34pm

Free banners from Build a sign plus free bumper stickers supporting the folks at Fort Hood.

IF you have a corpsman from Texas named Matt, I have a banner you may borrow....

Comment by Michaels mom Karen on November 20, 2009 at 10:14am

Kristine send him lots of those wet wipe type of things.

Comment by Cathy on November 20, 2009 at 10:13am

Congratulations to all of those who have their soldiers and sailors back!! It's always a joy to hear good news! Kristine - a special hug to you and all those who are still "waiting that long wait". I'm sure it's much harder through the holidays to be separated from your loved ones. Warm thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Comment by TexasDocMom on November 20, 2009 at 10:10am

Kristine, I hope it's like Iraq with some moving around, and maybe into a base for cleanup! Probably better include freshly washed underwear in those packages! Also some Shower To Shower powder, we used to use baby powder at the beach to cut the sand grit, wonder if that would be helpful. Must be itchy, Take some photos to send of his brother's games, he'll be glad to see them.

I saw the photo album we put together for my son before his deployment, I was touched to see it had had alot of wear, you can see someone had looked at those pictures. I know the smaller pocket one was used, I wasn't sure about this one a little thicker and larger.

I'm so glad you're hearing from him regularly. It seems they start thinking "I don't have anything different to day" and stop calling at some point. Tell him to keep calling!

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