JoAnne's Page

Hi JoAnne!  Sorry I have not gotten back to you.  I have not been online much.  I am glad to hear that Rich is enjoying dive school  It is wonderful when they find their niche.  Brad is not coming home until May.  He had wanted to come in March but was going to work at his recruiting station.  Something happened with the paperwork and the visit just never was able to be put into place.  He seems also happier than I have heard him be in a long while.  Things here are good.  I am in need of wrist fusion surgery mid april which will keep me off the computer for a while.  Thanks for staying in touch.  Take care.  Susan

I am sorry that I didn't keep in better contact with you after our boys graduated sub school.  Is your son still on the Asheville?

wow, I thought they had a height restriction for subbers. I don't know how he sleeps on those racks. Jimmy is stationed in San Diego, he has been in for 2 years. He seems to be enjoying it. The ship went into the yards for repairs last month and he moved into an apt with a friend. He seems to be enjoying it, hasn't decided yet if he'll stay in for 20 though. Crazy storms last night huh? Well, time for softball, hope the fields aren't too soggy. Maybe we'll meet in person some day.

Hi JoAnne, yes they made everyone do it exept the officers, haha. Jimmy was cranking in the officers wardroom so I think it was a little easier, he doesn't. His captain made them do it for 120 days. Most of the ships I heard did it for 90 days. How does he like being on a sub? How long is their deployment. Jimmy was gone for 8 months, we heard from him fairly regularly. I can't imagine being on a sub. We walked through 1, and I can't imagine living on it. Well, you are very close to me. I'm in Elburn. There are quite a few of us in this area.

Hi JoAnne! Just curious, did you receive a letter yesterday from the Commander of the Asheville? I still have not heard from Brad but receiving this letter made me feel better. My new joke is that someone will tap Brad on the shoulder and say, Hey... there's some lady outside of the sub in a scuba suit... she says she's your mother and she hasn't heard from you.... lol

Hi JoAnne: Brad is my middle child, 22 years old. He has an older brother who is 23 and a younger sister who is 20, I have raised them on my own since my daughter was 3. Brad has called me a few times over the past few days. They are in Guam awaiting departure of the boat. I am so excited for him and for what he will see and do. The Navy has been the best thing he has done in his life. Stay in touch, thank you for your comments, it means so much to know I am not alone in sending my son off to sea.
Susan

Hi JoAnne! My son, Brad is around 5'9? And probably doesn't weigh more than145lbs.. no worries for him fitting on the sub. That is exciting to hear that someone was able to tour it, I am hopeful that when I go out there for the homecoming I can tour it but don't expect to. We live just north of Boston so getting to Groton was not a problem. Brad would take Amtrak home every 6 weeks or so for a weekend off. We went down 3 times to visit. I went on the Nautilis as well, and I thought it was VERY close. I don't know how they do it. Do you go on Facebook? I found a "SSN Asheville 758" group yesterday that had some great pictures. Your pictures are wonderful, I need to add mine. Have a nice day.

Hi Joanne, wow 6'3" on a sub, you're right to question it. My husband and I toured the Asheville back in Spetember...the racks (beds) are tight and I don't think they are that long! But, I'm sure your submariner can curl up! Erik enjoys the 6-month deployments...what he doesn't like is the one month at a time trips! He claims they don't do much but it may be just his job as a radioman. Under they are under a mission Erik doesn't have much to do. They are out on a Westpac right now so I'm assuming your son will meet the boat somewhere during their 6 months deployment. San Diego is a beautiful place with alot to do and Erik likes that! It's tough for us parents too, 6 months out somewhere we don't know and don't have much comminication.
And again, I don't get on this site often so feel free to email me direct at redjuice@wowway.com for a quicker response!
Hugs,
jackie

Joanne - Sounds like Rich is doing awesome!!! Glad to hear he is doing so well, and you had a good trip. Hoepfully you get to see him before he leaves for San Diego. But, that would be a nice trip (San Diego) too. Sunny southern California!! Take care - Sandy