Bring On The Next Adventure

[David Oelker]

I just wanted to write a quick note to say a huge THANK YOU to those running this site. We attended my daughter's graduation this past weekend...HOOYAH Div 949!! The advice and tips that we received here were worth a million bucks. Everything from where to go to what to expect to how to do it all was spot on. We attended Sarge's meet and greet and all I can say is that he and his wife are saints. Wow, what a welcoming experience. And to be in that room with 200-300 people all there because they are giving their loved ones to the Navy is a truly humbling experience. But be warned...it is petty loud and it is a long night, not that this is a bad thing but some may not be into that sort of scene. We stayed at the Navy Lodge - $65.00/night and excellent! They gave us a pass to shop at the NEX because we are not prior service. The NEX is a great place to buy "stuff". We also took the NEX shuttle from the Navy Lodge over to the graduation. I highly suggest this. The driver gave us all his personally cell phone number and answered it on the first ring when I called because I forgot where he told us to meet him. Your sailor rides back with you for free. Take the 6:00 or 6:30 shuttle. We took the 7:00 and got there too late to get good seats...but that was ok because our daughter was in the color guard and we would have only seen her for a minute or two anyway. Our new sailor wanted Chicago pizza so we went a place near the mall. About 20 other sailors and their families had the same idea so it took a long time to get seated, but that was ok. We were just happy to be able to spend time with Rebecca. We then went to the mall and walked around letting her and her brothers spend time together. It was an awesome day. Took her back to base at 1900 because she wanted to make sure she got back in time. Sunday morning we drove to O'Hare to give her cell phone and some other goodies to her. Got to spend another couple of hours with her before she got on the plane for Houston. Her A School is in San Antonio (MA Training). I have to tell you that being in that airport with so many sailors was incredible. We witnessed a sailor walking around by himself and a group of three other sailors went up to him and asked if he was lost. He told them that he didn't have anyone coming to see him off and the group told him to just join them. It was clear that they didn't know each other. They were just shipmates helping one of their brothers. Awesome, just awesome. For those who are just beginning the journey; I know how you are feeling. It is really hard letting them go. Nothing I could say can make that pain you are feeling any easier. But have faith that you WILL come out the other side and you WILL experience a completely awesome thing in that graduation hall. And when your new sailor comes running up to you and you get that first hug it makes it all worth it - 10,000%. We will always know that we are now part of the Navy family. What a remarkable thing to be. HOOYAH NAVY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Oelker's

[Chris Holmberg]

Great info!! Just booked my room at the Navy Lodge! $198 for 3 nights. What a deal! Cant wait for Dec 5th! Not looking forward to the 12 hour drive from Pennsylvania though. Lol. One question. Do you have to use the NEX pass during graduation. Or is it good for the whole weekend?

[David Oelker]

Our pass was good for the entire time we had the room. The pass works at the big Navy Exchange off base, the on-base Exchange (but we never went in there), and the off base NEX convenience store - which is right down the street from the Navy Lodge. I am not sure if you can buy gas with your card or not though. And you can't buy alcohol or tobacco products with it.

[Paul Barger]

wow this was good. Glad to hear it was a wonderful experience and congrats to your Daughter.I will be at the Oct 31 graduation for a friend of my sons. He is like a son to me and I look forward to returning to Great Lakes, I graduated there back in 78. I just found out from my son that a friend of his from high school just received the number one sailor I believe during your graduation, her name was Mandy Beck. He wasnt sure if it was last Fridays graduation or not but believes so. He still has 2 more friends up there after the Oct 31st graduation. My son would have graduated on Oct 3rd but hurt his back and they medically discharged him.

[David Oelker]

Thanks for the reply, Paul...and thank you for your sercvice. Sorry to hear about your son's injury. I have an instuctor on my staff who made it all the way to the day before battle stations and then injured her shoulder and was discharged. Tough breaks for really good people. Please encourage your son to think about volunteering with the US Naval Sea Cadet Corps. We need prior service folks with experience like him to help us develop the future classes of Navy recruits. Have a great time at the PIR and remember; GET THERE EARLY.

[Paul Barger]

Thanks for the info, it might be hard for him to be a Sea Cadet, he is working now and also getting ready to attend college so he would not have any time. I do not know much about the Sea Cadets. He has very little service I am the one who was in for awhile. Not sure if there are Sea Cadets are here in Indiana. I'll check more into it. I have been out since 1982 so alot has changed but I'll check it out sounds fun.

[David Oelker]

Paul, actually I know of a number of units in Indiana. We live in Indiana as well - southeastern part of the state.

[Paul Barger]

Ill check them out. Thanks