Non Sibi Sed Patriae

Thanks for the welcome, Paul. I look forward to the resources here to get a better idea what he is going through during boot camp.

Thanks for the info, Paul. Tommy PIR is April 12. So, this is all getting very real. 

Thank you Paul, your comments are encouraging. I am looking into the resources you provided. We watched the documentary few weeks back when we learned he was going to boot camp. I finally got the his last phone call before starting boot camp. Fell asleep watching the documentary again after his phone call. 

Thanks Paul I appreciate it. We'll be heading down to Ft Lauderdale in July for the commissioning..should be exciting

Thanks for your comments Paul..i appreciate them. My son as been ordered to serve on the USS Paul Ignatius. I was wondering how i could get in touch qith any other parents who's son's and daughters are alos going to be on there. Also, the commissioning ceremony is said to be during the week of July 21-28. How can i find out when the date of the actual commissioning is. My son doesn't seen to know bit he's not exactly someone that will go and ask questions. 

Wow...Thanks Paul! I've got a lot to digest. Thanks AGAIN.

Thanks, Paul for the Welcome Back,

I discovered Navy Dad's back in about 2012.  At the time I too was trying to learn as much as possible about the Navy.  My son went right from Waukegan straight to sub school in Grotton. My wife and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary at the Groton Townhouse with our son as it was his graduation from sub school.  

My wife and I had a pretty elaborate vacation planned, but we both decided his graduation from sub school was such a milestone, we felt it more important.

My son has been through quite a bit.  A lot he does not talk about because he holds true to his requirement for secrecy, but I do know he has lost 3 shipmates and had a bunkmate attempt suicide.  

So, After 3 funerals and the bunkmate incident, I was actually surprised that he re-upped again.  In these incidents the Navy seemed to do a good job of making sure everyone got the support they needed, contrary to some of the things you see and read in the news. 

We had a long talk and he simply told me that he loves the Navy, so he re-upped and has changed to the surface fleet and he seems to be liking it a lot.

I'm proud of my son; both of them, his brother served in the Marine Corp and after 4 years used his veterans benefits to become an electrician.

Anyway, I could write a book on my son's journey as well as my Marine son, but for now, I will simply say: "Thanks for the welcome back".

Thom

Thank you for your introduction, history and warm welcome Paul. You provided some great tips and links to help us navigate, learn and understand my son's and our journey. He is graduating this Friday, letters have been flowing frequently between us and he is PUMPED! All the best, Bob

Or, better yet:  Any port in a storm....