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.
Posted by Frank D Coon on April 11, 2009 at 9:55pm
As soon as I got the email re: NavyDads having a group on Facebook I went onto my page there and joined the group - it showed 2 groups there for whatever reason, so I joined both. Simple enough decision.On another issue - I would like to encourage every member here at NavyDads to send their Congressmen and Senators, local VA offices, local recruiting offices and whatever or whoever else you can think of letters, emails, personal visits, whatever, requesting that the Navy acknowledge NavyDads in the same manner the Navy recognizes Navy for Moms.As I mentioned to Navydads Creator, the recognition and promotion we are now getting for this website, which I believe is an invaluable asset for a Navy Dad or Family, should be stepped up by the Navy. The Navy knows we are here, so why not help their families by making them aware of us ??? For the Navy to not do so, in my opinion, is what a lot of people would call "typical military" or "typical government", right?? So why not save themselves the embarrassment and get our info out to those who can benefit from it ???A true analogy - When I was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma in 01/02 I asked my oncologist if he knew of any support groups where I might find some advice and all that goes with a support group. He indicated that he really didn't know of any - yet he sat on the Board of The Wellness Community - one of the foremost charitable non-profits created for the benefit of cancer "survivors", as TWC refers to cancer patients !!I discovered this agency by accident close to the end of my treatments, and was able to take advantage of their support as I was recovering from the long lasting side effects from the particular chemo treatments I had ot have to survive. Fortunately, it was a curable form of cancer and I am now considered as cured.My point is that he we are, offering all kinds of support and information for not only Navy Dads, but for Navy families as well. It seems as though it should be a relatively simple thing for the Navy to include at least a mention of NavyDads, as it does Navy for Moms, in some of its recruitment information and in the initial info packs given to new recruits and their families.The reasons for why this has not been done yet is a bunch of old bilge, in Navy terms. Our new Navy families need our support and they need it now.Just recall how you felt when your kid joined the Navy, and if that doesn't get you, then think of how you felt the first time your kid was being deployed into a combat zone, and the lack of information you had available to you.I recall that when my son was on the T. Roosevelt and was sent out on Enduring Freedom as part of the 1st strike force there, how little we both knew about what sort of communications we would have available to us. Had I known that before he left, I would have been much more at ease about it. Even though I knew that he was probably in a safer place than the rest of us, a parent still worries.So let's all do our part to help other Navy families and be a really squeaky wheel in the ears of our elected officials in D.C. so that something happens with this.Thank you all in advance for all your efforts.A Proud Navy Dad - Frank Coon, Jr. - father of Lt. Frank Coon III
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I try to write this everyday my tongue gets tied on what to say you guided me through good and bad I'm leaving soon but don't be sad A man I am thanks to ya'll I promise you that I will call You've raised me right and that I know through laughs and fights which made me grow your sons a sailor and damn proud to be I'm serving our country the home of the free so when you can't sleep just look at the sky on that ship so will I I'm not scared there's no reason to be beleive in God like you've taught me four years I'm gone alot will change don't let Jessica forget my name a life to live and alot to see thank you guys for loving me
Guys that was so awesome to see. As a parent of one of the new sailors the ceremony was the coolest thing I have seen. To see our son's and daughter's standing tall in front of us parents in your whites was a very proud moment for us. You all looked the part. I couldn't be prouder of all of you for your commitment to defend this great country we live in. When you as one said your creed aloud to the crowd it gave me chills. I am so proud of what you guys have accomplished. I know it wasn't easy but I bet it sure felt good walking around in that uniform. Wear it with pride. Always stand tall now that you are a U.S. Navy Sailor . Thank you for defending my family's freedoms. I wish all of the new graduates the best of luck wherever you may be. Make us proud. Thank you for your service and best wishes to all. Stay safe and remember to always come home to see us parents. Good luck in your travels. Navydads admin
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