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CHRIS LEFT ON 1/4/2012 GOT 1 PHONE CALL AND HIS PACKAGE OF CLOTHES NO MAIL YET ANY ONE ELSE HEARD ANYTHING, IM SURE THEY ARE VERY BUSY. ANY WAY CANT WAIT FOR 3/2/12, ALSO HOW LONG DO YOU GET TO SEE THEM AFTER GRADUATION HIS A SCHOOL IS IN FLORIDA JUST WONDERING HOW MANY NIGHTS TO MAKE HOTEL RESERVATIONS FOR.

Thank you to all of you who welcomed me to the site and given so much information. My son , Jameson, flew to Great Lakes on Wednesday 1/11/12. We miss him , but know he is in good hands. He will eventually be doing.SEMS?? on a sub....?? I will be "surfing" the Navydads site to learn as much as I can about his journey.

Hope all is well with your loved one!!

My son Zach is hours away from RTC.  He sent me a text while layed over in Denver.  He enjoyed his first ever flight!  He's got a great attitude so far and I'm encouraged by it.  He should be landing in Chicago 11PM and then we wait for his " I'm here" call.

Unfortunately, his mom had to go to a conference same day he left.  She's been delayed since she left the house.  There is a small chance she will miss the "I'm here" call while she is in flight.  I told Zach to send her a text if he didn't get through so she knows he's there.  For some crazy reason she thinks he might get lost!  I called her in Seattle and tried to assure her he was in good hands.

I've been updating his departure and arrival on the N4M blog, so I figured I'd do the same here.  

Great kid.  loves to run.  Started running track in MS and eventually ran XC in HS and also ran 1600 in HS.  He has a great love of the outdoors.  He and I would hiker in Glacier National Park and hike to mountain passes.  Our greatest feat was climbing Divide Mountain which borders Blackfeet Reservation and GNP.  Originally, he wanted to be a park ranger, and maybe that might happen, but we will see what the Navy has in store for him.   

Miss him, but so proud of his decision to join the Navy.

... in Gulf Shores one last time before Kaitlin leaves for GL on Monday.  She has been showing them different videos about boot camp (way different from Grandpa's days in the Army during the Korean War).  Right now she is at the gun range with Dad and Grandpa getting in a little practice.

My mother-in-law summed up the emotions very well yesterday when we arrived and she started crying.  "I am just a little verklempt."  Perfect definition!

Absolutely hardest thing I've ever done.

Well the day has come. Today our baby boy, now a man with his own family and baby boy, leaves for the Navy Boot camp. We are so very proud. But we will miss him immensely!!! Thanks to all who came to wish him well!! We appreciate your continued thoughts and prayers. We pray for Grace and Wisdom in the adventures ahead! God bless you all and your families as well. Anchors Aweigh!!! Go Navy

120113-N-ZZ999-001 WASHINGTON (Jan. 13, 2011) The official U.S. Navy logo commemorating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the U.S. Navy SEALs. (U.S. Navy photo illustration/Released)

We are all very excited to be heading out to Chicago this week to witness my girl Kelli as she does her Pass and Review to become a full United States Navy Sailor. Hoorah!

So far, she has done very well and was assigned to the ship's staff as well as the security team. She went into boot camp as an E2 and is graduating as an E3. She has earned her stripes and will continue to do so in the future. I will not be surprised if she becomes an officer sometime in the future as I know she has the ability.

In any case, her mother and I, as well as her brother and the rest of our family, are very proud of her and what she has achieved so far.

I will post some pictures of the ceremony here to share with those of you who are looking forward to your own children's/ loved one's graduation and for those who have already experienced it.

It will be a well needed break for us and a welcome get together for Kelli.

Counting down.

I

My son who just entered boot camp signed his letter as

RCPO JD....

What does it mean?

...was Saturday and a huge success.  About 45 people came by to show support for our almost-Sailor.  The best surprise was a visit from a Chief friend of ours.  I thought K was going to cry when she saw him - she didn't.  Then, since he is a Boatswains Mate, he had a little ceremony where he piped her, "on to boot camp."  Again, she didn't cry (but she almost did this time).

All of the hard work she has put in since she was 13 (Navy Sea Cadet) will definitely pay off in the weeks to come!

Thank's very much for the tremendous welcome, just a little about my son Zac. Zac is 25 years old, an honor graduate from the University of Arkansas and is currently a sworn police officer. He has enlisted in the Navy Reserves, will leave for boot camp in GL june 28.

Zac will be in intel and hopes to apply for a DCO commision after he finishes A/C schools. Zac has always wanted to be in the Navy, his Grandfather was a Navy man so it is in his blood to serve.

Again thank you for the welcome aboard, hopefully I will have something to contribute.

I had the honor to travel with my Son on a Tiger cruise starting from Pearl Harbor to San Dieago  this year.

If anyone who is going on a Tiger cruise has questions about what to expect, please feel free to contact me.