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So I haven't been on here for a while, guess I was just avoiding things, time for that to change. I need that support I felt when our son first told us 6 months ago that he wanted to join the Navy. My wife suggested I join Navydads.com and I am so glad I did.

That 6 months went fast and he ships out next Tuesday.

I have no doubt he'll be a great sailor!  That he'll have a great adventure and become the man we know he can be.

And I feel confident that he is starting this new journey with the overwhelming support of his family and friends.  We could not be more proud of his decision and his drive!

But now my heart aches, for that little boy that followed his dad around the house, walking off with tools as I tried to get something done, then learning to use those tools to fix things himself. It aches for that little boy at his first baseball game, football game, wrestling match, track meet, soccer game and cross country event (he never stopped), and all the time we spent at those cheering him on for victory or comforting him in defeat, in rain snow or sunshine, teaching him that's all part of life.  It aches for the young man as he drove off in the car for the first time alone! With both his mom and I a nervous wreck!........I think we did ok.

Tuesday when we say goodbye for now will not be easy, but knowing we are now part of a new family, a family of proud Navy people, really helps!

My wife posted a couple things on Facebook today that have just added to my tears but say it so good:

Loving a sailor is not hard.

The distance is hard.

The worry is hard.

The sacrifices are hard.

But loving him is the easiest thing I have ever done!

and

A father is neither an anchor to hold us back nor a sail to take us there, but a guiding light whose love shows us the way.

Wherever that light takes you son you will always be our little boy!

God please protect my son and God Bless the USA!

Time to look forward to his PIR!

Go Tucker!!

Go Navy!

how do I find my sons class number? He started Jan 8, 2017, from what I see his class number would be 08-17. Is that correct?. If not, what would it be ?

Click here to read the story and see pictures of our visit to the Outer Banks of North Carolina.…

Click here to check out the latest pictures and story of our weekend last week with Josh's family!

Military Ministry at the Wagner's...to read our latest blog post click here...

Check out the story for the past few weeks during my recovery period here.

As requested by some of you brother Navy Dads, I am posting a report on the 2016 USNS Mercy Tiger Cruise my wife, Sharon, and I have recently returned from.

Let me first say that this is our first Tiger Cruise and it was awesome!  Please excuse any rookie over enthusiasm that may spill in here.

 The Mercy pulled into Pearl on 19 September 2016 and found us rested from a few days of snorkeling and moving to aloha time.  We watched the whole arrival from the Arizona Memorial with a number of our favorite cousins, all Navy family.  We could have accessed a better vantage point, but since we had spent the morning touring the memorials it made the perfect finale to the experience.  FYI, shirts are cheaper at the Bowfin gift shop.

We hooked up with our son later that evening and after 20 days at sea, he was interested in dinner.  A good dinner.  We were too, so we Nico’s on Pier 38.  I think lunch is better there, you should go and decide for yourself.

OK, down to it.  After a couple of days of leave for Christian, we all got on board the Mercy late in the evening of Wednesday the 21^st.  There were four of us Tigers attached to Christian and it was constant fun the whole time.

We spent the first night in our racks, something I thought I’d have some concern over.  I loved my rack.  I miss my rack.  Here is a photo of my rack.

I realized in the morning that I was suddenly in the Navy.  Well, the lights coming on at 6am and the air hammers on the hull at 5am that morning led me to think so anyway.  Also, finding out that breakfast was OVER at 7am helped a little too.

So we’re up. We’re dressed.  We’re fed.  Sailors are putting on whites and we’re getting ready to shove off.  And it’s only 8am.  That’s only significant because we got to watch the preparations for manning-the-rail, then stand with everyone as we departed Pearl Harbor.  That is an awesome experience!

We pulled out to sea at steady pace of 13.9 knots and head for San Diego 9 days away. 

It would be long and tedious talking about the trip over and you may be bored already, so let me hit the highlights:  Sharon and I spent a good amount of time poking around the ship learning and studying for our Tiger Surface Warfare Specialist boards.  Yes, real boards, not much murder.  Yep, passed.  We are official Tiger Surface Warfare Specialists pinned during a final, general, shipwide, rank advancement ceremony on the flight deck conducted by Captain Roberts.  It kept us busy, not so much out of trouble.  And it was fun!

We had a Mercy’s Got Talent Night, Steel Beach Bar-B-Que, Movie night on the Flight deck (Battleship was the movie, of course), and a number of other fun Tiger activities.  The best part of the trip was hanging out with the crew talking about anything and watching that deep water go by.  I could do that all day.  Oh, and I did some days.

Lastly, closing this on-going post, because the Mercy is different than any other ship in the Navy save the USNS Comfort, here are some factiods for you ship guys:  She’s 894’ long, 105’ 9” wide, displaces at 69,360 tons loaded, draft of 33’, a top speed of 17 knots and an endurance of 14,420 miles at 13 knots.  She has 15 Wards and 12 Operating Rooms.  The kind of medical attention she can deliver is only determined by her medical staff and she is driven by a wonderful, accommodating crew of civilian mariners.

That’s it.  More photos below.

NOW HEAR THIS!!! NOW HEAR THIS!!!! New promo code for NavyOutfitters.com Type in CHRISTMAS for 10% off your order of $75 or more. The dates are from Oct. 12, 2016 to Dec. 19,2016.

My Daughter arrived at RTC on the night of the 4th of Oct, trying to find out if she has been assigned a Division and what is her graduating date would be?

Does anyone know what is going on with the Navy for Moms web site?

We had the opportunity to be a part of this cruise: from Honolulu - San Diego - Bremerton, WA. We want to personally thank the Stennis for allowing us this opportunity.

We now fully understand the many functions, operations, and responsibilities they execute daily by living and working alongside our son. As a Navy Dad, it also gave me some quality time with our son; a time that I will look back on and remember for a life time. Thank you.

A proud Navy Dad

My sailor is in A school. Where can I find information about A school and graduations?  Thanks, Theresa

Do you want to show your pride for your Sailor on graduation day? At NavyOutfitters.com we have some some amazing options. PIR Ribbons to show your Pride for your Sailors SHIP and DIV. Challenge Coins to present to your Sailor on this special day and Even Candles to burn during Battle Stations and when your sailor is out in the fleet. Check us out and let us provide you amazing unique gifts for many occasions. www.navyoutfitters.com 

As we celebrate Labor Day. What happens in Boot Camp on a holiday like today? I'm wondering if they have a special meal or any down time ?

Gary

Greetings to one and all,

                 Early in 2016, my son informed me that his ship, USS John C. Stennis would be hosting a Tiger Cruise in the last month of their deployment. I jumped at the chance to go on the cruise. As a Navy vet that had spent four years with a P-3 Squadron, deployed three times and always on dry land, I was excited!

        As the big day approached, I decided to keep a journal of the trip. I have never attempted to keep a diary or journal, so this would be a first. I knew that I would want at least notes to recall this great opportunity. 

        I was asked to share my experiences here in Navy Dads and I am glad to do so. I hope that if nothing else, my writings will help those contemplating a Tiger Cruise make the right decision. I need to say here, that for my wife, though she wanted to go. She recognized that she and tight confines do not mix well. That is one thing to consider. I was a bit concerned about motion sickness. After all, I was a dry land sailor. I have spent many hours in airplanes in all types of weather, so I figured I would be OK. The ship did move more than I had anticipated, but I was fine, without any medication thank you!

    So, without further ado, my humble journal...

1 August
  Up at my normal time, about 0530. I slept really well last night. That was somewhat surprising. I thought I would be tense.
I have looked forward to this trip since Neal informed me there would be a Tiger Cruise. That was in February if memory serves.
Really, I have looked forward to this trip from the time I separated from the US Navy. Being attached to a Patrol Squadron was a great thing, but there were no cruises. Sure, we deployed, but to islands, not ships. I always had that little pang of "what would it be like...?" Now I will know. This is the reason I have elected to keep this log.
I will touch down in Denver about 0940 1 August and then on to Honolulu an hour later. Yeehaw!



Airborne on the way to Honolulu! While sitting in my seat while the plane loaded. A guy walked by and spotted my VP-48 hat. "P-3's?" He asked. "Yep." He said:"I am a retired Flight Engineer. " I told him I would be hitching a ride back on the Stennis. What a great way to start the trip!

Well, I made it to my hotel in Waikiki. Let me recommend Robertson Shuttle. Nice people and a great price.
I will meet up with one of my shipmates from VP-48 in a few minutes. We will visit a bit and then I am going to call it a night.

I take the early shuttle to get tickets to the USS Arizona at 0635 tomorrow. I have waited all my life to pay my respects to the young men forever entombed below her decks. I will be able to be where WWII began for the United States. Then, when I go on the Missouri I will stand where WWII ended for the world.

I read somewhere that images of the OCS candidates were available each week for observation. If that is true, how do I access them?

My son is Tower Cook in class 01/17.

Thanks, David Cook 

Military Ministry at John and Yvonne's CLICK HERE to see this week's update!