Happy belated birthday, Glenda. I know how close you and PJR are. Sorry you are sad. I'm sure he will stay in touch with his dear GM. Hugs for you!

When does he leave for boot camp or whatever they call it now?

What a good looking family!! Yes, it can be a little sad when they grow up and leave home. But a proud moment too.

Shirley

He's a fine looking young man. Hey, you all look fine! I can understand your bittersweet feelings, Glenda.

Friend's son joined the navy. He got a lot of training to be an engineer, classes, etc. When he left after several years, he only needed a few college semesters to complete his bachelor's degree.

Glenda, what a handsome young man, and beauiful family. Of course it's hard knowing he's going away yet I can only imagine how proud you must be of him. I'm a Navy Brat and can vividly remember the long absenses of my father while he was on tour in Vietnam. It's fortunate that today there are a lot more ways for the sailors to keep in touch with loved ones. Maybe facetime or skype will be available and allow for contact more often.

Happy Birthday to you both! He joined the Navy - Wow. I thought he was at school - yes,no?

You will miss him.

School wasn't for him, and he dropped out spring quarter. He's happy with his Navy decision.

That's good news, Glenda, that he's going for something else since he wasn't happy with school. You must be proud, but you'll miss him wherever he goes. That's big news from your family!

Excellent choice! It's good to see he has a good head on his shoulders! You must be proud.

Happy Belated Birthday to you both! I'm glad you all could be together and I know your gson has made a good decision. Thanks for sharing the pictures.

Sending birthday wishes to both of you! I know you will miss him terribly! A stint in the Air Force certainly made a difference in my grandson's life! He is now back home and is doing well! I'm glad you got to have a birthday celebration with your family again this year! Bettye

I'm sorry to hear that PJR didn't like school, as I was hoping he would get on the baseball team. He will do well and will make his family and his country proud. He's a fine young man and I wish him all the happiness in the world. (Glad that Parke Sr. has his lovely new bride to keep him company while PJR is away.)

Those are lovely photos, Glenda, thank you for posting them. I hope you had a wonderful birthday celebration with your family. Sad that you won't see PJR regularly, but joining the Navy might turn out to be a very positive move for him. We have a couple of family members who joined the Air Force and while there, they were able to get a fairly advanced level of training in a profession. This training served them very well when looking for work after they were back in civilian life.

I hope you had a wonderful birthday Glenda! I feel your sadness firsthand as my DGS whom I babysat almost everyday of his first few years, too joined the Navy three years ago. He just left yesterday from a two week leave. We had a wonderful time and was able to take him and siblings to Yellowstone. He suprised us and went Navy Aircrew instead of sea duty like my DH went. I am sure Parker had a great Recruiter and was able to get the rate he hoped for. My DGS wanted to be a scuba diver but didn't qualify do to his vision. He now is spending his remaining three years at Tinker Air Force base in Oklahoma City. He deploys for one month at a time then back to TAFB for two weeks. Crazy he joined the Navy to see the world and rarely will ever leave the United States! His ex gf just joined and too got stationed at TAFB which is only a couple hours from her home.

Please Get on the Navy sites and join Navy mothers on Facebook (yes us grandmothers are there too) It really helps tremendously in all aspects. You will be so much more at ease and you will learn all what is taking place at each phase of bootcamp. Do it now I promise it will help! My thoughts will be with you through this as I felt every feeling you are.

I am so proud of Tyler for joining the Navy (my house has become a navy shrine lol) and I am equally proud of Parker for stepping to serve OUR USA! I know how much you love Parker and Thank him for me. Please feel free to contact me if you ever need some support or comfort. Linda

1. Happy Birthday Glenda, and to PJR. If I remember correctly his birthday is the 15th? Same as mine! Love the pics! I know it's sad, but you must be so proud of him at the same time. All the best to him on his next adventure!

Happy for your grandson, School wasn't for him so he chose something else. Sad for grandma, but you will be busy sending him baked goods and letters. I have a grandson who is thinking the navy may be for him in a couple of years. Still in high school and we want whats best for him. Our other grandson graduated from college and still isn't sure what he wants to do with his life. But at least he has an education. Your grandson seems to have a good head on his shoulders.

Maybe the Navy experience will put him in a better mindset for making a career decision as he matures. The military can be a good experience for many.

well first off where is he going to boot camp at? that's a biggie....

the kids these days are so in touch....nothing like the days of letters I wrote dh...they are not allowed much in boot camp but sure to plan to go for graduation...one pal's ds is now on board a aircraft carrier, and not only does he post pictures, they're in contact all the time...i'd love to see him eventually on the west coast, but these days more are on the atlantic...don't know much about that, but we lived in san diego for long time...so can at least fill him in on the fun things...

I been off for awhile and wonder how you and your family were doing. It is hard to have a person make a major change in his/her life. Went thru it with 3 kids and some of the grand kids. Son went into the Air Force and so did daughter. Son ended up with a GI bill to put him thru college and DD did 13 years and now back working at the base. She bought back her retirement time and loves her job You might encourage grandson to take college courses in the military. Husband did 4 years in the Navy in the 50's and ended up with a GI Bill which helped pay for college. I am sure he will do fine. GD went into the Army and ended up with a LPN degree from the Army and took her training at Walter Reed Army Hospital and not working in a clinic I am proud what the service has provided for the kids and I know you will be too. Please feel free to email me any time as I would love to keep in touch.

Marie from ND

PS do you ever hear from Laura?

Happy Birthday Glenda. I know you will miss your grandson but he will never forget his special grandma. He will always keep in touch with you. They grow up to fast.

Happy belated birthday!!

Sorry I missed your Birthday. I hope you are doing well. DGS has to grow up, mine is too. :^(

Glenda, best wishes to you and your grandson. My brother joined the army right after high school. When he finished his term, he went to college, then on to a masters in Rehab Counseling. He worked in his field for over thirty years and now he is a professor teaching courses in Rehab Counseling.

This was a boy who barely graduated from high school and actually wanted to drop out of high school to join the army. My dad was steadfast about having him complete high school. At that time (over 40 years ago) the kids who didn't have a degree did the grunt work and didn't learn a skill. So, my brother was certainly grateful he had his diploma.

The military is a good way for many to find their way.College really isn't for everyone. I know your grandson put a lot of effort into baseball. So very few get to move up the ranks and make a career out of it. I am sure PJ will find his way as he was certainly raised right by his dad and you.

PJR was in accelerated classes thru high school. Never got enthusiastic over college. So with his dad's help, as his dad is a army retiree, and others helped guide him in the right military branch to join. His final decision was his and Navy is it.

It was a great day! Everyone enjoyed being together for a few hours!

lol, son had two servings of my homemade fresh peach cobbler :o)

It's a PLAN! It wasn't your plan or his father's, but he can do well in the Navy. It takes young men longer and longer to fully grow up. He's working on it!

Ooh, just think how handsome he will look in his *uniform*!

Happy belated birthday Glenda. I'm coming up next month to that 76th mark. I hope your grandson will be very happy in the navy. I'm sorry that college just wasn't for him. Thanks for sharing the great pictures. You all look great.

He is truly looking forward to going in the Navy. His decision! He did seek guidance but his final decision.

Parker was mature enough to know that College at this time was not right for him. I applaud him for that and for the maturity to make the decision to join the Navy. It isn't an easy decision to make and him having a father that has retired from the service, he has had the best guide there is. You have always shown how much you love and support Parker and know that this alone had to tug at his heart a lot. You are an awesome loving mother and grandmother and we know how dearly you will miss him and of course he miss you ( I am positive he will so miss your cooking).

On the bright spot look to the day you sit in the stands at PIR graduation. I can see you beaming already. Just after my gs graduated bootcamp (PIR) the Navy started live video feed online of the graduation ceremony in Great Lakes I'll. ( there is no longer bootcamp anywhere else). I will be watching for his and will be beaming with you.

Thank goodness just after graduation they get their phones, tablets etc. back and I can't tell you what a wonderful thing it is! I think my Gs missed them more then us! From that point on you have the ability to talk whenever he has free time. It is wonderful to be in contact when we feel the need.

Please keep us updated. And I am curious what his rate will be and what his destination in his career is. As I said before please Thank him for me for serving our country!

I think, as parents, our unhappiness with our children is rooted in our plans and desires that we have FOR them. When they don't follow the path WE want, we get disappointed. I'm proud of your grandson, Glenda, and no--college isn't for everyone. Best of luck to him, and happy birthday to you both!

I am happy with his decision, but in the meantime sad as he's leaving and won't be around for the usual gatherings as much. Do know he made his decision and I am happy for him, as he's looking forward to his new military life. Lot to be learned and we'll see a big change when we do see him. His dad is retired military.

Yes, you will definitely see a big change! We spent the weekend in San Diego with retired Navy friends - hopefully, he'll get gorgeous assignments!

I spent 4 years in the Navy. I will never forget the guys that I worked with. Interestingly, I was never once aboard a ship. What with schooling and follow-up stuff, it just didn't happen! I was discharge in 1970 and still keep in touch with one buddy. The rest have died or I lost track of them. Your grandson, with the right attitude, will never regret his decision.

Have faith my grandson will do well. Happy with his decision. Thanks to everyone for your input!

Glenda, my oldest was in a military college, hated the school part, joined the Marines. I had never been so proud.

....and you, Glenda, will do well also ~ you'll see. I'm sure he'll miss celebrating all those wonderful occasions with you also, but oh how you people will celebrate when you do get together.

Jim, my DH was in the army during the Vietnam War and he was based on a ship!

It's bitter sweet. My son joined the Air Force best decision he made. At the time I was very upset to say the least. Looking back now .... When he was d/c he went back to college on veterans benefits. He is now a Doctor in the OB/GYN field. I'm very proud of him!! So it all worked out for the best. Keep your chin up!!

Happy Belated Birthday, Glenda. Maybe you taught him the love of the seas from your cruises. I think he is a fine-looking young man and look forward to a picture of him in uniform in a few months. Seeing his smile made me think that he certainly got a great result with his braces