Think of the fun you'll have when he's home on leave! And when you do see him, please tell him that I said "thank you for your service to our country!"

Good luck to him. I think the Naval Training base is in Illinois, not Michigan. Usually cold just the same but I think not too cold yet this year.

Yes, it's going to be hard missing him. And he's gong through a challenging time now. Boot camp is tough! Two of my sons are veterans, and my oldest grandchild will be entering the Air Force after graduation in May. I am so VERY proud of all three of them for having/going to be serving our country. Serving in the military made a tremendous, positive impact on both of my sons (now 45 and 42 years old) lives in ways no one could have imagined. Be at peace, Grandma, that he has made this choice. And PLEASE thank him for me for his service.

Glenda, I know how that one turns out. Your grandson will be like my daughter, and do GREAT. Just wait and see. Do you have plans to go to his graduation? I did. Was expensive, but so worth it to my daughter. I wish him the perseverance to succeed.

Moni

Ugh, nothing worse then going through basic training in Winter. I entered Great Lakes Boot camp in late September and graduated in December. October wasn't bad, but November and December! We had to hang out our clothes in the cold - no dryers for recruits.

I made it home for Christmas, but next Christmas was spent in London, England. Couldn't wait till my folks could call (remember long distance after 7?) and when the phone rang I had the wrong mom! Somehow the long distance operator connected me with Boston MA and her son got Grand Rapids, MI.

Between my Navy and Air Force years, I have a lot of good memories.

(((((Hugs))))

He'll be fine! Better off even. I know you miss him, and so does his dad. But he's gonna grow from this and have some great memories, just like Steve.

Huh. Learn something new everyday. Daddy was always stationed on a coast, even during training and I thought all training sites were in coastal states, e.g. California, Florida, Virginia... and they are. Except one on Illinois. I guess a great lake is big enough to count as a body of water to compare to an ocean ;)

I'm sorry that he is not with you this Christmas but know in his heart he is at your table with the family. I have a house full this year. 2 of my grand children are here and their mom too and an extra Dog and a boyfriend. So we have a full house.

A big hug to you, I know you miss him!

Dances.

Homesickness is miserable. I hope he got over that hump and is getting into the swing of things. Keep in mind that soon you will hear from him and be comforted by that. Certainly all the recruits in his group will be missing family on Christmas, so maybe they can band together and make their own "family." Hope you enjoy the day anyway, Glenda.

I can imagine the care packages you will be sending him in the future! He's going to look great in uniform! Christmas with him isn't canceled, it's just going to rescheduled at a later date. We are all very proud of him! I remember way back when you would come to school and read to his class. Time flies!

Thanks you for your kind and thoughtful comments.

He is in Great Lakes, Illinois, not Michigan. and it is cold to him compared to where he grew up! I did get the Great Lakes right.

Great Lakes basic training

Thinking of you.

Look at that empty chair as a very full seat of happy and proud moments you have shared. It is a tough time for him, I know. My GS was in his shoes going to Great lakes at Thanksgiving and graduating in January. I asked gs how Christmas was spent and he said it was treated as another day, a little better meal, but kept very busy and hardly knew it from any other day. Parker is lucky to be able to have had two calls home. That lets you know that he IS doing great there! I think my GS only got one, due to not following procedure. This is probably the longest 9 weeks of your lives, but soon it will be behind you and a new exciting different and proud life will begin for Parker. It now seems like yesterday we were at graduation and 3 years later I can very proudly say he has advanced to Second Class Petty Officer! My thanks go out to all the service members past and present and Wish all a Wonderful Holiday.

I have been thinking of you and grandson. What date is PIR? Have you joined any of the supporting computer sites? They helped DD and me to get through boot camp time. We still communicate with the moms, grandmothers, and girl friends even after 3 years. DGD is home for Christmas the first time in 3 years. Returns to San Diego on the 26th. I am not going to get teary this time since California is so much closer than Japan.

You will be surprised at how trim, fit, and poised he has become when you see him next. Hope it is soon. He is lucky this year with the warm Chicago winter making him more comfortable. Thank him for his service to our nation for me.

When you said he was to train this winter, I felt so sorry for him, but...he has lucked out. This may be the warmest winter in Chicagoland in a century. He will be getting plenty WET though!

Yes, Lake Michigan is very like an ocean. Maybe he'll get some leave and be able to see some of the sights in Chicago. It's a beautiful city with outstanding museums, restaurants, and theaters. He and his buds can take the train from Great Lakes into the city and back.

If it's near Chicago, he's lucked out! One of my most favoritest places to play ever! Great town

rob, no luck involved, I think the other Navy basic training facilities have been closed. The one near Chicago looks to be the only one left.

Oops, looks like I'm getting voted off the island again.

Didn't look closed on the site? I think that the it's the only "basic" training site. For instance, surely! (I could not withstand the thought it being gone. It was daddy's first workplace), Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training is still in Pensacola, Fla? I know the Blue Angels flew over when I was at Orange Beach last time I was there.

I'll bet he misses you as much as you miss him. He is going to rock this out. Can't wait for the pic you get of you and your soldier together. Will be thinking of you Glenda, and everyone who has someone missing this Christmas.

Folks, there is NO playing during this period! I know. My daughter went through the same training at the same place. I am sure, Parke can handle it. He will be fine.!

Moni

I hope PJR has gotten over the homesickness somewhat at least. Once he makes friends he will feel better. I know you will miss him on Christmas day but he will be with you in your heart!

rob, after basic training, he will be going to Pensacola for school in whatever he'll be specializing in. That's what I'm told by him and his dad.