Facebook & Navy should recognize Navy Dads by Frank D Coon

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 to 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

I wanted to bring this to the forefront for all members to see. I do believe if we become more pro active in getting the Navy to recognize us it will greatly help our site grow. I want to thank Frank for his support and please check out his original blog about this discussion.