The Journey Begins

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Permalink Reply by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on May 27, 2009 at 5:17am

HooYah Sandy! PIR will make the long eight weeks worth it...be sure to spend time in the PIR group to get some ideas of things to do and not to do when you travel to Great Lakes. You'll have lots of ups and downs and the seperation issues can be trying...it was a looooong 7 months when daughter Kat was deployed last year, but trust in the Navy and The Lord and all will come out ok! Remembeer that NavyDads is here to help provide answers and support so feel free to post your concerns and questions. Paul

Permalink Reply by Kirk Brooks on May 27, 2009 at 9:56am

Hi Sandy, first, let me thank you for your service, as well as your daughter. My daughter Holly left for Great Lakes on 5/11/09 so they will actually be there simultaneously. I couldn't word your sentiments on joy,sorrow, and worry any better. I can't believe how much I miss her. We spend years getting them ready for striking out on their own and when they leave we end up in a sea of conflicting emotions. I'm so excited for and proud of Holly and yet I feel this huge hole in my life. I have yet to receive a phone call but I hope it comes soon. Anyway, welcome to the group and best to you and your daughter. Great photo BTW, my daughter hates my camera and pic's are tough to get.

Permalink Reply by Tom McGlew on May 28, 2009 at 12:03am

Hi Sandy,

Welcome to the Navy family and Navy Dads. I like wise would first like to thank you for your service to our great country and also for your daughter's new commitment as well. My daughter Kelly just PIR on May 15th two weeks ago. The first three weeks of not being able to communicate other than through letters was tough on her mom and me, but it was worth the wait to see how much she changed into a confident and motivated sailor. She said her boot camp was grueling sometimes but she rememberd what I said to her on the early morning I dropped her off at the recruitment center to begin this new adventure. What I told her was to make herself proud in everything she had to endure, because no one can take your inner pride away from you once you have bestowed it upon your self through your own accomplishments. At PIR she said Dad I am so proud of what I have done and that this was the best decision she has ever made. Made the time of eight weeks away from us seem like just a few short days.

The picture I now use was taken in our hotel room a few hours after PIR. She told me to be use this picture as she wanted to let the world know she coming and get ready.

Keep sending her letters as often as you can as your seaman recruit will need your support to keep being motivated and accomplishing all her tasks in becoming a US Navy Sailor. God bless and if you have any questions let me know. My daughter Kelly is now in Pensacola FL waiting for her A Schools to start in a few weeks. You can check out a few pictures we took at PIR on my NavyDads page...Tom