Van Jaggers's Page

Congratulations Van.  That is exciting news indeed! You will enjoy the PIR very much.  Make sure and get there early so you can get a seat in front of your son's division.  They will have signs pointing this out.  I heard of one parent whose daughter was an honor grad, arrived late and sat far down the hall from where her division was.  He didn't get to see her much at all until PIR was over.  Gates open at 06:30.  

I had seen someone post that parents were to enter the base via Illinois which is the main gate. Instead, they directed us to the next gate just to the east, and we entered behind the PIR hall. There is a parking garage where you leave your car, then you go through an entry building that is full of photos and displays of life at Boot Camp and in the Navy.  This is where they checked our ID and stamped our hands for entry.

If you are there Thursday evening, the Ramada Inn sponsors a Meet n Greet with the N4M's. You will be able to meet a lot of moms and dads like you with sons or daughters going through what your son has gone through.

If you get a chance to go to Chicago with him, just see as much as you can of downtown.  We walked Michigan Avenue and then over to the waterfront to see the lake and the skyline from the Navy Pier. Also saw the Chicago River. We were very cold that day and quite weary from the long walk we had.  Bravo Zulu to Brian.  Godspeed to him wherever he goes in the Navy.

John

Van, that phone call will be one of the most gratifying you will receive.  Then the anticipation for the next week's PIR begins in earnest.  

It was certainly a thrill to pick my son's face out of his division when they came marching through the bay door.  Take a lot of pictures if you can.  When the ceremony is over, and they announce liberty, get down to the floor and see your boy.  My son wanted us to go outside to talk and we did that.  We spent some time walking around, went to the NEX for a while and then out to eat.  Let your sailor decide what kind of food he wants, but have some suggestions based on what is available nearby.  We went up to Gurnee.  Lots of restaurants near the Gurnee Mall at Grand Ave and I-94. Your son should have his flight information on a piece of paper that he can give you.  Make sure you get that from him.  

My son was Saturday departure also, but his flight was for 7:00 pm.  He actually was bussed out to Midway at 2 in the morning to wait for his flight.  We met him at the airport, then we were surprised when he suggested we could spend the day in Chicago since his flight didn't leave until late.  He had us ride the train from the airport to downtown which was interesting.  The ride was about 40 minutes long and cost $2.25 each way.  Armed forces personnel ride free.  If his flight is later in the day, this is a possibility rather than hanging out in the airport.  

Van, good to hear from you, my family and I are keeping all the guys and gals in our Thoughts and Hearts what they good through this long day.

HooYah to him and all his shipmates.

 

Hi Van.  Yes, we have a Sailor!  We got his call Friday afternoon after he completed Battle Stations.  He was tired, but glad to be done.  He said BS was pretty easy, so maybe won't be too bad for your son.  Staying awake all night is what's hard for some. We are heading north on Wednesday and will be at GL Thursday afternoon.  We are so looking forward to his PIR this Friday.  Sam is also a grad and go leaving Saturday morning.  We hope to be able to see him off at the airport and hand off some of his things like his phone and laptop.  This can be done at the USO as I understand, so keep this in mind when you go.  Sam is headed to Charleston, SC for nuke school.  Where is Brian going for his A school?

My wife is on Navy for Mom's all the time.  She goes by the name "Quiltblue" as she is a quilter. What name does your wife go by.  Tell her to look my wife up.  

We are staying at the Navy Lodge there at GL.  Do you have your reservations for PIR?  Also, don't forget to download your parking pass.  It should be available for 4/8 PIR tomorrow, (Tuesday). 

Good luck to you and your wife.  Godspeed to Brian.  

I will let you know about our experience as soon as I am able.

HooYah to our Sailors.

I had looked up his Rate to see what it was. I am very Proud that your Son wants to do this. It will mean alot to the guys serving. I really appreciate the service you Son will be doing and will keep him in my Thought and Heart.
Thanks for the info and keep me informed as to his progress.

Van, good to hear from you. When you have a chance please update me on your Son's progress and what he will be doing. I know so little about the different Rates so I like to talk to member so see how what they guy does and how the different Rates interact and help each other. I have found they are no jobs in the Navy that are not important, just some get more coverage that other.

Let you Son know that there is is grandpa in Texas that is very Proud of what he is doing and you never know I might get to meet him and shake his hand someday.

Thanks for checking in, Van. We are getting excited about going to PIR.  My wife spends a lot of time working on projects and keeping everybody on Navy for Moms informed and organized.  I am keeping busy at work and my other part time jobs.  I keep informed through the internet and radio mostly.  Today is Sam's birthday. He is 25.  I hope he got the cards we sent in time.  In his last letter, he reported that losing 2 hours of sleep at night on his watch was not much fun.  It's almost over, though.  He should be doing his Battle Stations this Thursday night.  Hoping to get that phone call on Friday afternoon.  "I'm a Sailor, Dad".

John

It's about half way through when the team gels.  Then, apparently, the RDCs spend less time 'mentoring' and more time reinforcing that team concept.  It's amazing how strong that bond will be when you see him and his rackmates after the graduation. Chris and his division are joining each other on Facebook, a good use of the social media!  Their interactions are hilarious, and you can feel the brother/sisterhood, and the love they have for each other.  It's very deep!

I'm getting a tattoo tomorrow before I fly down to San Antonio, of an anchor, with NAVY DAD added in. about three hours in the chair.  My only other tat is a stylized Zodiac Bull on blue flame background, for my Taurus sign, which took 90 minutes.  Looking forward to that, and the forecast 80plus temps in TX!  Oohrah to that!

My dad used to make us do our shoes like that, especially for Sundays and Mass...then he'd go back to sleep! Suffice to say his four years in the Navy turned him off other people's schedules and orders!
I am so proud of Chris there are still moments during the course of the day that I bubble up with poorly contained emotions. I chose to be a full time dad when my wife Ari told me she was expecting him. It was an easy choice since she was making way more than I was at the time. Best decision of my life, and it has made the separation both harder and easier to endure now, since I never missed a moment along the way.
He still has the power to piss off, as evidenced by the tattoo he got yesterday, which my wife absolutely HATES! It's a string of Yin and Yang strategically placed right below the shirt collar line. I'll have to post a picture when I get one this week at his A School graduation.
Congratulations on Brian's progress!