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Comment by spensmom on September 27, 2010 at 10:05am

Denise, I can tell you what I've sent......underwear, journals to write in (right!), a book, snacks (like the boxes of "100 calorie" bags of chips, popcorn, etc.), gatorade dry mix plus an empty water bottle to mix it in, Purex laundry sheets, etc.
Also, at the Post Office , they have specific flatrate boxes to send things to the military so be sure and tell them that is what you want.

Comment by micheles3 on September 27, 2010 at 9:59am

Found this in another are,

I just found some cool ideas on the USS IKE website Thought I would share them here with all of you:

Breakfast on the GO – multigrain bars, instant oatmeal cups, small boxes of cereal, pop tarts, donuts, muffins, cocoa, tea, tang, coffee, etc.

How do you eat your OREOS – Oreos, Peanut butter Oreos, Double stuffed Oreos, Low fat Oreos, Chocolate filled Oreos….Oreos…you get the picture? Lots of Oreos!

My Fisherman- Goldfish crackers, tuna pouches, canned salmon, canned sardines, gummy worms, Go Fish card game, Field & Stream magazine, electronic fishing rod game, Sponge Bob Square Pants stuffed toy, fishing game toy, etc

Bathroom in a Box – toilet paper, razor refills, foot powder, soap, washcloth, towel, shower shoes, shampoo/conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrush, aftershave

Mess Hall Survival Kit – restaurant size condiment packs of: bbq sauce, mustard, ketchup, mayo, relish, salt, pepper, taco sauce, ranch, cheese dip, etc

Sports Theme Package - Favorite sports magazine, Taped TV or DVD of favorite sport, Snack Food: Chips, Crackers, Cookies, etc.

You’re The Big Cheese – cheese curls, cheese balls, cheese flavored chips, cheese Doritos, cheese popcorn, cheese and crackers, cheese flavored crackers, tubs of cheese spread, cheesy instant mashed potatoes, etc.

Chili Today, Hot Tamale – Hot Tamales candy, small cans of chilli, red pepper flakes, spicy sunflower seeds, Cajun flavored Pringles, Spicy Chex mix, peppered beef jerky, Extreme Doritos, nacho cheese, Jalapeno Ritz, Tums and Rolaids.

I’m Nuts About You – peanuts, cashews, pistachios, peanut butter cookies, nutter butters, peanut lover’s chex mix etc. Anything with nuts it in.

Straight from the Zoo – animal crackers, peanuts, peanut butter, beef jerky, dried banana chips, trail mix, Hostess snowballs, Tuna, postcards, stuffed animals, or plastic zoo animals.

Snack Pack – packed full of his/her favorite snacks. Doritos, M&Ms, nuts, chips, crackers, jelly beans, beef jerky, gum, etc.

Sweet Tooth- Nerds, Gummy Bears, Laffy Taffy, bubble gum, Tootsie Rolls, Lolli Pops, Toothbrush, Toothpaste

Comment by spensmom on September 27, 2010 at 9:42am

MMAS - Good advice from the other moms. My son is on his first deployment, too, and it seems like forever when you don't hear from them (and I know I heard from him less when he was away at school). They have had their e-mail down on at least two occasions that I know of. He also tells me that it takes at least 20 minutes sometimes to log on and they don't always have that kind of time. Robin is right......they are very busy on deployment and don't have a lot of time. Also, mine has been doing a lot of studying for his SWO pin.
When he is in port, he has "skyped" us, which is wonderful! I talked with him FOR FREE from his last port for two hours!!! Of course, they have to have their laptop with them. Skype is a free download for your computer and free if you talk between computers. We had to add a camera and mic to our home computer but my son's laptop has it built in.....most laptops do these days. They cannot do this from the ship's computers. Be sure that you send all e-mails to your daughter's ship e-mail address as they cannot access their own e-mail accounts onboard. Also, I took the advice of the moms on this site and have sent him 3 packages already. He loved them! There is a discussion on this site for ideas of what to send. Can't remember where but just do a search for "care packages". If they get a chance to call from the ship, my son's, which is based at Pearl, will show the Hawaii area code which is what I look for. This last time it gave the ship's name; the first time it said something else....check the area code. He has only called twice....weird to talk. One last thing, if she has a laptop or even on the ship's computers, if they can get on Facebook you can live chat with them on that but you both have to be "friends" of course. :) I have to admit that I do go on Facebook to see if my son is on there. It will show you at the bottom of the page. Hope this helps. Stay positive and do keep sending her e-mails about what's going on at home. She'll answer on of these days.

Comment by micheles3 on September 27, 2010 at 9:26am

Hi Robin, I am just reading everyone's posts and what an interesting story each sailor has when they return. I would imagine they use each sailor to the Navy's best use. OMG, I hope she isn't claustrophobic. What a scary job she has had. I do MRI for a living and often come across patients/ex military who have claustrophobia issues based on what happened during their time in. Between the heat and the tight spaces, that would be hard for many to stomach. I hope she is doing well. Oh and what is a Maritime operation? My son is deploying soon on a Maritime operation as well.

Comment by kim ann on September 27, 2010 at 12:40am

MMAS- I know it is difficult, and nervewracking, but that is quite normal. It all depends on so much...depends on where they are, sometimes it is all blocked and they are unable to call or even email. If they are GREAT communicators with you on a normal basis, then I would say that is a good chance of what is going on. On deployments, they are also incredibly busier than they are in port. Also depending on where they are, they may not be able to call. I gave mine several international phone cards (knew we didnt have international coverage on our phones) but he is still unable to use them in the places he has been. They wouldnt recognize them, not allow them, etc. So, I have to hold on to the 'No News is Good News' theory! Each deployment has been different too, so it doesnt get better, sorry to say!!

Comment by MMAS716 on September 27, 2010 at 12:21am

I have not gotten any emails from her either. It is making me feel very anxious and worried. I am hoping that this is not typical.

Comment by mtnmom on September 27, 2010 at 12:14am

MMAS;
My son is on his first deployment also, his ship left in May. He tries to email me a couple times per week. I recieved two emails from him this morning. He has been very busy on his ship. He was calling me about every two weeks, but its been about a month since I last spoke to him. Email is so much better than snail mail letters of boot camp, and occasional phone call is wonderful.
Gen

Comment by MMAS716 on September 27, 2010 at 12:04am

My daughter is deployed r*this is her first deployment ) ight now and I am accustomed to hearing from her just about everyday (pre deployment) I have not heard from her in a while is this typical for most of you.

Comment by spensmom on September 25, 2010 at 9:33am

Great pics! Robin. Hope to be there soon myself. Looking forward to my first homecoming. Today's my son's birthday and just got a call from him! What a gift for us!

Comment by Mary, Proud Mom of Nick on September 25, 2010 at 8:39am

Great photos Robin, I thought the Sullivans had been quiet lately - didn't realize they had been out so long.

Welcome home USS The Sullivans!!!

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