My youngest son deploys today.....

[Blademaker]

All he could tell us, he's headed towards the middle east.

Jon is our youngest (24) and joined the Navy a little over a year ago.
Came to me one day and told me: "Dad, lets look at the big picture here. I'm in school part time, working at a deli part time, and there's no friggin' jobs to be had. I want to see the world, so I joined the Navy."

He's been/being trained to be a sonar tech, right now having to "Pay his dues" doing a lotta grunt work, but he's good with it.

He's on the Arleigh Burke class guided missle destroyer,
USS Preble (DDG 88).

Gettin' a little misty here.......Both my sons are good kids, never gave me 1/10 of the hell I gave my parents, but Jon is more like me.
Cynical, with the potential to be mean as hell when he needs to be, good hearted, but has trouble showing it.
And he likes import/microbrewed beers, and a taste of whiskey every now and then.

Gonna miss ya, boy........see ya in 7-8 months.......stay safe.........

Dad

[VatorMan]

Arleigh Burke is a good ship. She was in my battle group in 1992 when she was new. He'll be fine.

[jda67gta]

:flag:


God Bless and Stay Safe young man....

[Yerf Dog]

:flag:

[F40]

Congrats to you. I have a son in the navy 11 years now. Anoher son that is tryin to get in the Marines. He is gonna be ok,try not to worry .I think my son is safer there then some places here stateside heres to you Dad:rep:

[LATB]

good luck to your son blade

[jaxgator]

Sounds like he's got a good head on his shoulders. I'm sure he'll be fine. :flag:

[Datawiz]

:flag:

Here's to his safe return. :cheers:

[VITE1]

:angel::flag: :angel::flag:

My hopes and prayers are with him.

[Superstreet]

Praying for a safe return and thank him for his services. :flag:

[wwomanC6]

http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss305/wwomanC6/Smileys%20and%20Misc/sailor-sailor-navy-costume-smiley-emoticon-000802-facebook.gif

Congrads on becoming a Navy Dad! As stated above he will be a lot safer on the ship. It sounds like you raised a good son. Best of luck to him!:cheers:

:squirrel:

[SteelCityBlue]

Look at it this way-

I have a friend who was in the Sunni triangle back when everything was goiung to hell. He called about once a week. I asked him once after some fanciful story on the news how it was going. His respeonse-

Dude, it's not like I'm in Camden.

stay safe.

[MEC5LADY]

Sounds like an awesome kid. Prayers for a safe deployment.:flag:

[repo]

Bittersweet.:cheers:

[myescape]

Sounds like you are the proud father of a wonderful young man ! Thank you to your son for his service ! Prayers for his prompt and safe return !
:angel:
:patriot:

[longhorn341]

:patriot:

[Mr Hole]

Please thank him for his service. :flag:

Mine has been in Missouri for about a week and half for Basic Training. My guess is that he's freezing his ass off about now.

[DAB]

please thank him for his service on my behalf. sounds like a great kid. you should be very proud. :cheers:

:rep:

[Kerrmudgeon]

....may he go with God watching over him.:angel:

[Bingo Fuel]

Here's to a safe deployment and a speedy return for the young Blademaker. :cheers:

[American Made]

Thank you to your son. You should be very proud. :cheers::flag:

[DJ_Critterus]

He'll be fine. Make sure he knows to put in the proper request chit to blow the MPA once they ship gets under way. :thumbs:

[Bucwheat]

:flag:Tell him he has a lot of thankful people glad he has our back!

[Exotix]

http://i54.tinypic.com/104j2c6.gif

[xXBUDXx]

As I've told you before, I thank him for his service. :flag:

[w!ngnut]

:patriot: Thanks to all that serve and have served.

Semper Fi

[xCCTer]

:patriot:

[Sea Six]

I'm sure you're proud, Blademaker.

Godspeed to your son.

:flag:

[oyealiz]

It's cool that you're so proud of him. :yesnod:

May he have a safe deployment. :flag:

[navyndi2]

:flag::cheers:

[Sea Six]

:patriot:

[tuco]

:patriot::patriot:
Mine just got out in Sept after his 4 years. Time sure seemed to fly by. Every one said that could not believe it had been 4 already.
The Navy took good care of him, your son will be fine too. I never worried about him for a second as our Navy is second to none.:patriot::patriot:

And for the one in Missouri..try going to Chicago on Jan 25. for graduation...just a tad cold and windy too. :willy::willy:

Please thank him for his service. ::patriot::rep:

[1911fool]

please thank him for his service on my behalf. sounds like a great kid. you should be very proud. :cheers:

:rep:

:iagree::flag:

[Truck Guy]

:flag:

[Allan]

The Navy = 3 hots & a cot.

He won't even see sand until he gets Liberty in the Caribbean. :rofl:

:patriot:

[Burnt C6]

:flag: tell him thanks for his service.

[NB2K]

I'd be pretty dang proud if it was my son. It sounds like he's got his head screwed on straight and he'll do his country (and his family) proud.