February 2012 Newsletter

1. THE SULLIVANS TIMES
February 2012
Ombudsman Family Newsletter By Meagan Snyder and Sarah Wester
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
COMMAND REMARKS……….PAGE 1
OMBUDSMAN REMARKS………. PAGE 2
STAYING CONNECTED THROUGH DEPLOYMENT……….PAGE 3
COMMAND SPOUSES’ “HOW I MET MY SAILOR”……….PAGE 4 to 6
CRAFT OF THE MONTH & CEILI SCHEDULE ……….PAGE 7
USEFUL LINKS……….PAGE 8
“CAN YOU SPOT YOUR SAILOR?”………..PAGE 9
OMBUDSMEN AND BASE CONTACT INFORMATION……….PAGE 10
Command Remarks
THE SULLIVANS’ Friends and Families,
Greetings from the Eastern Mediterranean! I hope this edition of the newsletter finds all of you in good
health and looking forward to the back end of this deployment. Since our last newsletter we have been
conducting our operational tasking and have returned to Souda Bay, Crete for a short maintenance and
upkeep period. The crew worked diligently every day to perform much needed maintenance throughout
and preservation of the ship over the twelve days the ship was in port. I could not be more impressed by
the dedication and the effort the crew puts forth every day. I ask a lot of each of your family members
onboard. They rise to the occasion and work at making our ship the best ship in the Sixth Fleet. One
highlight of our time in port was having the opportunity to host our Ombudsman Sarah Wester, who made
the trip over to update the Command Master Chief, Executive Officer and I on the status of our families at
home.
I am sure you are aware of the news about events in Israel and Syria. While I cannot predict what will
happen I assure all of you the crew is safe, healthy and highly trained. They are fully prepared to meet all
of the President’s tasking and I could not be more honored and proud to have the opportunity to serve with
each and every one of them.
Please join us in congratulating Petty Officer Snyder and his wife, Meagan, along with Petty Officer Bullen
and his wife, Jana, as they welcomed new babies to their families in January. We are also excited in
welcoming our new Shipmates and their families to the team. Welcome aboard to QM1(SW) Robinson,
FC2(SW) Kinter, FC3 Nordwig, ETSN North, CTR3 Larrieu, and GSMFN Ball.
You are always in our hearts and minds. We wish you all a collective Happy Valentine’s Day this February.
I count on your continued support for our Sailors and recognize the sacrifice you are all making at home.
Meagan and Sarah have been provided updated pictures of the ship and crew for all of you. They have
been working on some special plans for our return home. They are our liaison with you and we are
fortunate to have such dedicated supporters of the crew.
Commanding Officer, CDR Derick Armstrong, sends.
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2. Ombudsman Remarks
By Meagan Snyder
Love Is…
Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs…
…It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.
I am sure we have all read this poem at one point in our lives. Although the message seems simple
and clear cut, I think we forget to love the way we should sometimes. Life can get in the way of really
loving each other, especially when faced with the challenges of a long deployment. My grandmother once
said something to me that has always stuck with me through rough patches in my own marriage, “Love
isn’t something that you just fall into, real love takes work, lots of work. It’s something you have to work at
every day.” She and my grandfather just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary so that makes her an
expert in my book.
As we go into the second half of our deployment, take time to reflect on your relationships and think
about what kind of “work” your love might need in order to overcome the hardship of being separated.
Take the time to find creative ways to show that special someone how much they mean to you this
Valentine’s Day. Remember, love is patient, love is kind…love never fails.
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3. Staying Connected throughout Deployment
By Sarah Wester
Maintaining an emotional link with your Sailor during deployment can be a challenge. Whether your
preferred method of contact is email, Facebook or even care packages and snail mail, it can be difficult to
think of things to say or send.
Here are a few ideas that have been useful for military families worldwide.
For Email Communication: Send a question each day or week that follows a specific topic.
Example: Question of the Day: Which restaurant would you like to eat at on your first day back?
For Facebook: Many families use the quote or picture of the day theme. Take a quick picture in the
morning of the kids are getting ready for school or of you at work. Sometimes just a glimpse of daily life
back home can help you and your Sailor to stay connected.
For Children: At times it can be especially hard for children when parent is deployed. If they are feeling
down or particularly emotional about missing Mom or Dad it can be useful for them to write about how they
are feeling; whether in an online or traditional journal to share with Mom or Dad upon return. Older children
may find it helpful to write a daily email to their deployed parent to help bridge the gap.
For Snail Mail/Care Packages: Send a themed care package. While it is a little late for Valentine’s Day,
there are still some holidays left to celebrate; namely St. Patrick’s Day. Send a green themed care
package. All green candy, a picture of the family wearing green and don’t forget the shamrock party favors!
If you send a letter separately make it one with 5 simple questions with your responses included.
You can ask questions like:
 If you were offered a free plane ticket to anywhere in the world, where would you go?
 What would you do with a million dollars?
Here are a few websites for care package and connection ideas. Keep in mind that some ideas may need
to be tweaked a little for Navy deployments.
http://marriedtothearmy.com/themed-care-package-ideas/
http://www.militarysos.com/forum/during-deployment/133207-care-package-ideas.html
http://www.squidoo.com/care-package-sailor
http://carepackagefun.blogspot.com/
Let’s be honest, this part of deployment can start to drain on all of us so staying positive and sharing ideas
can help keep those mid-deployment blues away. If you have any additional ideas, please feel free to
share on our Facebook page.
Disclaimer: The listing of any private companies does not constitute endorsement by the US Navy, the command or the
Ombudsmen. We are only providing a listing of resources that are available. Feel free to research this topic for additional
resources as well.
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4. This month we are honored to present our Command Spouses’ stories of how they met their Sailors.
If you would like to share your story, please send it via email to
Sarah @ sullivansombudsman@gmail.com or Meagan @ proudsullivanswife@gmail.com.
HOW I MET MY SAILOR:
CMC BRIAN PORTER
By: Carolyn Porter
I grew up a “navy brat” and swore I would never date a sailor. It was Friday, March 15, 1996
and I was out with a girlfriend for the evening. I was only 20 years old at the time so we headed
to Shades, an 18 and up nightclub. We were dancing and having a good time when I spotted two
guys sitting at a table. My girlfriend and I approached them and started a conversation.
I was interested in Brian and my girlfriend liked his friend. As we were getting to know each other
I heard him say something about Navy. Maybe the music was too loud but I thought he just told
me he was a SAILOR! You would have thought I’d run away but by the end of the evening we had
exchanged phone numbers.
On June 21, 1997 we vowed to become “one” in marriage and this year we will be celebrating
our 15 year wedding anniversary.
Brian is the apple of our children’s eye and the axis that my world revolves.
He is our everything.
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5. “How I met my sailor”
By Jill de Castro, wife of CDR Samuel de Castro
When people ask me how my husband and I met, my version is a lot shorter than the one my husband
retells. I am often criticized for not “telling the whole story”. I have tried to find a reasonable middle
ground here.
While home for his winter break in Buffalo, Midshipman de Castro went out to meet some friends and
ran into a high school classmate named Margaret. They spoke briefly and remembered that Margaret
was at Georgetown University in Washington DC, not far from where he was attending college in
Annapolis, MD. I was also studying at Georgetown University and was roommates with Margaret.
“Come visit me, Sam” she said, “I have a roommate that I would love to introduce you to.” Time
passed, both students were busy, and they were unable to connect again.
Spring break came and some of Sam’s friends from a college (in Massachusetts) were driving to Florida,
headed for fun in the sun. They made a quick stop in Annapolis to pick up Sam. After two long days of
driving in a cramped Winnebago that reeked of a sweaty gym locker and full of excited twenty-
something year olds preparing for a spring break of fun, they arrived at their destination, Key West,
Florida. The first night out, the guys headed out to a local bar named Rick’s.
That same spring break, I was also travelling to Key West with some friends for the week. On the same
night, my friends and I headed out to that same popular local bar, Rick’s.
Sam planted himself strategically at the bar and ordered a drink.
“Where did you go to school that you are wearing a WHFS-tival t-shirt?”, my friend Laura said to
Sam. (WHFS is a DC radio station that puts on a big music festival at RFK stadium every summer.)
“Well,” he said, “I go to small, technical school in Maryland. Why, where do you go?” She replied that
she went to Georgetown. Sam asked the girl if she knew his friend from high school, Margaret. She said
that she knew Margaret, but not well and mentioned that Margaret’s roommate was also with her that
night and she pointed to me across the room. She offered to introduce us.
This is how we met. In the middle of a crowded bar during a spring break in Key West, Florida. Six
months after a thought to “set us up” had fizzled. By fate or coincidence, we were in the same place at
the same time.
Almost 17 years to the day we met, I sit and write this. Three kids later, six moves and too many
deployments I wish to count, I will always know that fate will keep us together through the adventures.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
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6. HOW I MET MY SAILOR
BY Sonja H. Armstrong, Wife of CDR Derick Armstrong
My sailor and I met in 2002. We were both a part of our best friends’ wedding. He had been friends with
the groom for several years and they both serve in the Navy. The bride and I met in college and are
sorority line sisters. They introduced us during the wedding festivities. We liked each other and remained
friends with periodic contact through the years.
In 2006 I was traveling to Virginia for work, family and friends. Our mutual
friends were now living in Virginia. I called them to let me know that I would be traveling to Virginia and
wanted to see them. At that time they told me Derick relocated there from Hawaii. My friend gave me his
new number and said give him a call and see what he has been up to. I called him and we were able to go
on a few dates while I was in town. I also introduced him to my family members living in the area. They
immediately fell in love with him.
The rest is history. We continued to date and fell in love quickly. We traveled to see each other as often as
we could due to our demanding career schedules. We eventually got married. We later had our daughter
Sydney, the sunshine in our lives.
Cheers to my sailor, the love of my life!
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7. Craft of the Month
Valentines Mailbox
Courtesy of Family Fun magazine
Materials
 Rectangular cardboard box
 Craft glue
 White self-adhesive shelf paper
 Craft knife
 Colored paper
 Scissors
 Stapler
 Velcro dots
 Stickers, stamps, and other decorations

Instructions
1. Glue the box lid closed and cover the entire box with several layers of white self-adhesive shelf
paper (enough to block out any writing on the box).
2. Starting 2 inches from the top, use a craft knife to carefully cut along three sides of the box, leaving
the back intact to serve as the hinge (a parent's job). Cut a mail slot (also a parent's job) in the front
of the box.
3. Make a tab closure from a 2 1/2- by 3/4-inch strip of colored paper. Fold it in half and staple it to the
center front of the cover. Attach Velcro dots to the tab and the box to keep the top shut.
4. Decorate the entire box with paper cutouts, stamps, or heart-shaped stickers.
UPCOMING CEILIS & EVENTS
What is a Ceili (kay-lee)? A Ceili is simply a social gathering. During deployment and throughout the year,
the Ombudsmen host Ceilis to foster friendship and camaraderie throughout the families and Sailors of
USS The Sullivans.
14 February 18 February 17 March
SPOUSES’ NIGHT OUT HALF WAY CEILI! St. Patrick’s Day themed
Ceili
7pm 2-4pm
2-4pm
Location: Cantina Laredo, Location: Big Air
St. Johns Town Center 13475 Atlantic Blvd # 8 Location: TBD
Jacksonville
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8. USEFUL LINKS AND INFO
H&R Block at Home® Free Tax Filing Service
Military OneSource is once again offering a free, electronic tax filing service. If you are eligible
under the Military OneSource program, you can complete, save, and file your 2011 federal and up
to three state returns online free with the H&R Block At Home® tool.
To access this free version of H&R Block At Home®, you must start your return from the Military
OneSource H&R Block At Home® link. Once you click the link you will be required to log in to
Military OneSource. From the login page you will be directed to a site containing additional
information on tax preparation, including the link to the Military OneSource free H&R Block At
Home® service.
If you have questions about this tax service or about preparing your own tax returns, please call 1-
800-342-9647 and ask to speak with a Military OneSource tax consultant. Trained tax consultants
are available 7 days a week from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., EST. For information about deductions,
exemptions, and filing deadlines visit the Military OneSource Tax Program page.
Special alert: H&R Block does not send urgent or time sensitive text messages or emails asking clients to provide, update
or confirm sensitive data. These text messages are scams and are not information requests from H&R Block. More
information is available on the Military OneSource Tax Program page.
DEPLOYMENT STRESS AND CHILDREN: If your child is having some trouble adjusting to this
deployment here are some links for counseling and/or outlets for their feelings:
 Military Kids Connect: This is a brand new website sponsored by the Department of
Defense for military kids to share experiences and advice with one another through a parent
facilitated forum. https://www.militarykidsconnect.org/
 Military One Source: Counseling is available by calling 1-800-342-9647 or you can visit
their website @ www.militaryonesource.com
 Deployment Kids website: This website provides activities and children centered
information about how to deal with deployment: http://www.deploymentkids.com/
 Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC): Your local FFSC can provide options for many
different situations regarding deployment. Below is the contact information for our three local
FFSC’s.
 NAVSTA Mayport
Phone: 904-270-6600
https://www.cnic.navy.mil/mayport/index.htm
 NAS Jacksonville
Phone: 904-542-2766
http://www.cnic.navy.mil/jacksonville/FleetAndFamilyReadiness/SupportServices/Fam
ilies/index.htm
 SUBASE Kings Bay
Phone: 912-573-4512
http://www.subasekb.navy.mil/page_departments_ffsc_home.htm
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9. LS2 Gavitt reenlists aboard USS The Sullivans
[Photo provided by USS The Sullivans]
Newly promoted LT Ricker poses for a quick
picture with LT Burnett
[Photo provided by USS The Sullivans]
Three of USS The Sullivans newest Surface Warriors
From Left to Right: FC2(SW) Ryan Grate, STG2(SW)
Jeffrey Hammerman and CTM2(SW) Tanesha
Thompson
[ Photo provided by USS The Sullivans]
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10. OMBUDSMEN CONTACT INFORMATION
MEAGAN SNYDER: EMAIL: PROUDSULLIVANSWIFE@GMAIL.COM PHONE: (904) 403-0048
SARAH WESTER: EMAIL: SULLIVANSOMBUDSMAN@GMAIL.COM PHONE: (904) 955-7864
WEBSITE: WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/SULLIVANS.OMBUDSMAN
CARELINE (RECORDED MESSAGE): Toll Free: 1-888-799-8081
THE SHIP’S ADDRESS IS:
USS THE SULLIVANS (DDG 68)
FPO AA 34093-1287
HELPFUL SHIP, BASE AND LOCAL COMMUNITY CONTACTS
USS THE SULLIVANS QUARTERDECK: AMERICAN RED CROSS:
(904) 270-7981 (877) 272-7337 (toll-free)
When calling the Red Cross, please provide
CENTRAL MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS: as much of the following information about
(904) 542-4677 the service member as is known:
NS Mayport Medical Clinic:  Full name
(904) 270-4303  Rank/rating
 Branch of service (Army, Navy, Air
Fleet and Family Support Center: Force, Marines, Coast Guard)
(904) 270-6600  Social Security Account number or
date of birth
Base Chapel:  Military address
(904) 270-5212  Information about the deployed unit
and home base unit (for deployed
ITT Office: service members only)
(904) 270-5145
USO (United Services Organization):
Outdoor Recreation: http://www.uso.org
(904) 270-5221
Mayport USO
Youth Center: 2560 Mayport Road
(904) 270-5680 Atlantic Beach, FL 32233
Phone: 904-246-3481
Child Development Center:
Off-base-(904) 270-7740 NAS Jacksonville USO
Building 1050 (on NAS Jax)
Navy Marine Corps Relief Society Jacksonville, FL 32212-0108
(NMCRS): Phone: 904-778-2821
(904) 270-5418
Pass and ID (Main Gate/decals):
(904) 270-5585
Base Security: (904) 270-5583
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