That really is not all that uncommon. Is he a non-rate? It is very possible his duty just doesn't allow him a lot of time in front of or around a computer. His time may very well be limited. I know it's tough but he will contact you when he can. Keep sending him emails, when he opens up his email, he will be so pleased to know that even though his communication is limited, you are still thinking about him. Not a thing wrong with that. I hope this next statement is going to sound really stupid to you... this is an official military email address you are sending to, keep it clean & if you attach pictures make sure they are something your mom would be proud to put on the fridge at home. If you want to send anything a bit more risque, and its fine if you do, but send it to his yahoo or gmail or hotmail or whatever he has that is private. I'm just sayin... some people don't realize and your Coastie could get in trouble. But I'm certain you are aware of that and smart enough to not do something that goofy! Hang in there, it gets a little easier, honest.

I sent her an email as well. Heather was actually flown off the Hamilton for a couple weeks as my mother in law got sick and died. Luckily they got her there a day before she died and she was able to say goodbye. She was actually able to get there faster then her dad and I!! Luckily we all made it. She is currently in Panama awaiting the ship to come into port so she can rejoin the crew.

Jan,

I'm sorry to hear about your mother in law. I'm glad Heather was able to get there. The CG is so good about stuff like that. It's funny that she was able to get there ahead of you. Gee, poor kid, just hanging in Panama. She must just be so bored. LOL Colin liked Panama when he was there, he got some really great pictures. Hopefully she'll rejoin her crew quickly.

Macie

Jan, my thoughts and prayrs are with you and your family.

I've told this story before...but for those new to the boards here it is.

My son was on the Cutter Storis (now decommissioned after 60 yrs!) when his great-grandma died. At the time the Storis was near the Arctic Circle on Patrol. We were able to email him with the sad news. His BM1noticed he was sad, and asked him why....when he told him the story of her passing, he made a quick call to the Captain who had him immediately report to him. The Captain said he was diverting the Cutter to Dutch Harbor and to be prepared to leave immediately. He issued him 10 days emergency leave and $1000 in spending money. When they arrived in Dutch Harbor, a Coast Guard C-130 aircraft that had been on patrol was waiting for him and transported him back to Kodiak Island where his Yeoman had already made transportation arrangements for his commercial flight to Chicago. When he arrived in Chicago, a Coast Guard van transported him to our home in Northern Illinois. He was there for the funeral. My father-in-law who is a retired Lt Colonel was absolutely astounded by the act of kindness shown by the Coast Guard in this sad time. Imagine our suprise when a card of condolence arrived a few days later from the Captain and signed by the crew. We were overwhelmed.

Conversely, I worked for the Public school system at the time and my request for bereavement leave (3 days) was DENIED because grandma was not a "blood relative".  (I called in sick instead...jerks!)

The Coast Guard has always been there for our family.

A story like that bears repeating Pepper. We are always asked if the CG really means it when they say they are family oriented, if that doesn't show what family means to the Coast Guard, nothing does.

Yes-even though her ship was still out in the middle of the ocean - on the day of the funeral, we got flowers delivered to the house to Heather and her family from the ships crew.  The family was really impressed.  It was amazing how it all worked out.  They have a helo so they just flew her to Panama city and then the yeoman worked it out to get her to Rapid City (during rally week I might add) the next day.  Pretty nifty.  I was amazed how the red cross worked.  I called them saturday night and she was on her way by sunday night.  I figured it would take a few days.  Thank goodness we all made it and had 1 day where she could still "communicate" ie squeeze our hands, so we could say our goodbyes.  Too bad it takes something like this to get the family all together.    At least she is now free and dancing with the angels!!

From my experience the email system on board seems to be pretty reliable. My son is on the Hamilton and he emails home regularly. He is a non-rate and has varying duty sections, etc so I found that when I don't hear from him in a while it is because he can't get to the computers. He has said that it is difficult to use them at certain times of the day. The emails I get from him are usually sent about 1 am. Sometimes an email will not be sent if there is any information in it that cannot be posted such as port locations and dates. But I agree that you should keep on sending the emails, he will love to see that you were thinking of him while he was busy