Any parents who went to Ft. Benning for Family Day and Graduation: Do you have any tips on the best place to stay? Other tips? I am in the planning stages and before I called for accomodations (base? Uchee Creek? hotel?), I thought I'd check with folks who have been there/done that. I read in one of the posts to bring $$$ and getting there early. Other suggestions? Of special interest is where you wished you stayed or where you did stay and thought it was just right. Or what you wish you knew ahead of time.
I have a preschooler traveling with us. We will drive from NY. Of course, my focus is seeing my Soldier "boy" but need to consider family needs. Thanks in advance!
Jackie

If you can make a reservation at uchee creek I think that would be good...I heard from other parents that it was a nice place and they all enjoyed it, although it is a little ways from the graduation site... I can tell you this stay away from any hotel on Veterans parkway. There is another street that I want to warn you about however I'm not sure of the name right off hand but I will let you know that these two are some very shady places and you really want to stay away from them. oh yeah it's Victory drive..

Hello,

My son graduated the end of July. We stayed at Uchee Creek. It is beautiful there. The deer will come into your back yard. We stayed in one of the medium cabins. It was just enough room for my husband, myself and my 15 year old daughter. Everything we needed was there {linens,kitchen items etc.} We went on a Sunday even though we did not get to see our son until his Turning Blue on Thursday. This was a type of mini vacation for us. I would advise if you stay there to stop at a grocery store before you get there. The store there does not have everything. It is a little out of the way but very worth it. It is not far from where the paratroopers jump spectator area where you can go and watch. That was really cool. As for the distance to Sand Hill, it took us about 20-30 minutes drive. We ended up going thru the base. You can go to the visitors center on main base and get a pass if you have the right information including the letter that was mailed to you.

There is a pool at Uchee Creek that has weird hours. They were sometimes posted. Lots of great playgrounds for your little one.

If I ever have to go back to Benning I would stay there again.

Yes, you will want to take lots of money with you. They will have pictures of his group, him in uniform that was taken the first week of training and a current picture in his dress uniform. I bought some of all the pictures because one day he will want his group picture and I like seeing the difference between the picture when he first went in and the current one. They will have lots of venders selling t-shirts, tote bages, hoodies, mugs and anything and everything else.

Turning Blue and Graduation were pretty good. You do want to get there early. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Lots of standing at Turning Blue unless you are lucky enough to be one of the first out of the building. Pinnning the Infantry cord on my son was an honor to me.

The main thing that helped us when we were in Georgia was a GPS that my husband has. All we had to do was type in the name of a resturant or where we wanted to go and it told us how to get there.

Hope this information helps. My son is now stationed in Hawaii and I am missing him like crazy.

Tina

Thank you, faithful. I called Uchee and there is a family reunion that week so they are completely booked. The base isn't a guarantee, I found out, because naturally (and with good reason) military personnel can receive accomodation above a civilian w/o need for reservation. Looks like I need to look for a hotel and will absolutely heed your advise.

Tina: thank you for your very helpful tips. All this is still fresh for you...I miss my Soldier, too and can't wait to see him. How much time did you spend with him before he left for Hawaii?
I get weepy thinking about how all these boys are working so hard and how much we are all rooting for them and wish for their safety. It really is different from empty-nest and I am glad this forum is available to correspond with other parents.

Hey... Glad to see someone asked the same questions I had.
My son Bear, or should I say Pvt2 Bear, graduates on 9/18/08 @ Ft.Benning. Sure would be nice to touch base w/others who will be at the graduation.
So... Stay away from Victory lane and Veteran's Parkway...gotcha... soooooo looks like I'll need to do some research regarding other areas.

Thanks for the info-
Deborah
Arizona Army Mom

Victory Drive is really the only place to stay away from. The hotels that are only lower Veterans Parkway are not that bad but Columbus does have better hotels at the North end of Veterans Parkway which is where all the shopping and restaurants are. All of the stuff on the North end of Veterans Parkway is relatively new within the last few years...

I live in the area so if you have any questions please ask I will be glad to answer..

Hey Mythicwoe,

He was home for 2 weeks before he left for Hawaii. He is loving it in Hawaii. Missing everyone but having fun.

He is saying that he wants to make a career out of it, but he hasn't really done anything yet.

Tina

I live in the area so if you have any questions please ask I will be glad to answer..[/QUOTE]

Beth, thanks! Super 8 in Columbus on Warms Springs Road has great rates. Do you think that's too far of a drive? Any thoughts on that area? Again, thank you.

For those who already graduates, please tell me what company does the video of training? My son was to graduate Aug 14 but flew out of ft benning on August 12 because his Grandpa was dying. He was considered an early graduate, no problem, but missed the ceremony and of course we weren't there to pick up those things. Please help with a name or phone number.