Drive to Parris Island from HHI?

[buckeyejennifer]

We (my husband, our 3-year old daughter and I) are taking my Father-in-Law to HHI for a long weekend in September. He is 76 and a recent widower, so we are trying to give him a fun and special weekend. He was a Marine in Korea and is still so proud of his service in the USMC, so we are looking into surprising him with a day trip to Parris Island (he hasn't been back since boot camp!). According to mapquest it is only an hour's drive from HHI.

I was just wondering if anyone has made this trip and if it is an easy trip from HHI? Also, I couldn't tell from the Parris Island website what might be available to do there. I'm sure that security is very tight, but wanted to know what we might be able to see.

Any info or insight is appreciated!!

THanks!

 

[ercrbc]

I've made the trip many times, I used to work a territory that included Charleston/HHI/Savannah. The drive is definitely less than an hour. It is absolutely beautiful in this area, you will drive through the marshes and over numerous inlets and swampy areas. Very nice drive. I used to call on the Hospital on Paris Island and never had an issue with security. It is pretty there but I wouldn't say there is much to do other than walk around and enjoy the gorgeous atmosphere of the island. Of course I never was there to do anything other than work, so someone else may have suggestions.

Just make sure you have mapquest or a garmin/tom tom with you. It is easy to get lost in the lowcountry if you don't know where you are going!

 

[dis-happy]

Every Friday they have bootcamp graduation and the public is invited to attend. You might want to look into this if it works with your schedule.

A great place to stop and eat on the way to or from is Sgt. White's Barbeque. It's a very casual but excellent food barbeque place located in the parking lot of Piggly Wiggly. Sgt. White is a former marine drill sargeant turned cook...your dad might like the connection. They close pretty early (mainly it's a lunch/early dinner place) so check the hours if you want to go.

Enjoy your trip.


http://www.mcrdpi.usmc.mil/graduation/grad_dates.asp



ETA: check "visitor information" link on page listed above

 

[buckeyejennifer]

Thanks so much! Seeing the bootcamp graduation would be a hit I'm sure! We were planning to go on a Friday, so that might work. I looked on the Parris Island website for the graduation schedules, but the link is broken. I'll try again soon. I know they have a USMC museum as well, so we're planning to make a stop. Hopefully our 3 year old will cooperate!

Thanks also for the restaurant suggestion. That sounds great! Is it located on Parris Island?

Thanks again!

Jennifer

 

[buckeyejennifer]

I found a restaurant review for Sgt. White's and it looks yummy. We'll definitely stop! I thought I'd include it for anyone else interested in making the trek!

http://www.roadfood.com/Restaurant/Reviews/1408/sgt-whites-diner

This is our first trip to South Carolina (I'm a mid-westerner), so we're excited for our visit!

 

[dis-happy]

Sgt. White's is located a little past Parris Island, a little closer to Beaufort on Hwy. 21. Not terribly far though.

Sorry the link didn't work. Just google Parris Island Graduation 2010 and you'll find the page you need. It also has visitor information links, etc. I'm still not sure though (from reading the page) if you need a special pass for graduation, so call and ask.

 

[Dano1182]

If you go to graduation why not pack a small gift for a Marine.
I am sure that not every marine who graduates will have family there.

Look at the crowd after and see who is not getting hugs or handshakes.
Introduce your self and your dad.
I am sure it will make a lonely young marine happy to know he is now part of a big family.
Your dad can give hime some advice on how to be a Marine.
It will be good for both of them.

 

[buckeyejennifer]

If you go to graduation why not pack a small gift for a Marine.
I am sure that not every marine who graduates will have family there.

Look at the crowd after and see who is not getting hugs or handshakes.
Introduce your self and your dad.
I am sure it will make a lonely young marine happy to know he is now part of a big family.
Your dad can give hime some advice on how to be a Marine.
It will be good for both of them.

That is a a GREAT idea! Thanks so much for the suggestion! We will definitely do that. Now...what kind of gift do you suggest??

 

[Dano1182]

Sorry I took so long to reply.

I spoke to some miltary friends.
They suggest that you contact Public info or Family assitance at Parris Isalnd prior to your arrival.
They should be able to Identify a worthy Marine.They should also be able to assist with any needs your father may have and make his visit more special than showing up unannounced.
They may also be able to suggest a gift.
Thoughts are an Amex Gift Card
USMC rank insignia for Corporal(presented from a former marine is extremley meaningful and indicates good luck on getting promoted to next rank.)

A K-Bar knife was also suggested.

Good luck

 

[2binak]

If you go to graduation why not pack a small gift for a Marine.
I am sure that not every marine who graduates will have family there.

Look at the crowd after and see who is not getting hugs or handshakes.
Introduce your self and your dad.
I am sure it will make a lonely young marine happy to know he is now part of a big family.
Your dad can give hime some advice on how to be a Marine.
It will be good for both of them.

Ok - this suggestion just made me tear up. I attended a family member's bootcamp graduation at Parris Island and anytime I think of the ceremony, I tear up. It was truly an amazing, emotional, moving experience. Sadly, there were quite a few Marines who did not have family members in attendance. It broke my heart.

I spoke to some miltary friends.
They suggest that you contact Public info or Family assitance at Parris Isalnd prior to your arrival.
They should be able to Identify a worthy Marine.They should also be able to assist with any needs your father may have and make his visit more special than showing up unannounced.

I asked our Marine if we should ask one of the Marines without family members to join us, but he said that the ones who don't have family visiting usually get set up with someone prior to the ceremony so it sounds like your suggestion is a good one. I also think it would be great if they could do something nice for the OP's dad while he was there.

OP - the museum is a must-see for a Marine! I hope your dad enjoys the trip!

 

[Halle]

DH and I were at HH in April and took a day trip to Parris Island, my Dad's a marine who served in WWII. We spent almost two hours in the museum. Be sure to bring something to entertain the little one while your Dad enjoys the museum. It took us about an hour to get there due to traffic.

 

[doombuggy]

I just saw this thread. I went to my cousin's graduation in 1992 and it was great! We had a great time, and even got to go to Larry's barricks and meet his DIs (drill instructors). The SDI reminde me so much of the sargent from Gomer Pyle - it was funny.

Larry's grad was in August and it was hot. I wore a sleeveless top & skirt and my aunt wore something similar; uncle (my dad's bro) wore his charlies (one of the USMC uniforms - he retired in 2000 after 31 years), but Larry's girlfriend (now ex-wife) wore a t-shirt & jean shorts. Most people were better dressed.

I remember it being early in the morning, like 8 or 9. We had no problem getting on base, since my uncle was still in at the time and had the sticker on his car (he was stationed at norfolk at the time), but I am sure that security is different now than it was then.

My cousin went on to become a DI and his first day of work at Parris Island was 9/10/2001. Needless to say, they were locked down the next day.

Larry has done 2 tours inIraq, the most recent last year. He's a CWO2 now, but was in some kind of program where you could send a generic gift package overseas; he would get the package, as it was addressed to him but marked a certain way so that he knew to give to to a marine who didn't get stuff from home. I sent him a package a couple of times and did this too. In one of the packages (for a female), I sent some feminine stuff that they peobably can't get there, along with one of the Americana anntenna toppers we sold at WDW. Larry told me it ended up on one of the Humvees.

Enough your trip!

 

[Sammie]

For all of you that have family in the service or prior service, a very big thank you to them and your family and wishing all of you a very good Memorial Day weekend.