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| Servicemembers Read To Children |
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| By Cpl. Paul Leicht / MCAS Miramar |
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Navy Lt. Allison Johnson, air operations officer, USNS Mercy, reads a children's story during a United Through Reading taping session for deployed military servicemembers at the San Diego Armed Services YMCA. Johnson's husband is a Marine pilot stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. Photo Courtesy of SDASYMCA
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MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif., July 22, 2005 - Many studies have corroborated the theory that reading aloud to children can greatly facilitate their development and help set the foundations for future academic success.
Through the efforts of a local non-profit program, deployed servicemembers can now read to their children even while a half-a-world away.
"This program is a great way for deployed servicemembers to strengthen the bonds between them and their children, providing a bridge through communication during challenging times," said Teri Patterson, director of development and public relations, San Diego Armed Services YMCA.
"With the help of the Family Literacy Foundation, the United Through Reading program helps to ease the anxiety of separation for a parent in the military who is getting ready to deploy and his or her children while bolstering morale for their entire family."
The San Diego ASYMCA program now offers pre-deployment videotaping sessions at their Murphy Canyon location. Marines, Sailors and other deploying military personnel from all branches of service can now take advantage of a free recording session prior to their deployment to record a book reading for their children.
"This program is a great gift that will help children feel closer to an absent parent during deployment," said Patterson. "Our partnership with (FLF) is a close relationship designed to help deployed servicemembers. If anyone preparing to go overseas has a special child, including younger siblings, nieces, nephews, grandchildren or an adopted classroom they would like to record a reading session for, we can certainly accommodate them."
Since 1920, the San Diego ASYMCA has been providing services without government subsidization to those who serve our country in uniform, according to Patterson.
"We have more than 30 free programs and services to junior enlisted military (members) and their families from three locations," added Patterson. "Our staff is focused on helping the military community with programs like (United Through Reading) as well as counseling, recreation activities and active duty events to help those who help keep our country free when they need it most."
Since the program started June 28, several servicemembers have jumped on board to record a session, including a dual military couple.
"We recently had an active duty participant who is married to a Marine officer at Miramar record a session for their child," said Deborah Loeffler, program director, FLF.
"She made a tape for their 20-month-old son and we recently received a photo of him watching the tape and you can see his reaction. It's a perfect example of the full-circle idea."
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Navy Lt. Allison Johnson, air operations officer, USNS Mercy, reads a children's story during a United Through Reading taping session for deployed military servicemembers at the San Diego Armed Services YMCA. Johnson's husband is a Marine pilot stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. Photo Courtesy of SDASYMCA
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