 |
Once Upon A Time, Marines Read To Their Children
(October 2, 2010) | 
|
|
|
Sgt. Nikole Stradley, a
radio operator with Service Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 26, 26th Marine
Expeditionary Unit, and mother of a 9-month-old reads a book while being
videotaped for the United Through Reading Program, Sept. 23, 2010. 26th MEU
continues to support relief operations in Pakistan and is also serving as the
theater reserve force as elements of the MEU conduct training and planned
exercises. |
|
USS PONCE, At Sea --
Deployments are difficult for service members
and spouses, but can be especially difficult for
their children. Marines and sailors with 26th
Marine Expeditionary Unit have an opportunity to
alleviate that stress and connect with their
families through reading.
The United Through Reading program offered
aboard the ships of Kearsarge Amphibious Ready
Group helps deployed parents provide invaluable
personal contact with their children. The
United Through Reading nonprofit
organization, founded in 1989, provides Marines
and sailors the opportunity to bond with their
children by making a video of themselves reading
children's books.
“Staying connected is one of the biggest
challenges for deployed parents,” said Navy Lt.
Jason Weatherwax, chaplain for Combat Logistics
Battalion 26, 26th MEU. He explained that while
spouses understand why their loved ones must
deploy, they still need periodic contact.
“Children, especially young ones, don't
understand even though they have those same
needs.”
More than 1 million American children are
separated from one or both of their parents due
to military deployments, according to the
organization's Web site. Through the program,
members are video-recorded reading children's
book for up to 30 minutes. Members then receive
a DVD, which they mail home.
“I read a story to my daughter, so that she will
remember who I am,” said Sgt. Nikole Stradley, a
radio operator with Service Company, CLB 26, and
mother of a 9-month-old. “I want her to remember
my face and not just my voice.”
Although not her first deployment, it is her and
her husband's first since |
|
becoming parents. Stradley explained that the allotted 30-minute period is
plenty of time to read a couple books as well as create a personal message for
her family. |
|
“I enjoy making the video, because its time alone to speak to my family,” she
said. “I also like it because it helps knowing that she knows me.”
Chaplain Weatherwax, who is also a parent, explained that he was not a true
advocate of the program until his last deployment.
“I didn't believe it was that beneficial, but seeing how my daughter would react
to the videos, even after I got back, is when I realized that it was good,”
Weatherwax said. “My daughter asks my wife to play it over and over again.”
He explained that his wife is the daughter of a sailor who made similar projects
for his family. |
Cpl. Thomas Crysler, a radio operator with Service Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 26, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, whose first child is due in November, reads a book while being videotaped for the United Through Reading Program, Sept. 23,
2010. |
|
“She vividly remembers her
father's voice from the books on tape as he
would read to her,” he added. “I find it a very
healthy tool for our service members, as a
chaplain and as a parent.”
He explained that often service members
disconnect themselves from the rest of the world
and that is not always best when it comes to
families.
“For good or bad we compartmentalize a lot in
the military, but you can't just put a child on
a shelf for 7 months and then pick up where you
left off when you get home,” he said.
Another CLB Marine is using the program to
introduce himself to his child.
“My wife is due with our first child in
November,” said Cpl. Thomas Crysler, a radio
operator with Service Company, CLB 26. “I would
like for our child to know who I am and not be
starting from scratch when I get home.”
According to the organization's Web site,
reading aloud to children not only strengthens
the bond between families, it also helps prepare
them for academic success.
“Research shows that reading aloud to children
appears to be the single most important activity
for building earliest emergent reading skills,”
according to the Web site.
“At home I read to my daughter every other
night. My wife and I alternate,” said Weatherwax.
“This is one way I can still do that. We can
stay more connected.” |
| |
Article and photos by USMC SSgt. Danielle Bacon
26th Marine Expeditionary Unit Public Affairs
Copyright 2010
Provided
through DVIDS
Comment on this article |
|
