Vol. 2 Issue 6
April 11, 2013
Stand WE United Story and Photo by MCSN Nathan McDonald
T
he United Through Reading program kicked off aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Monday. The program allows deployed military members to record and send a DVD of themself reading a story to family members. “The program gives our Sailors the opportunity to stay connected with their kids and family members while deployed,” said Chief Electronic Technician Roger Phillip, Nimitz United Through Reading coordinator. “United Through Reading provides the DVD and the mailer to send the recording out to Sailors’ families.”
More than 100 books for children of all ages are available in the ship’s library. The program allows families to see their loved ones throughout deployment, no matter the distance separating them. “One of the best things about the program is how it helps both families and Sailors feel connected,” Phillip said. “It’s a great thing for them to be able to see each other even though they’re on different sides of the world.” Phillip said a sign-up sheet will be posted in the aft mess decks, near the Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) ticket office. “We’re going to start small at first to work the kinks out,” Phillip said. “We’re really going to try to expand it as we go, though.” United Through Reading is a nonprofit organization developed during the Persian Gulf War in 1990. The program is available throughout the Department of Defense.