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At Sea - The United Through Reading (UTR) Military Program aboard amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) allows sailors and Marines to read books aloud while being video-recorded for their loved ones back home.
"Green Eggs and Ham," "Are you my Mother," and "Minnie's Slumber Party" are just some of the titles you might hear walking by the chapel during a UTR session. Founded in 1989, UTR is the nation's first nonprofit organization to promote the read-aloud experience for separated military families.
Ships are not quiet, as they are a 24 hour work center for the Sailors and Marines aboard, so one challenge for the Boxer UTR program is noise. A private location to record the sessions is another challenge.
"Space is a commodity aboard the ship," said Religious Programs Specialist 2nd Class (FMF) Andrew Randall. "And the chapel is used for many different things."
Despite these obstacles, the slots fill up fast. The Chaplain's office does its best to make sure every service member who wants to record a book for their loved ones has the opportunity.
"We all work together to make sure everyone on the ship is taken care of," said Religious Programs Specialist 3rd Class (SW) Kyle O'Doniel.
Regardless of their grueling schedules, Sailors and Marines feel that the UTR program is important and helps them connect with their loved ones on a deeper level.
"I work the night shift, but I stayed up so I could participate," said Cpl. Emmanuel Martir, assigned to the Air Combat Element of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). "I think it's worth the sacrifice if they get to see my face and hear my voice. It hits home better than just writing a message or sending a letter."
UTR helps ease the stress of separation, maintains positive emotional connections and cultivates a love of reading.
"It's a great program and I know that my family appreciates any kind of correspondence that they get from me," said Cryptologic Technician (Technical) 1st Class (IDW/SW) Jim Hensley. "My kids especially enjoy it because I always talk to them before, and after readings. Not to mention that I address the envelope to them so they feel like they are getting their own piece of mail from me."
Anyone onboard can participate in the program and they don't have to have kids to participate. Although the program is geared for kids, they can be nieces, nephews, brothers, sisters or even a whole elementary class.
"I was excited to hear about this program last deployment, before I got the idea to read to my mom's class," said Operations Specialist 2nd Class Heather Piersing. "It makes me feel good that I'm helping my mom. I volunteer while we are in San Diego, back home in Oklahoma and port visits when I can, I feel like this is one more way I'm able to volunteer and better another's life. Also, I know she likes seeing me on the video."
Boxer began the UTR program for this deployment in July during work ups, 114 sessions have been recorded so far.
"I think it helps Sailors and Marines stay connected with their families and loved ones," said Lance Cpl. Matthew Payne assigned to the 13th MEU. "It's one step above email, like we are there with them."
The program is possible through donations from sponsors, who provided equipment and supplies.
"I have done this on three separate occasions on two different vessels," said Hensley. "The first one I did in 2010 on the USS Abraham Lincoln. My wife and kids were ecstatic when they got it. My wife told me later that my kids watched it so much that they actually wore out the disc."
The disc he sent home during this deployment garnered just as much excitement from his family.
"We were in the Philippines, and I was Skyping with my family when my kids got the package in the mail. My oldest son saw the disc and immediately knew what it was and wanted to put it in," said Hensley.
The program aboard Boxer is scheduled to continue throughout deployment.
"I intend to do it at least once a month until we get home," Hensley added. As much as I enjoy getting mail from home, I know my family appreciates getting mail from me more."
| Date Taken: | 11.07.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 11.09.2013 02:28 |
| Story ID: | 116517 |
| Location: | USAFRICOM, AT SEA |
| Hometown: | SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 90 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Sailors, Marines and families are United Through Reading, by CPO Jennifer Gold, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
