By Staff Sgt. Bryant Maude
1st Sustainment, Public Affairs Office
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – It's called "Operation Story Time," and the idea is simple. A Soldier reads a children's book to his kids in front of a video camera and then the video is converted to a DVD and mailed back home to the Soldiers' family.
"The idea was conceived prior to my first deployment," recalled Capt. Charles Leggett, the 168th Brigade Support Battalion chaplain. "We were looking at things that would help Soldiers keep in contact with their families."
At the time Chaplain Leggett was assigned to the 382nd Field Artillery, out of Ft. Hood, Texas. They thought they could video tape Soldiers reading a letter, but shortly after they arrived in Iraq a box of children's books arrived and the plan changed.
"I received a box of children's books from the executive officer's wife," said Leggett. "So we brained stormed some ideas and came up with story time for Soldiers kids."
This is the chaplain's second deployment and s a result he is better prepared. He has a digital camera, high end video editing software, and thanks to the thoughtfulness of some caring people at Tuttle Elementary School in Sarasota, Florida, lots of books.
"My mother told the school about it and they all chipped in and donated books and sent them to us," said Capt. Jennifer St. John, the battalion adjutant.
Captain St. John also enjoys reading to her daughter.
"The first time I read a book to her she didn't understand that I wasn't there. She kept asking to play it over and over again," said St. John. "Now story time with mommy is one of her favorite things to watch."
Sgt. Kyi Waterhouse, a human resources non-commissioned officer with Headquarters Company, 168th BSB, also enjoys reading books to her boys. She first heard about the program back in July and she thought it would be fun to try.
"When I sent the first one to my boys they were very happy to finally see me and very excited to hear the story," recalled Waterhouse. "They started asking for more."
Waterhouse has filmed four story times so far and plans to continue every month or two until she gets home.
"Their favorite books are 'Clifford the big red dog,' 'Rainbow Fish,' and I like reading the Care Bear books to them," said Waterhouse.
"We've recorded about 80 story times so far," stated Leggett. "It seems to make an impact so we'll continue to do it as long as we're here."
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