Spruance Stays United Through Reading

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Ryan McLearnon | 181116-N-GC639-1056 PHILIPPINE SEA (Nov. 16, 2018) Navy Counselor 1st Class Andrew Eichman, from Bakersfield, California, records himself reading a book to his daughter through the United Through Reading program aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111). Spruance is underway and conducting operations in international waters as part of a dual carrier strike force exercise. The U.S. Navy has patrolled the Indo-Pacific region routinely for more than 70 years promoting regional security, stability and prosperity. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ryan D. McLearnon)  

PACIFIC OCEAN

11.11.2018

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan McLearnon 

Carrier Strike Group Three (CSG 3)

PACIFIC OCEAN – Sailors underway aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) are staying connected with family through the United Through Reading program.
The program allows service members around the world the opportunity to record themselves reading books to their children and mail the digital recordings as well as the book as a way to stay connected.

Sonar Technician (Surface) 1st Class Marta Perciado, from San Francisco, the United Through Reading coordinator aboard Spruance, explained why she wanted to be part of the program.

“I got involved with United Through Reading during our 2016 deployment,” said Perciado. “It was my first deployment as a parent. They were looking for volunteers, and I knew I wanted to participate in the program because I wanted to be able to send videos home. I jumped at the opportunity to be one of the volunteers so that I could make sure that I would be able to send videos home.”

A common misunderstanding of United Through Reading is that you need to be a parent to participate.

“You don’t have to be a parent at all to participate,” said Perciado. “You can record a video of yourself reading a book, and send it home to nieces or nephews, if you have younger siblings or god-children as well.”

Navy Counselor 1st Class Andrew Eichman, from Bakersfield, California, said he heard of the program from a friend before reporting to Spruance.
“I’m used to reading to my daughter for bedtime stories, so it allows me the opportunity to still keep in touch in a way,” said Eichman. “Yeah, I can talk to her on the phone, but at the same time, recording me reading an actual story to her is really staying connected.”

Whether this is your first time hearing about the United Through Reading program, or you’ve heard of the program but have not taken the opportunity to utilize it, Marta Perciado explained why you should.
“For someone who’s never done the program before, I would definitely recommend it because it allows them to keep a presence with their loved ones back home, and let them know that even though they’re far away and they’re not there with them, they’re still thinking of them,” said Perciado.

Spruance will continue to offer the United Through Reading program to its Sailors while underway conducting routine operations as part of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 3in the U.S. Pacific Fleet area of operations.

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• Date Taken: 11.11.2018
• Date Posted: 11.19.2018 06:24
• Story ID: 300443
• Location: PACIFIC OCEAN