Military News

Sailors Bring Back United Through Reading® Military Program Aboard Bataan

Bataan took full advantage of United Through Reading during the ship's seven-month deployment that ended Dec. 8, but the high-tempo and the uncertainty about the length of the current surge deployment caused a brief delay in the return of Untied Through Reading.

"Service members have been requesting that the program start again. We didn't have the program up and running when we left simply because we weren't expecting to be gone this long," said Religious Programs Specialist 1st Class Lunar Odhiambo, United Through Reading Active Duty Coordinator. "United Through Reading really helps reduce stress and separation anxiety for our service members and their families, while effectively building command and family morale."

Participants are allotted 30 minutes to read a book of their choosing aloud while being recorded. Then the recording is put on a DVD for the service member to send home to their children.

The crew of Bataan has been underway in support of Operation Unified Response for nearly six weeks and is using United Through Reading to stay connected with their families back home.

"My children still have their dad present even though he's far away," said Jennifer Diezel, wife of Machinist's Mate 2nd Class (SW) Nicholas Diezel. 'They get a bedtime story read to them by their dad."

Besides helping to keep families connected no matter the distance or time period, Sailors and Marines appreciate knowing that the Navy has programs in place for difficult periods of separation.

Bataan is part of the Amphibious Relief Mission in support of Operation Unified Response in Haiti after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake devastated the island nation Jan. 12.