Reading Room on board USS George H. W. Bush

Our new Social Media Manager, Marcia, tells about her last official event as National Program Manager, Navy..

I have been, and always will be, a Navy wife. Even though my husband retired this year, I had a really great Navy Day last Thursday. My job as National Program Manager helps families stay connected during deployment, but, it also helped me stay connected to the Navy Family I love. My Family. I have been able to get on ships, present our information at Pre-Deployment briefs and conduct training for volunteers all while promoting family connection and reading. I have loved this job!

It has been a privilege to work with the USS George H. W. Bush in setting up their United Through Reading Program for their upcoming maiden voyage. Along the way, so many of their volunteers have become friends. I attended the Change of Command ceremony for Captain Dewolfe Miller III . His end of tour coincided with my transition from Program Manager to Social Media Manager, so the event was especially poignant for me.

Going to my last ‘official’ event, as Program Manager, Navy, I was excited because I knew there would be some really great moments. And it was fantastic. Naval ceremonies never cease to inspire me, motivate me and fill me with patriotic fervor! The ship’s hangar bay was filled with a stage decorated in red, white and blue; Maritime Signal Flags hanging from the rafters, the Quantico Marine Corps Band playing, Crew in their dress uniforms and Doro Bush Koch in attendance with her sister- in- law Tricia Reilly Koch.

United Through Reading room on board USS George H. W. Bush; Tricia Reilly Koch, Doro Bush Koch, Captain Miller, Ellen Miller, America Wilson, Chaplain Fish

The USS George H. W. Bush is the only ship with a living namesake. President G. H. W. Bush has personally visited the ship and his daughter, Doro Bush Koch, is the official sponsor of the ship. She has donated all the books for the ship’s library including a large supply of children’s books for use in the United Through Reading Program. The ship library has been named for her and they have even built the fleet’s first designated United Through Reading Room! How fitting that during March’s Reading Month, I was able to tour the reading room with Doro and Tricia; the nicest, most down to earth people you could ever meet. We had some pictures taken and it was such a moment… Standing there,  realizing that I was standing next to the daughter of my President, the sister of my other President.

I was so proud to be seated with the Home Front Coordinator team who has volunteered so much time towards organizing United Through Reading promotions, craft projects for the children at Family Readiness Group meetings, picnics and other events. All of them at different points in their Navy lives. I had such a lump in my throat thinking about the time that has passed (for me) and how the road ahead for them is filled with possibilities. . All of this was facilitated by Ellen Miller who has been a tremendous supporter of the GHWB families, reading and literacy. Given their strengths and talents they have the potential to touch so many lives in a positive way and to bring new Navy families a connection piece they may not have had before.

As the ceremony began, the first guest speaker came to us via DVD; President George H. W. Bush. He gave a personal message, not only for Captain Miller and his wife Ellen, but for incoming Captain Brian Luther and his wife Sylvia. He used words like: “team focus, radiates, integrity and dignity” when describing them as people and leaders. You could have heard a pin drop in that gigantic place while he was speaking. I think everyone was holding their breath. It was wonderful. My observation over the past 8 months of working with them is that everything the President said is true.

While the USS George H. W. Bush prepares for its maiden deployment, in the wake of events happening in Egypt and other areas, and in the aftermath of the largest earthquake in recorded history in Japan, I couldn’t help but be filled with the hope that this great new ship and extremely prepared crew are set to make a difference in the world. I have to say I am extremely proud that they will be taking United Through Reading with them so their Sailors can virtually be home at bedtime for their children while they are gone.

Captain Miller quoted President Bush today, saying, “Any definition of a successful life must include service to others.” I appreciate Captain Miller’s service to our country as well as his commitment to provide United Through Reading to the Crew and families. It was an honor to be a part of the day.

For Captain Miller’s personal comments please see this link: http://bit.ly/hrsvBv