August 2003

Dear United Through Reading,

I am currently forward deployed and this is the first time I have taken advantage of the United Through Reading program. The program has been a terrific way to stay in touch with my children but also allows me the opportunity to participate in and influence their development. My three children, ranging from 3 to 8 years of age, all love receiving the videotapes. I think in a sense it reassures them that Daddy's ok, and at a time when they can't physically see me or touch me it fills that void just enough. My 3-year-old girl loved the first video so much, she sat and watched it for 2 hours straight and then carried the tape around with her afterwards. In one of the subsequent videos she realized she had a copy of one of the books I was reading. She had Mom pause the tape while she ran to get her book. When she came back, she followed along in her book as I read on the video. My boys enjoy the tapes as well. Just a few days ago, while talking to the 6 year old on the phone, he asked when I would be sending another tape. The program is truly enjoyed by all!

Vr/

NC1(SW) Barry W. Green, Jr.
Command Career Counselor
USS Nashville (LPD-13)

My husband, NC1(SW) Barry W. Green Jr, is currently assigned overseas to the USS Nashville, and has been taking advantage of your books to video program. He informed me that he had forwarded to you a letter expressing his extreme satisfaction with the program that you offer, and he asked me if I might send a letter to you describing the children's reaction here. As I am sure he told you, I have two boys, ages now 9 years and 6 years, and a daughter, 3. All three are very close to their father, and as you can imagine the separation that goes with sea duty is rather tough for them. While they enjoy the periodic phone calls that we get from overseas, they also so look forward to receiving the videotapes that are sent to them on a regular basis. These videos not only let them "see" their father and thus assure them that he is safe, it also preserves that father/child bond that comes with reading books together, an activity that they enjoyed together before this deployment. It has allowed my family to retain a small but crucial slice of normalcy that they would otherwise not be able to enjoy. It is so fun to see the children not only watching the videos, but asking to see them over and over, as they read along in their copy of the book. The youngest child will actually "talk" back to the videos, and frequently carries them around the house with her. The oldest child, who is at an age where he can appreciate that there is some danger in this deployment, is greatly reassured emotionally by the tapes. The middle child just loves the stories. My only regret is that this program was not possible during the earlier part of my husband's Navy career. I hope that the popularity of this wonderful program will continue to increase. My sincere gratitude to all those involved in the development and implementation of this project.

Sincerely, 
Mrs. Rose Ellen Green