United Through Reading® Military Program |
|
Since 1990, the United Through Reading® Military Program has helped military families stay connected by recording deployed service members reading children’s books aloud. Once recorded, the DVD is sent to the children at home. To promote a full-circle of communication, the parent or caregiver is encouraged to photograph or video the child watching the DVD and following along with the book. The photo or video is then sent back to the service member, boosting their morale and enhancing the feeling of connectedness.
A proud participant in the United Through Reading® Military Program , the USO is now offering the program to service members at select USO centers and commands worldwide. Children of service members who participate in United Through Reading at USO centers receive the recording of their parent and the book that they read. All recording equipment, books and packaging materials are supplied by the USO centers.
For a complete United Through Reading availability list, click here.
“A child has a hard time understanding that mom or dad is okay from an e-mail or a letter. A video image reassures the child that his or her parent is doing well. To me, the reassurance of the child is the primary benefit of the UTR program.”
- Chaplain LCDR Charles S. Thompson III, Marine Wing Support Group 27
To support this program, please make a donation to the USO.
“My wife wrote me that my daughter watches her video everyday and that she answers my questions each time as though I were right [there] asking them. Apparently she has been missing her Daddy pretty badly, and my wife said that now when she mentions me that she just puts in the movie and that it seems to help.” - United Through Reading Participant, USS O’Kane (DDG 77)