USS Makin Island ARG Partners With United Through Reading

by Seaman Apprentice Joshua

28 September 2022 SAN DIEGO, CA, UNITED STATES -- Sailors and Marines aboard amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8), amphibious transport docks USS Anchorage (LPD 23) and John P. Murtha (LPD 26) participated in the United Through Reading Program, Sept. 28.

The program offered Sailors and Marines the opportunity to video record themselves reading books to their loved ones to keep families connected while on deployment.

“I actually love doing this,” said Penny Letrude-Samons, a program coordinator. “And one of the reasons I love doing it is because I can help military families stay connected and promote strong literacy skills.”

During the three four-hour events, over 50 Sailors and Marines were able to record themselves reading books to their loved ones using the Mobile Story Station, a library and video studio on wheels. Sailors and Marines selected children’s books to read to their families and made recordings on site. The program also has a free app available to service members and Veterans to make recordings at home as well. The goal of the program is to spread literacy through military homes throughout the nation.

“Reading is something we do throughout the day at my household it’s also something we do for story time as part of our bedtime routine,” said Intelligence Specialist 2nd class Nicholas Hill. “Today I read ‘Berenstain Bears and the Spooky Old Tree’. It’s something my grandmother read to me as a kid so it’s something we like to read at home.”
United Through Reading video recording sessions are coordinated by the ship’s religious ministry teams of chaplains and religious program specialists. While on deployment, Sailors interested in the program can make recordings to be mailed to the recipient’s home through the command ministries department and United Through Reading on the Sailor’s behalf.

“For over 30 years United Through Reading has helped Sailors and Marines stay connected through our video recorded story-time,” said Lily Carlton, United Through Reading’s director of maritime programs. “We are honored to help the families of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) stay connected and maintain their reading routines whenever duty may call them away from home.”

The Makin Island ARG, comprised of Makin Island and amphibious transport docks USS Anchorage (LPD 23) and USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26), is homeported in San Diego.

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