Edwards Airmen promote reading with 'Read Across America'

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman William A. O'Brien
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Airmen from across Edwards visited several local schools to read to children March 2 and 5 as part of 2010 Read Across America.

Read Across America is recognized each year on the first Monday in March to commemorate the birthday of author Theodore Geisel, better known by his pen name, Dr. Seuss. Through participation, this event is an opportunity for servicemembers to interact with children and instill in them the importance of reading.

"'Read Across America' is the nation's largest reading celebration event that supports children's literacy in communities all across the United States. This year marks the 12th annual celebration of "Read Across America" and Dr. Seuss' 106th birthday. Every year, thousands of citizens remove their work hats for the day and don the ultimate reading hat, the infamous red and white striped stove-piped hat that is worn by the Cat in the Hat. Citizens gather at local schools and spend time in classrooms reading Dr. Suess books to the children.

Senior Master Sgt. Todd Smith, 31st Test & Evaluation Squadron Unmanned Aerial Systems superintendent, said he enjoyed the event and felt it was a good opportunity to interest today's youth in reading and for them to explore the alternatives to electronics.

"What an incredible event," said Sergeant Smith. "I left the school after the event was finished and felt that I had probably enjoyed the day more than the kids. I believe we have a responsibility to keep literacy and reading fun. This is setting an excellent example and really gets our nation's kids excited about reading. Today's kids are over-saturated with electronic media and video games. It's essential that we do all we can to preserve the minds of our future leaders through literacy and education."

The team of eight Airmen, which ranged from airman first class to senior master Sergeant read to eight different classes at the Palmdale Learning Plaza March 5, reaching more than 200 students in grades kindergarten through eight. After reading to the students, the Airmen interacted with the children by asking questions about the military and anything else that interested them.

"I received a welcomed onslaught of military-related questions," said Tech. Sgt. Chris Dawiczyk, 31st TES UAV Ground Segment Section chief. "The children's level of interest surpassed my most optimistic expectations. Being as I'm still a kid at heart, who plays the latest video games, I was able to compare and contrast what is realistic or not between them and my operational experience."

"I think the kids got a different perspective of the military when they looked at me and thought 'man he's just as goofy and happy like me' or 'he was once a kid like me'," added Staff Sgt. Emmitt Smith, 95th Security Forces patrolman, "A lot of them thought about going into the military and wanted advice. They asked me a large variety of questions from 'why did you join the military?' to 'would you ever let your kids join the military?'"

The Airmen's visit had a positive impact on the children's future and their understanding of the military.

"Before I read the book I asked them what they wanted to be when they grew up and a few of them didn't really know," said Staff Sgt. Jairus D. Thorp, 31st TES Global Hawk evaluator. "I explained the importance of reading and education. After I read a book I turned it into a question and answer session and the kids responded with an assortment of questions about the military. With time permitting I asked a few of them again what they wanted to do and the number of them that changed their minds and now wanted to come in to the military (Air Force specifically) was astounding!"