Truman Sailors Participate in National Reading Program

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class David R. Finley Jr., USS Harry S. Truman Public Affairs

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- Sailors assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) volunteered at a local school March 12 to participate in "Read Across America" (RAA).

RAA is an annual project created by the National Education Association in 1997. The program is designed to motivate children to read and emphasize the importance of reading.

Eight Truman Sailors read stories by Dr. Seuss to children in first-grade through fifth-grade at Sewells Point Elementary School.

"I think it is important for Truman Sailors to be involved with the schools," said Cmdr. Dan Rossler,

Truman's chief engineering officer. "A child's interest level in reading plays a vital role in their development."

Rossler said he enjoyed the chance to step away from the ship and read to his son's first-grade class.

"This event shows that our Sailors realize that it is not just enough to come to work and do our jobs," said Rossler. "We are also trying to get them to become better people. That involves going out into the community and volunteering their time."

Truman Sailors had a chance to read in more than 35 classrooms, said Frank Seemar, a communication skills specialist from Sewells Point Elementary.

"I noticed great participation today between the students and Truman Sailors," said Seemar. "The event gave the students a break from their everyday routine and allowed them to interact with Sailors."

Truman's Junior Enlisted Association (JEA) organized the project at the school and plans to provide tutoring sessions in the future.

"JEA is committed to an ongoing relationship with Sewells Point Elementary School," said Yeoman 3rd Class (SW/AW) Richard Gozon, JEA member and event coordinator. "We look forward to coming back to the school to volunteer."