USS Pearl Harbor Sailors Connect with Families using 'United Through Reading'

USS PEARL HARBOR, At Sea (NNS) -- Sailors and Marines deployed aboard the dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) began using the United Through Reading (UTR) program Dec. 5 to keep in touch with families while away from home.

UTR is a nonprofit organization founded in 1989 that has united families facing physical separation by facilitating the bonding experience of reading aloud together.

The ship's religious ministries team makes the program possible, and volunteers from all departments will keep it running throughout deployment.

"We have a lot of volunteers who help out with the program," said Religious Program Specialist 1st Class Maila Castillo. "They assist them with finding the right book for the age of their kids."

Everything is done for the service member. The UTR program provides a video camera, a person to record the video and the DVD. The only things the service members only has to do is read the book and mail the video to their loved ones free of charge.

"Last deployment, I did two or three recordings myself," said Castillo. "My family thought it was great."

Many of the Sailors aboard Pearl Harbor, like Chief Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Fuels) Richard Decker, have participated in UTR in the past with great success.

"My kids would watch the DVDs over and over again," said Decker. "They learn to read at the same time."

UTR does more than give children a chance to see their loved ones speaking directly to them. Family members can record themselves watching the video and send it back to the deployed service member.

"I think it's great. It lets you stay in touch with your kids," said Decker. "It lets your kids and yourself share something special, even though you're separated."

Pearl Harbor deployed Nov. 14 in support of the nation's maritime strategy, along with amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) and amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18), which make up the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (ARG).

The mission of the Makin Island ARG is to help provide deterrence, promote peace and security, preserve freedom of the seas and provide humanitarian/disaster response as well as supporting the nation's maritime strategy when forward deployed.

For more news from USS Makin Island (LHD 8), visit www.navy.mil/local/lhd8/.