United Through Reading® Military Program |
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The USO is a proud supporter of the United Through Reading® Military Program and is now offering it to service members at select USO centers worldwide. At these centers, all recording equipment, books and packaging materials are supplied by the USO. United Through Reading, which has been highlighted on the “CBS Evening News” and in USA Today and military publications throughout the nation, helps military families stay connected by allowing service members to be videotaped reading children’s books aloud and then sending the DVD and selected book to their children at home.
To promote a full-circle of communication, the parent or caregiver is encouraged to photograph or videotape the child watching the DVD and following along with the book. The photo or DVD is then sent back to the service member, boosting their morale and enhancing the feeling of connectedness.
United Through Reading was created during the Persian Gulf War in 1990. In addition to its availability at USO locations, numerous military commands carry the program worldwide. 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
Download a list of the USO center locations participating in the United Through Reading program
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)