"Would you, could you" read a book?

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Rachelle Blake
  • 55th Wing Public Affairs
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. --  Members of Team Offutt recently joined with Bancroft Elementary in Omaha to celebrate Dr. Seuss' birthday with a program called Read Across America.

The nationally recognized event was celebrated locally March 2 through 6 in conjunction with the birthday of children's book author, Dr. Seuss, who was born March 2, 1904. Read Across America began in 1998 through the National Education Association as a means to motivate children to read.

Offutt Airmen have been reading at Bancroft for 15 years and have had a significant impact on their audience.

"This program is educational and gives students access to individuals with firsthand knowledge and experience in a variety of opportunities with emphasis on reading and comprehension," said the event coordinator, Robin Wilks, Brancroft Elementary information manager and library teacher. "One of the Offutt guest readers spoke of 'being in 72 countries.'   A student was taken aback by this comment.  The student stated that, 'she has not even been out of Nebraska.'  Offutt personnel have a wide variety of backgrounds, proving that reading is a valued asset and is necessary to excel."

But, the students weren't the only ones to benefit from the event.

"Any time I can make an impact in just one child's life, I feel as though I am making a difference," said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Elena Lawmaster, 45th Reconnaissance Squadron OC-135 sensor maintenance technician. "There were approximately 40 children who were so excited to meet me, and learn about my job and what it is like to be in the Air Force. My hope is that they took away the importance of reading, not only in school, but for fun too."
She said the look on the kids' faces when she walked into the room in her uniform was priceless.

"They were so excited and it felt like you were their hero," said Lawmaster. "I think the children enjoyed it, they even asked me for my autograph at the end."

She said they all sat very intently and listened to her read and a few even seemed excited to check out the book to finish reading it. They also asked a lot of questions regarding her job and why she joined the Air Force.

This was the first year Lawmaster had participated in the program, but she hopes to do it again.

The school is also excited to continue having Airmen out to read to the kids year after year.

"It is a fantastic experience listening to the Airmen's stories," said Wilks. "I love seeing the awe and wonder on student's faces."