Suess' legacy lives on at Fort Rucker: Community donates books to post library

By Nathan Pfau, Army Flier Staff WriterMarch 5, 2015

Suess' legacy lives on at Fort Rucker: Community donates books to post library
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Suess' legacy lives on at Fort Rucker: Community donates books to post library
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FORT RUCKER, Ala. (March 5, 2015) -- The writings of Dr. Seuss have touched millions of children and adults across the globe, and Fort Rucker celebrated the man who has given such joy and memories to the world.

The installation started off its recognition of the world-renown author with a book reading and donation at the Center Library March 2 where Maj. Gen. Michael D. Lundy, U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence and Fort Rucker commanding general, presented books donated by the local community to the library for everyone to enjoy.

"We want to show you all these books for you all to read and you can thank everyone from the local community for the donations here," said Lundy, as he unveiled the books.

A total of 84 books were donated and snacks, such as cake and cookies, were provided to the nearly 100 people in attendance, and they were treated to a reading of some of Dr. Seuss' most memorable books by Fort Rucker leadership.

Both Col. Stuart. J. McRae, Fort Rucker garrison commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. William D. Lohmeyer, Fort Rucker garrison command sergeant major, read to the children. Lohmeyer read two books, "The Cat in the Hat" and "Thidwick, The Big-Hearted Horse," and McRae read one of his favorites, "Green Eggs and Ham."

Lauren Chase, military spouse, came out with her two children Jason, 4, and Chase, 2, and although she said they were a handful during the readings, they enjoyed every minute of it.

"I thought what they did here today was great and it's nice to see the local communities support Fort Rucker, and Fort Rucker in turn support the local communities," she said. "The book reading was great. I think it's so important to pass on these great stories that I remember as a child. It's great to see the leadership here want to take part in that."

Fort Rucker's schools also took part in the celebration for the day. Fort Rucker Primary School set up its Seuss Centers, where the students were able to participate in different activities themed to various Dr. Seuss books.

The different grade levels took time throughout the day to enjoy the Seuss Centers and learn about the writings of Dr. Seuss.

The centers included activities were matched with their respective books, such as the "ABC Book," where children would make words with magnetic letters; "10 Apples Up On Top," where children had to walk across a balance beam with beanbags balanced on their head; "The King's Stilts," where children would have to walk a line while using stilts; "The Cat in the Hat," where the students participated in face painting and a beanbag toss; "Hop on Pop," where children would do a long jump with bouncy balls and race around a small track; "Happy Birthday to You," where the students performed a cake walk with cupcakes and muffins; "The 500 Hats," where children would toss bean bags into a hat; "The Foot Book," where the students got to play a round of Twister; "If I Ran the Zoo," where children were able to make an edible zoo with graham crackers, animal crackers and icing; and "Mulberry Street," where the students were able to make wheeled toys.

The children were allotted a certain amount of time at each station before rotating so that each student would have a chance at every station, said Sylvia Thornton, FRPS music teacher, adding that the event provided a unique opportunity to expose the children to the writings of Dr. Seuss.

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Fort Rucker, Ala.

U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence