Presidio Sailors read Dr. Seuss on National Read Across America Day

By Petty Officer 2nd Class Steven L. Shepard, Defense Language Institute Foreign Language CenterMarch 8, 2010

Dr. Suess reading
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Dr. Seuss Reading
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Dr. Seuess Reading
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PRESIDIO OF MONTEREY, Calif. - Sailors from the Center for Information Dominance Detachment Monterey (CIDDM) visited George C. Marshall Elementary School to read Dr. Seuss stories as part of National Read Across America Day.

After choosing their favorite Dr. Seuss book, nine CIDDM Sailors spent their morning visiting classrooms and readinh to the K-6 students before answering any questions that the children wished to ask.

Marshall Elementary is located within the Ord Military Community, on land occupied by the former Fort Ord, and caters to military families.

"We have a large military population in the area," explained Marshall Elementary principal, Robert Morgan, "and this event is always a great success. The children really enjoy seeing the Sailors and are enchanted with their reading of Dr. Seuss."

When asked if he plans on inviting the Navy to participate again next year Morgan replied, "Definitely. Whenever we need volunteers the Navy responds."

"I like working with kids and helping out military families," said Cryptologic Technician (Interpretive) 2nd Class Ashlee Russo. "It is important to show that Sailors don't just focus on their job, but reach out to the community and are available to those that need our help."

Russo has also been volunteering at nearby Bayview Elementary School, using the language skills that she learned at the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center to assist with students whose primary language is other than English.

While Russo admitted her favorite Dr. Seuss book is Daisy Head Maisy, she chose to read Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You', bringing a stuffed animal cow with her to assist in the story telling.

National Read Across America Day is organized by the National Education Association and held annually on March 2, the birthday of Theodore Seuss Geisel (aka Dr. Seuss).

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Presidio of Monterey on Flickr