FORT CARSON, Colo. -- Children at Fort Carson's Weikel Elementary School were visited by special guest readers March 2.

Colorado Lt. Gov. Joe Garcia and Garrison Commander Col. Robert F. McLaughlin spent hours reading to kindergarten, first- and second-grade students at the elementary school as part of the Read Across America initiative.

National Education Association's Read Across America Day is an annual reading motivation and awareness program that calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading March 2, the birthday of children's books author "Dr. Seuss."

The annual reading day runs in conjunction with the Colorado Literacy week, which was Feb. 27-March 2, Garcia said.

Garcia said this is a time to focus public attention on the critical importance of early learning that will put Colorado's children on a path to reading success.

The NEA's purpose for the Read Across America annual event is to motivate children to read, which is an important factor in student achievement and creating lifelong successful readers. Research has shown that children who are motivated and spend more time reading do better in school.

The lieutenant governor said reading to young people and talking about the importance of literacy and being good students is his favorite part of his job.

"It's a great experience anytime we get to talk to kids in the classroom and talk about the importance of reading. Kids are so enthusiastic when they are very young and we need to figure out how to make sure they are successful readers and how they maintain that enthusiasm as they move through the school system," Garcia said.