2CR Soldiers give the gift of reading

By Staff Sgt. Elizabeth BrysonDecember 23, 2020

A U.S. Army Soldier from 2d Squadron, 2d Cavalry Regiment, enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group Poland, is captured in the viewfinder of a video camera as he is recorded reading a story for his children December 2020, at Bemowo Piskie Training...
A U.S. Army Soldier from 2d Squadron, 2d Cavalry Regiment, enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group Poland, is captured in the viewfinder of a video camera as he is recorded reading a story for his children December 2020, at Bemowo Piskie Training Area, Poland. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Chad Guthrie) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Chad Guthrie) VIEW ORIGINAL

BEMOWO PISKIE TRAINING AREA, Poland– The enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group-Poland U.S. Army troops, assigned to the 2d Squadron, 2d Cavalry Regiment, read stories and recorded holiday messages to be sent home in Bemowo Piskie Training Area, Poland, during December 2020.

The idea was inspired by the USO Bob Hope Legacy Reading Program, whose mission is to unite military families through the gift of reading.

The Bob Hope Legacy Reading Program was developed in the spirit of Bob Hope’s passion and commitment for helping to keep service members and their families connected. In 2019, the program connected more than 39,000 families around the world through reading, mostly by way of virtual, on-demand story time offerings.

Reading is a simple, yet important, way for Soldiers to spend time bonding and creating memories with children and family members and can have a profound and lasting effect on learning and development.

BPTA will soon have its own cache of books and supplies to further facilitate access to the program here. While we do not yet have a USO at BPTA, Soldiers are encouraged to check out books during the holidays and throughout the year, and then, spend time on a family video chat reading for their children and loved ones.

Recording the session will allow children to hear their loved one’s voice again and again as they enjoy their favorite books.