MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- The “Cat in the Hat” comes back as students and Marines celebrate what would be Dr. Seuss’ 105th birthday. Volunteer wing Marines and local students particiapted in the National Education Association’s Read Across America Day at Vista’s Academy of Visual and Performing Arts Monday.
Nearly 1,300 students and 60 Marines with Marine Aircraft Group 39 read together during the national celebration and honored the late children’s author.
Theodor Seuss Geisel was most widely known for his children's books written under his pen name, Dr. Seuss. Geisel published more than 60 titles including “Cat in the Hat” and “Green Eggs and Ham.” The renowned cartoonist and author was also famed for coining and inventing the word “nerd” in 1950 in his book, “I Ran the Zoo.”
“Our goal for Read Across America is to have every child read with a caring adult,” said Dr. Janet E. Newman, second-grade teacher, VAVPA. “We have 1,300 kids in our school and we want one caring adult, so we call in the Marines.”
Students read to Marines while the service members taught them how to fold a flag, salute and paint their faces with camouflage. Students had the opportunity to try on gear Marines wear while deployed and exercise with service members.
“We want to get kids excited about reading and show them how important it really is,” said Mary E. Contreras, principal, VAVPA. “Literacy will help these children build a successful future and what better role models than Marines.”
The academy also spearheaded the collection of an estimated 1,000 books during the event for the United Through Reading military program. The program facilitates service members making a recording of them reading a book for their children to have while they are deployed. Camp Pendleton’s MAG 39 is also the first to initiate the program within the United States. This is to ensure children with soon-to-be deployed parents have the recording prior to deployment rather than making the recording while forward.
“A lot of our children have parents that are being or have been deployed,” said Mary E. Contreras, principal, VAVPA. “We gathered 1,000 books from our families in the community so that military parents can record themselves reading a book to their child. This is to give the children a chance to have mom or dad read to them while deployed.”
The Department of Education reported that children between the ages of 3 and 5 that were frequently read too were also able to count to 20 or higher, write their own names and read more efficiently.
Marines are always gone and as much as parents want to, they cannot always be there with their child, said Gunnery Sgt. Alfred L. Hull, Camp Pendleton volunteer.
“We live in a world of words and this is the most important gift we can give our children,” said Dr. Joyce F. Bales, superintendent, Vista Unified School District. “This is what our nation is all about, a quality education for every child.”