Fort Wood Soldiers Participate in Ready Across America Day

Soldiers volunteered to read to about 4,500 children in schools across mid-Missouri Thursday as the Fort Leonard Wood community participated in Read Across America Day.
First celebrated in 1998, the day provides an annual opportunity to coordinate a nationwide effort to encourage reading in children and teenagers.
Jeanie Wade, librarian and media specialist at Partridge Elementary School, said she looks forward to Read Across America Day because it is an opportunity to get children excited about reading.
“It is so nice to have a volunteer come read to our students. It’s important to show children that reading isn’t just a kid thing,” Wade said. “It makes it special for the students. It demonstrates that reading isn’t a chore; they can do it as a hobby.”
Wade said reading can give children another outlet besides cellphones, video games and television.
Colonel Anthony Pollio, U.S. Army Garrison Fort Leonard Wood commander, said this was the first Read Across America Day he has ever participated in, and he was impressed by the children’s comprehension of the stories.
Pollio read three books to the students, and he said he had a great time at the event because one of his favorite things to do is read.
About 90 Fort Leonard Wood Soldiers read in about 235 classrooms for Read Across America Day this year, and Pollio said he was proud of all the volunteers.