The USS Bush
2012
Bryan and Ella Foster are the proud parents of Bianca, who is 3, and Roland, just 7-months-old. They are also both serving in the military. Bryan has been deployed four times and Ella twice. Last year, Bryan missed Roland’s birth.
Like any family dealing with separation, the time away can be very difficult. To help shorten the distance, Bryan read three books on DVD for his kids to watch while he was deployed. They never got tired of watching those DVDs. And now, Bianca asks him to read stories every day.
Their story is shared by many others who joined RIF and United Through Reading – which runs the DVD program for military families – on the USS George H.W. Bush for a special celebration held on May 16 sponsored by Macy’s.
Almost 200 children and their parents, who serve as members of the ship’s crew, were treated to a special read-aloud of The Kiss Box by Doro Bush Koch – the ship’s sponsor, daughter of former President Bush and co-chair of the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy. Capt. Brian Luther, the ship’s Commanding Officer, also read The Little Engine That Could.
The families made their own Kiss Boxes and children took home four books of their own. And, thanks to our friends at Scholastic, Clifford the Big Red Dog also made a special appearance.
Doro Bush Koch summed it up best when she told the Navy News Service how honored she was to participate in the event:
“As a daughter of a decorated Navy pilot and former commander in chief, I have the deepest respect for our men and women who serve. And I’m grateful to the children who are willing to share a parent – sometimes even two – so their mom and dad can perform this most noble cause for our country.”
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