Deployed Airmen record storybook videos for children

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Michael O’Connor
  • 447th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AFPN) --  Airmen and Soldiers assigned to Camp Sather here are making storybook videos for their children back home. The “read to your child/video greeting program” is operated by the 447th Air Expeditionary Group services flight.

The program, which began Nov 19, lets troops record a video of them reading a book to their child or children or of a holiday greeting for their family.

Capt. Tim Sites, the services flight commander, came up with the idea initially.

“The captain asked me one day if I’d like to read a book to my child on camera. I said, ‘yes,’” said Tech. Sgt. Felecia Gomes, program coordinator. “Then he asked if I thought others in the camp would like to do the same. I said, ‘yes.’”

From that point on, she said, the captain put her in charge of making it happen. Sergeant Gomes said it took a little while to get it approved, but it is already a hit with the camp.

“I love it,” said Staff Sgt. Todd Duquette Sr., a military working dog trainer for the 447th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron. “I could kick myself in the butt for not doing this sort of thing before I left home.”

Sergeant Duquette was the first person to use the program. He read “Tod and Copper from the ‘Fox and the Hound’” to his five children, who range in age from 19 months to 11 years old. He said he has seen the movie and reads the book to his children often; it is a family favorite.

The book is one of 13 books donated by the library staff at Robins Air Force Base, Ga.

Staff Sgt. Tanya Evans, a supply specialist from the 447th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron, was the second in line and read “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: The Magical Car” to her 3-year-old daughter, Tierra.

“When the camp-wide e-mail went out, 18 people responded immediately, (and) a steady stream of folks (are) making appointments every day,” Sergeant Gomes said.