Military Officer - July 2006 - (Page 21) rapidfire NEWS YOU CAN USE United Through Reading Though they are far from home, sailors aboard the USS Ronald Reagan are keeping in touch with their children thanks to United Through Reading. More than 700 sailors have taken part in the program since the ship deployed in January. Sponsored by the Family Literacy Founda- Taking Pride in Their Work S ome three years after Saddam Hussein’s regime was overthrown in Baghdad, U.S. forces in Iraq take pride in their accomplishments, says Marine Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. “We should also recognize that this has been a tough fight, that it will continue to be a tough fight, but that we are doing the right thing,” Pace says. The Iraqis have worked to develop a constitution and elect a government, repair the country’s infrastructure, and create an effective security force. Pace says the Iraqi military is doing a good job of taking over security in many parts of the country. More than 250,000 Iraqi soldiers and police are now trained and equipped. Since last November, Iraqi forces have conducted more independent operations than coalition forces, Pace says. Work remains to ensure the security of Iraq, as U.S. and coalition forces continue to battle an ongoing insurgency. The chairman says it is important that the coalition not leave Iraq until the government can rely on the security provided by its own armed forces. The Iraqis deserve the opportunity to put together their own democracy, Pace says. tion, the program allows servicemembers to read books to their children on videotape or DVD and then mail them back home. United Through Reading has been provided to more than 180 deploying ships and has benefited more than 101,000 military personnel and their families. The program was founded by Betty J. Mohlenbrock during the Persian Gulf War. For more information, visit www.read2kids.org /united. MILITARY OFFICER PHOTOS: ABOVE, JOE RAEDLE/GETTY IMAGES; RIGHT, COURTESY OF UNITED THROUGH READING J U LY 2 0 0 6 21 http://www.read2kids.org/united http://www.read2kids.org/united
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