Naval Recruting Officer Reads to Kids @ Detroit Pub Library

[XanaDUer]

Naval Recruiting District Michigan Commanding Officer Cmdr. Paul Gardner reads the classic children's story "The Sailor's Dog" to children at the Detroit Public Library's Skillman branch in Michigan on July 21, 2005. Sailors came to the library to read stories to local children and their families as a part of the "Navy Day" festivities in Detroit. Twenty such weeks are planned this year in cities throughout the U.S., arranged by the Navy Office of Community Outreach (NAVCO). NAVCO is a new unit tasked with enhancing the Navy's brand image in areas with limited exposure to the Navy. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Photographer's Mate Douglas E. Wait)..."


http://jccc.afis.osd.mil/images/sres.pl?Lbox_cap=1212208&dir=Photo&ttl=050721-N-3342W-001&vn=&ref=defenselink



Hmmmmmm: Is there something wrong with this, or is this just selflessness on the part of this gentleman?

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. I wonder WHAT libraries

Are they the ones in poor, minority neighborhoods, or the ones where the rich Repukes live? I'd think it would be the rich Repuke ones, since all of them are rushing to volunteer and to set a good example for the peasants. </sarcasm>

[XanaDUer]

2. Not sure.

OF course, the short piece does not say, lol.

The group looks mixed, but that may just be for the benefit of the photo op.

[MrBenchley]

3. Nothing wrong with it at all....

Sounds like a good thing to do....

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

4. No kidding. I particiapted in things like this

when I was in the service. It is in Libraries that allow it, wherever they are.

[MrBenchley]

6. More people should...

Kids love to be read to...and they should be encouraged to read and think and get an appreciation of books.

[unhappycamper]

5. This is nothing more than the * Youth movement.

Call me silly, but wouldn't we be better off with these guys fighting the war rather than indoctrinating kids?

Coming soon:
http://i3.photobucket.com.nyud.net:8090/albums/y69/KenInBoston/savedfromweb/mutherland.jpg

[SouthernDem2004]

7. These programs have been around long before Bush. Nothing wrong with

the military getting involved in their local community.

[MemphisTiger]

10. I agree, I can't believe we are bitching because a volunteer

wants to get involved in the community by reading to children. Plus, kids think military people are cool because of all the movies like Top Gun and Black Hawk Down.

[unhappycamper]

12. Perhaps I'm seeing snakes under every rock,

but I when I see recruiters in full uniform reading to kids I have to wonder about the symbolism. What do the kids see?

When I look at kids marching lockstep in junior ROTC, I see brainwashing.

When I see the Army being a major sponsor for the Boy Scouts, I wonder.

It's about obedience and discipline. Those qualities, by themselves, are admirable and useful as we travel through life. I'm having a lot of problems with blind obedience these days.

I would ask you to take a look at Smedley D. Butler, a Marine Corps Major General. His 33 years in the Marine Corps were distinguished - here's a short bio:
http://www.mclm.com/tohonor/sbutler.html

After he retired, he wrote a short book, "War is a Racket." IMHO, General Butler was right on the money then and now. I urge you to read what he wrote:
http://lexrex.com/enlightened/articles/warisaracket.htm

[Cerridwen]

8. In a sane world, during a sane time, this would be great.

Today, it just...

:shrug:

[XanaDUer]

9. That sort of sums up my feelings

But if this is standard stuff, then I may be wrong.

[HawkerHurricane]

11. I did it while active duty.

The Navy encourages such things, it makes the Navy look good. Public Library readings are a good thing, it reminds the sailors of who they're supposed to be defending.

[ulysses]

13. but in uniform?

Are they on their own time or is it an official function?

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

14. Yes in uniform... it is an official function

and a voluntary one.

There is no "your own time" in the military in reality.

[ulysses]

15. fair enough.

I'm in the same boat as unhappycamper, though. I posted a news thread last week about a school district somewhere using Nat'l Guardsmen/women as substitute teachers, and there was discussion of them wearing full dress in the classroom. I think that's inappropriate, especially since the district, not the military, would be paying them for the time. Just makes me nervous.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

17. I agree with you there, unless they are teaching

military theory or history or some such... they should be in civilian clothes.

One of the library gigs I did wanted us in civies, IIRC, and we did... it was the library's choice.

[HawkerHurricane]

16. In uniform.

sometimes during work hours, sometimes after, sometimes both.

[BiggJawn]

18. "Enhancing the Navy's Brand Image..."

That ruined the warm fuzzy image for me...Smacks of a recruiting effort.

Otherwise, I think it's a cool thing, especially in areas of the country that aren't near water. Never met a Sailor I couldn't get along with, even the ones who voted for Ray-Gun...

[liveoaktx]

19. Look at the schedule for Navco in Detroit

http://www.michnavyleague.org/PDFs/Detroit30JuneSOE_v.2_.pdf

1000-1100
VADM Etnyre tour of “Focus Hope” Community Outreach program (youth at
risk, creating materials for use by the Navy; http://www.focushope.edu/)
Action: Navy League (CDR Jim Semerad)

1300-1600
“Educator Day” (Cruise on Gray Fox on Detroit River)
Naval Recruiting Stations from throughout Michigan invite local educators to accompany them on cruise on USS Grey Fox. VIP treatment for teachers and school administrators.

***The point is that these aren't just navy personnel doing good deeds reading to kids but there to shore up the idea of joining the navy, making sure to shmooze the teachers and school administrators, and hit on "at-risk" youth.

I don't have a problem with anyone reading to kids. I do think that anyone that is against militarism in the US should read this and think if he or she could take time to ALSO go read to kids at the local library, with a book emphasising a peaceful or related value.

[XanaDUer]

20. Excellent post.

Thank you. :)