More than 30 Sailors from Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) visited four Newport News elementary schools, March 2, to participate in the 20th anniversary of Read Across America.

Read Across America is an annual reading motivational and awareness program hosted by the National Education Association that calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading on March 2, the birthday of children's author Dr. Seuss.

School Counselor Sara Brown from Jenkins Elementary School hosted nine Sailors at her school to read and interact with students.
"Any adult coming into the building and serving as a role model and reinforcing the messages we give our kids is helpful," said Brown. "We are trying to make our kids college, career and citizen ready, so having a chance to hear from someone who has a good job, who has the opportunity to go to school really reinforces how good they can be."

Volunteer reader Chief Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Equipment) Ivelaw Sealey said he enjoyed reading and the good vibe coming from the children.

"The kids were singing and saying thank you for our service," said Sealey. "It's very uplifting."

After he finished reading, Sealey said the children asked him about being in the Navy. One child was particularly interested on Navy discipline.

Sealey explained discipline in the Navy is the same as discipline in schools.

"There are teachers and principals in schools. In the Navy we have chiefs and officers. The most important thing is being a good person and being a role model to your friends and classmates."

Sealey said he was surprised to receive so many questions about the Navy.

"I think we are going to have a lot of Sailors out there," he said.

For more information about Read Across America, visit http://www.nea.org/grants/886.htm.

For more information, visit http://www.navy.mil, http://www.facebook.com/usnavy, or http://www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), visit www.navy.mil/.