One of the most difficult challenges deployed service members face is being away from their families, particularly their children. Long separations are emotionally taxing for both the parents and the kids left at home.
For the past four years, the USO has helped bridge this gap with a heartwarming program that brings families closer through reading. The Bob Hope Legacy Reading Program enables deployed service members to select a book, read it on camera, and send both the video and the book to their child.
This program, a partnership between the USO and the Bob & Dolores Hope Foundation, was inspired by the legacy of comedian Bob Hope. A beloved figure, Hope spent over 60 years entertaining troops around the world through USO shows, lifting the spirits of countless service members.
In 2019 alone, more than 39,000 stories were shared through the program.
For U.S. Army Captain Justin Meredith, the program became a unique way to stay connected with his son, Jayden, while being creative at the same time. Before his deployment to the Middle East, Justin was introduced to the program at his local USO center. Though he initially felt uneasy in front of the camera, he quickly embraced the idea.
Once deployed, Justin made it a daily habit at USO Camp Buehring in Kuwait to read a new book for Jayden. He added fun elements by using different voices, dressing in costumes, and incorporating props.
“The crazier I get on cameraโwith goofy voices, characters, and propsโthe more engaged Jayden becomes,” Justin said. “It really lights him up to see me.”
These nightly story sessions had a profound impact on Justin’s family, keeping them close despite the distance.
Back at home, Jayden and other family members gathered each day in their specially created “Just-In-Time Center” to listen to Justin’s latest recording.
“It became a life-changing experienceโa much better way to stay connected,” Justin shared. “It was great because, while my wife was raising him during my deployment, I could still influence him and help him navigate the things he was going through with these books.”
Army Sgt. 1st Class Ruben Pimentel, a father of three, also took part in the Bob Hope Legacy Reading Program while overseas. He appreciates that these recordings will remain long after his deployment is over.
“I may not be physically there, but Iโm still able to connect with my family. Even when I’m older, I’ll be able to look back and see myself reading to my kids. It’s a lasting legacy,” Pimentel said.
Sgt. Nick Masi, a father of four stationed in Afghanistan, echoed these sentiments, particularly during the holidays. The USO hosted a special event in 2019 where service members dressed in costumes to read “The Night Before Christmas” in front of a festive backdrop.
“Even if it was just for a single story, it felt like the program had brought me home to my family,” Nick said.
Though the COVID-19 pandemic forced the temporary suspension of in-person USO events last year, service members kept the tradition alive. At USO Erbil in Iraq, volunteers set up a reading station in the back of a pickup truck, transforming it into a mobile “room” where service members could record their stories. The USO team decorated the truck, brought books, and traveled around the base, making stops to reach as many service members as possibleโeven in remote locations.
Deployment can be incredibly tough on families, but service members make these sacrifices to protect our freedom. Itโs up to us to ensure they feel supported and connected during these times.
To learn more about how you can contribute to the USO and support programs like the Bob Hope Legacy Reading Programโwhich has helped over 100,000 service members and their families stay connectedโclick here.