USO Reading Program Creates Magical Moments for Military Families in Germany

A festive spirit takes flight as families from Spangdahlem Air Base and Ramstein Air Base discover connection through the joys of reading at the USO. Centers in Germany have created a world where superheroes come to life and time spent reading together becomes a cherished gift.

Through the Gandy and Hutchinson families’ experiences, witness magical moments crafted by the USO Reading Program, creating bonds that transcend the miles and illuminate the holidays for those who serve.

Connection to Family

Staff Sergeant Dylan Gandy, a maintenance airman stationed at Spangdahlem Air Base, has found a sense of camaraderie and community through the various programs offered by the USO.

“I’ve been coming to the USO and volunteering for a year and a half,” Dylan said. “I visit for the teddy bear club, reading with a superhero and we also partner with the school on base for the USO Reading Program.”

Dylan volunteers to read as Captain America, bringing smiles to children’s faces during USO Spangdahlem’s reading with a superhero events. “I love getting to hang out with everyone, enjoy time with different families and with the community,” said Dylan. “Kids faces light up when they see Captain America. The last event we did, there was a kid just learning to read and he was so excited.”

Dylan’s wife, Barbara-Ann, echoes the sentiment of finding a supportive community through the USO. In addition to attending programs as a family, she also enjoys events like Coffee Connections and craft-ernoon. She emphasized the positive effect the organization has had on her as a military spouse living in a foreign country.

We enjoy all the things the USO offers for families,” said Barbara-Ann. “I’ve met a lot of people through coming here. When I first got here, I felt isolated - it was nice to get that sense of community.

The USO Reading Program holds special significance for the Gandys, as they have participated twice as a family. The recordings from their readings serve as heartfelt gifts to family back in the U.S., with this latest recording planned for Barbara-Ann’s sick grandmother.

Avery Gandy, who loves silly and interactive books, was excited to read with her parents and chose a stuffed lamb to hold during the story. During this reading session, Dylan selected a cherished Christmas favorite and infused the storytelling with a delightful array of voices for each character. Avery, brimming with curiosity, peppered her dad with questions about the illustrations and unexpectedly declared her love to her grandma, mom and dad in the middle of the story.

Connection to Home

Lisa Hutchinson, a military spouse and mother, has attended events and volunteered with USO Ramstein for over a year. While the Hutchinson family has been regular attendees at USO events, the Reading Program is a new and exciting venture for them. “I had heard of the Reading Program, but we’ve never participated before today,” said Lisa. “We usually come in individually to volunteer and as a family.

Lisa, accompanied by her husband Staff Sergeant Jeffrey Hutchinson and their children Tanner and Elliott, have started a new Holiday tradition – reading a book together at the USO, to be sent as Christmas gifts to their grandparents. “I love the holidays in general – family time, enjoying traditions of cookies and Christmas markets and watching movies,” said Lisa.

The Hutchinsons found a quiet space in the family room, amidst the warm glow of the Christmas tree. Collaboratively, the kids selected a book, while Lisa and Jeff settled into the plush comfort of the couch, eager to share in the joy as the children read aloud together. Tanner and Elliott take turns reading each page, even taking time to show the colorful pictures to the camera. When Elliott struggles to sound out a word, her older brother leans over and whispers the word into her ear.

I know both of our families will be so surprised when they receive this recording and just love to see their grandkids reading books to them from so far away.

Excited about the shared reading experience, Lisa mentioned they would send the recording to both sets of parents—hers and her husband's—as meaningful Christmas gifts. Additionally, they plan to keep the recording, cherishing the moment as a family keepsake.

"I’m so thankful for the USO and the Reading Program now,” Jeffrey said after the family finished recording, “because it will allow us to spend more quality time as a family to look back on later.”

The USO Reading Program, designed for deployed service members in austere locations to connect with distant loved ones, is undergoing a meaningful evolution. This program can also serve as a conduit for families spending the holidays together but separated from grandparents, aunts, and uncles, to share precious moments even from a distance. Time spent reading allows for quiet moments of togetherness, the creation of traditions and the crafting of magical moments.