Every military family has a story, and Jessica Barber’s is beautifully intertwined with United Through Reading (UTR). Below, Story Station volunteer site coordinator, Jessica shares her inspiring journey through a few favorite memories and explores what it means to keep military families connected.
I have been a Navy spouse for 19 years, and throughout that time, UTR has held a special place in our family’s story.
When my children were younger, the program was offered aboard my husband’s ships during deployments, and he recorded stories for our children to stay connected while away. Those recordings became such a meaningful source of comfort and routine for our family. Years later, when he became a Commanding Officer, we were proud to help establish a Story Station aboard the ship so other sailors could share those same moments with their families.
Now, our children are in very different seasons of life, which makes the program feel even more meaningful to us. Our daughter is preparing for college, while her younger sister still looks forward to bedtime stories. Before leaving for this next chapter, our oldest plans to record stories for her little sister so they can stay connected, even from far away. It’s a beautiful reminder that the comfort of hearing a loved one’s voice never really changes, no matter the age.
As a UTR volunteer, I have attended Mobile Story Station events for submariners recording books for halfway parties. I’ve also worked with staff to help set up Story Stations at Fleet and Family Support Center satellite offices at Gateway Village and Village at Serra Mesa. In addition, I regularly educate mobilized Reservists on the UTR app and our recording stations during weekly briefs.
If someone asked me about getting involved with UTR, I would tell them this organization is incredibly special. Every person involved genuinely cares about service members and their families. While we may not always get to witness the children’s reactions when they see mommy or daddy on the screen, we always see the smiles on the service members’ faces after they finish recording.
One of my favorite memories as a UTR volunteer was helping a mobilized Reservist record both a video through the UTR app and a voice recording for his child’s Tonies box. Later, I received a follow-up email from him sharing how excited his son was to receive not only the free book, but also the video recording that made bedtime feel extra special while his father was away.
Moments like that truly highlight the impact of this organization — It truly is invaluable, especially for spouses navigating the challenges of deployment. Having even five minutes at bedtime to pause, breathe, and let a recorded story create a sense of connection and comfort is something that cannot be measured. Some people may think it is “just bedtime,” but for military families, it is so much more than that.
We’re so lucky and grateful to have Jessica as part of our team.
Inspired by Jessica’s story? Learn more about how to get involved with UTR.