Paper NCO promotes reading

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When Staff Sgt. Flat Stanley, 4th Contracting Squadron, deployed from here to Southwest Asia Sept. 17, he didnt need the usual array of bags, equipment or briefings. All he needed was an envelope.

Sergeant Stanley is part of a school project for Senior Airman Chris McKays 6-year-old second cousin, Chad, who lives in Maryland.

The class read the story Flat Stanley, a childrens book by Jeff Brown. In the story, Stanley goes to sleep one night but the bulletin board that hangs over his head falls on him and makes him flat. He soon learns the advantage of being flat is that he can travel by envelope.

The idea is for children who read the story to make their own Flat Stanley and send him to friends or family.

Airman McKays cousin sent his Flat Stanley here.

We took him around the base and he had his picture taken with the whole office, said Airman McKay of the 4th CONS. Then we got him in uniform and prepared him to deploy.

Now a 4th CONS NCO, Sergeant Stanley will be sent to Airman McKays husband, Tech. Sgt. Jon Krusinski, who is currently deployed. Sergeant Stanley will then get a tour of the base there.

I was very impressed kids were doing this, said Senior Master Sgt. Mike Berg, 4th CONS superintendent. I went to visit the Web site and its amazing -- these kids are so interested in sending them around the world.

Once Sergeant Stanley gets back to the states, hell go home with a journal of his adventures.

I cant wait to talk to my cousin after Sergeant Stanley gets back from the desert, Airman McKay said. We get to introduce school kids to other parts of the world and help them learn about other cultures while doing something really sweet to help them with a school project. Chad is going to have the biggest smile on his face, and Im sure Sergeant Stanley will have enjoyed the journey too.