Airmen observe Earth Day at library

Cannon Airman 1st Class Tyler Fornal said he hoped volunteering to read at Clovis-Carver Public Library's pre-K story hour last week would help shine a different light on the military.

Fornal hoped reading to youngsters in his uniform would provide them a positive view of the military, and serve as an example of how the military strives to support the community.

"They probably see us in movies and don't know what we really do," said Fornal, from Bethesda, Ohio. "Maybe this will change their perspective."

According to Vera Wood, Hazardous Waste Program manager with civil engineers at Cannon, the base participates in the story hour on Earth Days and Arbor Days.

This year, Cannon personnel read to a group of 14 pre-K-aged boys and girls and two babies from children's books focusing on environmental awareness.

The group of children in the Clovis-Carver Public Library reading room sat with eyes fixed on Fornal and his associate, Airman 1st Class Steven Theodorou, as they read from the books "The Tin Forest" and "Biscuit's Earth Day Celebration."

Wood said Cannon is experiencing much growth and it is important for the base to exemplify its partnership with the community by participating in community events such as the library's story hour.

"It's been something that we enjoy doing and being able to let them know that we do recycle, that we want to take care of our environment," Wood said.

Cannon Airman 1st Class Steven Theodorou said he hoped to light up the children's day by reading from "Biscuit's Earth Day Celebration."

Theodorou said he first enjoyed reading to children when he began reading children's books to his 4-year-old niece every week before joining the military two years ago.

Theodorou advises his fellow military personnel on base to take advantage of any volunteer opportunity to help children.

"Don't do it just because people want you to do it," said Theodorou, from Middletown, N.Y. "Do it because you want to, because you're a good person, because you want to have a good time and make a kid's day better."