Bismarck First Grader Skype's with Dad in Afghanistan - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

Ben Richter has a special guest during his reading time at school today.

His dad, Curt, joined him via Skype from Afghanistan.

Curt Richter is serving a year long deployment.

He left in December.

Title one instructor, Marcia Wilkens, says Ben struggles with reading but today's event has motivated him to "nail" this book for his dad.

Ben likes to read about racing cars, so he's been working to tackle the big words in this story to impress dad.

And he did...

"Dad guess what, upstairs, I filled up my reading chart." says Ben.

Curt replies, "That's awesome, good job! I'm proud of you. I guess there's no words to describe this, it means a lot. "

Marcia Wilkens, the Title 1 teacher at Pioneer says, "Ben's been beaming all week when he found out he was going to read to his dad. This is worth it."

This is the first time Ben has skyped with his dad at school.

Curt says because of the 11 hour time difference, he hasn't had many opportunities to skype with Ben.