Mike Gregoire visits elementary school

MOSES LAKE — Washington state Gov. Chris Gregoire's husband Mike Gregoire answered some tough questions Monday from a group of third grade students during a visit to Moses Lake.

Mike Gregoire is visiting an elementary school in every county throughout the state during the 2006-2007 school year to promote reading. His visit to a Moses Lake school was delayed due to the two-hour late start time.

The visit in Moses Lake was to Cheri Kinder's third grade class at Larson Heights Elementary School, where Mike Gregoire read "The True Story of the Three Little Pigs."

Afterwards, Gregoire took questions from students. The first question was, "Why is my dad away in the army so much?"

Gregoire said he was in the army too for three years.

"They have to leave their families and go overseas because they're ordered to go overseas by their commander-in-chief," he said.

Another student wanted to know why Mike Gregoire picked "The True Story of the Three Little Pigs," a story of the Three Little Pigs from the point of view of the wolf. Mike Gregoire said he always thought the wolf's side of the story was never fully explored.

Students asked Mike Gregoire whether he has any family pets, and he told them about his dog named Trooper.

Mike Gregoire's Reading Initiatives Coordinator Mary Ann Naughton said Mike Gregoire visited roughly 27 schools so far in the 39 counties. Earlier in the day he made visits to Ritzville and Davenport.