Marines get first-hand view of Okinawan culture
KIN TOWN, OKINAWA, Japan (Oct. 25, 2005) -- A local nursing home shared an ancient Japanese tradition with a Marine Corps unit Oct. 15, showing them gratitude for their help.
http://www.marines.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/0/A589F4DF7A9FEFB5852570A6000786CC?opendocument
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MCB Camp Butler
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Computed Name: Cpl. Sarah M. Maynard
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20051025212212
KIN TOWN, OKINAWA, Japan (Oct. 25, 2005) -- A local nursing home shared an ancient Japanese tradition with a Marine Corps unit Oct. 15, showing them gratitude for their help.
Despite overcast skies, the Hikariga-oka nursing home hosted a Moon Viewing Party for more than 30 representatives of 7th Communications Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force.
Nursing home staff and residents hosted the party to thank the Marines, sailors and family members for their assistance in and around the home during the year.
Mr. Haruo Ginoza, the director of Hikariga-oka, was pleased to welcome the service members to the celebration.
“The Marines are very friendly to our town and local community,” he said. “We thank them for their help here.”
The service members and nursing home staff shared a game of volleyball, a karaoke competition and a meal of traditional Okinawan dishes. Gifts were presented to the winners of each round of volleyball and to the high-scorers in karaoke.
Marines and sailors with 7th Communications Bn. have upheld a bi-monthly tradition of grounds-upkeep with the nursing home for 12 years, according to Chiyoko Kochi, the Camp Hansen community relations specialist.
“Marines from the battalion have been coming to the nursing home about two times a month for more than 12 years now,” she said. “They trim the hedges, mow the lawns and generally tidy up the grounds of the home.”
In appreciation for their work, staff and residents host several cultural events and parties for the Marines at the nursing home, according to Kochi.
“Hikariga-oka hosts a Japanese New Year’s party, summer festival, flower-viewing festival in the spring, a moon viewing festival in the fall, as well as celebrating Christmas and Thanksgiving with the Marines,” she said. “The staff and residents share their culture with the Marines, in appreciation for their hard work.”
Working out in town with the Okinawans is a unique cultural experience as well, according to Lt. Col. Gregory Breazile, the commanding officer of 7th Communications Bn.
“Doing volunteer work for the home is a great experience of the young Marines,” he said. “Some of these Marines have never been out of their home-state before and here they get to interact with foreign cultures. They get to give something back to their local community and they have fun at the same time.”