Marines receive Japan Good Conduct Award
NAHA CITY, OKINAWA, Japan (June 23, 2006) -- The Japan Good Conduct Association recognized Marines, sailors and Okinawans for their contributions to the Okinawan community at the Japan Agriculture Mawashi Center June 17.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/48F20AFEEFCD02168525719600032DC4?opendocument
June 23, 2006
By Lance Cpl. Eric D. Arndt, MCB Camp Butler
The association presented the Japan Good Conduct Award to nine individuals, including one Marine, and to Camp Kinser and two Marine units: 3rd Medical Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group and Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Marine Division.
Sgt. Jeremy J. Landen, an electronic switching operator/maintainer with Communications Company, Headquarters Bn., 3rd MarDiv, received the annual award for cleaning Okinawa beaches and rivers, teaching English in several Okinawan schools and community halls, teaching Japanese to Marines, and supporting several local community events such as trick or treat for Okinawan children.
"Landen was the Marine most deserving of the award," said 1st Lt. Markus Trouerbach, a platoon commander with Communications Co. "It's hard to find junior Marines who represent the Marine Corps in a different country the way (Landen) does."
Landen said he tries to engulf himself in Japanese culture as much as possible.
"I help out with the different single mothers' shelters," Landen said. "I always do the beach cleanups cause I like to surf, and I figure if I'm out there, I might as well be (at the cleanup) with everybody."
Camp Kinser was recognized in the category titled "Good Neighbor."
In 2005, Camp Kinser service members and their families conducted 30 Native English Assistance visits to local elementary schools and five visits to elderly Japanese citizens in the Dojin hospital. The camp also conducted nine significant community outreach events, which included two beachfront cleanups and a wheelchair soccer event. Additionally, the camp hosted 19 tours of the base for local and national Japanese government officials. 3rd Medical Bn. received their award for performance in two categories: environmental beautification and guidance of youth and children.
More than 300 Marines and sailors with 3rd Medical Bn. worked together on 47 community relations projects since February 2005. The unit cleaned up a local park in Ishikawa city, picked up 800 pounds of trash at Kin Red Beach and worked for several hours painting and making Okinawa Christian School International in Yomitan a safer place to be. The battalion also taught 50 hours of English to more than 800 children at Kagei Elementary school.
Meanwhile, Headquarters Bn. was recognized for its contribution to public safety, accident prevention, environmental beautification, guidance of youth and children and social welfare support. Marines and sailors with 3rdMarDiv cleaned beaches and riverbeds; they also taught English to elementary school students and teachers and to adults on Camp Courtney. They also hosted and supported a daily exercise program for students who live at homes for the mentally challenged.
"If you don't get out there and interact with Okinawans (during your tour), you're just going to have a memory of a base," Landen said. "You won't be able to tell your children or grandchildren about the culture - about an experience not everyone gets to have."