Tomodachi Initiative helps Navy families share holidays with children of northern Japan

Photo By Joseph Schmitt | Children from Fleet Activities Yokosuka families and children from Rikuzentakata city, Iwate prefecture pose for a picture in the Morale Welfare and Recreation bowling alley, Dec. 27. Fleet Activities Yokosuka families are hosting the children as part of the Tomodachi Initiative a continued commitment to those whose lives were affected by the March 11, 2011 disasters.  

YOKOSUKA, KANAGAWA, JAPAN

12.27.2012

Story by Joseph Schmitt 

Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka

U.S. Embassy Tokyo, Fleet Activity Yokosuka families, and Japanese aid groups sponsored 11 children from Rikuzentakata city, Iwato prefecture for a home stay visit in Yokosuka, Dec. 26-28.

Rikuzentakata city was one the locations severely damaged by the earthquake and tsunami that hit northern Japan on March 11, 2011. Most of the town, the homes, the businesses, schools, and their way of life was washed away and little of it has been rebuilt.

The home stay is part of the Tomodachi Initiative, a continued commitment to those whose lives were affected by the March 11, 2011 disasters. In spring 2012, Fleet Activities Yokosuka sponsored families for another home stay. In December, they invited the families back to share the holidays with local families who volunteered to host the children.

“Six weeks ago, while we were underway, we received an email from the base that said they were looking for host families. I was immediately interested and called my wife to let her know,” said USS Mustin Command Master Chief Steven Snyder. “It just seemed like a good thing to do. We, the ship, were up there helping during Operation Tomodachi. But, this was more personal. You get to meet that person face-to-face and invite them to stay in your home. It felt more friendly, neighborly.”

The first day the children and chaperones boarded a bus in Rikuzentakata early in the morning and traveled most of the day to get to Yokosuka in the late afternoon. The children met their home stay families and had supper with them. On the second day of their visit the children took a tour of USS George Washington in the morning. Many of the ships in Yokosuka participated in relief efforts to areas in northern Japan. It was not the first time they had seen the ships but they were still excited to get a tour on the aircraft carrier.

“We coordinated with Morale Welfare and Recreation, USS George Washington, Security, Base Public Affairs Office, the fitness center, we wanted to make sure that the kids had a good time while they were here,” said Senior Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate Anthony Patton Jr., one of the event coordinators from Yokosuka. “We have some events planned for today but there is time for them to spend with the families and let them interact with each other.”

After the ship tour, the children and families had lunch and bowled at the bowling alley. Then they had a dodge ball tournament at the George I. Purdy Fitness Complex. Even though the children couldn’t speak English well and the families couldn’t speak Japanese well, everyone was still having fun.

“Some of the families know some Japanese, but they get over that language barrier,” said Patton. “I know some of families have other activities planned. I think I heard some say they were going shopping or going to karaoke. When everyone is having a good time, you can get around not being able to speak the same language.”

Through a translator Serika Sato, one of the children visiting Yokosuka said, “When I met my host family I was so nervous that I couldn’t understand what they were saying. However, after I relaxed a little I was able to understand what they were trying to tell me. I hope my host family and I can become good friends and enjoy having fun doing various things.”

The third day was the last day in Yokosuka for the children and chaperones. After a morning with the families, they said good-bye and boarded they bus to head back to Rikuzentakata. Though the home stay is over, the Tomodachi Initiative still goes on. The U.S. Embassy and Fleet Activities Yokosuka remain committed to helping their Japanese neighbors through future events.

• Date Taken: 12.27.2012
• Date Posted: 01.11.2013 02:49
• Story ID: 100236
• Location: YOKOSUKA, KANAGAWA, JP