Hansen Marines share Easter tradition with local children

Photo By Richard Blumenstein | Petty Officer 2nd Class Oliver D. Flores, a hospital corpsman with 3rd Medical Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, helps a local 4-year-old from Hamada Nursery School collect Easter eggs, April 13, at the Camp Hansen Parade Deck.  

CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, JAPAN

04.20.2007

Story by Lance Cpl. Richard Blumenstein 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

By Lance Cpl. Richard Blumenstein
III Marine Expeditionary Force PAO

CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan -- Volunteers from 3rd Medical Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, hosted their sixth annual Easter egg hunt and fun day, April 13, on Camp Hansen.

The annual hunt dates back nearly 20 years as Marines from several units on Camp Hansen have hosted the event to share American Easter traditions with Okinawan children, according to Chiyoko Kochi, the Camp Hansen community relations specialist.

"The children look forward to the fun day every year," Kochi said.

Before the hunt, Cmdr. Marty D. McCue, the commanding officer of 3rd Medical Bn., gave a speech thanking the 129 children for their participation and commending the 47 volunteers for
their help organizing the fun day.

After McCue's speech, the eager children set out with Easter baskets in hand as volunteers pointed out some of the more cleverly hidden eggs and helped children grab eggs hidden out of
reach.

"It was super fun," said Rikuto Ohama, a 4-year-old from Hamada Nursery School. "I found a lot of Easter eggs."

The children also enjoyed hotdogs and hamburgers and played other games with the volunteers
including "Duck, Duck, Goose" and kickball.

"We wanted to introduce them to some American kids' games," said Petty Officer 1st Class Christopher S. Newman, a religious program specialist with 3rd Medical Bn.

Newman said that though most of the American games were new to the children, they learned quickly.

"They got accustomed to the games really quick," he said. "They're fast learners."

Seaman John Delendrina, a hospital corpsman with 3rd Medical Bn., said he enjoyed helping to make the fun day possible.

"Everyone was so happy just laughing and having a good time," Delendrina said.

As the fun day drew to an end, the children expressed their appreciation to the volunteers by singing two Okinawan friendship songs.

"I think the songs were their way of showing us they had a good time and they appreciate us," Newman said. "They'll definitely be excited to come back next year. I expect they'll bring
more kids."

The volunteers gave out toys at the end of the day, sending the kids home with a smile.

• Date Taken: 04.20.2007
• Date Posted: 04.20.2007 09:24
• Story ID: 10027
• Location: CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, JP