Navy Misawa sailors conduct cleanup effort at Japanese wetlands

Photo By Petty Officer 3rd Class Lisa Reese | Aviation Electronics Technician 1st Class Tim Ruetter scans the beach for refuse at the Hotokenuma Wetlands. Navy Misawa sailors and Japanese volunteers worked together to help cleanup the area, May 18, 2013. The volunteers collected almost a ton of trash that accumulated over the course of the long, northern-Japan winter. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Lisa Reese/Released)  

MISAWA, AOMORI, JAPAN

05.18.2013

Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Lisa Reese 

Naval Air Facility Misawa

NAVAL AIR FACILITY MISAWA, Japan – More than 30 Navy Misawa sailors conducted a joint cleanup effort with local Japanese residents at the Hotokenuma Wetlands, May 18, 2013.

Naval Facilities Engineering Command Far East Detachment Misawa organized the event as part of the 7th Annual Navy Misawa Earth Day. Sailors spent the morning scouring the beach and woodland areas for trash and refuse which had accumulated over the long, northern-Japan winter.

"We came together to cleanup after a long winter and had the chance to share time with each other doing something positive for the environment,” said Miho Taneichi, an administrative specialist at NAVFAC Detachment Misawa, who took part in organizing the event. “We are helping to protect the wetlands and help preserve the indigenous wildlife.”

The wetlands are located near Lake Ogawara, which is a popular local area frequented by Japanese residents and U.S. service members.

According to Chief Yeoman Ken Vinoya, the cleanup effort not only helped aid the local community with an important environmental project, but it also gave Misawa sailors an opportunity to serve as goodwill ambassadors on behalf of the base.

"It's important for our sailors to be out in the community because volunteering builds character," said Chief Yeomen Ken Vinoya. “Our sailors are taking responsibility and - in a sense - ownership of the community they love so much.”

Collectively, Misawa sailors, along with volunteers from the Japanese non-profit organization Oosekka-Land and Misawa High School, rounded up almost a ton of refuse and waste amongst the wetlands. As truck after truck hauled away the refuse, Misawa sailors said they were proud of the impact they were able to make within the span of a Saturday morning.

“I enjoy helping out in the Misawa community," said Logistics Specialist Seaman Ricardo Mejicano, originally from Tyler, Texas. "Doing stuff like this helps us to get to know our Japanese hosts better and, at the same time, helps keep our environment clean. With all of us working in tandem, it is really nice knowing that we are helping a community that is definitely worth the time and effort.”

For more news from Naval Air Facility Misawa, check out our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/nafmisawa.

• Date Taken: 05.18.2013
• Date Posted: 05.20.2013 03:10
• Story ID: 107216
• Location: MISAWA, AOMORI, JP
• Hometown: TYLER, TX, US