NAF Misawa sailors bring holiday cheer to Tsunami-stricken Japanese city

Photo By Petty Officer 3rd Class Erin Devenberg | Yeoman 1st Class Eric Pickett, right, originally from Cleveland, presents residents of the Nira no Hama temporary housing village with a tray of brownies during a visit, Dec. 15, 2013. Pickett is a part of Naval Air Facility Misawa's First Class Petty Officer Association and has volunteered for this visit in support of the tsunami-stricken area of Minamisanriku. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Erin Devenberg/RELEASED)  

MINAMISANRIKU, MIYAGI, JAPAN

12.15.2013

Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Erin Devenberg 

Naval Air Facility Misawa

MINAMISANRIKU, Japan – Sailors from U.S. Naval Air Facility Misawa’s First Class Petty Officer Association (FCPOA) travelled to the tsunami-stricken area of Minamisanriku, Japan, Dec. 15, 2013, to help bring some holiday cheer to the transplanted residents.

The trip was made to support the locals who are still residing in temporary housing, and who lost homes and family members to the tsunami that devastated Japan’s northeastern coast, March 11, 2011.

"I feel it is so important that we be involved in opportunities like this because we genuinely care about these people, especially in the small, remote towns who may get overlooked,” said Machinist’s Mate 1st Class James Lee, originally from New York City. “We feel we’re not just simply forward deployed to Japan; we love this country and want to assist wherever we might be of service to this beautiful nation.”

Following a several-hour bus ride from NAF Misawa, which is located in the northern prefecture of Aomori, the Sailors arrived in Minamisanriku. The volunteers initially visited the Nira no Hama temporary housing village, where they delivered wrapped Christmas presents that were donated by Misawa Air Base’s Mothers For Preschoolers (MOPS) organization.

"Seeing a need within our local reach, we unanimously decided to send our gifts to Minamisanriku to bless the kids there,” said Libby Harris, Director of Misawa Air Base’s MOPS organization, and originally from St. Louis, Mo.

Later in the evening, FCPOA members donned festive caps and volunteered to help set up and participate in the "A Christmas to Remember" party organized by the Ortiz Global Academy (OGA) For Aid organization. OGA For Aid and other volunteers have made it a mission to help the citizens of Minamisanriku in rebuilding their economy.

"To lift the spirits of the Japanese families and children still living in temporary housing even after almost three years now, the party was meant to represent the bringing together of families that we experience during the holidays,” said Simon Bernard, who helped coordinate the event. ”This was done by providing a feast of traditional holiday foods, entertainment, Christmas carols, and, of course, a visit from Santa Claus, who brought presents for all the kids."

The members of the FCPOA enjoyed sharing Christmas with the people of Minamisanriku, and are looking forward to future opportunities to volunteer their time to help.

“The locals look forward to the celebrations that we help put together for them each year,” said Yeoman 1st Class Eric Pickett, originally from Cleveland. “It’s important because it shows that as members of the U.S. Navy we are here to support our host nation and we truly appreciate these opportunities to interact with truly wonderful people.”

• Date Taken: 12.15.2013
• Date Posted: 12.20.2013 01:31
• Story ID: 118504
• Location: MINAMISANRIKU, MIYAGI, JP
• Hometown: CLEVELAND, OH, US
• Hometown: NEW YORK, NY, US
• Hometown: ST. LOUIS, MO, US