Service members clean community

Photo By Sgt. Michael Iams | U.S. Marine 1st Lt. Eric Postow, General Support Maintenance Company 3rd Maintenance Battalion, Combat Logistic Regiment 35, 3rd Marine Logistic Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, holds a trash bag open for local children as they pick up trash around Urasoe City in Uchima District, Oct. 17.  

OKINAWA, JAPAN

10.17.2010

Story by Pfc. Michael Iams 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

OKINAWA, Japan - Forty Marines and sailors with Combat Logistic Regiment 35 and Combat Logistic Regiment 37, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, along with more than 100 children from the Uchima community picked up trash around Urasoe City in the Uchima District near Camp Kinser, Oct. 17.

"It's great that the Marines come out to help, and it's a good way for them to be a part of the community," said Ichino Kuba, the Camp Kinser community relations specialist. "This is also a good way for the Marines to get to know more about the culture."

The service members and local children separated into groups led by parents and staff members of the school who also helped supervise the children during the cleanup. Then they commenced their two-hour journey around the city picking up all the trash they came across.

"This is a good way to get involved with the community and interact with the local children," said Sgt. Nashauna Terry, platoon sergeant for Headquarters and Service Company, CLR-35.

After the cleanup, the volunteers piled the trash into one big pile to be properly disposed of and then cooled off from the hard day's work with refreshments.

"The best part of the day was hanging out with the children," said 1st Lt. Eric Postow, General Support Maintenance Company 3rd Maintenance Battalion, CLR-35. "This event is a good way to build our public relations, and it's great seeing the children interacting with the Marines."

The Marines took time to relax and interact with the community. They talked to the children and shared knowledge about each others' cultures.

"The children are so friendly and helpful," said Terry. "It's great to see their smiles and hear their laughter."

The cleanup ended with Takashi Chinen, president of Uchima Residents' Association of Urasoe City, and Kuba thanking the Marines and children for coming out and cleaning the community.

"Events like this help the community recognize the Marines' contribution and lets them know the military is here to help," said Kuba.

All the service members will receive a letter of appreciation for volunteering their time to clean the community, she added.

"Not only will the Marines receive a letter of appreciation, but they will also have self-appreciation for doing something good for them as well as the community," said Postow. "Every opportunity for the military here in Okinawa is good and can only help us."

• Date Taken: 10.17.2010
• Date Posted: 10.29.2010 05:33
• Story ID: 59041
• Location: OKINAWA, JP