Photo By Cpl. Mark Stroud | Camp Hansen Marines collect trash along the side of a road here April 21. More than...... read more read more
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AICHI, Japan - Marines from Camp Hansen participated in a cleanup of nearby Kin Green and Kin Red beaches in recognition of the 41st anniversary of Earth Day here recently.
The cleanup was headed by the Environmental Branch, Facilities Engineer Division, Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Marine Corps Bases Japan, as one of several efforts designed to raise environmental awareness, reduce energy and clean up the area.
“It was good to come here and help,” said Lance Cpl. Jason Fernandez, Services Company, 7th Communication Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF. “It was good to see Marines come together and clean up where we live and work.”
More than 100 Marines volunteered to participate in the cleanup of the beaches, according to Gunnery Sgt. Hewitt Ballard, camp operations chief, Camp Operations, Camp Hansen.
The cleanup was viewed as a chance to demonstrate to the local community the Marine Corps’ commitment to environmental awareness.
“It is a community relations event where we come out to show good will by cleaning up an area that is being used by both the locals and the Marines,” said Shawn Williams, environmental coordinator, Environmental branch, Facilities Engineer Division, MCB Camp Butler.
The Environmental Branch viewed the cleanup as successful based on participation and the amount of trash collected.
“We collected over 100 bags of burnable trash, seven bags of glass and plastics each, as well as, tires and televisions,” said Williams. “It just looks better not having that out here anymore.”
In addition to the beach cleanups, the Environmental Branch put on the “power hour” campaign, encouraging Camp Hansen residents to turn off idle electronics during lunch hour.
A local utility company will provide the environmental branch with the electrical usage statistics for the camp, demonstrating to camp residents that even something as simple as turning off idle electronics can make a notable difference in electrical consumption, saving the Marine Corps money and helping the environment, according to Williams.
Reducing energy consumption was a point of focus for the Environmental Branch, which offered up additional ways to save power.
Conserving water and making sure all computers and electronics are shut off at the end of the day are two easy ways to save energy, according to Williams.
The beach cleanups began with a short speech from Mark L. Roberts, deputy camp commander, Camp Hansen, who thanked the Marines for volunteering and reminded them of the importance of environmental awareness.
The Marines agreed that it was important to actively participate in green activities.
“Coming out here and trying to help is what sets us apart,” said Lance Cpl. Scott Linton, Service Company, 7th Comm. Bn.
| Date Taken: | 05.11.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 05.11.2011 03:16 |
| Story ID: | 70198 |
| Location: | OKINAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 167 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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