Volunteers, parents, station residents celebrate Kid’s Day with child’s play

Photo By Sgt. Marcel Brown | Lance Cpl. Austin Mckenna, Installation Personnel Administration Center personnel clerk, attempts to dunk his Executive Officer Maj. Travis K. Brittain during Kid’s Day at the Monzen side baseball field here May 20.  

AICHI, JAPAN

05.20.2011

Story by Cpl. Marcel Brown 

Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni

AICHI, Japan - The Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron Family Readiness Office hosted Kid’s Day at the Monzen side baseball field here May 20.

“Everybody has been working so hard with Operation Tomodachi and things like that, so we wanted to put something on that the family members can participate in and relax with their children,” said Diane Heard, H&HS family readiness officer.

The event took months of planning and countless hours of preparation, but with the diligent work of volunteers in conjunction with the FRO, Kid’s Day kicked off successfully.

“We have a lot of events going on for parents to try to increase morale; well, the kids need morale too,” said Heard. “They need things that they can look forward to when their parents are away or still here. So we like to put on events like this so the children and the parents can have some bonding time together.”

The event included: free food and drinks, a cotton candy machine, sumo suits and a sumo wrestling ring, a dunk tank occupied by H&HS Executive Officer Maj. Travis K. Brittain, bounce houses, and a pie-eating contest for all ages.

“We tried to create somewhat of a carnival atmosphere here,” said Heard. “They have a lot of festivals in Japan, but they don’t have a lot of carnivals. I know that’s one thing I enjoyed as a kid.”

Although the cotton candy and bounce houses complimented the carnival theme, the laughter, smiles and companionship between volunteers, children and parents attributed the primary theme; we’re all one big family.

“The unit comes together. If you look around the field you’ll see there are single Marines and sailors, who have no family here, who took time out of their day to come out and help. So I think it strengthens the entire unit when you have events like these,” said Heard.

Volunteers expressed their excitement to get out of the everyday work routine and bond with the community.

“It feels good to help out the Marines, sailors and their families. It’s nice to know that I’m helping someone,” said Lance Cpl. John A. Moore, station ordnance technician and event volunteer. “I think this really brings us together as human beings and Marines. For the squadron, I think it improves our unit cohesiveness.”

The family readiness office stated events like these would not be possible without the participation and feedback of the local community.

“We like to get feedback on what types of events we can have for the future and we always welcome feedback,” said Heard.

Some of the event attendees took advantage of this offer and gave some feedback of their own.

“I think they should incorporate more things for the older kids in the future,” said Michael Coletta, 13, Matthew C. Perry 7th grade student. “They have a lot of activities for the younger kids here, but it’s a good time for families to come together and meet new people.”

The FRO is planning an upcoming daddy/daughter dance and a father/son bus trip to a Fukuoka baseball game in honor of Father’s Day.

For questions, suggestions or to give feedback for future FRO events, contact the H&HS FRO at 253-3526 or visit the H&HS Family Readiness Office on the first floor of Building 1 next to room 113.

• Date Taken: 05.20.2011
• Date Posted: 05.25.2011 00:42
• Story ID: 71012
• Location: AICHI, JP