Photo By Cpl. Brianna Christensen | Marines with Engineer Maintenance Company, 3rd Maintenance Battalion, 3rd Marine...... read more read more
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OKINAWA, Japan - Marines with Engineer Maintenance Company, 3rd Maintenance Battalion, volunteered at Takahara Elementary School July 1.
The company, a part of 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, volunteered to assist in the clean up at the schoolyard following a recent typhoon and to enhance their awareness of the Japanese culture.
“Since they have been active in the military community, I thought it would be educational for the Marines to see what a traditional Japanese school was like,” said Master Sgt. Benjamin L. LaCour, the maintenance operations chief for Engineer Maintenance Company.
The trip introduced the Marines to Japanese culture and gave them a chance to help a local elementary school.
“I was informed that after Okinawa’s last typhoon, Takahara Elementary School suffered tree damage in their courtyard where the children played,” said LaCour. “For the safety of the children, they were not allowed to play in the area.”
The Marines brought tools such as saws, rakes and ladders to the school, where they spent hours cleaning up the courtyard and playground.
Marines helped by trimming small tree branches, large limbs and clearing hazards overhead, said LaCour.
“The students looked so interested in watching us clear out their courtyard, I think they are going to be excited to be able to use their play area again,” said Sgt. Walter A. Wilson, a heavy equipment operator with engineer maintenance company.
Although engineer maintenance company has done extensive volunteer work for the Department of Defense Dependent Schools, the Single Marine Program and other community relations projects, this was the first time Marines have been to Takahara Elementary School.
The experience was a good learning opportunity, said LaCour.
“It’s good to let the Marines get off base sometimes, to allow them to do something other than the same routine and let them experience the culture around them,” said Wilson.
The volunteer event helped the Marines see some of the differences between Japanese and American ways of life, according to LaCour.
“We learned a few things that were different from American schools, one in particular was that the children cleaned their own school, there are no janitors or custodians,” said LaCour.
This event was the first experience some of the children at the school had with Marines.
Engineer maintenance company is planning a second trip to Takahara Elementary School later this year.
| Date Taken: | 07.15.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 07.14.2011 22:01 |
| Story ID: | 73753 |
| Location: | OKINAWA CITY, OKINAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 87 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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