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    Friendship softball tournament builds camaraderie

    Friendship softball tournament builds camaraderie

    Photo By Cpl. Mark Stroud | Col. David P. Olszowy, camp commander, Camp Hansen, Marine Corps Base Camp Butler,...... read more read more

    CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, JAPAN

    07.22.2011

    Story by Lance Cpl. Mark Stroud 

    III Marine Expeditionary Force   

    CAMP HANSEN, Japan - Marines and local citizens gathered at the softball fields on Camp Hansen July 16 to participate in a friendship softball tournament.

    During the tournament, co-hosted by Camp Hansen and the Kin Chamber of Commerce, seven teams battled for first place.
    While the event provided some friendly competition, it also offered participants a chance to relax and get to know each other a little bit better.

    “The actual tournament was devised three years ago,” said Col. David P. Olszowy, commanding officer for III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF, and camp commander for Camp Hansen. “We played once before, and this is our second tournament.”

    A team of Marines from 7th Communications Battalion, III MHG, won the tournament, defeating a determined Okinawa Defense Bureau team in the final round 9-8 to claim victory.

    “We played well. We had some ups and downs and were losing towards the end of the game, but, as a team, we rallied together and managed to win,” said Patrick M. Beffa, a member of the 7th Comm. Bn. team. “I would want to participate in this again, and I would encourage anybody else too.”

    The Okinawa Defense Bureau fielded a team for the first time, allowing its members a chance to participate in the friendship tournament with their professional colleagues in the Marine Corps.

    “Being the Okinawa Defense Bureau, it is really important to have good relations with them,” said Olszowy. “Every camp has an Okinawa Defense Bureau representative that they conduct liaison with as far as any kind of trouble in the camp or changes in policy. They are the interface between us and the Okinawan people, the municipalities and the Tokyo government.”

    The friendship tournament also allowed local teams from Onna Village, Ginoza Village and Kin Town to build upon their friendship with Camp Hansen personnel.

    “It is very important as a neighbor to build a good, positive relationship with Camp Hansen,” said Morimitsu Kokuba, president of the Kin Town Chamber of Commerce. “We hope that we can take turn hosting this kind of community event for a long time.”

    The second Marine team, composed of III MHG command element and headed by Olszowy, was eliminated in the semi-final round after fighting their way back from the loser’s bracket.

    “It is always good to get out and have some camaraderie,” said Olszowy.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 07.22.2011
    Date Posted: 07.21.2011 20:58
    Story ID: 74109
    Location: CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, JP

    Web Views: 100
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN