Photo By Cpl. Brianna Christensen | Lt. Gen. Kenneth J. Glueck speaks to members of the Okinawa-America Association during...... read more read more
Subscribe
OKINAWA, Japan - The Okinawa-America Association, also known as Oki-Am Kai, held a holiday social here Dec. 6 to present gifts to the Toys for Tots program.
The Oki-Am Kai is a friendship association comprised of Okinawan businessmen and leaders of U.S. forces. The majority of U.S. forces in the association are Marines, but it also includes members of the Army and Navy.
The association meets monthly for a friendship exchange, which is usually a round of golf. This year, the association came up with a way to combine golf with their desire to help the community.
“During the games, if a member could not make the ball onto the green, they donated ¥200,” said Sadao Kudaka, chairman of Oki-Am Kai.
Oki-Am Kai was able to raise ¥160,000 since last November and has since donated 16 bicycles, which were presented to the Toys for Tots representative during the social.
“This is not just an opportunity to build friendships, but it’s a great way to donate if you’re bad at golf,” said Lt. Gen. Kenneth J. Glueck, the commanding general of III Marine Expeditionary Force and a member of Oki-Am Kai.
The association not only provides an avenue for donations, but creates a deep friendship between businessmen and senior military officers.
The association has a long history between Oki-Am Kai and military senior leader.
“I am honored to be a part of this association,” said Koichiro Kokuba, the honorary chairman of Oki-Am Kai. “It was created 40 years ago when service members felt that we could build camaraderie and friendship through golf. I am especially honored that Oki-Am Kai is still around and is considered one of the most important friendships.”
The long-lived association has created friendships that have lasted even after service members leave the island.
“I have made several friendships since becoming a member of Oki-Am Kai,” said Kokuba. “There are even retired officers that I am still in contact with.”
The members of Oki-Am Kai hope to have as memorable a future as they do a past.
“I hope this association will continue to build and strengthen friendships for as long as U.S. forces are on Okinawa,” said Kokuna.
| Date Taken: | 12.06.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 12.12.2011 00:51 |
| Story ID: | 81218 |
| Location: | OKINAWA, AICHI, JP |
| Web Views: | 122 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Oki-Am Kai putts to raise money, by Cpl Brianna Christensen, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT