Photo By Matthew Manning | Marines from the 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary...... read more read more
Subscribe
HENOKO BEACH, Japan - On a cold, rainy Saturday morning at Henoko Beach, more than 30 volunteers with the 4th Marine Regiment gathered to take part in a beach cleanup.
The regiment, part of the 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, participated in the beach cleanup Jan. 7 as one of their many community service events in the Henoko area.
“Today we are doing our annual cleanup,” said Bobette E. Rossiter, the family readiness officer for the regiment. “Here on Camp Schwab we have a special relationship with the Henoko community ... We have other (events with the community) throughout the year, so this is just us building on that relationship and giving back to the community.”
While this cleanup is an annual event, many of the volunteers would like to serve the community on a more regular basis.
“I would like to see this beach cleanup happen once a month,” said Sgt. Renald Delva, a food service specialist with the regiment. “I think it would be something special to the community if we were out here each month making the beach look better. I would be here helping each time.”
Delva also said it is important for the Marines to come out to events like this because volunteering can show the local population they are here to help.
“The more the local population can see the Marines doing positive things for their community, the better it will be when Marines go into town and try to get involved in the local culture,” said Rossiter.
The number of volunteers from the local community was lower because of the weather conditions, according to Rossiter. However, the efforts of the volunteers from Camp Schwab were still appreciated.
“It is really good the Marines come out to clean up the beach like this. I wish more of the community could be able to see them cleaning because then they might think better of the Marines,” said Akiko Matsuoka, a volunteer from the community.
Rossiter said the biggest reward is the opportunity to experience Okinawa.
“The Marines’ experience here in Okinawa is always what they make of it,” said Rossiter. “If they can get off the base and interact with the local community, it will have a positive impact on their time in Okinawa.”
This is the reason why many of the volunteers decided to spend their Saturday working.
“For me, it was all about getting out and experiencing the island,” said Lance Cpl. Cody B. Vail, a field wireman with the regiment. “Today I met a lot of good friends I hope to be able to see again. You might only get to stay here once, so it is important to make the best of it while you can.”
According to Vail, this was his first community service event, but he plans to volunteer more often.
“I have always been somewhat skeptical of events like this because I do not like to pick up trash, but I realized it is a good thing we are doing here,” said Vail. “It helps out and it makes the beach look nicer and you get to meet new people while working.”
For those who have not taken part in volunteering events on Okinawa yet, Rossiter urges them to seek out chances to volunteer whenever possible.
“When your unit gives you opportunities to get out of the barracks and do something, be sure to embrace them,” said Rossiter. “Those opportunities will definitely shape your experiences.”
| Date Taken: | 01.13.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 01.12.2012 20:59 |
| Story ID: | 82347 |
| Location: | HENOKO BEACH, OKINAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 78 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Volunteers help clean up Henoko Beach, by Matthew Manning, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT