OKINAWA, Japan - As it has been done so many times before, Marines and sailors poured onto the beaches and streets of Okinawa to remove trash and debris from places both Japanese and service members call home.
Members of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit joined Marines and sailors of 3rd Intelligence Battalion and 9th Engineer Support Battalion in cleaning up Kin Town and Kin Red Beach, June 10. The event was organized by the Single Marine Program.
“You could be in your barracks playing video games or whatever until Monday comes again, or you could be helping out the community,” said Lance Cpl. Aaron Browning, ground electronics maintenance worker with maintenance platoon, Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st MEU.
“The Marines are actively out in town a lot, so we’re showing the locals that we care about the area and want to help.”
Browning was just one of multiple Marines from the 31st MEU who volunteered their time to help out, a small but vital portion of nearly 100 Marines who took part. The Marine Corps does not require young Marines to conduct community service, instead counting on the values instilled in every Marine to summon the volunteers.
Since Earth Day of last year, the SMP has been conducting local clean up projects every three months, averaging over 100 participants each event. The clean up efforts improve the appearance surrounding the base, but more importantly, it builds a stronger bond between Camp Hansen and the local community.
“We want our presence on Okinawa to be well received by the locals and these types of events help strengthen those Okinawan/military relations,” said Cpl. Mario Stokes, bulk fuel specialist with engineer platoon, CLB 31, 31st MEU.
At the end of the day, dozens of trash bags were collected by local waste management officials from both Kin areas, leaving the town and beach front noticeably cleaner than before.
When not deployed to conduct theater security cooperation or contingency operations, the Marines of the 31st MEU say are eager to join their sister units in helping the local community however they can.
“We don’t expect anything in return,” said Stokes. “If we show we actually care about the locals and their town, it goes a long way and sets us up for success for the future.”
The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and is the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.
Date Taken: | 06.10.2012 |
Date Posted: | 06.11.2012 07:17 |
Story ID: | 89752 |
Location: | OKINAWA, JP |
Web Views: | 233 |
Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 31st MEU, CLB-31 Marines aid in clean sweep of Kin Town area, by GySgt Jonathan Wright, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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