Photo By Sgt. Drew Tech | Gunnery Sgt. Kendrick McRae, standing, dances with a patient April 16 at the Okinawa...... read more read more
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OKINAWA CITY, Okinawa - After waiting anxiously, residents in wheelchairs cheer excitedly as Marines arrive to provide entertainment and camaraderie at a local medical center.
Marines with various units on Okinawa volunteered to entertain mentally and physically disabled residents April 16 at the Okinawa Central Rehabilitation Medical Center in Okinawa City.
After introducing themselves, Marines acted out the book “I want a dog.” As one Marine read, the other volunteers played the roles of characters from the story. The residents’ faces lit up with joy as the Marines performed around the room.
Following the play, volunteers took turns dancing with each patient, gliding their wheelchairs across the dance floor.
It was fun and fulfilling to spend time at the medical center, according to Sgt. Renee Caseman, a postal clerk with Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler, Marine Corps Installations Pacific.
“To see them smile … makes me happy,” said Caseman. “It lets them know that we care about them. It lets us know they care about us.”
Helping others in the community is important for learning the culture and growing as a person, according to Lance Cpl. Victoria Casillasmadrid, an intelligence analyst with Combat Logistics Regiment 37, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force.
“I’m trying to get to know the culture and community more, and get more involved,” said Casillasmadrid. “The more you help out, the more well-rounded you will be as a Marine.”
With Marines volunteering at the medical center twice a month, the visit is something everyone at the center anticipates, according to Yuko Nakamura, a caregiver at the medical center.
“The residents and staff always enjoy having the Marines come in,” said Nakamura. “We all enjoy the recreation together with the Marines.”
After the dancing ended, each of the volunteers was presented with a handmade bookmark as a sign of appreciation and the unique friendship between the Marines and residents.
Once it was time to leave, the Marines took a bow, leaving the medical center, and their friends – until the next visit.
“This gives you a new sense of appreciation for what you have and do as a Marine,” said Casillasmadrid. “I hope to do it again and continue doing it.”
| Date Taken: | 04.16.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 05.08.2014 02:13 |
| Story ID: | 129115 |
| Location: | OKINAWA CITY, OKINAWA, JP |
| Hometown: | FAYETTEVILLE, NC, US |
| Hometown: | LAS VEGAS, NV, US |
| Hometown: | MILLINGTON, MI, US |
| Hometown: | SAN MANUEL, AZ, US |
| Hometown: | WORCESTER, NY, US |
| Web Views: | 140 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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