Photo By Kristen Wong | HONOLULU - Sgt. Sebastian Torres (right), a Marine training with Marine Corps Base...... read more read more
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HONOLULU — Families gathered on the lawn June 6, 2015, in front of the Hawaii State Library to meet super heroes dressed in spandex, bright colors, uniforms — and bomb suits.
Marines from Marine Corps Base Hawaii’s explosive ordnance disposal department brought their equipment to the Super Hero Bon Dance, an event that kicked off the state library’s summer reading program, which features a “heroes” theme this year.
The library staff initially approached the base to coordinate the Marines’ participation for the kickoff.
“The Marines are among our military’s heroes,” said Paul H. Mark, the public information officer for the Hawaii State Public Library System. “The Marine Corps Base Hawaii’s Explosive Ordinance Disposal Team was selected not only because they are special military heroes but also because they are ‘real-life’ heroes who put their lives at risk protecting us from harm.”
This isn’t the first public visit for the EOD Marines, who have also brought their equipment to demonstrate at Wayland Baptist University.
“It’s always good to build relations in the community,” said Gunnery Sgt. Raymond Conard, the operations and training chief at EOD.
The Marines set up on the side of the library with firefighters and police officers in an area designated Heroes Alley. From there, Conard initially sent the MK 1 Mod O PackBot to pick up loose trash on the sidewalk.
“(Displays at events) really helps the public to see what kind of things the Marines do,” said Roosevelt High School student Jordan Sun, who tried out the MK 1 Mod O PackBot. “Marines are cool (and) very interesting.”
Sun, 16, is a member of the Roosevelt Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, and volunteered with his fellow classmates at the Super Hero Bon Dance. The Honolulu resident said while meeting the Marines on Saturday, he learned about enlistment and EOD jobs. He said he plans to join the Marine Corps as an officer after college.
Sgt. Ethan Downs, a Marine training in EOD, and Sgt. Gerardo Muro, an EOD technician, put on heavy, dark green bomb suits, each weighing 64 pounds, and a 13-pound helmet. Downs and Muro walked out to the lawn and took pictures with attendees.
As the morning progressed, more families visited Heroes Alley. Members of the public, particularly children, waited for a chance to control the MK 1 Mod O PackBot or the MK 2 Mod O TALON.
For the fourth consecutive year, the public gathered at the large lawn for the bon dance, visiting various booths and enjoying refreshments and activities. Several members of the library staff were on hand to help people register for the program, while library volunteers dressed in super hero costumes made their rounds and posed for photo opportunities.
“The Marines were very responsive and accommodating to our request,” Mark said. “We are very happy that they accepted our invitation to participate and their presence helped make our Super Hero Bon Dance event a resounding success.”
In keeping with the Japanese tradition of the Obon Festival, a summer observance honoring the dead, coordinators incorporated elements of the bon dance into the event.
“We wanted to create a dynamic and memorable event for this year’s Oahu Summer Reading Programs’ kickoff, and what better way to celebrate our ‘heroes’ theme in Hawaii than to combine it with a ‘live’ bon dance and super heroes,” Mark said.
There was a small stage in the center of the lawn representing the typical yagura, or bandstand, which is usually a higher tower-like structure for the musicians. The public was encouraged to wear traditional Obon season dress: happi coats and yukatas, or summer kimonos. People circled the “yagura,” dancing to music.
The program, which runs from May 31 through July 18, caters to readers of varying ages, depending on the location. Participants must complete one book a week to receive an incentive, while supplies last, at their local library. Each of the state’s 50 public libraries is also hosting events for the program.
| Date Taken: | 06.12.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 06.12.2015 16:52 |
| Story ID: | 166445 |
| Location: | HONOLULU , HI, US |
| Web Views: | 88 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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