Continuing a 50-year legacy; Soldiers welcome orphans from Japan into their homes

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Carlos Davis | Family members and Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, and 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, continue a 58-year tradition by welcoming four orphans from the Holy Family Home in Japan to Hawaii, July 21 at the Honolulu International Airport. The orphans will spend the next few weeks living with Soldiers in their homes. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Ian Ives, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs/Released).  

HI, UNITED STATES

07.21.2015

Story by Sgt. Ian Ives 

2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division

HONOLULU, Hawaii – Four orphans with the Holy Family Home, in Osaka, Japan, arrived in Hawaii at the Honolulu International Airport, July 21, to spend two weeks with the Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment (Wolfhounds), 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, for the 58th summer visit from The Holy Family Home.

Following World War II, The Holy Family Home was established to house orphans in Osaka. In 1949, on Christmas Day roughly a dozen Wolfhound Soldiers, led by Master Sgt. Hugh O’Reilly, dedicated their spare time and donated part of their pay to support The Holy Family Home.
In 1957, a tradition was established between the 27th Infantry Regiment and the Holy Family Home when the first two children were invited to visit Soldiers stationed in Hawaii.

“We are honored to be a part of the regiment and to carry on this wonderful tradition,” said Lt. Col. Neal Mayo, commander of 1-27 IN, originally from Nashville, Tenn.
For the next few weeks the children’s will have the opportunity to enjoy Hawaiian culture and experience the military way of life.

During the children’s visit they will have an opportunity to spend time at the Dole Plantation, in Wahiawa, the Honolulu Museum of Art, and the Waikiki Aquarium. Another exciting event is the Day as a Wolfhound. Where Mrs. O’Reilly will read to the children and tell the story of The Holy Family Home which will also include a static display of M1126 Stryker Combat Vehicles, an obstacle course, and a Meal Ready to Eat (MRE) for lunch.

Several families will be housing the children during their stay in Hawaii. Kirsten Jones and her husband Sgt. Justin Jones, an infantryman assigned to 1-27 IN will be housing both visiting girls for one week.

“It is going to be interesting because they don’t speak English, so we are going to have to figure that out, but we are really excited,” said Kirsten. “We are getting the two girls, so I will definitely have to take them to do some girly stuff.”

“At the end of the of the day it is all about these children and honoring the legacy that Master Sgt. Hug O’Reilly started that has lasted over 50 years,” said Mayo.

• Date Taken: 07.21.2015
• Date Posted: 07.23.2015 22:40
• Story ID: 170985
• Location: HI, US
• Hometown: NASHVILLE, TN, US