Photo By Sgt. Jessica Collins | Master Sgt. Jason Annis invites participants to proceed into the Futenma Haunted...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS AIR STATION FUTENMA, Japan - An agonized howl echoes as guests tiptoe across a threshold into darkness. The door slams behind them as they cautiously navigate through a maze of dimly lit hallways, festooned with spider webs and alive with shrieks and moans.
Okinawa residents and service members attended a VIP opening of the annual Futenma Haunted Labyrinth Oct. 9 on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Marine Corps Installations Pacific.
The labyrinth is hosted by the Single Marine Program and has been held annually since 2012, according to Master Sgt. Jason Annis, the data chief with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, MCAS Futenma.
“About 200 guests made it through the labyrinth for a good scare and some fun,” said Annis, a Batavia, New York, native. “This year, the camp commander gave us permission to make the Futenma Haunted Labyrinth an open gate day to improve relationships between Okinawa residents and service members. It’s been a really great thing to give Okinawa residents a chance to come on base and connect with service members in a fun way.”
Marines dressed in costumes, donned masks and makeup, lined hallways and took their places in various scenes within the building before the haunted labyrinth opened.
“Marines have been working on the design and construction of the labyrinth since April,” said Annis. “Some volunteers have put in over 100 hours of work into this. They worked together to not only provide a layout, but also build the walls, develop concepts and decorate. It was great to see the Marines come together and use their artistic abilities and skill sets for something creative.”
Guests navigated the twisting labyrinth carefully as the sound effects and grisly decorations served to further distract and disorient.
“My favorite part of the haunted labyrinth was the fact that there were parts where we had to choose from multiple doors to walk through at the center,” said Yuzo Nakasone, a Naha, Okinawa, native. “It was a very well-made and it was fun for us to try to find our way through it. We hope we can make it again next year.”
After the guests reached the end of the labyrinth, they enjoyed a dinner buffet at the Habu Pit. Service members still in costume posed for pictures with guests during the dinner and informed them of the future dates the haunted labyrinth would be open.
“Though there is a fence between the Marines and Okinawa residents, the border is taken away through communication with each other,” said Rei Aragaki, also a Naha native. “We live in Okinawa together, and events like this connect us as people regardless of what country - America or Japan - we are from. We were invited by Marines to this event and it has broadened our perspectives. That is why friendship and open-gate events are important to us. We can’t wait to come next time!”
The Futenma Haunted Labyrinth is scheduled to open its gates to the public Oct. 23, 24, 29, and 30. For more information, contact your SMP office or visit www.mccsokinawa.com/SMP.
| Date Taken: | 10.09.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 10.19.2015 18:49 |
| Story ID: | 179248 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS AIR STATION FUTENMA, OKINAWA, JP |
| Hometown: | NAHA, OKINAWA, OKINAWA, JP |
| Hometown: | BATAVIA, NY, US |
| Web Views: | 175 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Futenma Haunted Labyrinth brings service members, Okinawa residents together, by SSgt Janessa Dugan, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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