Local and military communities come aboard Camp Hansen for Hansen Fest 2017

Photo By Staff Sgt. Danielle Prentice | CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan – The crowd cheers for Ted Nugent Sept. 24 during Hansen Fest aboard Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan. In the middle of the concert, Nugent took the time to read messages from home to the Marines, some of the notes were directly to specific Marines and others were expressing how thankful people, back home, are for the Marines’ sacrifices. More than 13,000 people attended the two-day event.  

CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, JAPAN

09.24.2017

Story by Lance Cpl. Danielle Prentice 

Marine Corps Installations Pacific

Members of the local and military community made their way through security, anxious to explore Hansen Fest Sept. 23 - 24 aboard Camp Hansen.

The annual Hansen Fest serves as a way to bring the local and military communities together, improving relationships through an assortment of food, live music, and games with more than 13,000 people in attendance. The sound of laughter, small-talk and music was heard throughout the fun-filled atmosphere of the festival.

“This is the largest festival I’ve attended,” said Lance Cpl. Eric Hernandezg, a rifleman with the Battalion Landing Team, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. “It’s really cool seeing the local community check out the displays of military equipment. The festival is a great experience.”

The festival had plenty of activities to do such as: a variety of food vendors, inflated obstacle courses, and bounce houses, rock walls, games and live music.

“I feel that the festivals help bring the military and local communities together,” said Sgt. Hayden Blount, a legal service specialist with Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Installations Pacific-Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Japan. “Despite the language barrier, the local community seems to enjoy the festival. I feel it brings everyone together.”

The festival also tried to bring service members a taste of home by featuring rock ’n’ roll singer and songwriter Ted Nugent.

Earlier in the day, Nugent and his band held a meet and greet with several Marines, having lunch in the 12th Marines Chow Hall aboard Camp Hansen. He spoke highly of the Marines the entire day, eager to take the stage. Nugent constantly reminded the Marines how proud he was of them, and how honored he was to be there playing music for them. He thanked them time and time again, for their service to their country.

“You have no idea how much I cherish this moment to play for the ultimate freedom force,” said Nugent on stage. “Everyone back home knows that freedom is not free, and they told me to tell you, thank you! Thank you very much for your sacrifices. Freedom is not free, we wouldn’t have it if it weren’t for the warriors,” he said confidently as the crowd began to chant ‘U.S.A.!’ “God bless the warriors!”

• Date Taken: 09.24.2017
• Date Posted: 09.26.2017 18:58
• Story ID: 249623
• Location: CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, JP
• Hometown: REDFORD, MI, US