2020 Earth Day Camp Foster Clean-up

Photo By Sgt. Christopher Madero | Marines with Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Installations Pacific, hosted the Earth Day Camp Foster Clean up April 27, 2020, Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan. Uniformed members assigned to the battalion executed this event within the guidelines of COVID-19 restrictions by working in pairs, not congregating in groups larger than 10 and exercising social distancing throughout the event. (U.S Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christopher Madero)  

CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JAPAN

04.27.2020

Story by Cpl. Christopher Madero 

Marine Corps Installations Pacific

CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan - Marines with Headquarters and Support Battalion (H&S BN), Marine Corps Installations Pacific (MCIPAC), cleaned up around Camp Foster April 27.

The clean up was a collective effort to reduce the amount of waste on Camp Foster and its perimeter which is alongside the local Okinawa community.

Out of consideration for the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Earth Day clean up will take place over several days to create time and space between participants.

This year, the event runs April 27- May 1, and is open to H&S BN uniformed service members only.

Marines came equipped with face masks, gloves, and motivation to contribute to the efforts.

“It’s important to do our part as Marines and protect the environment around us," said Lance Cpl. Tianna Cedano, an administration specialist. “When you go off base, you see how clean [the Okinawan community] keeps their streets. Us doing our part is our thank you.”

This clean up isn’t just important to Marines, but essential to the local community. Okinawa has well-known landscapes, oceans, agriculture and wildlife. It’s essential that Marines do their part to ensure the sustainment of Okinawa’s environment.

Marines do as much as they can to keep the local community clean. This week is one of many instances of Department of Defense personnel making a collective effort to maintain the installations and island’s beauty.

Not only is this cleanup beneficial to the island and installations, but also to the Marines conducting it.

Being able to physically see the impact left behind by waste can inspire anyone to change daily habits and shift to a more eco-friendly lifestyle.

“The Marine Corps and Navy team institutionally believe in stewardship. We ensure the fighting effectiveness of our forces in every clime and place,” said Capt. Jessica R. DeMaria, B Co company commander. “This week-long event was carefully planned to ensure stewardship of not only our base, but the local community in which we live and love.”

The week would prove to be a bigger leap towards environmental awareness.

• Date Taken: 04.27.2020
• Date Posted: 04.29.2020 19:31
• Story ID: 368650
• Location: CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JP