Photo By Cpl. Alex Fairchild | Volunteers from Camp Kinser pose for a photo after the Earth Day cleanup on...... read more read more
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KAA-MII-JII, OKINAWA, Japan -- U.S. Marines from Camp Kinser assemble at Kaa-Mii-Jii, Okinawa, Japan, to keep the beach clean and trash-free while raising awareness for Earth Day on May 7.
Hosted by the Single Marine Program, weekly cleanups allow service members the opportunity to maintain cleanliness on and off base, and to help strengthen the U.S.-Japan alliance to protect the force and keep the Okinawan environment clean. The cleanup, postponed twice due to inclement weather, was hosted to raise awareness for Earth Day.
“You have to be the change that you want to see,” said Sgt. Elizabeth Adams, a metal worker with 3d Maintenance Battalion, 3d Marine Logistics Group. “My passion for volunteering extends back to when I first joined the Marine Corps. I want to give back to the environment, because trash simply does not belong anywhere in nature.”
In an effort to retain the beautification of the tropical Okinawan topography, volunteers spent the afternoon scavenging Kaa-Mii-Jii with gloves and trashbags to dispose of stray litter. Together, the servicemembers gathered a total of seven bags of refuse and various large objects to be discarded properly.
Adams, a native of Jones, Alabama, explained that she gathered up three large trash bags of litter throughout the afternoon. She expressed that the trash mainly consists of plastic items and various discarded fast-food containers.
“We want to constantly and consistently raise awareness for the importance of Earth Day and pollution prevention,” said Lauren Masters, the Camp Kinser SMP coordinator. “Cleanups create a profound impact when it comes to the restoration of these beaches.”
Masters, a native of Warren, Vermont, explained that litter can often have an adverse effect on the natural wildlife that inhabit the Okinawan beaches. She expressed that beach cleanups are the easiest way to get involved in keeping the environment as pristine as possible out of respect for marine life and the island.
The Urasoe beach cleanup additionally provided an opportunity for servicemembers and to serve the community and work together as a team. In the socially-distant event, the volunteers expressed their excitement for the opportunity to work side-by-side with each other.
“It is all about making a difference, no matter how small,” said Adams. “Not only is it just fun when we all get together and do our part to restore the environment, it is taking care of our island, our home, our Earth.”
To find out more information on how to participate in weekly cleanups, visit your local Single Marine Program center or visit https://www.mccsokinawa.com/smp/#tab6.
| Date Taken: | 05.07.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 05.14.2021 02:50 |
| Story ID: | 395981 |
| Location: | KAA-MII-JII, OKINAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 144 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Earth Day 2021: Kaa-Mii-Jii beach cleanup, by Cpl Alex Fairchild, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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