Photo By Cpl. Bridgette Rodriguez | U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Joshua Freedman, center, the commanding officer of 5th Air...... read more read more
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CAMP HANSEN, Okinawa, Japan – U.S. Marines with 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company sat in a dark room, eyes fixed on a brightly lit stage. A tall man stood beside a woman of small stature, both decorated with medals that illustrate their long, illustrious military careers. In unison, they walked across the stage. The crowd slowly turned their heads, following their movements. U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Joshua Freedman, commanding officer of 5th ANGLICO, and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Maj. Gen. Noriko Yokota, commander of 2nd Artillery Brigade and Camp Yufuin, came to a halt at the center of the room. The 250th Marine Corps birthday celebration had begun.
“Tonight, we gather not just to mark the passage of time, but to reaffirm our place in that legacy. It isn't a monument of cold stone. It is a living, breathing thing. It is the echo of the noncommissioned officers of Belleau Wood, the grit of the Frozen Chosin and the courage of every Marine who has ever stood a post in the dark, far from home,” said Lt. Col. Freedman.
This year marks the 250th anniversary of the Marines Corps, since its inception at Tun Tavern in 1775. Each unit across the Corps hosts its own birthday ball to honor the history, legacy, and traditions of the Marine Corps. The 5th ANGLICO Marines invited their allied partner, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, to join them in this formal celebration.
“Our legacy is one of connection, of turning strangers to partners and partners into a single, indivisible and overwhelming force. Tonight, that legacy of partnership is not a story from the history books,” Freedman said smiling, as he looked into the crowd at the uniformed JGSDF soldiers.
The JGSDF soldiers and 5th ANGLICO Marines regularly train together, exchanging knowledge and increasing cohesion between the two militaries. To express their gratitude, the unit invited Maj. Gen Yokota and her soldiers to attend this formal celebration. As Lt. Col. Freedman addressed the gathering, he emphasized the depth of their relationship.
“Our work today is not about beginnings; it is about mastery together. We are moving beyond simple cooperation and into the realm of true integration. Our communication is seamless, and our will is unified,” said Freedman. “We are taking a firm bond of trust and hardening it into an unbreakable instrument of stability, ready for the future we will safeguard together. We are truly proud to call you a part of our family.”
As the commanding officer of 5th ANGLICO introduced the guest of honor, the crowd’s applause filled the room. Maj. Gen. Yokota walked to the podium. A woman in a decorated kimono, Yasumi Kinjo, a translator with 5th ANGLICO, stood next to Yokota and began to translate her words.
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the organizers and to all our American counterparts who have continuously built a strong and friendly relationship with the Japan Ground Self Defense Force,” Yokota said, glancing up at the room.
The crowd listened as Maj. Gen. Yokota and the translator took turns speaking. The major general emphasized the importance of military training between the two nations to ensure the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific region and the international community.
“I am confident that we have built a solid foundation of mutual trust, strong enough to meet any crisis together,” said Yokota. “The spirit of harmony truly represents the foundation of the US-Japan relationship. Even when our nations and cultures differ, true trust is born when we work together toward the shared goal. I believe that this trust is the very cornerstone of peace and prosperity.”
As the guest of honor concluded her speech, the 5th ANGLICO commanding officer held a large wooden hammer with a decorated handle. He proceeded to gift her the symbol of his unit. The Marine Corps birthday is an important occasion for Marines worldwide. It is a time to celebrate the sacrifices and victories of past Marines and honor their teachings to each new generation. In its commitment to ensuring a safe and open Indo-Pacific, the Marine Corps continues to focus on strengthening integration with its partners and allies.
| Date Taken: | 11.02.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 11.18.2025 01:06 |
| Story ID: | 551475 |
| Location: | OKINAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 26 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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