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NAGO, Japan - Americans and members of the local community gathered together Jan. 29 and 30 to admire the blooming of the Okinawa sakura, better known as cherry blossoms.
The vibrant pink flowers and delicate scent indicates that spring is approaching the island.
This year the 49th Annual Nago Cherry Blossom Festival entertained its admirers with food, games, rides, the sight of thousands of cherry blossoms blooming and a performance from the III Marine Expeditionary Force Ceremonial Band.
The band does several community relations concerts in town to interact and show their appreciation to the local community.
“I absolutely love playing for them,” said Staff Sgt. Austin R. Moore, a saxophone player with the band. “I have only been on island for a couple of months … I love the culture.”
The Nago Cherry Blossom Festival is an annual concert for the band. They also perform at the annual tug-of-war in Naha, St. Patrick’s Day parade, their Annual Summer Concert at the Okinawa Convention Center and several more, according to Moore.
According to a few band members, their favorite part of playing with the band in Okinawa is the looks and reactions from the community.
“We get amazing feedback from the [audience],” said Lance Cpl. Ariel C. Majors, a flute player with the III MEF Band. “They jump up and down, clap and cheer. It’s a lot of fun.”
After the concert, band members were able to enjoy the festival.
“My favorite part had to have been all the people there. There were so many people from all over the world who came to see the cherry blossoms,” added Petty Officer 3rd Class Zachary Jones, a hospital corpsman with Headquarters Battery, 12th Marines. “I enjoyed every minute of it.”
Visitors took advantage of the weather in order to take in the beauty of the Okinawan culture.
“I wanted to see the culture and the sites of the festival,” said Cpl. Adam Lamoureux, a counter battery radar operator with Headquarters Battery, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III MEF. “The feeling I got when I first arrived at the festival was a calm and relaxing feeling. Between the sites of the Nago Castle Park and the cherry blossoms themselves, it made me feel like nothing could bother me when I was there.”
One service member felt grateful being able to attend the festival.
“The people here in Okinawa take pride in these festivals,” said Jones. “It’s humbling to know that they welcome us not only as service members, but as people that share their homeland. It’s beautiful.”
Most Marines and sailors agree the Okinawan culture is one that should be taken advantage of while on island.
“I have been here almost three years and it is one experience I wouldn’t trade for anything,” said Lamoureux.
The festival began Jan. 29 and will only last for a couple of weeks.
| Date Taken: | 02.11.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 02.11.2011 02:06 |
| Story ID: | 65214 |
| Location: | NAGO, OKINAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 27 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Blossoms, festival mark beginning of spring, by Heather Johnson, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
