Photo By Cpl. Elizabeth Case | Students of Kube Elementary School and Kindergarten in Henoko district sing...... read more read more
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The winter season is a time when families and friends get together in celebration and fellowship. The tradition continues as Okinawan and American communities find many ways to participate in seasonal celebrations.
Events such as the 31st annual children’s Christmas day Dec. 8 at the Camp Schwab USO and a Nabe party at the Urumin Welfare Center, Uruma, Dec. 10 provide opportunities for community members and service members to celebrate together.
“These events are especially important for the Marines since many of them will stay on the island during the holiday season,” said Scott Flagg, the camp director of Camp Courtney. “Community relations events are something to do, and we get to see how Okinawans spend the holiday season.”
Children’s day began at 11 a.m. outside the USO with opening greetings by Col. Richard D. Hall, the Camp Schwab commander.
“We have a really special relationship with Henoko,” Hall said. “We are the same community, just separated by a fence. This is one more occasion to continue strengthening our relationship.”
More than 120 children from the Henoko district attended the event, which was hosted by more than 80 Marine, sailor and civilian volunteers. Okinawan and American children enjoyed bounce houses, face painting, table tennis, billiards, video games and a visit from Santa Claus.
“It was fun to see Santa Claus,” said Nikki Kohagura, a 7-year-old child who came to the USO with her family. “I had fun playing with the Americans. They were really nice and kind to me.”
Kohagura’s mother agreed with her daughter and was happy to see everyone enjoying time with family and friends.
“The children’s Christmas day is a family event, and it’s good to get together as a family with the Americans,” said Kumi Kohagura. “The more kids – the more fun.”
Events like the children’s day are important to bring the communities together, according to Hall.
Volunteers at the event played games with the children, served food, and helped Santa Claus pass out gifts during his visit.
Okinawan children sang Christmas carols in Japanese to conclude the event and thank their hosts.
“Christmas is a time we share with our family, and Okinawans are like our new family, so it’s a great time to spend with them,” said Lance Cpl. Rosa Alvarez, an ammunition technician with Combat Logistics Regiment 35, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force.
The Nabe party at the Urumin Welfare Center was another opportunity for residents of Okinawa to share the holiday cheer. Nabe is a variety of Japanese food popular in the winter season, typically prepared for a family setting. Okinawan students who attend an English language class at Camp Courtney arranged the party to practice speaking English while teaching American volunteers how to cook a variety of Nabe meals.
“We want the military people to have an experience living in Okinawa,” said Mami Chibana, an Okinawan student in the class who attended the Nabe party. “We want to show them the culture, and I think it’s one more experience where we can learn their culture and practice their culture, too.”
Coming together to celebrate old traditions and learn new ones offers service members an opportunity to enjoy their well-earned time off.
“The Okinawans and Americans can learn from each other,” said Flagg. “We get to interact as friends rather than just as neighbors.”
| Date Taken: | 12.13.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 12.13.2012 01:48 |
| Story ID: | 99211 |
| Location: | OKINAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 87 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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