IWAKUNI, Japan - Service members aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, volunteered their time to participate in a uniform parade at the Matthew C. Perry High School gymnasium April 3, 2014.
The uniform parade took place in support of Month of the Military Child; recognizing the children of parents in the U.S. military.
Cpl. Shane B. Shah, a uniform parade volunteer, said he loves participating in events at M.C. Perry and enjoys teaching children about the old uniforms of the Marine Corps.
Before the parade, children and parents in the audience sang several patriotic songs and the M.C. Perry Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps performed unarmed and armed drill maneuvers.
“For the support of the children; that’s why we’re here,” said Jeffrey Fleming, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 family readiness officer. “We don’t fight bad guys all the time. Our kids are important to us and they should be recognized for all the support they give.”
Fleming said it can be difficult on children when their parents are deployed, so he enjoys the chance to, “support them as their external family and show we’re here for them no matter where their parents are.”
While April may be the only month of the year dedicated to military children, Fleming said he thinks events such as the uniform parade should occur more often.
“If we could come and do something once a month for these kids and let them know how much we appreciate them, that would be awesome,” said Fleming.
Fleming also wanted to thank all those who volunteered their time in making the event a success.
“You know the Marines love doing this when you put it out as a volunteer opportunity and the response is overwhelming,” said Fleming. “It’s something the Marines and sailors love to do and since they love to do it, I can’t appreciate them enough for always thinking about the kids. A lot of them are busy, but they take the time to come here and put on a show.”
Fleming said he hopes one event to come to fruition would be to let units “adopt a class” for a day to show more support.