Photo By Richard Blumenstein | Students from Iha Elementary School present Marines with gifts as a sign of...... read more read more
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By Lance Cpl. Richard Blumenstein
3rd Marine Expeditionary Force Public Affairs
URUMA CITY, OKINAWA, Japan — Colorful Easter eggs scattered throughout a garden and parking lot, and a plethora of sweets to hand out, served as the perfect icebreaker for 120 Okinawan children at Iha Elementary School in Uruma City and their Marine neighbors, March 12.
Twelve Marines from 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group volunteered their time to teach the children English and hold an Easter egg hunt.
The Iha Elementary School teachers asked the Marines to hold the Easter egg hunt because the teachers had recently taught the children about the traditions of the holiday and Easter egg hunting and wanted them to experience it, said Chiyoko Kochi, the Camp Hansen community relations specialist.
"We learned what Easter was recently, and I was happy I got to experience it," said 9-year-old Daiki Iha. "I was happy the Marines came here to bring us Easter."
Marines hid plastic eggs in the parking lot and garden in front of the school, and after the Marines introduced themselves to the children – anxiously sitting Indian-style with their classmates – the children took off with smiling faces to begin the hunt.
When the children found eggs, they rushed to the Marines, who exchanged them for candy. The eggs-for-candy tradeoffs also let the children practice their English. Most of them introduced themselves to the Marines in English and engaged them in conversation.
"Talking with the children was refreshing," said Cpl. Carlos Perry, a motor vehicle operator with Motor Transportation Platoon. "I enjoyed every minute of it."
"Just hanging out with the kids is fun," said Lance Cpl. William Miron, a bulk fuel specialist with Bulk Fuel Company, 9th ESB. "They're really great."
When the hunt ended, the children gathered together and spent time asking the Marines questions about their lives and American culture.
One question about the Marine Corps Marital Arts Program led to 9-year-old Shoma Kayo performing a martial arts demonstration for the Marines, after much encouragement from his classmates.
Kayo's demonstration inspired two of the Marines to share a quick performance of their own.
Staff Sgt. Matthew Grant, an explosive ordnance disposal technician with EOD Company, awed the children with a half somersault, half front flip, and the children cheered and laughed as Miron walked on his hands.
Before parting ways, the children gave the Marines handmade gifts such as autographed self portraits, origami cranes and bracelets.
"I believe American and Japanese relations benefit greatly from these kinds of events," Perry said. "Because of days like this, I jump on every community relations event I can."
| Date Taken: | 03.21.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 03.25.2008 22:11 |
| Story ID: | 17746 |
| Location: |
| Web Views: | 114 |
| Downloads: | 68 |
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