Photo By Sgt. Alex Fairchild | U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jeferson Velasquez, an administrative specialist, and Lance...... read more read more
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CAMP KINSER, OKINAWA, Japan -- Service members assembled to keep the environment clean and trash-free during the Camp Kinser weekly base cleanup hosted by the Single Marine Program, Jan. 23.
Base cleanups provide an opportunity for service members to properly dispose of stray waste to increase the beautification of the installation and keep the surrounding environment pristine.
“We are not in our home country, which means we have to be very conscientious of how we treat the environment,” said U.S. Navy Seaman Xu Guo, a native of Los Angeles, California, and a medical logistics specialist with 3rd Marine Logistics Group, 3rd Supply Battalion. “We share this beautiful island with our Japanese allies and we should always strive to keep it clean and trash free.”
Guo explained that before the military, he was never taught or encouraged to volunteer, so he felt it wasn’t important. However, since arriving in Okinawa a year and a half ago, he has felt a strong sense of duty to volunteer every weekend at the Camp Kinser base cleanups.
“I’ve reached over 120 volunteering hours through cleanups,” said Guo. “It’s not about the number, it’s all about the difference I’m making in the beautification of the installation and the environment.”
The cleanups allow service members the opportunity to maintain cleanliness on and off base, and to help strengthen the U.S.-Japan alliance to protect the force and keep the Okinawan environment clean.
“It also shows the local nationals that we care about them and their island,” said U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jeferson Velasquez, a native of Alexandria, Virginia, and an administrative specialist with 3rd Marine Logistics Group, Combat Logistics Regiment 37. “We want to protect the force and our Japanese allies at the same time.”
Velasquez added that dedicating just an hour on a Saturday to volunteer can make all the difference in the preservation of the base.
Guo noted that beach cleanups and community cleanups are other great ways to get involved in the community and interact with the local nationals.
“You may look at it as a simple base cleanup,” said Guo. “But I know we are truly making a difference and doing our part to keep the environment clean for everyone in the community.”
To find out more information on how to participate in weekly cleanups, visit your local Single Marine Program center or visit https://www.mccsokinawa.com/smp/#tab6.
| Date Taken: | 01.23.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 01.26.2021 23:15 |
| Story ID: | 387604 |
| Location: | CAMP KINSER, OKINAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 155 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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