Photo By Cpl. Thomas Sheng | A Shime-daiko drummer, left, with Jaagaru Eisa Group interacts with U.S. Marine Corps...... read more read more
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Within a span of two weeks, Marine Corps Community Services Okinawa and Marines with Marine Corps Installations Pacific organized an event that garnered hundreds of attendees at each location.
“It’s important for military personnel to attend cultural events because it helps us create a bond with the host nation community,” said U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. David Mendes, a finance technician with Combat Logistics Regiment 37, 3rd Marine Logistics Group. “The better the bond, the better everyone understands each other.”
Mendes, an individual who frequently attends cultural events around Okinawa, explained that local community residents had shown an interest in coming to Marine Corps bases and experiencing what life is like behind the gates. He said that both parties could benefit from collaborative events with the primary goal of strengthening relationships which in turn leads to a stronger Japan-U.S. alliance.
Throughout the entire performance, Mendes interacted with drummers and exchanged contact information with some performers. He was also not alone as children from the attending families would join in behind the march and dance along.
“When local community members come onto the base, it’s a two-for-one; they love to experience a different culture on base,” said Mendes. “It’s also a good idea to have these events on base because some Marines don’t have cars, or it is harder for them to get out and experience the culture.”
Bringing a widely celebrated event in Okinawa to American residency can help accumulate foreign interest in Okinawan culture, according to Mendes.
“The Eisa performance is very common for the local community to see, but for service members and their families who live on base, it’s difficult for them to find these events,” said Hiroko Tomimura, a community relations specialist with Camp Foster. “The reason we organized this event was to give base residents and their children the opportunity to see it live.”
Tomimura said that the event's organization started with approval and initiation from Col. David Banning, camp commander for Camps Foster and Lester, and commanding officer of Headquarters and Support Battalion, MCIPAC. Acting as the liaison between Camp Foster and the local community, Tomimura said that despite the setback from COVID-19 incidents, all contributing parties were able to make the event happen with a successful crowd turnout.
“It’s just a good opportunity for families and their children to witness typical culture events that the local community enjoy,” said Tomimura. “Service members can see these events from their base residency and can talk about and share parts of our culture with their families stateside.”
| Date Taken: | 08.21.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 09.09.2022 04:55 |
| Story ID: | 428362 |
| Location: | CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 141 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan – Dancers and singers with Jaagaru Eisa Group performed an Eisa dance on Camps Foster, Lester and the Plaza Housing area on Aug. 21., by Cpl Thomas Sheng, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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