Photo By Cpl. Anthony Ward Jr | A member of last year’s championship team hands over the trophy to a Henoko District...... read more read more
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OKINAWA, Japan - Six teams of Marines rowed their way to the finish line during the annual Henoko Hare Boat Races at Matsuda-No-Hama Beach July 10.
Combat Assault Battalion supplied three teams, with one team placing among the top 10 finishers, Marines from 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion formed a team, and another hailed from 4th Marine Regiment. All three units are with 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. Marines from Ammunition Company, 3rd Supply Bn., Combat Logistics Regiment 35, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III MEF, rounded out the last Marine team. Each competed in the guest division of the races against 22 other teams.
The citizens of Henoko competed in a separate division of 10 teams, where the prizes were the trophy and bragging rights over all other teams for the next year.
“This is the biggest event of Henoko,” said Fumio Iha, liaison and community relations specialist for Camp Schwab. “The Marines bring an extra spark to the event.”
These races have been occurring for the past century and are orchestrated to perform for the gods of the sea, added Iha. Hare means perform for the gods, which the citizens of Henoko do to please the gods for water safety and a rich harvest, he added.
Regarded as a sacred tradition, the races, also known as Dragon Boat Races, were once limited to local citizens – mostly fishermen – but since 1973, the honor has been extended to service members.
This is a culturally significant event, which is why it is so important Marines get involved, added Iha. It allows for some mutual exchange, he said.
The mutual exchange was displayed as each team went head-to-head, matching each other stroke for stroke.
Each boat held 10 people: nine team members, consisting of eight rowers and one drummer, and a coxswain provided by the Henoko Fisherman’s Association.
Henoko citizens welcome the Marines to come out here and interact with the citizens of Henoko, said Chieko Toyosima, a resident of Henoko.
Toyosima has lived in Henoko for more than 40 years and has seen many races.
The races are always a good time, added Toyosima.
An extra element of humor was added when a group of Marines overturned their boat in the water.
“It was fun. These boats are a lot harder to row than they seem,” said Lance Cpl. Chandra Bensel, Ammunition Co. team member. “It was a good thing to experience.”
With limited practice and strategizing, Bensel and her team came in third place during her heat.
“We came out and just tried,” said Bensel. “Everyone was just out here smiling and enjoying their time.”
| Date Taken: | 07.15.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 07.14.2011 22:30 |
| Story ID: | 73758 |
| Location: | OKINAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 68 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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