3/12 visits Japanese orphanage

Photo By Sgt. Nicholas Ranum | Marines from 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment performed a dance routine for the children of a Children’s Welfare Center in Beppu City, Japan, Feb. 25. The Marines were spontaneously joined by some of the staff of the home in the dance routine. The dance routine was part of a community relations event aimed at increasing the understanding between the local Japanese populace and the U.S. Marine Corps. 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines is a part of 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force.  

BEPPU CITY, AICHI, JAPAN

02.26.2012

Story by Pfc. Nicholas Ranum 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

BEPPU CITY, Japan - Marines and sailors with 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, visited a Japanese Children’s Welfare Center in Beppu City, Japan, Feb. 25.

The children, Marines and sailors performed dances, played musical instruments and sang songs as part of 3rd Bn., 12th Marines’ continuous effort in community relations projects during Artillery Relocation Training exercises.

“The Marines enjoyed interacting with the children after all of the performances were done,” said 1st Sgt. David Orsi, the Battery first sergeant for Hotel Battery, 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines. “The children also enjoyed their time with the Marines.”

The children performed renditions of various American songs on guitar, played the piano, performed a dance and sang a song of thanks for the Marines’ visit. The Marines also performed a dance routine, sang songs, played the piano and came up with an impromptu guitar solo.

The goal was to strengthen the relationship between the Japanese and the U.S. Marine Corps, said Orsi.

A Japanese woman co-founded the welfare center and an American officer provided most of the initial funding after World War II. The home houses children that have various backgrounds and needs.

“We took 34 Marines on this community relations event,” said Staff Sgt. Erik Myers, the S-4 chief for 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines. “They interacted very well with the children.”

After the performances there was an opportunity for the Marines and children to interact and take pictures.

There was a language barrier but that gave the Marines and children a chance to work on their Japanese and English respectively, said Myers.

Some children were apprehensive about approaching the Marines, but after some time and several pictures they warmed up to their guests.

Hotel Battery 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines is currently on a unit deployment program with 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. They are a reserve unit based out of Richmond, Va., and will soon redeploy back to Okinawa.

• Date Taken: 02.26.2012
• Date Posted: 03.06.2012 01:20
• Story ID: 84781
• Location: BEPPU CITY, AICHI, JP