MISAWA AIR BASE, AOMORI, Japan -- More than 20 Marines, Sailors and Airmen banded together with Misawa City employees to conduct a beach cleanup at Miss Veedol Beach in Misawa, Japan, August 19, 2017, during Exercise Northern Viper 2017.
The Marines and Sailors with Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, and Airmen from Misawa Air Base 35th Fighter Wing, believe community relations projects play a valuable role in developing and maintaining a close relationship with the Japanese government and its people.
“It is always our hope that the Japanese people see we are grateful for opportunities to serve and assist the people of Japan,” said U.S. Navy Lt. Jim Curty, the MAG-36 deputy group Chaplain. “It is a great way to give back and join hands in simple, but meaningful ways.”
Misawa AB 35th FW media operations non-commissioned officer in charge, Staff Sgt. Deana Heitzman, organized these community relation projects to give the Marines an opportunity to do something for the local community.
“Events like these are staples that reinforce our vital alliance with the Misawa City community,” said Heitzman. “In this instance, multiple services joined together to clean up trash, meet new people and encourage understanding of unfamiliar uniforms the local community rarely sees. We value our off-base friends here and this is just another way to try to show we care.”
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