While some Marines might have spent their early Saturday morning sleeping in, working out or watching television, Marines with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 lead a volunteer cleanup at the Kintai-kyo Bridge area June 13.
MALS-12 Marines have been strengthening ties with the local community while volunteering their time and efforts to clean the park once a month for nearly two years.
“It gives us the opportunity to show the community that we really do care about the area,” said Cpl. Raymond Vanwey, the assistant deputy family readiness officer with MALS-12. “It really shows that we are good ambassadors because we are willing to come out here on our own time and clean up a place that we all get to enjoy together.”
Approximately 20 Marines took time out of their Saturday morning to arm themselves with trash bags and a willing attitude to clean up the area.
Once arriving at the Kintai-kyo Bridge, the Marines eagerly unloaded off the bus ready to take on the job they came to do.
Marines laughed and enjoyed their surroundings as they walked the paths beside the Kintai-kyo Bridge, picking up trash.
Vanwey said events like the Kintai cleanup show the community another side of Marines they may not see or hear of too often.
“It’s a Saturday. It’s the morning time, and nobody is drunk. Nobody is acting silly,” said Vanwey.
“Everybody is having a good time, and it shows the community that we are not just a bunch of rambunctious Marines.”
MALS-12 Marines were glad to volunteer their time and show the community what grateful guests they are by cleaning the Kintai area.
“I think it’s imperative that we maintain healthy community relations with our Japanese host,” said Sgt. Durojaye Myriedemalcolm, an aviation electrician with MALS-12. “We have a duty to them to maintain this positive relationship.”
Events like the Kintai cleanup not only provide Marines with a lesson on giving a helping hand, but also allows Marines new to Japan an opportunity to see and experience a little of the area beyond the station gates.
“I haven’t been out too much off of the base,” said Pfc. Em Medina, a receiving clerk with MALS-12. He’s always liked helping out people, and thought participating in the cleanup would be a good way to take a look around and experience some of the culture while giving a helping hand, Medina added.
Like Medina, other Marines also enjoyed learning about the people and area during the cleanup.
“I get an enrichment of culture,” said Myriedemalcolm. “Being in an environment that is so rich in history, being able to be fully submersed in culture, it gives me insight as to why they conduct themselves the way they do.”
After the morning’s cleanup came to an end, the Marines gathered the trash together and loaded up on the bus, waiting to go back to the station.
Some of the Marines were already expressing how much they enjoyed themselves and were looking forward to more cleanups.
“I hope we keep doing this because it’s fun,” said Vanwey.