MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 held a Johnny and Suzie Wayne Day at the obstacle course here, April 5, 2013. Children garnered the opportunity to view their parents’ daily activities.
“We are showing the kids a display of what type of tactical vehicles we have in the squadron and what kinds of gear we have in the squadron,” said Staff Sgt. Joel Morin, MWSS-171 action officer. “We’re showing them a little about (Marine Corps Martial Arts Program), what belts we have in the Marine Corps and the moves we learn. We also brought out the (explosive ordnance disposal) robot and showed them what it can do.
The fun day, held in tandem with Month of the Military Child, proved the perfect opportunity to introduce younger generations to what their parents do as Marines.
“I am a father and I want my child to understand what I do for the Marine Corps,” said Morin. “As a father, it’s very nice that the children can come out here and look at the different things their parents do on a daily basis, because not all of them understand what their father or mother does in the Marine Corps.”
Morin also said given the high exercise deployment rate servicemembers experience while in Iwakuni, it isn’t uncommon
for children to be without one or both parents for weeks at a time.
“We’re gone for several weeks when we go on deployments to Korea, Australia, Tinian and Guam,” said Morin.
According to Aaron J. Gray, MWSS-171 family readiness officer,the family day wasn’t just an event for children. Gray mentioned having similar events with different names back in the states and described how bringing such an event to Iwakuni helps families adjust to Japan.
“We wanted to bring some of the things that are going on in the states and bring them to Iwakuni,” said Gray. “So when families came over here, they could still get that state-side feeling. Plus it gives the kids an opportunity to come out and see what their parents do on a daily basis, and with this being Month of the Military Child, this was the perfect time to do it.”
Gray said this is the third Johnny and Suzie Wayne day MWSS-171 conducted since he took up the reins as MWSS-171’s FRO in 2008.