MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- On July 10 a group of more than 80 volunteers from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan stormed the beach at Tsuzumigaura Park to attack an enemy whose presence could no longer be tolerated-trash.
The Tsuzumigaura Beach cleanup is an annual event that is designed to get the public beach geared up for Japan?s sea bathing season that starts today and runs until Aug. 29.
A total force of more than 300 volunteers from various local Japanese organizations joined in the fight as well to rid the waterfront and the surrounding area of any trash.
Through the efforts of this combined force of volunteers they cleared, over 16,300 pounds of plastic, cans, bottles, seaweed, driftwood and anything else that polluted the stretch of ocean front. Although the entire cleanup took less than three hours, the impact the volunteers made was evident.
"It's interesting to see the environmental differences between here and the states," said Cpl. Jody Armentrout, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 Air Frames nondestructive inspection technician and cleanup volunteer. "Back home we wouldn't worry about cleaning up all the sea weed and drift wood, but here they do. I thought it looked nice when we showed up, but now it looks great."
Armentrout wasn't the only Station volunteer who was enthusiastic about the whole event.
"This was a great opportunity for me to give a little something back to the Iwakuni community for all the hospitality I've experienced during my stay here," said Sgt. Elton Mcleod, Combat Service Support Detachment 36 Supply clerk and cleanup volunteer.
Even though the coastline and the surrounding area was the focus of the cleanup, they weren't the only things to benefit from the day.
"This was a great example of our military community showing support to the community in which we depend on for support," said Col. Dave Darrah, Station commanding officer and clean up volunteer. "The Japanese really look favorably on Marines and Sailors when they take time to come out and get involved in the community, cleaning up something they use. The beach turned out clean as a whistle, we even pulled the weeds and trimmed back branches."
Although Darrah said the cleanup went "absolutely marvelously," he knows that there is always room for improvement.
"Next year I hope to see more officer and staff noncommissioned officer participation," said Darrah. "I would like to thank the units that allowed their Marines and Sailors to go and take part in this event."