MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Approximately 225,000 guests enjoyed themselves at the Station’s 32nd annual Friendship Day, May 5. During the event, patrons were treated to displays of military aircraft and equipment, air shows, parachute demonstrations by the E-Team Sky Divers and a variety of American food and entertainment.
“Outside of the gate is Japan, and inside is America, so Friendship Day is a chance to remove the barriers and celebrate as one. It gives us the chance to show off American culture,” said John A. Pace, Marine Corps Community Services Productions special events manager.
The masses were able to enjoy the display thanks to the hard-work, dedication and countless hours of work contributed by volunteers.
“Volunteers at all levels are critical,” said Pace. “The unit, family member and MCCS volunteers all worked really hard to make Friendship Day happen. Without them there is no air-show.”
To the majority of people involved in Friendship Day, it’s a single-day event, which is very enjoyable and a break from the regular Station schedule. But according to Pace, Friendship Day is actually a 13-month long process, which consists of brainstorming, contracting and a lot of preparation by MCCS special services, Station Operations and various other organizations.
“Friendship Day is not a Marine Corps Community Services event. It is a Station event and we all have something to contribute,” said Pace.
However, one month before the event is when things start kicking into high gear, and it is the help of volunteers all around the Station that make the event possible.
“We (volunteers) worked really hard,” said Lance Cpl. Valerie J. Edwards, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron videographer. “I spent three weeks away from my normal job, working a lot of really long days setting up for Friendship Day.”
“The Station works two ways,” said Pace. “For 364 days a year we all work normally and take care of our jobs and then there is the work we do on Friendship Day. On Friendship Day you can see Doctors cleaning and sanitizing, officers working booths and high ranking officials flipping burgers all for the good of the event.”
All of the man-hours, money and energy that is spent on Friendship Day, is done so wholeheartedly because the volunteers all understand that we are guests in Japan and it is an obligation to welcome our hosts.
“Preparation for Friendship Day was hectic, but it was all worth it,” said Edwards. “I got the chance to work with Marines I normally wouldn’t. Together we set up a great event to show our Japanese neighbors what we are like. We helped make Friendship Day happen.”