MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Marines, Seabees and Sailors from the station traded in their cammies and combat boots for rakes and gloves this past Sunday and Monday. The mission was to clean, sweep, and clear the beach and river, not of enemy troops, but of trash and debris.
Marines, Seabees and Sailors, along with hundreds of local members of the Iwakuni and Yamaguchi Prefecture community, traveled to both the Nishiki River and Tsuzumigaura beach for some care and maintenance.
More than 40 service members volunteered to cleanup an area of the Nishiki River Sunday just west of the station, near many Japanese residences.
"This is the first time the Americans came to this location," said Sakiko Odachi, Nishiki River cleanup volunteer and nearby resident. "It is very good for everyone to come here and help. My husband has called the Japanese government many times to help cleanup this area, and they won't help. So we thank the Americans from the bottoms of our hearts."
The cleanup began around 8 a.m. and continued for 3 hours. Marines and Sailors stood side-by-side with the Japanese neighbors pulling weeds, cutting down trees, picking up trash and communicating as much as they could despite the language barrier.
"We're making this place safer and more enjoyable for all people who come here," said Lance Cpl. Mike Jurina, Nishiki River cleanup volunteer. "It's just great to get out and participate with the community in a project like this."
Another cleanup crew made up of more than 20 Marines, civilians and Sailors set out early Monday morning and traveled 10 kilometers east of Iwakuni on Route 188 to Tsuzumigaura Beach.
The Tsuzumigaura sight seeing community usually cleans the beach every year before the rainy season ends, to prepare for the summer season.
Upon arrival, it looked as if the crew had their work cut out for them, so they rolled up their sleeves and began clearing the beach. But then, 220 local Japanese from 14 different organizations, including 34 Iwakuni Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force members, began to pour in.
"It looked like a lot of work when we first got there," said Navy Lt. Timothy Meyer, Tsuzumigaura Beach cleanup volunteer. "But with everyone working together, it seemed like it took no time or effort at all."
Even the heat, humidity and occasional sprinkle of rain wasn't enough to stop service members and Japanese from moving fast and quickly clearing the beach.
"I think it is awesome that the base and the local community come out and do this together," said Cpl. Robert Pena, Tsuzumigaura cleanup volunteer.
Although it was a dirty job, American service members said they were happy to help, and that they enjoyed contributing to their host country and interacting with the surrounding community.
"I think it is part of our responsibility to clean the rivers, beaches and other areas around the base because the service members use them all as well as the Japanese," said Lance Cpl. Erick Ramirez, Nishiki River cleanup volunteer. "If we are going to continue to stay in Iwakuni, we need to do our part to contribute to the community."