MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Marines with the Combat Logistics Company 36 aboard Marine Corps Air Station, Iwakuni, Japan, visited Kinnan Hoikuen in Iwakuni city, to teach basic English, interact with the Japanese children, and play popular American games during a community relations event, Jan. 9, 2015.
Throughout the morning, Marines separated into three classrooms full of eager children waiting to learn from their foreign guests.
Musical chairs, duck-duck-goose and rock-paper-scissors are just a few of the playful activities the Marines and children enjoyed together.
“My favorite part was teaching the kids how to play musical chairs,” said Lance Cpl. Lakeisha Taylor, a supply clerk with CLC-36. “I thought it was great teaching them something they probably didn’t know … they seemed excited for us to be there and loved learning from us and learning our language.”
Some Japanese children attend hoikuens, the American equivalent of nursery schools, Monday through Saturday before beginning their compulsory education, which is comprised of elementary school, lower secondary school and upper secondary school.
Despite the language barrier, both the Marines and children worked well together and realized how universal interactive games can be.
“Today was awesome. I feel like this sets a good example upon Americans,” said Lance Cpl. Richard Relihan, a maintenance clerk with CLC-36. “The kids are great. I teach them and they teach me. It’s the give and take of learning.”
CLC-36’s continual interaction with this school helps preserve an important bond between the Marines and local Japanese.
“This is going to have a huge impact on the U.S.-Japanese relationship because we are coming out to the community showing we want to help and teach what we know,” said Staff Sgt. John Skehan, family readiness officer with CLC-36. “This is a great thing for the Marines. They get to be around kids, which may remind them of their family and friends back home. In the end, it benefits both nations overall.”
Marines of CLC-36 plan to visit Kinnan Hoikuen throughout the year to ensure their relationship with the preschool stays strong and to continue giving back to the Japanese.