Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan

On behalf of the recipients, Sakae Hamada, right, translator with criminal investigation at the Provost Marshal’s Office, addresses Takahiro Sugawara, Director General, Chugoku – Shikoku Defense Bureau and Col. Robert V. Boucher, commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, at the Club Iwakuni ballroom Oct. 22, 2015. The Length of Service Award Ceremony recognizes the Japanese civilian’s dedication and passion while working on the installation. The ceremony gave attendees a sense of appreciation for their support and recognition as part of the team. - On behalf of the recipients, Sakae Hamada, right, translator with criminal investigation at the Provost Marshal’s Office, addresses Takahiro Sugawara, Director General, Chugoku – Shikoku Defense Bureau and Col. Robert V. Boucher, commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, at the Club Iwakuni ballroom Oct. 22, 2015. The Length of Service Award Ceremony recognizes the Japanese civilian’s dedication and passion while working on the installation. The ceremony gave attendees a sense of appreciation for their support and recognition as part of the team.

Station residents and retirees gathered inside Club Iwakuni aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, for a retirement ceremony June 25, 2014. At the ceremony, only 15 retirees attended to receive certificates of appreciation, but in total the ceremony honored 39 retirees coming from a variety of departments within the station. This ceremony is held annually to honor all of the Japanese contractors retiring within the year and to show the station’s appreciation for their faithful service. - Station residents and retirees gathered inside Club Iwakuni aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, for a retirement ceremony June 25, 2014. At the ceremony, only 15 retirees attended to receive certificates of appreciation, but in total the ceremony honored 39 retirees coming from a variety of departments within the station. This ceremony is held annually to honor all of the Japanese contractors retiring within the year and to show the station’s appreciation for their faithful service.

Local Japanese press interview Navy Lt. Nathan Hemerly, a family medicine doctor at the Robert M. Casey Medical and Dental Clinic, during Hemerly’s certificate of appreciation ceremony at the City Hall in Iwakuni City, Japan, May 12, 2015. After participating in the 9th annual Kintaikyo Road Race in Iwakuni City, Hemerly performed CPR, with the help of a local Japanese nurse, on another run participant who fell and became unconscious during the race. “I was just doing what I thought was the right thing to do, I wasn’t looking for any attention,” said Hemerly. - Local Japanese press interview Navy Lt. Nathan Hemerly, a family medicine doctor at the Robert M. Casey Medical and Dental Clinic, during Hemerly’s certificate of appreciation ceremony at the City Hall in Iwakuni City, Japan, May 12, 2015. After participating in the 9th annual Kintaikyo Road Race in Iwakuni City, Hemerly performed CPR, with the help of a local Japanese nurse, on another run participant who fell and became unconscious during the race. “I was just doing what I thought was the right thing to do, I wasn’t looking for any attention,” said Hemerly.

Suzanne Landrum, principal of M. C. Perry Elementary, assists a student in the raising of their Blue Ribbon School of Excellence flag during their Blue Ribbon ceremony aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, April 21, 2015. The Department of Defense Education Activity nominates only three schools for the Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence award annually, one from DoD Dependent School’s Europe, one from DoDEA Pacific and one from Domestic Dependent Elementary and Secondary Schools and this year M. C. Perry was selected along with Aukamm Elementary School in Germany. - Suzanne Landrum, principal of M. C. Perry Elementary, assists a student in the raising of their Blue Ribbon School of Excellence flag during their Blue Ribbon ceremony aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, April 21, 2015. The Department of Defense Education Activity nominates only three schools for the Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence award annually, one from DoD Dependent School’s Europe, one from DoDEA Pacific and one from Domestic Dependent Elementary and Secondary Schools and this year M. C. Perry was selected along with Aukamm Elementary School in Germany.

Cpl. Eli Wallace, a crew master with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152, awaits for take-off on a Lockheed KC-130J Hercules on Kadena Air Base, Japan, March 22, 2015. VMGR-152 flew back and forth from Kadena to Iwo To, formally known as Iwo Jima, providing transportation for Marines, VIPs and vehicles. The Reunion of Honor is a ceremony honoring veterans still alive from the battle of Iwo Jima in 1945. - Cpl. Eli Wallace, a crew master with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152, awaits for take-off on a Lockheed KC-130J Hercules on Kadena Air Base, Japan, March 22, 2015. VMGR-152 flew back and forth from Kadena to Iwo To, formally known as Iwo Jima, providing transportation for Marines, VIPs and vehicles. The Reunion of Honor is a ceremony honoring veterans still alive from the battle of Iwo Jima in 1945.

Col. Robert Boucher, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, commanding officer, and Missie Hamano, a retiring Japanese employee, cut a cake during a retirement ceremony for Master Labor Contract and Independent Hire Agreement employees that took place in the Landing Zone inside Club Iwakuni Aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, June 25, 2014. - Col. Robert Boucher, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, commanding officer, and Missie Hamano, a retiring Japanese employee, cut a cake during a retirement ceremony for Master Labor Contract and Independent Hire Agreement employees that took place in the Landing Zone inside Club Iwakuni Aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, June 25, 2014.

Bob Bullion, a free agent English conversationalist speaker, Vietnam veteran and retired gunnery sergeant, speaks during a Veterans Day memorial ceremony that took place in front of the Commissary aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Nov. 8, 2013. Several Vietnam War veterans were present during the event, and participated in cake cutting after the ceremony. - Bob Bullion, a free agent English conversationalist speaker, Vietnam veteran and retired gunnery sergeant, speaks during a Veterans Day memorial ceremony that took place in front of the Commissary aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Nov. 8, 2013. Several Vietnam War veterans were present during the event, and participated in cake cutting after the ceremony.

A student from Matthew C. Perry Elementary School aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, hangs their handmade ornament on the tree located outside the school’s entrance for the Veterans Day ceremony Nov. 6, 2013. Children ages 3-12 participated in the event by making an ornament for a veteran they know. - A student from Matthew C. Perry Elementary School aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, hangs their handmade ornament on the tree located outside the school’s entrance for the Veterans Day ceremony Nov. 6, 2013. Children ages 3-12 participated in the event by making an ornament for a veteran they know.

Lt. Col. Mike Carriero, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni S-1 and manpower director, cuts the cake after a retirement ceremony for local national employees at the Landing Zoneinside Club Iwakuni, June 26, 2013. Eight local national employees received certificates for their commitment to service during the ceremony. - Lt. Col. Mike Carriero, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni S-1 and manpower director, cuts the cake after a retirement ceremony for local national employees at the Landing Zone inside Club Iwakuni, June 26, 2013. Eight local national employees received certificates for their commitment to service during the ceremony.