Marines, Okinawa residents share traditions during USO Easter celebration

By Lance Cpl. Brittany A. JamesApril 15, 2015

Marines, Okinawa residents share traditions during USO Easter celebration
1 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Gunnery Sgt. Maurice Williams teaches children how to dye eggs April 4 during a United Service Organization Easter celebration on Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan. The camp opened its gates to Henoko and Nago City residents to introduce them to Easter tra... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Marines, Okinawa residents share traditions during USO Easter celebration
2 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Cpl. Howard Brown, left, and Pfc. Richard Taylor help children put together rabbit masks April 4 during a United Service Organization Easter celebration on Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan. The camp opened its gates to Henoko and Nago City residents to in... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Marines, Okinawa residents share traditions during USO Easter celebration
3 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Cpl. Jude Exantus, right smiles with Isabelle Tyson on top of an Assault Amphibious Vehicle April 4 during a United Service Organization Easter celebration on Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan. Okinawa children and service members' children came together t... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Marines, Okinawa residents share traditions during USO Easter celebration
4 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Cpl. Jude Exantus, right, showcases an Amphibious Assault Vehicle to an Okinawa family April 4 during a United Service Organization Easter celebration on Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan. The camp opened its gates to Henoko and Nago City residents to intr... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Marines, Okinawa residents share traditions during USO Easter celebration
5 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Misako Shimabukuro, far left, and Col. David Odom cut the cake April 4 during a United Service Organization Easter celebration on Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan. "One family, great friends," said Odom, the commanding officer of Camp Schwab, as the cake ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Marines, Okinawa residents share traditions during USO Easter celebration
6 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Yuumi Takeuchi colors a rabbit mask April 4 during a United Service Organization Easter celebration on Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan. The camp opened its gates to Henoko and Nago City residents to introduce them to Easter traditions that children in th... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Marines, Okinawa residents share traditions during USO Easter celebration
7 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The Easter Bunny greets children April 4 during a United Service Organization Easter celebration on Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan. The camp opened its gates to Henoko and Nago City residents to introduce them to Easter traditions that children in the U... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

CAMP SCHWAB, Japan - Camp Schwab opened its gates for Henoko and Nago City residents to experience Easter traditions with service members and their families during an Easter celebration. The event was hosted April 4, by the United Services Organization.

The day began at 9 a.m. with Marine volunteers setting up several activities for the children; moving tables and chairs, setting up tents and bringing in an Amphibious Assault Vehicle to showcase during the celebration.

"We are trying to share the American Easter culture with the local community," said William C. Stanley, an Asheville, North Carolina, native, and the center manager for USO Camp Schwab.

Okinawa families began trickling on to the base at 11 a.m. to begin the day's festivities. They were greeted by the Marines and shown the different activities that were available, such as egg dyeing, making rabbit masks and an Easter egg hunt.

Col. David Odom, commanding officer of Camp Schwab, and 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, gave opening remarks.

"Easter is a big religious event in America, but it's also a time for renewal," said Odom, a Hartsville, South Carolina, native. "It (represents) a renewal of friendships, a renewal of the weather during the spring season, and new opportunities."

The children scattered to the different activities where Marine volunteers were eager to supervise and interact with them, according to Lance Cpl. Julian E. Gutierrez, a rifleman with 4th Marines.

"Volunteer opportunities like this build bonds, trust and friendships between service members and the local community," said Gutierrez, a Los Angeles, California, native. "Seeing the children smile and experience something new is exciting and rewarding for me."

The celebration concluded with a visit from the Easter Bunny. Children crowded around the bunny, whom handed out prizes and took photos with them.

The USO plans to make the Easter celebration an annual event, according to Odom.

"We are fortunate to have such a strong relationship with the people of Henoko and Nago City," said Odom. "We will continue to strengthen our bond by sharing our culture and our home with them."