CAMP ZAMA, Japan – Several community members volunteered in two events here Wednesday to beautify the installation and host a friendly competition with local Japanese children.
Members of the Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers program, along with Japan Ground Self-Defense Force partners and other volunteers, first picked up trash on roads from Camp Zama’s Gate 4 to the main gate.
Command Sgt. Maj. David A. Rio, senior enlisted leader of U.S. Army Garrison Japan, said the cleanup was intended to help welcome the thousands of visitors who came for Saturday’s Cherry Blossom Festival.
“Our post is a pretty clean and well-kept-up place,” he said. “But we’re taking a little extra care to focus on the route that all of our off-post guests are going to take to get to the event area.”
While collecting trash, JGSDF Sgt. Tsukasa Kurihara said he enjoyed the chance to talk with the Soldiers as they walked along the route.
“For me, this was the first time to work together with the U.S. Soldiers,” he said. “During this activity, I could communicate with them, so that was a really great experience for me.”
Kurihara, a member of SoYou-kai, the JGSDF’s noncommissioned officer association, also said the collaboration seen in the joint event could strengthen their partnership.
“This kind of activity is important to build a relationship for future bilateral activities,” he said.
Following the cleanup, the BOSS members welcomed about 10 children from the Sagamihara Minami Children’s Home to Camp Zama for the first time to play dodgeball at the Yano Fitness Center.
The children were initially shy, but they quickly warmed up to the Soldiers after they made efforts to show their young guests a good time.
“Before coming here, [the children] were nervous because they didn’t know what to [expect],” said Seki Hayato, an employee at the home. “However, once they came in and played some dodgeball, they really enjoyed themselves.”
Soldiers introduced the children, aged from 7 to 11 years old, to a friendly match of American-style dodgeball, followed by a session playing the Japanese version. The children were also given some American snacks.
Judging by the looks on the children’s faces and their giggles that echoed throughout the gym, Hayato said they would be eager to participate in another event if one were planned.
“The kids had a really great time with the Soldiers and, personally, I also had a great time,” he said.
Rio, who also joined everyone for the games, saw the outreach event as a way for the Camp Zama community to continue being good neighbors.
“It’s a great opportunity for us to show that we are part of and care about the larger community,” he said.
Sgt. Joshua McMath, assigned to the 35th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, made sure to put a smile on the face of every child he met during the event.
“I’m quite sure that by [us] being there and having fun with them, it just brightens up their day,” he said. “I really like it and that’s why I do it every time that I can.”
McMath said events like these that the BOSS program offers have broadened his mind on Japanese culture, and he encouraged other Soldiers to join him because of that.
“If you love helping other people or want to make somebody’s day — or even your day — just come out and have fun,” he said. “You never know who you’re going to meet, and you never know if you’re going to have a kid look up to you, and that can be your motivation to help out other kids.”
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