CAMP ZAMA, Japan – More than 16,000 visitors came to Camp Zama June 28 to join the festivities during the installation’s Independence Day celebration, which included live music, games, refreshments, fireworks and more.
The sound of music filled the air as the event kicked off, and attendees gathered with friends and family on Yano Field to eat, drink and enjoy the festive atmosphere.
U.S. Army Garrison Japan Commander Col. Marcus Hunter lauded the event as an energetic celebration that celebrates America’s independence. Because it is an open-post event in which guests are allowed onto the installation, it also serves as a bridge between the military and its neighboring communities, he said.
“This is an exciting celebration and it’s energizing to see the entire community come together,” Hunter said. “It’s a great reflection of the shared community that we enjoy.”
The centerpiece of the event, the “Salute to the Nation” ceremony, took place in front of a large crowd. The Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and even the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force participated in the ceremony, paying tribute to Independence Day and honoring the United States of America by representing the flags of the 50 states and six U.S. territories.
“The joint, bilateral combination that we have for this celebration is reflective of our entire defense posture and the strong alliance,” Hunter said.
Hunter said he hopes the visitors made some wonderful memories thanks to such a unique opportunity to celebrate the values that both the United States and Japan share — the spirit of independence and the spirit of community.
Staff Sgt. Calvin Dowell, assigned to the 311th Military Intelligence Battalion, got to present the flag of North Carolina, his actual home state, during the Salute to the Nation. The service members rehearsed several times, right up to the last minute leading up to the event. With every step, Dowell said he felt the weight of the responsibility he bore.
“It was pretty humbling and a very proud moment for sure,” Dowell said of the experience.
Dowell said all the service members involved stood seamlessly in formation, demonstrating military precision. The cheers from the crowd as they applauded for the servicemen and women created an atmosphere of warmth and camaraderie, he said.
“The ceremony was very well received by the crowd and I’m very happy that there were so many Japanese people who wanted to come out and celebrate alongside with us,” Dowell said. “This is our host nation and our home as well. It’s really important for us to connect with the community.”
Attendee Sorara Taguchi was a first-time visitor to Camp Zama and said she was excited to experience the Independence Day celebration event because of enthusiastic recommendations from her family.
The Soldiers were very welcoming to Taguchi and her friend, showing them a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter and a Humvee. The Soldiers also posed for photos with them. Taguchi’s interactions with the Soldiers made her very feel special, as if she was visiting the United States.
“I think open-post events like this one play an important role in helping us to learn and understand more about the U.S. military bases and the Soldiers here,” she said.
As night fell, a 20-minute fireworks show illuminated the sky and drew the event to a close.
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