Community News

CHICHI JIMA, Japan -- In July 2013, my six-year old son became seriously ill with acute lymphadenitis and he had to be medically evacuated by the Japan Self-Defense Force to a hospital in Tokyo on Honshu 1000km away. Because it was near sunset when he fell ill, a US-2 sea plane could not be dispatched to our community on Chichi Jima.

KIN TOWN FISHING PORT, OKINAWA, Japan -- More than 100 Marines and sailors from Camp Hansen volunteered to help with an annual beach cleanup Aug. 23 at the Kin Town Fishing Port. 

TOKYO, JAPAN -- Have you ever heard the phrase, “Bosai no Hi,” or Disaster Reduction Day? As is well-known, Japan has experienced a number of serious natural disasters, so much so that I often describe Japan as a department store of natural disasters.

CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan -- A young boy puts goggles on and lowers himself into the water. His weapon loaded, he quietly makes his way toward his target tuning out the noise around him.

American Red Cross - Kadena Station provided fifteen health and safety volunteers to serve as first responders at the H2gO Water 5K hosted by the USO on Kadena Air Base. Nine of the volunteers completed CPR / AED / First Aid certification the weekend prior in order to serve more than 600 runners and walkers who attended the run. 

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- He was just four days away from a trip home to surprise his mom and dad for Christmas in McMinnville, Tennessee -- his small hometown buried in the state's rolling foothills.