Cultures collide during snowball competition

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Chad Strohmeyer
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  Japanese and American children put their snow-throwing skills to the test during a snowball competition Feb. 14 at the Tonami Clan Memorial Village in Misawa City. 

More than 100 children participated, making up five Japanese and three American teams. Each team had their own coach who guided them through five-minute games of capture the flag. 

"This was a great experience for myself and the kids," said Staff Sgt. Demuro Brown, 35th Fighter Wing Legal Office and Team Jets coach. "I never knew that a snowball fight could be a sport." 

This marks the first time Misawa City has invited American children to such an event. The purpose of the event was to help form friendships between Japanese and American children. The event brought together members of the base and local community. In attendance included Col. David Stilwell, 35th Fighter Wing commander, and Misawa City Mayor Kazumasa Taneichi, who both offered opening remarks prior to the event. 

"I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the Tohoku Defense Bureau, Ministry of Japan for putting this event together," Colonel Stilwell said. "This was a great chance for the kids to cooperate and have fun together." 

Although the American teams were bested by the Japanese children, they still had fun competing, according to Team Miso member James Pollock, son of Staff Sgt. James Pollock, 373rd Intelligence Group. Additionally, the children had to endure the blistering cold, but the weather did not stop them from enjoying the capture the flag scenarios, winter scenery, and free food. 

"I had a lot of fun," said James Pollock. "I can't wait to come back next year and compete again with the Japanese kids."