Navy joint exercise

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Four-year-old Aiyani Marquez, step-daughter of Petty Officer 2nd Class Orlando Garcia, plays with children from Bikoh-en orphanage in Shichinohe Mache, Japan Nov. 9, 2008. Ms. Marquez came in support of a community relations visit to the orphanage, organized by Sailors from the Naval Air Facility Misawa. More than 75 military and family members attended the event, which featured gifts, dance performances, a cookout, and of course, playtime. (U.S. Navy Photo by Chief Petty Officer Brian Naranjo)

Navy joint exercise

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Senior Chief Petty Officer Sharon Alexis, Naval Air Facility Misawa, hands out gifts to eager children at Bikoh-en orphanage in Shichinohe Mache, Japan Nov. 9, 2008. The gifts were donated in support of a community relations visit to the orphanage, organized by Sailors from the Naval Air Facility Misawa. (U.S. Navy Photo by Chief Petty Officer Brian Naranjo)

Navy joint exercise

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Navy spouse Leata Cheng, a member of the Misawa Polynesian Dancers club, performs a dance for children from Bikoh-en orphanage in Shichinohe Mache, Japan Nov. 9, 2008. The day was designed as a kick-off for regular command-sponsored visits to the orphanage in the future. (U.S. Navy Photo by Chief Petty Officer Brian Naranjo)

Misawa volunteers donate more than time at local orphanage

Published Dec. 2, 2008
By Chief Petty Officer Brian Naranjo
Naval Air Facility Misawa

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- A group of about 75 Sailors, Airmen and family members, sponsored by Naval Air Facility Misawa, Japan, made a trip to the Bikoh-en children's orphanage in nearby Shichinohe Machi, for a day of food, friendship and fun.

The visit will be the first of many more to come, scheduled for December 2008 and throughout 2009, according to Petty Officer 1st Class Thelma Gibson, the event's principal organizer.

The 66 children from the orphanage, ranging from two-to-18-years-old, were presented with a large pile of toys, pens, stationery and sports equipment, donated by Misawa military community members. The kids and orphanage staff were also treated to an American-style cookout, a Polynesian Dance show and lots of outdoor interaction on the cloudless, crisp fall day.

The visit has been in the works since last summer, said Petty Officer 1st Class Gibson. She credited strong command support, and the welcoming attitude of Bikoh-en staff in making the day a success.

"This was outstanding," she said. "It was a great way to give back, and to show our appreciation to the Japanese community."

Petty Officer 1st Class Gibson said future community relations activities at Bikoh-en will incorporate landscaping and other beautification projects, in addition to quality time with the children.

Like many of the military-oriented visitors, NAF Misawa's Chief Petty Officer Dan Baldwin brought along his own children, son Dylan, six, and daughter Lindsey, five. His focus, however, was on more than just a play date.

Chief Petty Officer Baldwin had Dylan and Lindsey each pick out one of their favorite toys to bring and donate to the orphanage children. In doing so, he explained, he hopes his kids will gain a solid foundation of selflessness and have an attitude of caring for those less fortunate.

"Kids are kids," he said, "And mine sometimes are spoiled. But by donating one of their toys, they experience the joy of giving, and the importance of not being selfish."

Chief Petty Officer Baldwin said he and his kids were happy to spend time with the children, and he judged the event to be a complete success.

"Just look around," he said, gesturing to the American and Japanese children and adults playing sports and socializing. "This shows that the U.S. Military really does take an interest, and cares about what's going on outside the gates. We'll definitely be back next time!"