Misawa Air Base's 16th annual Children's Cultural Exchange

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Haley Johnson, daughter of Master Sgt. Chad Johnson, 35th Security Forces Squadron, and Riko Kaizuka, an Oirase Town 5th grader, play leap frog during the 16th annual Children's Cultural Exchange Oct. 18, 2008, at Sollars Elementary School. About 80 American and Japanese children participated in the event. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jamal D. Sutter)

Misawa Air Base's 16th annual Children's Cultural Exchange

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Hama Taiki, an Oirase Town 5th grader, avoids being tagged during the Children's Cultural Exchange Oct. 18, 2008, at Sollars Elementary School. Games such as freeze tag and leap frog were played, allowing American and Japanese children the chance to bond and learn more about each other. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jamal D. Sutter)

Misawa Air Base's 16th annual Children's Cultural Exchange

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Japanese 5th graders go after a pile of shoes during the Children's Cultural Exchange at Sollars Elementary School Oct. 18, 2008. After retrieving a shoe, the children found its American owner, thus, allowing interaction with American children. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jamal D. Sutter)

Misawa Air Base's 16th annual Children's Cultural Exchange

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Risa Masano, a Kinoshita Elementary student, and Matthew Hight, of Cummings Elementary School, work together to keep a ball steady between them during the relay race Oct. 18, 2008. The two were among about 80 students from Oirasi Town and Misawa Air Base who participated in the 16th Annual Cultural Exchange. (Courtesy photo by Simon Bernard )

Oirase Town and Misawa Air Base unite for day of activities

Published Oct. 24, 2008
By Simon Bernard
Guest Contributor

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Forty Japanese and 40 American fifth graders participated in some fun activities Oct. 20, in hopes of learning a little bit more about each other's culture. The 16th Annual Oirase Town (formerly Shimoda) and Misawa Air Base Fifth Grade Children's Cultural Exchange took place once again on Misawa Air Base.

While many base residents have been to Shimoda Mall, most do not realize that Oirase Town starts just across the street from McDonalds in Misawa. The fifth graders come from the three local elementary schools in Oirase Town.

The first stop for the Japanese children was Fire Station 1 where Airmen 1st Class Jesse McDaniels led the tour and amazed the kids with his fluent Japanese. The staff interacted with the kids with displays and safety tips and even let them try on some of the fire suits.

Jim Journey, principal of Sollars Elementary School, and his staff, supported getting the American children involved. The school also helped coordinate the use of the cafeteria and gym, which was essential in making the day a success.

Waiting for the 80 kids were 15 volunteer members from the 35th Maintenance Group led by Master Sgt. William Miller. They divided the participants into three groups and provided interactive games to help break the ice and bridge the two cultures. For example, "the shoe game" required children to memorize the name of a child of the other culture then tell everyone.

After rotating the kids every 25 minutes to insure everyone had a chance to play all three games, the kids had worked up an appetite. Thanks to the support of Misawa Officer Spouses' Club, a pizza and juice lunch gave the kids another opportunity to mingle and giggle with each other.

Then it was back to the gym where the children exchanged gifts. The volunteers were also presented with some local goodies by the Japanese children in thanks for all their hard work.

After shaking hands and saying farewell to their new American friends, the Japanese children went to a hangar where Col. Kyle Matyi, 35th MXG commander, and other 35th MXG volunteers gave them a tour of an F-16. Individual pictures were taken of the students wearing flight jackets and helmets. Afterward, they were treated to some Halloween candy.

If that was not enough, the kids stopped by the food court for ice cream and had a chance to take home pizzas for their parents, grandparents and siblings. They left with stories of what fun they had, so the ripples of American goodwill extended into the local community.

Those ripples can go far. Some of the children who participated in the program 16 years ago are now working at the town hall. These are the future leaders of the community and their impression of Americans bodes well for the future of Misawa Air Base.