Yokosuka Community Relations Event Benefits Japanese Children
Story and photo by Ben Avey, USNH Yokosuka Public Affairs


USS Cowpens (CG 63) YN3 Chris Lassiter helps children from the Fujisawa City Misono Orphanage climb into a bounce house during a community relations event sponsored by USNH Yokosuka and Cowpens Aug. 21. More than 70 children ranging from 3-10 years of age enjoyed a day of bowling, playing in the park and American style barbecue on board CFAY with more than 100 command volunteers.

Joining forces to support the local Japanese community, Sailors from U.S. Naval Hospital (USNH) Yokosuka and USS Cowpens (CG 63) came together Aug. 21 for a community relations (COMREL) project to benefit children currently living at Misono Orphanage in Fujisawa City.

More than 100 Sailors and civilians volunteered for the COMREL in which approximately 70 children 3-9 years of age were transported on board Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY) for a day of bowling, playing in the park, air toys and an American style barbecue.

The Sailors taught the children how to bowl, played outdoor games and introduced many to American culinary classics like the hot dog for the very first time.

“The kids were having a blast, especially in the bowling alley,” said USNH Yokosuka Command Chaplain and co-organizer Lt. j.g. Michael Anderson. “Every few minutes you would see a Sailor chasing a kid, who was chasing a bowling ball down the lane. It was priceless… It was a great opportunity for the kids to let off some steam and also for our Sailors to develop positive relationships with them.”

While the children were the focus and main beneficiaries of the event, others on hand were positively affected as well.

“It’ s a really good feeling to know that I’m helping out the kids,” said USNH Yokosuka Hospitalman Sarah Deal who volunteered at the event. “I’ve never done this before; it really does give you a good feeling inside.”
 
Cowpens Chaplain and event co-organizer Lt. Kermit Jones was pleased with how many Sailors volunteered and was glad to see the impact the children had on those who came out.

“You can tell [Sailors] they are ambassadors, but for them to actually meet and interact with these kids, having a good time, they learn from that and take a lot of that away and they know they have accomplished something good.” 

This is the first of three COMREL events Cowpens and USNH Yokosuka are coordinating. Plans are in the works for a holiday program at the orphanage and a pool party at CFAY this spring said Jones.

“It’ s good for sea commands and shore commands to work together for the benefit of the community,” said Jones. “We both have different strengths that we bring to the table and together we can do really great things for the kids.”

While the hospital and Cowpens were the primary sponsors, many other organizations pitched in to make the event a success. The USNH Yokosuka First Class Petty Officers Association manned the grills for lunch, the Pediatrics Department donated bags of toys and the co-op preschool donated more than $4,000 worth of educational supplies directly to the orphanage.

“The outpouring of support for these kids is really heartwarming,” said Anderson. “The community should be proud.”