LRS, 46 years of friendship

by Airman 1st Class Kaleb Snay
35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

8/24/2013 - MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan  -- If a large group of people come together with a common goal, they can accomplish great things through hard work and dedication. For more than 45 years the 35th Logistics Readiness Squadron has come together to support a group of kids in need.

Located in Aomori City, Japan, the Fuji Seiboen orphanage currently has about 70 children trying to live cohesively like a family.

Adoptions tend to be rare, so the children must get used to spending their days together, said Takeji Araya, Fuji Seiboen orphanage liason. Life can be uneventful at times, which is where the 35 LRS shows how much they care.

Since the late 1960s, the 35 LRS has built a tradition of visiting the orphanage once a year, buying gifts and spreading cheer, to the children during Christmas. As time passed, LRS felt one celebration a year wasn't enough. In 2011 a new tradition was born where the children would come out for some summer fun, at Misawa Air Base.

"Three years ago, before a squadron picnic, we decided to invite the orphanage to see if they would like to join us," said Tech. Sgt. Suleiman Meho, 35 LRS non-commissioned officer in charge of personal property. "We ended up having a beach party complete with a good old American barbeque. They loved it, they were really thankful that we invited them and so we continued to do so again in 2012, and this year."

As the children prepare for school in September, the 35 LRS once again prepared food, and fun at Misawa Air Base. The children's ages vary from two to 18, and about 80 children are expected each year, along with their adult chaperones.

"We did it again this year at Leftwich Park," said Meho. "We had a blast. We got the grills out for burgers and hotdogs. There were bouncy castles, tug-o-war and volleyball. Other than the language barrier, it was almost like a carnival for them."

With all the activities going on at the picnic, there is excitement around every corner for both the children and LRS.

"My favorite part is seeing the children's reactions," said Maj. Paul Miller, 35 LRS commander. "They have a light in their eyes as they get a chance to just have fun playing games. We try our best to make sure the events are as robust and fulfilling as we can, and each year we like to throw in something new."

Money for the picnic is raised throughout the year with donations and fundraising events on American Day, Freedom Fest, and more. During the Christmas get-together, members from LRS will often sponsor a child and buy gifts for each child, individually.

Although 35 LRS has been supporting Fuji Seiboen for more than 45 years, the orphanage was supported by service members before. Traced back to 1948, two years after the orphanage was founded, American service members showed their support in the form of food supplies and blankets. This shows that LRS has continued a legacy that started three years after the U.S. military first arrived at Misawa Air Base.

"It's an honor to show our support and have it welcomed in return. It enriches both LRS and the orphanage," said Miller. "These days there are many opportunities to get involved with the community. The Japanese community has been good to us and this is one way of showing our thanks. I'm very happy to be able to participate in such a positive community event and I hope this relationship will continue to grow in the years to come."