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American, Okinawan kids get kick out of Friendship Day

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. J.C. Woodring
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA TOWN, Japan --  Kadena Town Sports Dome was filled with children March 17 who were participating in the Japan-U.S. Friendship Day sports event called "Ichariba choodee," which means, "Once together, forever friends."

Approximately 60 American students from Amelia Earhart Intermediate School on Kadena Air Base joined 60 third- and fourth-graders from Kadena Town for the sports day that featured dodge ball using Japanese rules, tug-o-war with five colored ropes and a sandal toss.

Kadena's 18th Mission Support Group partnered with Department of Defense Education Activity to enlist the help of base volunteers including Airmen from the NCO Academy and students from the Kadena High School National Honor Society, as well as parent chaperones. Food and drinks for the kids to share were donated by the Army and Air Force Exchange Service and Defense Commissary Agency.

During the opening ceremony, Brig. Gen. Matt Molloy, 18th Wing commander, challenged the students to make the most of the day.

"I'd like you to do three things while you're here," he said. "Make friends, display sportsmanship and do your best, or ganbatte."

The bilateral sports exchange program is sponsored by the Okinawa Defense Bureau with support of Kadena Town and the 18th Wing on Kadena Air Base. ODB director general Rou Manabe and Kadena Town Mayor Hiroshi Toyama were also there to encourage the children of both countries.

The general said that the event "epitomizes the bond we share with our neighbors in Okinawa."

A Stormtrooper, of Star Wars fame, threw out the first ball of the dodge ball competition and posed for photos with the students as well as some volunteers throughout the day.

The teams were organized into color groups which included both Japanese and American students. Japanese rules for dodge ball differ from their American counterparts by not allowing hits to the face or head, and when players are "out," they serve in the outfield on the opponent's team and can try to help their team if a ball is thrown out of bounds.

For tug-o-war, the teams lined up behind a set of ropes. On the signal, they split their team amongst the five ropes and started pulling. Once one rope crossed the line, the students could run to another rope and assist their teammates.

During the sandal toss, students stood at a line wearing flip-flops. At the signal, they kicked their sandals as far as possible, which proved more challenging to some students whose sandals flew for more height than distance.

"I think all of the students had a great time at the event," said Dr. Deborah Carlson, AEIS principal.