Marines, sailors dance, sing at local hospital

Marines, sailors dance, sing at local hospital
Submitted by: MCB Camp Butler
Story Identification #: 2004722068
Story by Lance Cpl. Chris Korhonen



URASOE CITY, OKINAWA, Japan — (July 15, 2004) -- There is a saying that the most precious gift you can give someone is your time.
Time is what eight Marines and sailors from Camp Kinser gave to the patients of Dojin Hospital’s geriatric intensive care unit, July 15.

“Normally the residents here don’t have visitors,” said Lt j.g. John Keith, battalion chaplain, Headquarters and Service Battalion, 3rd Force Service Support Group. “So the Marines and sailors came up here and made their day a whole lot better.”

Showing off their dance moves and singing voices, the servicemembers performed to several songs including “The Hokey Pokey” and “Megumi no Hito,” a Japanese pop song.

According to Keith, the interaction between the servicemembers and the elderly patients led to many smiles, making the visit a positive experience for both groups.

“Community relations like this helps servicemembers get experience outside of what they do on a daily basis,” Keith said. “This gives them a chance to put a face to the outside community and allows them to get up close and personal and makes them feel like they are doing something worthwhile.”

For Sgt. Michael T. McAleer, tactical network specialist, operations, 3rd FSSG, who recently came to Okinawa, it was his first time participating in a community relations project.

“I decided to come out here because I am a people person,” McAleer said. “I like to go out, see the community and help where I can. I have been blessed with a lot of fortunes and good things, and I like to give back when I can.”

Another newcomer to Okinawa, Lance Cpl. Aaron J. Gentili, supply administration clerk, 4th Supply Battalion, 4th Force Service Support Group, had been on Okinawa just three days and couldn’t wait to start exploring his new surroundings.

“I wanted to get out and see some of Japan, not just stuff people normally do like go to bars,” Gentili said. “I wanted to see the culture.

“When you are in someone else’s country, it opens up your eyes to what you are doing in your life. It’s humbling putting forth the effort to sing songs and bring smiles to the faces of so many people,” Gentili said.

The servicemembers were not the only ones gaining something from their visit to the hospital.
“Many of these patients experienced the (Battle of Okinawa), and it is a great opportunity for them to make a connection with the good-hearted Americans who come here and volunteer to entertain them,” said Michiko Gushiken, head nurse, geriatric intensive care unit, Dojin
Hospital.

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URASOE CITY, OKINAWA, Japan — Dancing to “Megumi No Hito,” a Japanese pop song, Lt. j.g. John Keith, (left), Pfc. Phillip L. Shyers, Lance Cpl. David E. Garitano, Cmdr. Lawrence P. Greenslit, Sgt. Michael T. McAleer and Michiko Gushiken entertain patients at the Dojin Hospital geriatric intensive care unit here July 15. Eight Marines and sailors visited the hospital to bring smiles and good times, while building a solid relationship between the U.S. military and local civilian population. Keith is the battalion chaplain for Headquarters and Service Battalion, 3rd Force Service Support Group, Shyers is a supply administration clerk, Maintenance Readiness Company, 3rd Materiel Readiness Battalion, Garitano is a supply administration clerk with 4th Supply Battalion, 4th FSSG. Greenslit is the group chaplain for 3rd FSSG. McAleer is a tactical network specialist with 3rd FSSG operations and Gushiken is the head nurse of the geriatric intensive care unit of Dojin Hospital. Photo by: Lance Cpl. Chris Korhonen)

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URASOE CITY, OKINAWA, Japan — While dancing to the “Hokey Pokey,” Lt. j.g. John Keith, (left), Sgt. Michael T. McAleer, Lance Cpl. David E. Garitano, and Cmdr. Lawrence P. Greenslit entertain patients at the Dojin Hospital geriatric intensive care unit here July 15. Marines and sailors from Camp Kinser visited the hospital to bring smiles and good times, while building a solid relationship between the U.S. military and local civilian population. Keith is the battalion chaplain for Headquarters and Service Battalion, 3rd Force Service Support Group. McAleer is a tactical network specialist for 3rd FSSG operations, Garitano is a supply administration clerk with 4th Supply Battalion, 4th FSSG and Greenslit is the group chaplain for 3rd FSSG. Photo by: Lance Cpl. Chris Korhonen

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn20...B?opendocument


Ellie