A young girl poses for a photo while inside a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter on display during an Independence Day celebration at Camp Zama, Japan, June 29, 2024. More than 16,000 people attended the daylong event that had plenty of food and entertainment including military static displays, children’s games, fireworks and live music. (Sean Kimmons)
CAMP ZAMA, Japan – More than 16,000 people celebrated America’s Independence Day with a daylong event full of memories and festivities here Saturday.
One of Camp Zama’s largest events, the celebration had plenty of food and entertainment including children’s games, fireworks, live music, and the U.S. Army Japan Band’s final open-post performance.
Dozens of U.S. Army Garrison Japan personnel and partners also planned and coordinated behind the scenes and provided security and medical response to ensure visitors safely enjoyed themselves.
Col. Marcus Hunter, garrison commander, said the teamwork allowed the installation to successfully open its gates and celebrate with thousands of neighbors from the local community.
“It’s awesome to see year after year the incredible effort by the entire team and the entire community to prepare for and then be able to put on a real fun party for everyone,” he said.
Hunter said events like these can dispel misconceptions visitors may have about the U.S. Army, as they get to interact with Soldiers and watch them working with Japanese counterparts.
“This might be the first time that [some] people have ever been on our base, though there are many that have been able to come several times,” he said. “And so, being able to open the base and share in our culture, in our celebrations, is one way that I think we can help build and strengthen friendships.”
As visitors dealt with high temperatures and humidity, Sgt. Jefferson Moreira, a health care specialist for U.S. Army Medical Department Activity-Japan, supported the medical response tents that were set up at Yano Sports Field.
Moreira and others, including medical teams from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force and nearby cities, assisted with any medical issues that arose, which were mainly minor heat-related cases. The garrison also installed water misting systems to help keep the crowd cool.
“People sometimes wait too long in the lines, and they don’t have time to drink [water] in the heat,” he said, “so we need to make sure that we have those medical assets available.”
With so much expertise at the event, the sergeant said medical support personnel also had the chance to share their knowledge and best practices with each other.
“We like the cooperation that we have with our counterparts,” he said. “We’ve been able to learn from them, and they’ve been able to learn from us.”
Standing near a long line of Japanese guests waiting to buy American meals at the Exchange food court, Sgt. Charles Magee, assigned to the 311th Military Intelligence Battalion, chatted with a group of friends.
Magee thought the idea of welcoming visitors onto the installation was beneficial so they can enjoy the atmosphere and maybe speak with community members here.
“It’s a good way to show that we’re here as friends,” he said of the Army’s presence in Japan. “I love being able to experience their culture every time I go off post, so I think it’s nice to let them come on base and see our culture.”
Madison Reynolds, the spouse of another 311th MI Bn. Soldier, said she brought her two kids to the celebration for them to play on the inflatable bounce castles and try out the other children’s activities.
Unlike other Independence Day events in the United States, Reynolds said it was also interesting to witness the excitement of Japanese visitors coming onto the post for this event.
“Everybody gets together, and you get to meet new people,” she said of the open-post event. “It’s always fun to get to see how [the visitors] see us and what they’re excited for.”
Back at the sports field, where much of the festivities took place, Sayaka Fujita and her 9-year-old son, Kota, stood in the crowd waiting for the USARJ Band to perform.
Fujita, who lives in nearby Sagamihara City, said the best thing about the celebration was listening to all the live music. For Kota, he said his favorite part of the day was eating slices of pizza.
“I’m always looking forward to this event every year,” Sayaka said, “so that’s why I wanted us to come again.”
Before the fireworks show, a “Salute to the Nation” ceremony was also held with U.S. military members and Japanese counterparts carrying flags representing the 50 states and six American territories and minor outlying islands.
Tomodachi Avenue was lined with visitors as the flag bearers marched by in formation as part of the patriotic display in honor of America’s independence.
The USARJ Band, which performed alongside musicians from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, then played again to the sound of fireworks for the last time before the unit inactivates this summer.
Sgt. 1st Class Todd Borges, a trumpet player, said he was thankful for the opportunity to help strengthen the bonds between the U.S. Army and the Japanese people during the band’s concerts around the country.
“That was something that I hadn’t really experienced in other bands before,” he said, “so to experience that here in the twilight of my career was really amazing.”
As the last firework lit up the sky, a crowd of spectators huddled around the band to listen to their final song, “It’s Time to Say Goodbye” – a bittersweet ending to the celebration.
“It’s pretty surreal to think that this is the last time that we’re performing here,” Borges said, “but it does give me a moment to pause and reflect on all of the amazing connections we made.”
