Soldiers battle it out in a tug-of-war event during Army Week festivities at Camp Zama, Japan, June 11, 2024. Personnel across U.S. Army Japan celebrated the Army’s 249th birthday with some friendly competition in various sports activities. (Fumiaki Tabuchi, U.S. Army Garrison Japan Public Affairs)
CAMP ZAMA, Japan – U.S. Army Japan personnel celebrated the Army’s 249th birthday last week with some friendly competition in various sports activities.
Winning teams of the seven events received certificates of excellence during an awards ceremony here Wednesday at Yano Sports Field.
Col. Terry A. Butcher, deputy commander of USARJ, said the ceremony was intended to recognize the efforts from everyone who participated in the activities that began June 10.
“By virtue of you taking part in these events, and especially by virtue of those of you who won, you represent the best of us,” he told the crowd. “You represent the best of the Army during our birthday week.”
With dozens of Soldiers in a horseshoe formation around him, Butcher then awarded the certificates to representatives from the teams that won each of the events.
“You know, it just brings me a lot of pride that I am able to stand up here in front of you and present these awards to all of you,” he said. “Again, congratulations one and all. It’s good to have you out here.”
Units earning first place in the events included:
Soccer: U.S. Army Medical Department Activity-Japan
Fittest Warrior Competition: U.S. Army Aviation Battalion Japan
Team Combat-Focused Fitness Competition: USAABJ
Ultimate Frisbee: USAABJ
Tug-of-War: 38th Air Defense Artillery Brigade
3-on-3 Basketball: 311th Military Intelligence Battalion
Officer vs. Enlisted Softball Game: Enlisted team
Spc. Jakil Snowden, a food inspector assigned to Veterinary Readiness Activity, Japan, was among the many Soldiers to participate in the soccer, ultimate frisbee and tug-of-war events.
He said the Army Week festivities, which also included a fun run on Thursday and Army ball on Friday, were a great way to help boost morale in the community.
“It was very competitive,” Snowden said of the sports events. “We were able to let loose and not worry about rank. It was actually pretty fun.”
Snowden said the events also allowed him to network and foster camaraderie with Soldiers not in his unit.
“A lot of people don’t know about our job, and we may not know about theirs,” he said, “so it helps strengthen our relationships with other people.”
After experiencing Army Week for the first time, Pfc. Jacob Townson, a watercraft operator assigned to the 5th Transportation Company, said he appreciated all the coordination to make the events happen.
“This week has been really good,” he said. “I’ve been out here every day supporting my team.”
Still new to the Army, Townson, who competed in basketball and ultimate frisbee, said the events helped him form stronger bonds with those in his unit.
“It builds us together as a team,” he said. “I just got here a couple of months ago, so I didn’t really know a lot of people. By allowing us to come together and compete as a team and as a family, [it] just helped me build my relationship with them.”
