The Single Marine Program (SMP) held their 5th annual Days of Service which took place from April 15-19 in various locations throughout Iwakuni City and Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni.

The Days of Service is a week-long event with multiple volunteer opportunities that culminate with the final day of events, the Day of Service.

Many of the participants in the Days of Service said they volunteered for reasons spanning from kindling the relationship between the U.S. and Japan, to enjoying volunteer opportunities.

Oana Ivanoff, the Marine lounge manager for the SMP, coordinated the events that took place throughout the week.

Ivanoff said she likes to keep the volunteer opportunities diverse; this year, participants took part in clean-ups in various locations, including Yuu beach and the Kintai Bridge, and a picnic with Japanese nursing home residents.

“There were daily volunteer opportunities on and off the installation,” said Ivanoff. “For the Day of Service we did a clean-up on and off base. Everyone gathered at the end for food and fun activities.”

“By doing events like the Day of Service we build and continue the alliance between the U.S. and Japan, and of course we make new friends and build new relationships,” Ivanoff said.

One of the participants, U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Hunter Erskine, a military police officer with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron (H&HS), said he enjoyed participating in events like the Day of Service.

“I’ve done multiple volunteer events and they’re fun,” said Erskine. “They have a great impact on the community and it’s a good way to improve our relationship with Japan.”

The Day of Service concluded with one of the participants, Sgt. China Keppler, a meteorological and oceanographic analyst forecaster with H&HS, receiving a Volunteer of the Year award for her contributions and dedication to the SMP.

After Keppler received her award, the volunteers had lunch and participated in activities such as football, sumo wrestling and a Humvee pull.

Photo Caption: U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Yoshi Cacho, a combat engineer with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 171, participates in the Humvee pull during the Day of Service at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, April 19, 2019. The Humvee pull was one of the culminating events that was held after the Days of Service clean-up concluded on Friday. The Days of Service is a week-long event with multiple volunteer opportunities that culminates with the final day of the event, the Day of Service.