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VINH, Vietnam
– The U.S. Pacific Fleet (PACFLT) band played on as members of the Japan Self Defense Forces (JSDF) held a community service project at a medical civic action program (MEDCAP) during Pacific Partnership 2012’s (PP12) visit to Vinh, Vietnam, 14 July.
JSDF members engaged
with local children by making balloon animals, traditional Japanese
toys, and playing games.
JSDF Navy Lt. j.g.
Takauyki Naguoka was one of the many JSDF service members taking
part in the project.
“Today we held a community service project to
interact with the Vietnamese and introduce Japanese culture to the
Vietnamese people,” said Naguoka.
According to Naguoka, JSDF members mostly participate
in medical projects, but they are also here to take part in cultural
exchanges and teach others about the Japanese culture.
The PACFLT brass band was in full swing at the event
to provide some lively entertainment to all who attended.
Muscian 3rd Class Ryan Putt, a trombonist for the
PACFLT Band, said music can help ease the pain and worry of being
ill.
“A lot of the people here are here for medical
treatment, so they’re probably not feeling 100 percent well, so
bringing a little music to help brighten their day and help take
their mind off of what is bothering them is always a good thing,” he
said.
Now in its seventh year, Pacific Partnership is an
annual U.S. Pacific Fleet humanitarian and civic assistance mission
that brings together U.S. military personnel, host and partner
nations, non-government organizations and international agencies to
build stronger relationships and develop disaster response
capabilities throughout the Asia-Pacific region. |
