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| Families line up for ice cream while attending the Fire and Ice ice cream social at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, July 20, 2016. The Exceptional Family Member Program hosted the event in collaboration with the MCAS Iwakuni Fire Department at Fire Station Four, where Japanese firemen and air station residents participated in family activities. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Donato Maffin) |
07.20.2016
Story by Lance Cpl. Donato Maffin
Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni
The event included ice cream, pictures with Sparky the dog, touring a fire truck and a chance to visit with the station Japanese fire fighters.
“This is just to bring families out around base, to come out and fellowship with other families, meet new people and enjoy some ice cream,” said Allyson Wright, the program manager for the EFMP and coordinator of the Fire and Ice event. “And also get to understand a little about fire safety and tour the fire station and all the trucks.”
The ice cream social attracted many families and teens. During the event, the fire engines were open to sit inside, and the attendees were provided a little bit of knowledge about fire safety.
“I really enjoyed the event,” said Anneliese Hack, a stay-at-home mother at MCAS Iwakuni. “It was a chance for the kids to see the fire station and to learn about fire engines … and the ice cream is always a plus.”
Not only was the the ice cream social an opportunity for families and teens to eat ice cream and see the fire station, but it was also a chance for the station’s Japanese fire fighters to interact with the station residents.
“I had fun today,” said Masashi Yamashita, a fire fighter with MCAS Iwakuni Fire Department. “I don’t have a lot of opportunities to interact with Americans off base, so it’s a great experience for me to interact with them during this event.”
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| A child high-fives Sparky the Fire Dog, mascot of Marine Corps Iwakuni Air Station fire station, during the Fire and Ice ice cream social at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, July 20, 2016. The Exceptional Family Member Program hosted the event in collaboration with the MCAS Iwakuni Fire Department at Fire Station Four, where Japanese firemen and air station residents participated in family activities. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Donato Maffin) |
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| Katrice Boufillier, right, training chief for Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, serves ice cream to families at the Fire and Ice ice cream social at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, July 20, 2016. The Exceptional Family Member Program hosted the event in collaboration with the MCAS Iwakuni Fire Department at Fire Station Four, where Japanese firemen and air station residents participated in family activities. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Donato Maffin) |
