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Air Commandos spread holiday cheer

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Aaron Cram
  • 353rd Special Operations Group Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  Members of the 353rd Special Operations Group visited two separate locations last week to donate gifts and spend time with people living in the facilities during the holiday season. 

Members of the group visited the Okinawa National Hospital muscular dystrophy ward Dec. 18 and Rainbow Heights Dec. 20. Rainbow Heights is part of the Okinawa Single Mothers Program, a government program designed to provide temporary assistance to low-income single mothers and their children who are victims of circumstances including domestic abuse and abandonment. 

"The holiday season is a time for sharing and looking out for our fellow man," said Col. John Glaze, the 353rd SOG deputy commander. "This year has been a great year for the men and women of the group, and it would not have been possible without the hospitality and support from our hosts, the people of Okinawa. These visits were a small token of our appreciation and our way of saying thank you for everything." 

Leading up to the events, the efforts of the Airmen and family members from all five of the group's squadrons made sure there were more than enough presents and baked goods to make the visits successful. The gifts donated included a futon for the Rainbow House, toys for children, sports balls, and some essential items that were requested like cleaning supplies, socks, school supplies and blankets. 

Those efforts did not go unrecognized as Tsukasa Miura, the Okinawa National Hospital's chief of the Instructors' Office, said the visit to his facility was a resounding success and the group's generosity spread cheer to more than the patients. 

"The patients who received holiday gifts looked so happy," Mr. Miura said. "Due to the physical conditions of our patients, they don't have many opportunities to interact with people outside of the hospital. Seeing their faces light up when they met with the people from the group and received their gifts made the nurses and me happy as well." 

The volunteers that visited the facilities also received gifts on their visit. The visit brightened their holidays as they passed out the gifts and spoke with the people living in the facilities. 

"There are a lot of children who do not get the same luxuries as I did growing up," said Staff Sgt. Mario Torres, 353rd Maintenance Squadron. "So, if I can give them a little glimpse of what I had, that is awesome. Seeing the kids and parents so appreciative of the efforts from members of our unit makes it worthwhile." 

"Visits such as this always bring me feelings of happiness and appreciation," said Master Sgt. Shawn Gilmore, the group's Manpower and Organization Office superintendent. "It makes me happy I can brighten another person's life, especially given the situation the patients are in. It also makes me appreciate the things I have in my life." 

One patient from the Okinawa National Hospital even handed out some of his own gifts. Tatsuya Matayoshi, the chief of the patient's Art Division, made sure he passed on his appreciation and that the group's volunteers. He presented calendars made with artwork from the ward's patients. 

"It was nice to have an opportunity to communicate with Americans since we don't have many opportunities to interact with them," he said. "I was also pleased to get heartwarming gift, a knit cap, which looks good on me."