Commander's Corner: Feb. 13, 2015

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- This week, Team Yokota paid homage to a monumental act of friendship that occurred more than 100 years ago with the planting of two new cherry blossom saplings here on base. On February 14th, 1912, more than 3,000 Japanese Cherry Blossom "Sakura" trees were shipped from Yokohama, Japan aboard the S.S. Awa Maru as a gift from the people of Japan to the people of the United States.

One of the saplings planted this week is a descendant of the very same trees planted in 1912--its forefathers now grace the Tidal Basin and East Potamac Banks of Washington D.C. These trees embody a spirit of friendship that has bloomed tremendously over many years of close partnership.

It was truly an honor to celebrate this historical event alongside our Japanese community leaders who were gracious enough to donate the saplings to Yokota. The saplings now reside next to our Professional Development Center, where they will stand as a lasting symbol of the close bonds we share with our Japanese brethren.