Operation Santa gives holiday cheer

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class John D. Partlow
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  More than 25 service members from Yokota Air Base, Japan, traveled five hours to the Fuji Kindergarten in Miyagi-ken, Japan, to hand out presents and spend time with more than 100 students Dec. 15.

The school was largely affected by the 9.0-magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami on March 11, 2011, losing more than eight children and a teacher to the disaster. 

Recognizing the horrors these children faced caused many members at Yokota to get together and find ways to spread holiday cheer.

"Seeing everything they had gone through, we wanted to give back on a more personal level, rather than through the military," said Army Maj. Jennifer Colvin, U.S. Forces Japan joint staff secretary. "It was just a really wonderful day, to see them smiling and receiving those gifts."

Nathan Frost, USFJ secretary, dressed up as Santa Claus and led the kids in Christmas carols in both English and Japanese. Other participants, dressed as Santa's helpers, gave out presents and sang along.

Most children spoke little or no English, conversing only with small words and high-fives.

"If we brought them just one special day of joy despite the year they've experienced, it was money, time and effort well spent," said Chief Master Sgt. Douglas McIntyre, USFJ and 5th Air Force command chief master sergeant. "It was a tremendous feeling to visit them."

Nobuko Suzuki, the kindergarten's principal, credits the trip as a positive experience that helps the children move on.

"These small children have experienced really hard times," said Nobuko Suzuki, Fuji Kindergarten principal. "They have lives to live, and they all have the power to keep moving forward."

Not only were the children affected from this visit, the men and women from Yokota departed with a better understanding of what it means to give.

"It's an honor to serve in their country and to help them get through this year into a brighter future," said McIntyre.