International Festival unites neighbors

  • Published
  • By Capt. Tania Bryan
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
FUSSA CITY, Japan --  The Yokota Air Base Honor Guard, Yokota High School Cheerleaders and 14 support vehicles from across the wing participated in Fussa City's International Fair parade September 26.

This parade was an excellent opportunity for Yokota to enhance its bilateral relationship with our neighbors through something as simple as the presentation of our base vehicle assets, said 2nd Lt. Jose Quintanilla, 374th Logistics Readiness Squadron officer in charge of distribution and the project officer for this year's parade.

2010 marks the second year the parade was held, but the Fussa International Festival's origins started 22 years ago as the Fussa Import Fair. Established to promote business on the eastside of Fussa City along Yokota Air Base, the festival has blossomed into an opportunity for these neighbors to come together to share culture and friendship.

374th Mission Support Group Commander Col. Todd Freece kicked off the festivities during Saturday's opening ceremony and 374th Communications Squadron Commander Lt. Col. Rocky Favorito served as the reviewer during Sunday's parade.

"I've got to say that I was proud to be part of the reviewing party with the mayor of Fussa, watching our folks perform side by side with the bands," said Colonel Favorito. "It was great to come out here and see the integration, the cooperation, and the teamwork between our base personnel [and] the local community."