torii u.s. army garrison japan weekly newspaper, aug. 11, 2011 edition
DESCRIPTION
The Torii weekly newspaper is a publication of the U.S. Army Garrison Japan.TRANSCRIPT
Serving the U.S. Army Japan community
www.torii.army.milVOL. 39, NO. 31August 11, 2011
2 News 6 Community 11 Calendar 4 Community 8 Sports 12 Culture
INSIDE the TORII
Zama DFAC presented with Connelly trophyBy Dustin PerryTorii Editor
Photo by Dustin PerryDaisuke Sugiyama, a cook at the Camp Zama Dining Facility, prepares a tray of greens Friday for lunchtime diners. The DFAC staff received their trophy Wednesday for winning the “Small Garrison” category at the Army-wide level of the 2011 Phillip A. Connelly Awards, the results of which were announced in December 2010.
The Camp Zama Dining Facility staff received their trophy Wednesday for winning first place in the “Small Garrison” category of the Army-wide level of the 2011 Phillip A. Connelly Awards, the results of which were announced in December 2010.
DFAC Manager Brad Richardson was presented the trophy by the commander of USARJ and I Corps (Forward), who praised him and his staff of 19 for setting themselves apart and accomplishing “a major achievement.”
“[The Connelly competition] probably one of the Army’s most stressful competitions,” said Maj. Gen. Michael T. Harrison Sr. “The tasks are demanding, the requirements are very stringent, and there is a small margin for error.”
The DA-level win was the culmination of the Camp Zama DFAC being named the best in the Installation Management Command – Pacific regional competition last July. The dining hall previously won at the IMCOM-Pacific level in 2010, 2008 and 2006.
“The Connelly competition is very big across the Army’s food service program, and it’s very hard to win at any level,” said Richardson, who took over as manager in May. “I’ve been in many Connelly competitions throughout my military career and I’ve only won at the DA level one time – that’s how tough the competition is.”
Competing dining facilities are judged by evaluation teams that grade them in 20 areas of service, including food preparation and quality, food safety, appearance, training, and equipment and facilities.
“They look at your whole food service program,” said Richardson, who has more than 20 years of experience in Army food service. “You’re graded on how much knowledge your food service personnel have in each category.”
It is exactly that level of expertise and professionalism from his Japanese staff that Richardson says helped lead the Camp Zama DFAC to win the Connelly title at the Army level.
“I’m very proud of my team; they are one of the best teams I’ve ever worked with,” said Richardson. “Whatever you ask them to do, they do it – and they do it properly every single time.”
The DFAC is open seven days a week and serves breakfast and lunch for up to 1,100 customers during the week, and brunch and supper for about 200 on the weekend – more than 5,000 hot meals per month, said Richardson. His goal is to repeat a DA-level win for the fiscal 2012 competition, the first step of which was completed when Camp Zama once again placed first in the “Small Garrison” category at the IMCOM-Pacific Region last month.
Winning again will take the continued commitment to excellence displayed every day by his staff, said Richard-son – and the pressure of other dining facilities looking to reclaim the trophy.
“One of the sayings that we have in the infantry is, ‘You are only as good as your last live fire,’” Harrison told the DFAC staff. “The expectation now is that you are the din-ing facility to beat, so you’re going to have to raise your game up another notch.”
2 August 11, 2011 TORII www.torii.army.milNEWS
Zama Briefs
Driving remindersAll DoD cardholders and master labor
contract employees must comply with the following regulations when driving on U.S. military installations in Japan:
• Bicycle riders must wear an approved helmet with the chin strap fastened at all times. Riders must comply with traffic regulations, which include stopping at stop signs and yielding the right-of-way when required.
• The use of headphones or earphones while driving, walking, jogging, skating or bicycling on installation roads and streets is prohibited.
• Operators of two-wheeled cycles propelled by a motor must wear the required personal protection equipment as follows: Riders will wear helmets that are properly fastened under the chin, and the helmet must meet approved safety standards, which can be identified by locating the certification tag within the helmet shell.
• Riders will wear shatter-resistant goggles or a full face shield that is properly attached to the helmet. The windscreen alone does not meet the proper eye protection requirement.
• Riders will wear a long-sleeve shirt or jacket, full-length trousers and full-fingered gloves or mittens. Leather boots or over-the-ankle shoes must be worn. A brightly colored outer garment must be worn during the day and a reflective upper garment must be worn at night and during times of reduced visibility.
• All motor vehicle operators must wear a seatbelt.
• Refrain from drinking heavily the night before your work day. Remember that one alcoholic beverage will render the average-sized individual legally drunk under Japanese law.
• All drivers must come to a full and complete stop at yield and stop signs when crossing traffic is present.
Army Suggestion ProgramThe Army Suggestion Program,
previously known as the Army Ideas for Excellence Program, has gone online. The new suggestion-processing program was unveiled on Army Knowledge Online.
Anyone with an AKO username and password can now submit suggestions electronically. Detailed guidance is provided at https://armysuggestions.army.mil.
There are several advantages to this program, the biggest one being that anyone with access to the Internet can make a suggestion from wherever they are. There is no longer a need to wait until you return to your home station to write and submit an idea. Once submitted, the suggestion is processed entirely online.
For further information, contact program administrator Keith Simon via email at [email protected] or by phone at 263-5129. An alternate point of contact is Masao Naito, who can be contacted via email at [email protected] or by phone at 263-5634.
Photo by Dustin Perry(From left): Maj. Gen. Michael T. Harrison Sr., Command Sgt. Maj. James P. Norman, Hal Ayrton, Tonya Bazemore and Col.An-thony Feagin cut the ribbon for the Mission Command Training Center, which opened Thursday at Sagami General Depot.
MCTC opens at Sagami DepotTraining complex will allow Army local participation in global exercisesBy Dustin PerryTorii Editor
A versatile Army training complex – the first of its kind in Asia – opened its doors Thursday and will provide personnel here with the capability to locally conduct a myriad of exercise scenarios and other vital operations, the facility’s director said.
Following a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Mission Command Training Center at Sagami General Depot, those in attendance got their first look at the 35,000-square-foot complex. In addition to serving as a training operations hub, the MCTC will also provide U.S. Army Japan with in-depth training programs, infrastructure and training sup-port, said Hal Ayrton.
“We offer the capability for the Sol-diers to come in and learn how to use the software they will be using in the field or in garrison,” the director said. “They can take those skills and use them together with other Soldiers on other machines throughout the world to get the proper information for their commanders.”
A Japan-based MCTC will allow units here to participate in global exercises with-out the lengthy travel time and additional expenses that come with temporary duty assignments and training deployments, said Ayrton. There are currently 27 MCTCs located across the continental U.S. and in Europe, but the director said it was crucial to have one here so that Soldiers and civilians here get the proper opportunity to enhance their professional skills.
Construction on the MCTC began in
April 2008 and concluded last November. It houses four training classrooms, seven reconfigurable “response cell” classrooms, four reconfigurable tactical operations cells, and an after-action review theater for post-exercise assessments. The facility has an internal capacity of 500 personnel and additional room for 350 people on the outside grounds in external tactical tents, which can be cooperatively linked on a single operating system.
“As well as teaching the Soldiers the system, we also do simulation exercises here at the facility,” said Ayrton. “We will take the machines that the Soldiers are us-ing in the field and inject scenarios. They set up in one of our reconfigurable tactical operations cells and we input information so that it looks as if their units are in the field, and they get to make decisions based off of what’s happening in those systems.”
The MCTC’s core staff of about 19 will primarily consist of instructors who will assist those who utilize the facility with learning skills directly related to their mis-sion in the field. There are also future plans
to integrate both joint-level training with other U.S. military personnel, and bilateral operations with Japan Self-Defense Forces members, said Ayrton.
Maj. Gen. Michael T. Harrison Sr., com-mander of USARJ and I Corps (Forward), called the MCTC “a symbol of the strategic importance of our alliance with Japan and a testament to the manner in which the United States military trains for future contingen-cies” during his remarks at the ceremony.
“Mission Command Training Centers are the premier training facilities of the United States Army,” said Harrison. “The fact that Japan was chosen as the site for this MCTC reflects and demonstrates the United States of America’s commitment to the security of Japan and to international peace and security throughout the Far East.”
The MCTC was designed and con-structed to achieve an estimated 24 percent energy cost reduction, and is the first military construction project in Japan to achieve the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ government validation for sustainable design and devel-opment using the U.S. rating system.
“The Mission Command Training Center is a symbol of the strategic importance of
our alliance with Japan.”– Maj. Gen. Michael T. Harrison Sr.,
Commander, U.S. Army Japan and I Corps (Forward)
INSIGHTwww.torii.army.mil
This Army-funded newspaper is an authorized publication for the members of the Army community in Japan in accordance with Army Regulation 360-1. Contents of the TORII are not necessarily the official view of, or endorsement by, the U.S. Government, Department of Defense, Department of the Army or the U.S. Army Garrison Japan command. It is published weekly by the TORII staff of the USAG-J HNR/Public Affairs office, APO, AP 96343-0054, phone 315-263-5978.
This publication, with a weekly circulation of 2,000, is printed by Pacific Stars and Stripes, Tokyo. All photos are U.S. Army photographs unless otherwise indicated. The newspaper uses military news services including American Forces Press Service and Army News Service.
Story and photo submissions not pertaining to commercial advertising may be sent to the USAG-J HNR/PAO TORII Office at least two weeks prior to the desired publication date. The TORII is distributed every Thursday. Submissions may be e-mailed to the editor at [email protected]. The editor reserves the right not to publish submissions not in accordance with Army Public Affairs regulations and standard operating procedures. Editorial offices are located in room A-208, Bldg. 102, South Camp Zama, Japan.
T RII Newspaper Commanding General: Maj. Gen. Michael T. Harrison Sr.Garrison Commander: Col. Eric D. TilleyActing Garrison Public Affairs Officer: Dustin PerryEditor: Dustin PerryStaff Writer: Tetsuo NakaharaDeputy Okinawa Bureau Chief: Lauren Hall
TORII August 11, 2011 3
Sound Off!
Do you have a concern or an issue on your mind? Are you seeking a channel for your voice to be heard? Look no further. The Torii welcomes all letters regarding issues or concerns involving the Camp Zama community as a whole. Critical letters should offer suggestions for resolutions as applicable. Letters or e-mails must be signed, but names will be withheld in publication upon request. The Torii will protect the names of its sources if they so desire.
Letters may be edited for content and length according to the Associated Press Stylebook and the Torii Style Guide.If you would like to have your voice heard in the Torii, e-mail your letters to the editor at [email protected], or send by regular mail to:
HNR / Public AffairsU.S. Army Garrison JapanATTN: TORII EditorUnit 45005, IMPC-JA-HNR/PAAPO AP 96338
Welcome, Teammates, to the latest in-stallment of the CSM’s Corner. The topic I would like to discuss this week is the critical importance of staying safe during the hot summer season.
We are now in the middle of what are known as the “Dog Days” of summer. Each and every one of you is important to the Army team. As a force, we are all aware of and have taken part in the “100 Days of Summer” and other safety awareness campaigns. These are effective tools in educating our community and instilling in them the importance of adhering but I
would like to add my own observations of the goings on here.
In the larger context of safety, we are doing very well. We do a very good job of watching out for each other and ensuring that we all stay safe, but during the “Dog Days,” we need to be extra vigilant.
There are summertime activities that, because they often take place outdoors and in hotter-than-average temperatures, have the potential to put participants at a higher risk for heat-related injuries. These activities are ones we often take for granted – riding a motorcycle or scooter, conducting physi-
cal fitness, mowing the lawn, or even just playing golf.
Proper hydration is also perhaps the most critical preventive measure that can be taken to avoid heat injuries. If you are taking part in any outdoor activity – even in a shaded area or in otherwise cool weather – be sure to drink a sufficient amount of water.
As you go about your daily activities this summer, it is imperative that you constantly assess the risk and take the appropriate precautionary actions. Just because it is hot does not mean you can downgrade the use of necessary protective gear for a given activ-ity. That gear exists for a reason, and you do not want to trade one risk for another.
Last but not least, remember to send me your concerns to the email address listed below. It will take all of us to make an already great place to live and serve, even better.
The email address for questions or com-ments is: [email protected].
I Want to Hear From You!
This column is a venue for you to receive feedback
from senior leaders.
Send your questions, comments and other concerns to me at:
CSM’s CornerCommand Sgt. Maj. James P. NormanCommand Sergeant Major, U.S. Army Japan
Greetings and Ichi Dan, U.S. Army Japan! Earlier this year, I asked all of you to “Tell me what you think!” as you filled out the USARJ Command Climate As-sessment. Recently I was briefed on the results of that assessment. In general, your feedback to me showed that the vast majority of you like working here and that you enjoy being part of the USARJ community.
However, there were several areas identified by some of that we need to improve upon: performance feedback, constrained resources, training opportunities, and the work environment between supervisors and subordinates, just to name a few. These items in particular were of great significance to me as I read your feedback, and I appreci-ate your candor.
Some of these things can be readily corrected through greater attention to standards, regulations and, quite frankly, some good old common sense; other things will require a
Improving our community through your feedback By Maj. Gen. Michael T. Harrison Sr.USARJ and I Corps (Forward) Commander
more intensive focus by our senior leaders and noncom-missioned officers. Ultimately, however, it will require all our efforts – all of us committing to actions that bring substantial and lasting improvements to the environment in which we work. Therefore, I have decided to launch a campaign, based on my command philosophy, to create a better command climate for all of us in the USARJ com-munity.
Most of you have already heard me talk about my com-mand philosophy. In recent days, I made a few changes to it, largely because I want it to be easy to remember. Here are the five elements of my philosophy:
1. Do what is right – legally, ethically and morally. 2. Practice the “Golden Rule.”3. Spiritual, physical and mental fitness is a must.4. Train your replacement; develop tomorrow’s lead-
ers.5. Ensure your family is Army Strong and prepared.I strongly believe that these five simple principles will
create the kind of community we all deserve and will ad-dress many of the concerns that you voiced in the Command Climate Assessment questionnaire. I ask that all USARJ members – uniformed servicemembers, Department of the Army civilians, and our local Japanese workforce – incor-
porate these values into how you conduct your mission every day. As part of this campaign, you will be seeing these messages often in your workplaces, in each of the command’s publications and on the Command Channel to remind us all of our obligations to this great community. It is through each of us living these values that we can improve the command climate in which we work.
I want to thank you for your candid feedback in the survey. And I want to continue to hear from you. In fact, I’m going to be asking you to tell me and our entire USARJ community what you’re doing to make this a better place to work, and we will be including some of your personal stories in future publications. An upcoming segment in the Torii will provide you with more information on this.
I close with this final message: The command climate of USARJ is very important to me, and I will do my best to address the concerns that you identified. But it is re-ally each of you, as individuals, who ultimately have the ability to make the needed changes and to truly make this command a great place to live and work. Each day, I want you to think of ways to help your neighbors, customers, or subordinates – and work harder to find ways to say “yes” in a manner that is helpful – and this will certainly make USARJ a better place for everyone.
COMMUNITY4 August 11, 2011 TORII www.torii.army.mil
SCHOOL NEWSZama Child Development Center: 263-4992
SHA Child Development Center: 267-6348
� Registration: To register your child or for more information please stop by the CYS Central Enrollment Registry Office in Bldg. 533 on Camp Zama, or call 263-4125 or SAS at 267-6013.
John O. Arnn Elementary: 267-6602
� Arnn summer hours:• Monday through July 29: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily; closed from noon to 1 p.m. for lunch• Closed: July 4• Aug. 1 through 5: 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; open during lunch hours• Aug. 8 through 12: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.; open during lunch hours• Aug. 15 ~: 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (normal office hours)Those who are new to the community or have a kindergarten student to register for the upcoming school year, can visit the Arnn campus or call 267-6602 for more information.
� Student registration: The school registration process continues at Arnn for newly arrived families and for those who have kindergarten-aged children.
Minimum Age Requirements• Sure Start: Child must be 4 years old by Sept. 1, 2011• Kindergarten: Child must be 5 years old by Sept. 1.• First grade: Child must be 6 years old by Sept. 1 (non-transferring students)Arnn Elementary is a pre-kindergarten through sixth-grade school for those families who are command-sponsored by U.S. Army Garrison – Japan and its affiliated units.
Please hand-carry the following documents at time of registration: Orders of sponsor (orders must have the child or children’s names on the orders), updated copy of child’s immunization records; student’s passport or birth certificate, letter of employment (civilians only), updated contact information, parent’s identification card, and previous school records, if applicable.
� New student orientation: Arnn Elementary School will be hosting its annual New Student Orientation beginning at 3 p.m. Aug. 18 in the school’s cafeteria. The orientation is designed for students attending Arnn for the first time to come and learn about the educational programs and receive a tour of the school.
Zama American Middle School: 263-4040
� Visit the Web at www.zama-ms.pac.dodea.edu/ for information pertaining to Zama American Middle School.
Zama American High School: 263-3181
� Visit the Web at www.zama-hs.pac.dodea.edu/ for information pertaining to Zama American High School.
Child, Youth and School Services: 263-4500
�U-Turn Program: This program is designed for youths to turn themselves around and get the help they need to graduate from high school and move on to higher education. It’s up to U to turn yourself around. Join us Tuesday and Thursday nights to form study groups; work together with your classmates; get help from staff and other volunteers; tutor classmates; get S.A.T. tutoring / practice tests; use this time to work on scholarships and other financial aid applications.
TORII STATION, Okinawa – A tree lies on the ground after being split by winds from Typhoon Muifa, which hit Okinawa on Friday and Saturday and dumped more than 14 inches of rain – a new record, according to local media reports. About 30 people sustained injuries during the typhoon, and 60,000 homes lost electricity. Damage to Torii Station was minimal, but preliminary reports estimated $72,000 in damage to Army facilities throughout Okinawa to include Naha Port and Kuwae Tank Farm.
Typhoon Muifa hits OkinawaPhoto by Chip Steitz
COMMUNITYTORII August 11, 2011 5www.torii.army.mil
Photos by Tetsuo NakaharaMembers of the Japan Self-Defense Force’s Central Hospital take part in “deep-water cadence” aquatic therapy Aug. 3 in the Yano Fitness Center swimming pool under the instruction of Daryl Yerkes, right, chief of physical therapy for Medical Department Activity – Japan. The JSDF members were at Camp Zama to
JSDF therapists observe Army’s unique methods By Tetsuo NakaharaTorii Staff
Yerkes explains to Japan Self-Defense Force members how he evaluates patients and prescribes treatments plans Aug. 3 in the physical therapy room at Sams Clinic.
The bond between the U.S. Army and the Japanese Self-Defense Force’s physical and occupational therapists grew stronger through the exchange of ideas and working together when JSDF therapists were given a daylong tour of BG Crawford F. Sams U.S. Army Health Clinic here Aug. 3.
Four members of the rehabilitation branch at JSDF Central Hospital, along with Lt. Col. Hiroya Goto, chief of testing and evaluation for ophthalmology at the JGSDF Military Med-icine Research U n i t , m e t with physi-cal therapists at the Sams Clinic and got a look at the U.S. Army’s rehabilitation procedures.
“The main purpose of our visit today is to strengthen the bond between therapists in the JSDF and the U.S. Army by actually meeting and talking about physical therapy together,” said Goto. “It is important to share infor-mation and understand important issues in the physical therapy field. We can improve each other’s practices by exchanging this information.”
Daryl Yerkes, chief of physical therapy for Medical Department Activity – Japan, and his assistant Kym Tran welcomed the group and showed them the various equip-
ment they use in their therapy, and also demonstrated their treatment techniques on actual patients.
The group had some hands-on time with the Army equipment and noted the differ-ence between their respective therapy meth-ods. Yerkes showed the visiting members some of the unique methods he employs with his patients, such as tossing a medicine ball, “monster walking” with an elastic running band and various rope workouts.
“I’m pleased to see that the physical therapy facility here at the Sams clinic is well-equipped,” said Capt. Hirofumi
Tanabe, chief of the reha-bilitation sec-tion at JSDF Central. “The treatment they do is also of a very high quality. The rehabilitation we both do is to put our patients back into the physi-cal condition
of a Soldier. The program they do here is really focused on how the patient recovers from his or her injury and how they can get back to the battlefield as a Soldier. It’s very impressive.”
The most interactive portion of the visit was when the group moved to the pool at Yano Fitness Center for a “deep-water cadence aquatic therapy demonstration. Ye-rkes began offering the therapy for patients in April and has since gotten very positive feedback from them, he said. The JSDF
members changed into their swimsuits and got into the pool for a demonstration under Yerkes’ instruction.
Compared to the United States, Japan is one step behind the country in terms of understanding the needs of those undergoing physical therapy, said Tanabe.
“Unfortunately, we don’t have a facility for aquatic pool therapy like the one here at Camp Zama,” said Tanabe. “There is a pool at each JSDF hospital, but they are very small and very shallow. I think the aquatic pool therapy is very functional training for the patients here. The equipment they use for the pool therapy, such as the pulse
bands and the weights, seems very helpful as well.”
In the afternoon, the group observed the method by which Yerkes evaluates his patients and provides treatment in the physical therapy room at Sams.
“My training is little different from [the Japanese], but overall it’s very similar be-cause we are both doing physical therapy,” said Yerkes. “So there is an instant con-nection with them. This is a start. I would like to share more technical information among my fellow physical therapists. We’ll share with each other and see what comes out of it.”
6
Aug
ust 1
1, 2
011
TOR
IIw
ww
.torii
.arm
y.m
ilTO
RII
A
ugus
t 11,
201
1
7
CO
MM
UN
ITY
Cam
p Za
ma
cele
brat
es 5
2nd
By
Tets
uo N
akah
ara
Tori
i Sta
ff
Mem
bers
of t
he R
yuo
Dai
ko d
rum
team
from
Sag
amih
ara
City
ban
g taiko
drum
s un
der t
he B
on to
wer
at R
ambl
er F
ield
du
ring
a B
on d
ance
per
form
ance
Sat
urda
y as
par
t of C
amp
Zam
a’s
52nd
ann
ual B
on O
dori
Fest
ival
.
Cam
p Za
ma
cele
brat
ed b
ilate
ral f
riend
ship
Sat
urda
y w
ith it
s 52
nd
Bon
Odo
ri Fe
stiv
al, w
hich
dre
w m
ore
than
27,
000
Japa
nese
gue
sts a
nd
com
mun
ity m
embe
rs.
The
Bon
Odo
ri Fe
stiv
al is
a fa
vorit
e am
ong
both
the A
mer
ican
and
Ja
pane
se c
omm
uniti
es,
as i
t co
mbi
nes
the
tradi
tiona
l ele
men
ts o
f the
Jap
anes
e an
cest
ral B
on se
ason
and A
mer
ican
sum
-m
er fa
irs.
The e
vent
feat
ured
a ch
ildre
n’s a
mus
e-m
ent p
ark,
live
mus
ic, g
ames
, doz
ens o
f fo
od s
tand
s an
d bi
late
ral
spor
ts. A
lso,
so
ldie
rs fr
om th
e 78t
h Avi
atio
n B
atta
lion
here
dis
play
ed a
UH
-60
Bla
ck H
awk
helic
opte
r on
the
fiel
d ac
ross
fro
m t
he
Post
Exc
hang
e, w
hich
attr
acte
d nu
mer
-ou
s gue
sts.
At t
he C
amp
Zam
a Com
mun
ity C
lub,
vo
lunt
eers
hel
ped
com
mun
ity m
embe
rs
with
the fi
tting
of th
eir y
ukat
as, tr
aditi
onal
Ja
pane
se s
umm
er k
imon
os, i
n pr
epar
a-tio
n fo
r th
e hi
ghlig
ht o
f th
e ev
ent:
the
Bon
dan
ce.
As
the
sun
wen
t dow
n, la
rge
crow
ds
of p
eopl
e be
gan
gath
erin
g ar
ound
the
Bon
tow
er e
rect
ed in
Ram
bler
Fi
eld.
The
Bon
dan
ce k
icke
d of
f with
ope
ning
rem
arks
from
Col
. Eric
D
. Till
ey, c
omm
ande
r of U
.S. A
rmy
Gar
rison
– Ja
pan,
and
Col
. Tak
eshi
Is
him
aru,
com
man
der o
f the
4th
Eng
inee
r Gro
up, J
apan
Gro
und
Self-
Def
ense
For
ce.
A ta
iko d
rum
perf
orm
ance
was
give
n by t
he R
yuo D
aiko
Team
to bo
ost
the a
lread
y ele
ctric
vibe
of th
e Bon
danc
e. S
ever
al da
nce g
roup
s asc
ende
d th
e Bon
tow
er to
per
form
whi
le o
ther
s dan
ced
on th
e fiel
d ar
ound
it. T
he
crow
d of
dan
cers
form
ed o
ne la
rge
circ
le a
roun
d th
e to
wer
and
dan
ced
to tr
aditi
onal
song
s, su
ch a
s “So
ran
Bus
hi”
and
“Tok
yo O
ndo.
”“T
his
is s
uch
a w
onde
rful
opp
ortu
nity
to
brin
g Sa
gam
ihar
a an
d Za
ma
City
and
U.S
. For
ces
toge
ther
as
one,
” sa
id T
illey
. “It
is s
uch
a gr
eat c
ultu
re a
nd s
omet
hing
that
man
y A
mer
ican
s nev
er g
et to
exp
erie
nce.
Bon
da
ncin
g is s
pirit
ually
uplif
ting,
and i
t’s so
gr
eat t
o see
ever
yone
from
smal
l chi
ldre
n to
olde
r peo
ple d
anci
ng to
geth
er an
d hav
-in
g a
good
tim
e.“C
amp Z
ama i
s alw
ays o
pen t
o any
one
that
wan
ts to
und
erst
and
and
appr
ecia
te
the
Am
eric
an m
ilita
ry a
nd th
e Ja
pane
se
gove
rnm
ent
wor
king
han
d in
han
d to
-ge
ther
, eve
ry d
ay, t
o m
ake t
his i
s a se
cure
pl
ace
to li
ve,”
add
ed T
illey
. “W
e ar
e so
ha
ppy t
o be h
ere a
nd ho
nore
d to b
e gue
sts
in th
is c
ount
ry.”
Th
e fes
tival
culm
inat
ed w
ith a
mas
sive
firew
orks
dis
play
that
lit u
p th
e nig
ht sk
y of
Cam
p Za
ma.
“T
his
is m
y fif
th c
onse
cutiv
e ye
ar
com
ing
to C
amp
Zam
a’s B
on F
estiv
al,”
sa
id M
anam
i Iza
wa,
a Ja
pane
se g
uest
. “I f
eel a
sens
e of o
penn
ess a
t thi
s ev
ent.
I als
o lo
ve w
atch
ing
the fi
rew
orks
in C
amp
Zam
a bec
ause
I ge
t to
see
them
clo
se u
p. I
alw
ays l
ook
forw
ard
to C
amp
Zam
a’s f
estiv
al a
nd
I’m
ver
y ha
ppy
to b
e he
re to
day,
esp
ecia
lly b
ecau
se th
is y
ear’s
Che
rry
Blo
ssom
Fes
tival
was
can
cele
d du
e to
the
earth
quak
e.”
Pho
tos
by T
etsu
o N
akah
ara
The
U.S
. Men
and
Wom
en’s
Bon
Dan
ce te
am d
ance
s to
the
“Tan
ko B
ushi
” at
the
Bon
tow
er S
atur
day
at R
ambl
er F
ield
.
Cam
p Za
ma
com
mun
ity m
embe
rs a
nd J
apan
ese
gues
ts d
ance
toge
ther
in a
larg
e ci
rcle
aro
und
the
Bon
tow
er.
The
296t
h A
rmy
Ban
d gr
oup
“Bur
n A
fter M
ass”
per
form
s Sa
turd
ay
at Y
ano
Fiel
d as
par
t of a
mus
ic s
how
dur
ing
Bon
Odo
ri.C
amp
Zam
a com
mun
ity m
embe
rs g
rill s
ausa
ge lin
ks an
d tu
rkey
legs
fo
r hun
gry
cust
omer
s Sa
turd
ay a
t the
Bon
Odo
ri Fe
stiv
al.
Mor
e th
an 2
7,00
0 Ja
pane
se g
uest
s an
d lo
cal c
omm
unity
mem
bers
at
tend
ed C
amp
Zam
a’s
52nd
Bon
Dan
ce F
estiv
al.
Maj
. Gen
. Mic
hael
T. H
arris
on S
r., c
omm
ande
r of U
.S. A
rmy
Japa
n an
d I C
orps
(For
war
d), a
nd C
ol. T
akes
hi Is
him
aru,
com
man
der o
f the
4t
h En
gine
er G
roup
, Jap
an G
roun
d Se
lf-D
efen
se F
orce
, dan
ce o
n th
e B
on to
wer
as
part
of t
he U
.S. a
nd J
apan
ese
Dig
nita
ry G
roup
.
SPORTS & FITNESS8 August 11, 2011 TORII www.torii.army.mil
Army tops Japan 54-41 in friendship basketball game
Bilateral Hoop StarsBy Dustin PerryTorii Editor
Photos by Dustin Perry(Right): Army’s Lougene Troupe shoots a layup after charging past a defender during a basketball game against Japan held Saturday at Yano Fitness Center in conjunction with Camp Zama’s Bon Odori Festival.
Army’s Jacobie Brydson is blocked by a Japan defender while attempting a jump shot in Saturday’s game.
The intent of Camp Zama’s bilateral Friendship Bas-ketball Game is right there in the name, and Saturday’s matchup between the Army and a local Japanese team lived up to the spirit of the annual competition.
Meeting on the court at Yano Fitness Center early on the morning of Camp Zama’s 52nd Bon Odori Festival, the two teams displayed relentless hustle and intuitive play making, but Army’s 20-point lead at halftime and their continued dominance in the final minutes led to them winning 54-41.
The Army’s margin of victory in Saturday’s game was their widest against the Japan team since 2007, the last four having been won by two points or less. Army Coach Lloyd McDonald attributed his team’s stellar performance to their playing zone and keeping his big players posted low to make crucial points.
“We’re a little bit bigger than they are, so we took ad-vantage of that as best we could,” said McDonald. “Our three-point shooters also did a great job of making their shots today.”
What really gave Army the advantage, however, largely had nothing to do with their superior skills on the court – Japan’s offense simply was not making baskets. Their inability to shoot over a towering defender was under-standable, but missing unobstructed layups and follow-up rebound shots severely hurt Japan’s comeback chances in the second half.
Once the buzzer sounded, the players shook hands in the center of the court, and the event’s namesake was well intact.
“It’s always a good opportunity for us to come out here and play a Japanese team,” said McDonald. “It helps to build the relationship between our two nations.”
SPORTS & FITNESSTORII August 11, 2011 9 www.torii.army.mil
Youth fall soccerRegistration for Camp Zama’s youth fall soccer league is ongoing until Aug. 12. Practice will begin the week of Aug. 23, and the season is scheduled to start on Sept. 3. The age groups are: Co-ed, ages 5 to 6 and 7 to 8; Boys, ages 9 to 10, 11 to 12 and 13 to 15; and Girls, ages 9 to 11 and 12 to 15. For more information, call 263-4066.
Labor Day 5K RunCamp Zama’s Labor Day 5K Fun Run is scheduled to be held here Sept. 3 with an 8 a.m. start time. The free event is open to all Camp Zama community members 18 years of age or older and not in high school. Awards will be given to the top two male and female finishers in each age category. The deadline to register is 5 p.m. on Sept. 1 at the Yano Fitness Center issue counter. Commander’s Cup points will be awarded. For more information, call 263-4664.
Sports physicalsArmy Regulation 608-10 requires all youths participating in youth sports programs to complete an annual sports physical and provide a copy as part of their registration. All registrations are completed at the Child and Youth Services’ Parent Central Services in Bldg. 533. To help, PCS staff members are making contact with families 30 days prior to the expiration date of children’s physicals to allow parents time to schedule a current one.
Water aerobicsWater Aerobics classes are from 9 to 10 a.m. Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays at Yano Fitness Center.
Jacuzzi, steam room, saunaOn Wednesday mornings, the jacuzzi, sauna and steam room are closed for maintenance from 8 a.m. to noon. For more information, call 263-4664 or 263-7980.
Your Weekly Dose
Sports Briefs
� Access to care at BG Sams U.S. Army Health Clinic is available 24/7. The clinic is not open 24/7 but our triage line is available 24/7. When calling the clinic at 263-4127, our staff will notify a provider who will call you back. The provider will advise you if you can wait until the clinic opens, or if you need to seek medical care elsewhere.
� Host-nation hospitals do not operate in the same manner as in the U.S. Local hospitals do not have to see you when you present at their ER. That is why we want you to call us first. If our provider thinks this is a medical emergency, that provider will engage our EMS staff including a translator. Please carry an emergency wallet card with information on who to call for medi-cal assistance. These cards are available at the clinic and at various community events such as CIE and Medical Morning.
� Recently we have noticed an increase of calls to the “911” number. This is the emer-gency number which activates the MPs, our ambulance, EMTs and translators. If you have a life-threatening medical emergency, call “911” on post or “119” off post. If you are feeling sick or have an injury that does not meet the criteria for life, limb or eyesight, call the clinic at 263-4127 and push option 1 for triage nurse or 24/7 medical advice. Our provider on call will advise you on what options are available.
JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, Wash. – Imagine being a psychologist sit-ting across from your patient.
Now imagine that patient is actually hundreds of miles away.
The first-ever live Introduction to Telemental Health Delivery Workshop at the National Center for Telehealth and Technology’s, or T2, headquarters on Joint Base Lewis-McChord in late July offered guidance to providers on offering mental health services from a distance – in this case, using videoconferencing technology.
“The [Department of Defense] is pushing for this form of care because it’s a way to reach a lot of people who otherwise wouldn’t get care,” said Dr. Greg Kramer, T2 clinical health psychologist.
Kramer was one of the all-day work-shop’s presenters. About 25 health care professionals from every military branch attended the training, some coming from as far away as Japan. The idea was to build a knowledge base so that clinicians can provide care even when their patient is too far to get to.
The session included information on the history of teletechnology in health care, addressed legal concerns and gave them the chance to practice videoconferencing with each other.
“It allows them to get comfortable with the technology,” Kramer said.
In fact, the use of remote technology in mental health care is relatively new. Efforts to incorporate it into DoD policies and pro-cedures increased in the late 2000s.
Since then emphasis on these programs
Photo by Ingrid BarrentineDr. Daniel Christensen, on screen, Madigan’s chief of Soldier Readiness Service, chats with a room full of Telehealth and Tech-nology’s Introduction to Telemental Health Delivery workshop participants July 21 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.
has increased, in hopes to better serve those who live in areas where there are shortages of mental health care providers. An esti-mated 87 million Americans live in places where care is scarce, and up to 25 percent of servicemembers screen positive for mental health concerns, according to T2’s Introduction to Telemental Health.
“This allows us to provide things like telepsychiatric appointments especially in rural and high needs areas,” said Dr. Jamie Adler, T2 clinical telehealth divi-sion chief.
The technology can be used in a variety of ways, from treating post-traumatic stress disorder and depression to wellness and resiliency interventions.
Of course, the new medium for care comes with some specific quirks. Partici-pants at the workshop got a taste of technical difficulties when T2’s network went down briefly during the training. Other issues had to do with clinical practice – for instance, if a patient appears to be avoiding eye contact, it’s more likely that they’re looking at the face on the computer screen instead of the video camera.
Many of the attendees had already begun
using teletechnology to provide services to patients at off-site locations, but the rare in-person training (as opposed to online sessions) gave providers the chance to learn about and discuss technical, legal and clinical elements of providing telemental health care.
“I took some notes that I think are valid points for implementing this,” said Dr. Agnes Babkirk, a psychologist from U.S. Naval Hospital in Okinawa, Japan.
She’s bringing that information back to her colleagues, who currently use teletech-nology to interact with patients three or four times a week.
Dr. Daniel Christensen, the chief of Madigan’s Soldier Readiness Service, had a similar experience. The service has been using teletechnology for post-deployment behavioral health screenings since March of this year. He said the training validated the practices they already had in place.
In the future, psychologists at T2 hope to offer more training, and expand it to reach providers at different levels. For instance, separate sessions for those considering using teletechnology, beginners and experienced clinicians.
Technology to aid DoD mental health servicesBy Marisa PetrichNorthwest Guardian
“The [Department of Defense is pushing for this form of care because it’s a way to reach a lot of people who otherwise wouldn’t get
care.”– Dr. Greg Kramer,
T2 Clinical Health Psychologist
CLASSIFIEDS & MOVIES 10 August 11, 2011 TORII www.torii.army.mil
MOVIE SCHEDULE ATSUGI Cinema 77
https://www.atsugi.navy.mil/ATSUGI/Mwr/index.html264-3789
SAGAMIHARA
For your TV schedule, visit www.myafn.net
http://www.aafes.com/ems/pac/zama.htm267-6111
Friday6 p.m............Crazy, Stupid, Love (PG-13) 118 minutes9 p.m...Pirates of the Caribbean 4 (PG-13) 137 minutes
Saturday3 p.m....................Kung Fu Panda 2 (PG) 107 minutes6 p.m..................The Conspirator (PG-13) 122 minutes9 p.m.................Captain America (PG-13) 124 minutes
Sunday12 p.m.........Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2 (PG) 99 minutes3 p.m....................Kung Fu Panda 2 (PG) 107 minutes9 p.m............Crazy, Stupid, Love (PG-13) 118 minutes
Friday7 p.m....................Green Lantern (PG-13) 105 minutes9:30 p.m...........................Bad Teacher (R) 89 minutes
Saturday4 p.m.....................................Cars 2 (PG) 112 minutes7 p.m.............Cowboys & Aliens (PG-13) 112 minutes9:30 p.m...........................Bad Teacher (R) 89 minutes
Sunday2:30 p.m.........Mr. Popper’s Penguins (PG) 97 minutes5 p.m.............Cowboys & Aliens (PG-13) 112 minutes8 p.m.........................Bad Teacher (PG-13) 89 minutes
Vehicles for sale
Classified ads not pertaining to commercial profit are free to military personnel, DA Civilians, Family members and MLC/IHA employees. Ads should be 20 words or less with non-workplace E-mail or phone numbers listed. To submit a classified ad, E-mail [email protected]. However, the Torii Newspaper reserves the right not to publish inappropriate advertisements. Deadline is no later than noon Mondays. Military community classified ads can also be placed for free on a commercial Web site at www.mymilitaryclassifieds.com/xzclf/162_Camp_Zama_ARMY_/.
Appropriated Fund (APF) and Nonappropriated Fund (NAF) job announcements and application instructions are available at http://cpol.army.mil. For questions regarding APF vacancies, please call 263-3755. NAF MWR job announcements and required forms are also available at http://www.usarj.army.mil/information/zama/employ.htm. For questions regarding NAF vacancies, please call 263-5800.
Non-appropriated fund Pacific Stars & Stripes job announcements are available online at http://cpol.army.mil. For more information, call the Job Information Center at 229-3163.
Japanese national position vacancies are posted on the Internet at http://www.usagj.jp.pac.army.mil/ima/sites/jeso/rp_jjobs_list_j.asp. Application forms are available on the same site. Selection status can also be checked. For more information, call 263-3325.
Jobs
Others
WantedOther local positions
Pets
ATTENTION
Animal adoption: Dogs and cats are available for adoption at the Camp Zama Veterinary Clinic. For more information, call 263-3875.
Child and Youth Program Assistant (Level 2-4), (CYS, Zama & SHA), CY-1/2, RFT/RPT, $9.59 - $17.09, Open Continuous
Recreation Assistant (Lifeguard), RD, NF-02, Flex, $9.29, Closes: November 30, 2011
Recreation Assistant (Lifeguard/Pool Operator), RD, NF-02, RFT, $9.29, Closes: November 30, 2011
Food Service Worker, BD, NA-02, Flex, $8.77, Close: August 14, 2011
Camp Zama WIC Overseas office has a PT position for Nutritionist/Dietitian/Nurse/Home Economist/Physician Assistant.Requires B.S. in Nutrition, Dietetics or Home Economics, or BSN in Nursing with some experience in prenatal, maternal or infant nutrition. Experience with WIC desirable. Must have current Driver’s License. Must be U.S. citizen. For consideration, please e-mail your resume and cover letter to: [email protected] or fax to: (210)525-1398. Choctaw Contracting Services, a rapidly growing provider of health, social, mental health, and administrative services, will reward your efforts with an attractive salary and benefits package.
Administrative Assistant: Girl Scouts is seeking a skilled office professional to support Girl Scout Overseas West-Pacific at Camp Zama. Excellent computer and communication skills a must. This regular part-time position (25-30) hours per week is available June 15. Send cover letter and resume to [email protected]
Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection instructors wanted. Positions are available with Firearms Academy of Hawaii, Inc. Duties include instruction of marksmanship, watch standing
and tactical team movements. Position location is Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan. Marksmanship instructor experience is a must. Tactical team movement experience is desired. Qualified candidates may call Christopher at 243-6171 or send resume to [email protected].
Pharmacist, Intermittent (240 hours): Provides pharmacist services for outpatient pharmacy at MEDDAC-Japan, Camp Zama. Must have A degree in Pharmacy from an accredited school in the United States or Canada. This is a contract positions open to SOFA status applicants. Resumes may be sent to [email protected]. ALL applicants shall register in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) at www.ccr.gov.
Catholic Organist: Description: Solicitation No. FA5209-11-T-0113, Location: Camp Zama, Japan. Job Description: This position is to provide services as the Catholic Organist for scheduled services and programs directly associated with the intent of supporting the Catholic religious service.Evaluation Factors: (1) Price (2) Resume (3) Interview. If you have any questions, or for more information, please contact Ms. Akiko Ogawa at 225-2209 or 042-551-6120. Email: [email protected], Closing Date: 8 Jul 2011 16:30 hours. Solicitation documents are also available on website: https://www.fbo.gov/ (Federal Business Opportunities)
Substitute teachers: Zama American High/Middle School are currently accepting applications for substitute teachers. U.S. citizenship and a high school diploma or GED are required. For more information or any questions, please call 263-4005.
Due to the recent contract with Allied Telesis, residential phone numbers with 263- and 267- prefixes have changed. If you are currently running a classified ad in the Torii that lists an out-of-date residential number as a point of contact and would like to change it to your new extension, send an e-mail to [email protected] with the updated phone number. The Torii staff will work to ensure these changes are reflected in future issues of the publication.
Pet Sitting: available around Zama & SHA area. An experienced pet owner. Will walk, feed, and play with dogs or cats while at work or on vacation. $20 a day. [email protected], 090-8947-4307
Give Hope Nippon: T-shirts designed to raise money for the victims of the earthquake/tsunami. 100% of the profits will go to the Lions Club International. Please visit the website http://givehopenippon.org/index.html and/or like the facebook page “Give Hope Nippon” and like the page!
Cub Scout Pack 34: Cub Scouts Pack 34 meets every 2nd Thurs 18:30 Zama Scout Hut Bldg 533. Parents & Single-Soldier Volunteers are welcome. All boys grades 1 - 5 are encouraged to join us for great learning experiences, character building and fun! Contact Cubmaster [email protected] 090-6042-0797.
ZaCSA’s East Meets West Shop: located behind the dry cleaners on Camp Zama, carries vintage Japanese items and collectibles. Store hours are every Tuesday and the 2nd and 4th Saturday’s of the month from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Profits from the shop go back to the community in scholarships and welfare grants. For additional information please call 263-5533. Stop on by and check it out.
JAPANESE SPOUSE CLUB: Would you like to socialize with other Japanese spouses, learn more about being a military spouse, share your experiences and support with others? If so, please call Meg at 263-8327 or e-mail [email protected] for more information.
Football Coaching: Volunteer Assistant Football Coaches are being sought for Zama High School. Interested individuals should consider their availability for daily after-school practices
97 Honda Accord Wagon: JCI until May 2013, Freezing A/C, Sunroof, HID lights w/ Fog lights, Bose Sound System w/ 6-disk CD changer, Keyless entry, Roof Rack, 17” Rims, 2.4 Liter VTEC, Power Everything, 4 speed automatic w/ manual override (+/-) , Recent Tune-up, Runs Great! About 94,000 KM, Asking for $3,000 OBO, Call Greg at 090-6024-0582 or [email protected] (3)
(1500-1730) as well as spring and preseason practices and games. Coaches meetings begin soon. For more information please contact Coach Merrell at 263-3181 or [email protected].
Taekwondo instructor: Child Youth & School Services SkiesUnlimited program is looking for a certified ATA Taekwondo instructor. If Interested please Contacted Nicholas Andrews, instructional program specialist, at 263-4125
Volunteer at U.S. Army Garrison Japan Postal Service Center : Volunteer opportunities are available in the USAGJ Postal Service Center, we will provide you with valuable training in Post Office and Unit Mailroom operations. Please contact Army Community Services at 263-8087 for details and assistance on volunteering your services.
English teachers: A small off-post home school(about 200 students) near Sagami Depot. First time teachers welcome! Classes available Mon. – Thu. 1pm to 9pm (No weekends or Fridays!) Call for details. Derek Partington English School, home 042-756-4483; cell 090-3082-4439 or E-mail: [email protected]
ESL teacher: Seeking ESL teachers for two conversational group classes. One requires travel to Tama and is very accessible by car. Meeting times are the 1st and 3rd Sat. from 10:30 a.m. – noon for one class and Sat. from 3 to 4 p.m. for the second. Pay is ¥7,500 and ¥3,000 per hour respectively. Call 090-549-6725 or e-mail [email protected].
Instructor: Arts and Crafts Center seeks instructors to teach sewing, water color painting, washi paper craft and/or acrylic paint arts. Also looking for contracted framer who has at least three years experience in framing production.For more information, call Nodera-san at 263-4412.
Help needed: yard cleaning, house cleaning, and other chores. Compensations are upon agreements. Please contact [email protected], or call 080-5879-8318.
JAPANESE VISA ASSISTANCE: I am in the process of preparing the paperwork to sponsor my new Filipino wife for a Japanese Tourist Visa. If you have been thru this process, please call Jeff at 090-9102-2117
COMMUNITY CALENDARwww.torii.army.mil TORII August 11, 2011 11
Hisano [email protected]
What’s Happening Outside the Gate?
Eagle 810, AFN Tokyo
UpcomingOngoing Events
Driver’s Education TrainingThe next driver’s education training for first-time drivers is scheduled for Aug. 19 through 24. For more informa-tion and to register for the course, please visit http://www.drivered.jp.
Energy-saving noticeDue to the current state of emergency and the limited
electrical power generation capability across Japan, the following measures will be implemented immediately:
1. Turn off all unnecessary lights, especially in office spaces, classrooms and conference rooms, and turn down all remaining individual lighting levels where possible.
2. Turn off Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning (HVAC) Systems. If shutdown is not possible during this heating season, turn thermostats down to 68 degrees or be-low. Reduce settings to 55 degrees at the end of the day.
3. Turn off all appliances when not in use.4. Maximize use of natural ventilation where feasible
and dress appropriately to maximize individual comfort.5. Clean or replace your air-conditioner filters.6. Maximize use of day-lighting in work areas an class-
rooms (use of sunlight in lieu of conventional power).7. Set computers, monitors, printers, copiers, and other
business equipment to their energy-saving modes, and turn them off if not in use and at the end of the day or as instructed by the 78th Signal Battalion.
8. Minimize energy usage during peak demand hours from 5 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 7 p.m. The major peaks occur from noon to 6 p.m. during normal work and school hours. The energy use during this period can be reduced by “load shedding,” thereby reducing the demand at the time the Garrison needs it the most.
9. Use laptop computers (preferably on battery power when possible). They consume 90 percent less energy than standard computers.
10. If possible, do not make photocopies or print docu-ments, and conduct all business electronically. Use e-mail instead of sending memorandums and faxing documents.
11. Limit the use of your vehicle. If vehicles will be used, implement carpooling and plan your trips accordingly. Use the public mass transportation system when available.
Post-Combat Stress SupportA support group to assist those experiencing symptoms of post-combat stress is offered from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesdays at Army Community Service.
Foreign Born Spouse Support Group Whether your question concerns immigration and natural-ization, learning the English language, or how to take local transportation, the Army Community Service Relocation Program provides assistance, weekly classes and referrals. The support group is held on the third Wednesday of every month from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the ACS Outreach Room. Call 263-HELP (4357) for pre-registration.
CLEP and DANTES TestingCollege-Level Examination Program and Defense Activity for Non-traditional Education Support testing sessions are held at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. Wednesdays. To schedule an appointment, call 263-5379 or e-mail [email protected]. To study for the CLEP tests, visit www. petersons.com. To study for the DANTES exams, visit www.getcollegecredit.com.
Army Volunteer CorpsWould you like to learn new skills, meet new people
and explore new career fields? Then you may want to enter the exciting world of volunteerism. You can register as a volunteer in the Volunteer Management Information System. It’s easy to get started. This can be completed at your home, the Education Center, the library or by utilizing the volunteer computer at ACS. If you do not have an account at www. myarmylifetoo.com, register for an account by going to the site and clicking on “Register for an Account.” Once registered, with www.myarmylifetoo.com, click on “Become a Volunteer” and select “Volunteer Registration.” To become a Camp Zama volunteer, contact the community life officer at 263-8087.
Memorial Service with Floating Lanterns on the Water called “Toro Nagashi” @ Ogura-bashi Bridge Area, Sagamihara City, Aug. 16
Shonan Nebuta Festival @ The Odakyu Line Mutsu-ai-nichi.dai-mae Station East Exit area, Fujisawa City. Aug. 20-21 The Nebuta Festival basically features a parade of huge lanterns in the shape of samurai warriors. The lanterns are made with wooden or bamboo frames and covered with brightly colored washi paper. Most of the warriors depicted are historically famous generals or are characters from well-known kabuki plays.
Sagami Ono Food and Jazz Festival “Mange Matsuri” @ Sagami Ono Chuo Park, Sagami Ono City, Kanagawa, Aug. 20-21
Awa Odori Dance Performance Festival @ JR Chuo-Line Koenji Station area, Tokyo http://en.koenji-awaodori.com/ Aug 27-28* Awa odori is originated in Tokushima Pref. on the Shikoku Island. It’s one of the greatest bon-dance performances in Japan and have been performed for over 400 years. More than 10,000 people will dance on the street, with up-beat music played by Japanese instruments. Women wear yukata and dance in formation. Men wear happi coats and tabi socks, and dance with more freedom. Everyone keeps their hands and arms above their shoulders.
www.torii.army.mil
TRAVEL & CULTURE12 August 11, 2011 TORII
A thing I saw at Fuji Rock Festival 2011: Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin giving an impromptu, piano-led performance of “Singin’ in the Rain” as a light sheet of pre-cipitation simultaneously fell on the crowd during the band’s headlining performance on the venue’s main Green Stage.
It came as no surprise to me that the enthusiastic atmosphere among the more than 20,000 dedicated music fans who flocked to the mountains of the Naeba Ski Resort in Niigata for the annual three-day event sparked a spontaneous throwaway ditty from one of the biggest rock bands on the planet.
After all, a large portion of these con-certgoers camped outdoors each night and cheerfully slogged through ankle-deep mud for the chance to see some of their favorite artists performing on one of Fuji Rock’s 12 stages. A little rain was not going to prevent this audience – or the more than 70 scheduled bands – from sharing in the experience of what has (rightfully) come to be known as one of Japan’s premier music festivals.
Muffled guitar riffs, drum beats and screamed vocals emanated from the nerve center of the venue as throngs of raincoat-wearing folks ambled toward the entrance site around 10 a.m. on the morning of the first day of Fuji Rock. On the left, along the green slope of the mountains, multicolored pup tents dotted the landscape.
Once on the grounds, the music became recognizable: The Kaiser Chiefs, an indie rock group from Leeds, were on the Green Stage and lead singer Ricky Wilson had the crowd pumping their fists and singing along to the chorus of “Oh My God,’ the band’s 2005 hit from their debut album.
Later that night, immediately before Coldplay closed out the night, fellow UK rockers Arctic Monkeys charged through an hour-long set of their distinctively grubby and youthful tunes. These back-to-back performances were clearly the highlight of the first day for most, but other standouts included Manu Chao, Deerhoof and indie darlings The Pains of Being Pure at Heart on the covered Red Marquee stage, and Amadou & Mariam.
Another thing I saw at Fuji Rock Festival 2011: John Stanier, drummer for the instru-mental band Battles, playing his kit with such demented fervor that he completely sweated through his blue button-up shirt by the end of the fourth song.
Day 2 featured an equally impressive lineup of bands, starting with Fountains of Wayne on the Green Stage. I caught only a brief portion of their performance, however, before moving to the White Stage for a set by the angst-y Funeral Party. From there, I made a quick dash back to the Red Marquee where I caught the end of a set by New Zealand’s The Naked and Famous and later staked out front-row positioning for L.A. chillwave superheroes Best Coast.
Fuji Rock is well known for drawing
attendees from across the globe. I met fans from Venezuela, Australia, Shanghai and Brazil, just to name a few – and they each displayed vast musical knowledge of several acts on the bill.
A final thing I saw at Fuji Rock Festival 2011: In the lobby of my hotel adjacent to the festival grounds, several guests were surfing the Internet on their laptops and iPads after breakfast. A bearded man with dark, shaggy hair sat down in a chair and pulled out his cellphone. It was Jeff Tweedy,
By Dustin PerryTorii Editor
japan sets the stage for2011 fuji rock festival
Photos by Masanori NaruseThe Chemical Brothers perform on the main Green Stage of the 2011 Fuji Rock Festival, which was held July 29, 30 and 31 near the Naeba Ski Resort in Niigata.
lead singer of the band Wilco, who played the final night on the White Stage.
Although Fuji Rock provides much-deserved exposure to smaller independent bands – especially native Japanese groups and talented DJs – there was no denying that the biggest draw of the final day was the triple-threat Green Stage lineup of Yellow Magic Orchestra, The Chemical Brothers and special guests The Music. But regardless of where your tastes fall, there was undoubtedly something for everyone.
Photo illustration by Dustin Perry. All photos used with permission from Smash Japan.
English supergroup Faces perform July 30 on the Green Stage. This year’s Fuji Rock Festival featured more than 70 acts playing on 12 stages in Niigata.