CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan -- Santa thunders in on a Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle to bring hugs, smiles and Christmas cheer to service members and their families. Ecstatic children rush toward him as he climbs out of the MRAP vehicle to greet them and take pictures.
More than 360 service members and their families stationed at camps across Okinawa gathered together to celebrate Christmas Dec. 20 at the Camp Foster Community Center.
“Spaghetti with Santa” is an event sponsored by Headquarters and Support Battalion’s Family Readiness Office. It gives families the opportunity to enjoy food and quality time with each other during the holidays, according to Stacy Bush, a family readiness officer with Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Installations Pacific-Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Japan .
“The purpose of this event is to bring service members together so they can get together and get to know each other and build camaraderie,” said Bush, a Jacksonville, Arkansas, native.
The event also featured opportunities to make crafts, including greeting cards and ornaments, gingerbread houses and wreaths, allowing families to work together and share their creativity.
One of the most rewarding things about the event is seeing the children’s faces when they discover that there is a special gift or activity for them, according to Bush.
“Normally, when you’re home, you have your family with you and you can spend time with grandma, grandpa or other family members,” said Bush. “We’re creating a place where the kids can come and say, ‘Hey, Santa is here,’ and we can provide those traditional Christmas activities for them to participate in. It’s about giving them a chance to get excited and get in the Christmas spirit, even though they are far away from their families.”
The event gives families something to look forward to, especially during the holidays, said Cpl. Katrina Harger, an event attendee and constructive wireman with G-6, communications, H&S Bn., MCIPAC-Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Japan .
“It’s really nice to get my family dressed up and just feel like we are really celebrating,” said Harger, a Napa, California, native . “It’s a good way to get connected to other families, since we don’t all have our families out here, and we don’t all have grandma or grandpa to spend the holidays with.”
Making connections in the community while overseas is crucial, according to Najwa Fox, the deputy family readiness officer with H&S Bn.
“These events are a good opportunity to come together and become stronger,” said Fox. “You’re only in Okinawa maybe once, so enjoy your time here.”
Getting out and meeting other s helps keep the military community the tight-knit family that it is, said Harger.
“It’s really great to reach out to other families, especially when you can meet kids that are the same age as my daughter, since she doesn’t really have many friends out here,” said Harger. “Getting involved in activities like these strengthens the military community and your family.”