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GINOWAN CITY, OKINAWA, Japan – U.S. Marine Chief Warrant Officer Andres Navarro, left, embraces Japan Ground Self-Defense Force 1st Lt. Toshiyuki Ishimura during the 22nd Annual Combined Band Concert Sept. 9 at the Ginowan Civic Hall in Ginowan City, Okinawa, Japan. - GINOWAN CITY, OKINAWA, Japan – U.S. Marine Chief Warrant Officer Andres Navarro, left, embraces Japan Ground Self-Defense Force 1st Lt. Toshiyuki Ishimura during the 22nd Annual Combined Band Concert Sept. 9 at the Ginowan Civic Hall in Ginowan City, Okinawa, Japan. Year after year, musicians from the III Marine Expeditionary Force Band and the JGSDF 15th Brigade Band come together and build friendships through music. Navarro a Caracas, Venezuela, native, is the band officer of the III MEF Band. Ishimura is the conductor of the JGSDF 15th Brigade Band.
Gunnery Sgt. Michael Stanley conducts the III Marine Expeditionary Force Brass and Percussion Ensemble Dec. 7 aboard Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan. The concert was free for the military community and their guests to attend. Stanley is the enlisted conductor of the III MEF Band. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc Danielle R. Prentice) - Gunnery Sgt. Michael Stanley conducts the III Marine Expeditionary Force Brass and Percussion Ensemble Dec. 7 aboard Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan. The concert was free for the military community and their guests to attend. Stanley is the enlisted conductor of the III MEF Band. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc Danielle R. Prentice)
Staff Sgt. D. DeMarius Jackson performs a saxophone solo for the song “Deck the Halls” Dec. 9 during a III Marine Expeditionary Force band Christmas concert at the Kubasaki High School auditorium on Camp Foster. The concert was filled with a variety of Christmas songs performed by the jazz ensemble of the III MEF band, known as the “Big Band.” The concert was open to Okinawa community members for an opportunity to share in the traditions of the Christmas season. Jackson, a native of Aiken, South Carolina, is a saxophone musician with the III MEF band. - Staff Sgt. D. DeMarius Jackson performs a saxophone solo for the song “Deck the Halls” Dec. 9 during a III Marine Expeditionary Force band Christmas concert at the Kubasaki High School auditorium on Camp Foster. The concert was filled with a variety of Christmas songs performed by the jazz ensemble of the III MEF band, known as the “Big Band.” The concert was open to Okinawa community members for an opportunity to share in the traditions of the Christmas season. Jackson, a native of Aiken, South Carolina, is a saxophone musician with the III MEF band.
Marines ceremonially march out a cake Sept. 16 during the 3rd Marine Division’s 72nd anniversary ceremony on Camp Hansen. After the guest of honor ate the first piece of cake, the youngest and oldest Marines in the unit received a piece symbolizing the passing of tradition from older to younger generations. “We are a Marine Corps of tradition, concerned and thoughtful of our legacy,” said Maj. Gen. H. Stacy Clardy III, the commanding general of 3rd Marine Division. “We are celebrating where this division has been in the past.” The Marines are with various units assigned to 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. - Marines ceremonially march out a cake Sept. 16 during the 3rd Marine Division’s 72nd anniversary ceremony on Camp Hansen. After the guest of honor ate the first piece of cake, the youngest and oldest Marines in the unit received a piece symbolizing the passing of tradition from older to younger generations. “We are a Marine Corps of tradition, concerned and thoughtful of our legacy,” said Maj. Gen. H. Stacy Clardy III, the commanding general of 3rd Marine Division. “We are celebrating where this division has been in the past.” The Marines are with various units assigned to 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force.
Gov. Eloy S. Inos, left, and Rear Adm. Tilghman Payne present ceremonial wreaths June 15 at Saipan during a the 70th Anniversary Reunion of Honor ceremony. The ceremony marked a milestone of peace in the region and to paid tribute to both U.S. and Japan veterans of the battles of Saipan and Tinian during World War II. During the ceremony, representatives from each branch of the U.S. military were present along with WWII veterans who served at Tinian and Saipan. Inos is the Governor of the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands. Payne is the commander of U.S. Naval Forces Marianas. - Gov. Eloy S. Inos, left, and Rear Adm. Tilghman Payne present ceremonial wreaths June 15 at Saipan during a the 70th Anniversary Reunion of Honor ceremony. The ceremony marked a milestone of peace in the region and to paid tribute to both U.S. and Japan veterans of the battles of Saipan and Tinian during World War II. During the ceremony, representatives from each branch of the U.S. military were present along with WWII veterans who served at Tinian and Saipan. Inos is the Governor of the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands. Payne is the commander of U.S. Naval Forces Marianas.
Takeshi Takasaki, far right, directs the University of the Ryukyus Wind Orchestra Band Club March 14 during a combined concert with the III Marine Expeditionary Force Band at the Camp Foster Theater. The concert further strengthened the ties between the Marines and the Okinawa community. This event marked the second such concert the two bands performed together. Takasaki is the conductor of the University of the Ryukyus Wind Orchestra Band Club. - Takeshi Takasaki, far right, directs the University of the Ryukyus Wind Orchestra Band Club March 14 during a combined concert with the III Marine Expeditionary Force Band at the Camp Foster Theater. The concert further strengthened the ties between the Marines and the Okinawa community. This event marked the second such concert the two bands performed together. Takasaki is the conductor of the University of the Ryukyus Wind Orchestra Band Club.
Gunnery Sgt. Francisco M. Gaxiola conducts the III Marine Expeditionary Force Band at the Family Mart Dream Match exhibition soccer game March 23 at the Okinawa Comprehensive Athletic Park in Awase, Okinawa. During the game, the International Athletic Club Kobe Leonessa competed against the University of California, Los Angeles Bruins. Gaxiola is an enlisted conductor with the III MEF Band. “Everybody gets into (the performance),” said Lance Cpl. John M. Rosal, a percussionist with the band. “It was a different dynamic for the band in that we are actually performing for a non-military audience.” - Gunnery Sgt. Francisco M. Gaxiola conducts the III Marine Expeditionary Force Band at the Family Mart Dream Match exhibition soccer game March 23 at the Okinawa Comprehensive Athletic Park in Awase, Okinawa. During the game, the International Athletic Club Kobe Leonessa competed against the University of California, Los Angeles Bruins. Gaxiola is an enlisted conductor with the III MEF Band. “Everybody gets into (the performance),” said Lance Cpl. John M. Rosal, a percussionist with the band. “It was a different dynamic for the band in that we are actually performing for a non-military audience.”
Pictured here before their promotions, Sergeants Wayne Geary, second from right, and John Geary high-five another set of twins following a III Marine Expeditionary Force Band concert in 2012. The Gearys are members of the III MEF Band. - Pictured here before their promotions, Sergeants Wayne Geary, second from right, and John Geary high-five another set of twins following a III Marine Expeditionary Force Band concert in 2012. The Gearys are members of the III MEF Band.