Col. Preston W. Jones, from Harrisonburg, Virginia, gives opening remarks during the III Marine Expeditionary Force Exercise and Training Convention Nov. 25 at Camp Hansen. Jones spoke to the Marines about the intent of the convention and things they can expect to learn while there. The convention was set-up much like a job fair, in which Marines walked around from table to table and learned about training capabilities and limitations, points of contact, upcoming exercise plans, and training opportunities across the Marine Air Ground Task Force. Jones is the training and exercises commanding officer for III MEF. The Marines are with various units throughout III MEF. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Cedric R. Haller II/Released) - Col. Preston W. Jones, from Harrisonburg, Virginia, gives opening remarks during the III Marine Expeditionary Force Exercise and Training Convention Nov. 25 at Camp Hansen. Jones spoke to the Marines about the intent of the convention and things they can expect to learn while there. The convention was set-up much like a job fair, in which Marines walked around from table to table and learned about training capabilities and limitations, points of contact, upcoming exercise plans, and training opportunities across the Marine Air Ground Task Force. Jones is the training and exercises commanding officer for III MEF. The Marines are with various units throughout III MEF. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Cedric R. Haller II/Released)

Cpl. Ricardo Gonzalez, right, is handed a rake from Yoshihisa Asahi during a beach cleanup May 20, 2014, at Matsuda-no-Hama Beach. Gonzalez has been chosen by the American Legion to receive the Spirit of Service Award at a national convention Aug. 26, 2014, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Gonzalez is a San Jose, California, native and Marine Air-Ground Task Force planning specialist with Headquarters Company, 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. - Cpl. Ricardo Gonzalez, right, is handed a rake from Yoshihisa Asahi during a beach cleanup May 20, 2014, at Matsuda-no-Hama Beach. Gonzalez has been chosen by the American Legion to receive the Spirit of Service Award at a national convention Aug. 26, 2014, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Gonzalez is a San Jose, California, native and Marine Air-Ground Task Force planning specialist with Headquarters Company, 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

– Lt. Col. Devin O. Licklider and Okinawa children work together to come up with a skit Feb. 22 during an English class at the Nago City Youth Center. After watching an adaptation of the play of “Snow White” performed by the Marines, the participants were in-turn challenged with creating their own sequel to the play using English and Japanese phrases. Marines and some of their family members volunteered to share a small piece of their culture by teaching English to Okinawa children as part of a Nago City Board of Education program. - – Lt. Col. Devin O. Licklider and Okinawa children work together to come up with a skit Feb. 22 during an English class at the Nago City Youth Center. After watching an adaptation of the play of “Snow White” performed by the Marines, the participants were in-turn challenged with creating their own sequel to the play using English and Japanese phrases. Marines and some of their family members volunteered to share a small piece of their culture by teaching English to Okinawa children as part of a Nago City Board of Education program.