Legion Post Brings Shine to Pacific Island
By John Raughter
For the last 70 years the soil on Okinawa has been sacred to U.S. military veterans. The battle of Okinawa was as pivotal to the Pacific War effort as the Normandy invasion was to the European war. Yet despite the heavy bombardments and fatalities that exceeded 110,000 Japanese and 12,000 Allied fighters, a quarter-acre piece of history survived.
The Tomari International Cemetery, nestled alongside a busy street in Okinawa’s capital city, Naha, has been the burial of American and other foreign visitors to the island since the 18th century. It includes members of famed Navy Commodore Matthew Perry’s expedition to Okinawa in 1853. Since World War II, dozens of U.S. servicemembers and their families have also chosen the site as their final resting place.
“For the past three years, Wayne E. Marchand American Legion Post 28 has been responsible for maintaining it,” said retired Marine MGySgt. Norm Garrett, a longtime member of the island’s only American Legion post. Led by Post Commander L.O. “Ernie” Ernst, volunteers landscape, clean grave markers and pick-up trash every month.
National Commander Michael D. Helm and American Legion Auxiliary National President Janet Jefford saw the results of the clean-up efforts during their recent tour of the island.
“What the Legionnaires have done here sends an important message to all who visit,” Helm said. “It reminds people that The American Legion honors our veterans and comrades that have passed before us. And, just as important, it’s lets the people of Okinawa know that Legionnaires are good neighbors dedicated to serving and beautifying the island that they love.”
The post undertook a similar effort at the site of famed war correspondent Ernie Pyle’s Memorial on Ie Shima Island. Pyle was killed on the island while covering the Army’s 77th Infantry Division during the battle of Okinawa on April 18, 1945.
Post 28, which is located just outside Marine Corps Base, Camp Foster, was chartered in 1946 and was, at the height of the Vietnam War, one of the largest posts in The American Legion. “Most of our members were stationed on Okinawa at one point and either still work on one of the bases or retired from the military,” said John O’Brien, who serves as both the Post 28 adjutant and department adjutant for the Philippines. “With Kadena Air Base, the Marine bases and Tori Station (U.S. Army garrison) there is a large active-duty population that we can assist.”
“We have a great post home and an active American Legion Riders chapter,” Ernst added. “Even though the island is only 70 miles long, there is a lot of scenery and shoreline that make riding attractive. Many of the young troops that get stationed on Okinawa feel isolated because they are a long way from home. Not only are we here to serve them, but we are also a place where some of the older veterans can gather and experience the camaraderie that they felt back when they were also on active-duty.”
Tomari International Cemetery has providing a final resting place for Americans on Okinawa since the early 18th Century.
American Legion Post 28 has been supporting U.S. servicemembers and their families on Okinawa since 1946.
Post 28 Legionnaires do regular clean-ups and maitnenance at Tomari International Cemetry, Okinawa.
The white outer walls at Tomari International Cemetery look new thanks to Post 28 Legionnaires.
Tomari International Cemetery, Okinawa.
Post 28 Legionnaires have also participated in clean-ups and visits to the Ernie Pyle Memorial on Ie Shima.
View more photo galleries by Post 28 in Kitanakagusukuson, Okinawa, Japan, Philippines
