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important things remain the same, according to Boyd.
“Dues are remaining the same, club membership is valid
at all Air Force clubs and members can cancel their member-
ship at any time,” he said. “And, when our members deploy,
their dues will still be waived. They simply talk to their club
managers to initiate the pause on their accounts.”
“Air Force club membership is a tradition,” said Col.
Donna Turner, AFSVA commander. “It’s where our airmen
experience, learn and share our Air Force culture. Our clubs
provide resiliency to our airmen and their families. This new
approach to club membership will make it easier for our air-
men to stay connected with our Air Force tradition and build
on the culture and esprit de corps established by those who
have previously served.”
Air Force team members — active-duty members, reserv-
ists, retirees and DoD civilians — who would like to join the
club can visit their installation club or go to their local force
support squadron’s website during the transition.

Iwakuni Hosts 60th Annual
Culture Festival

he Japanese American Society (JAS) hosted the 60th
TAnnual Culture Festival at Marine Corps Air Station
Iwakuni, Japan, on March 11, 2017.
The two-hour festival included Japanese dance performances,
decorated exhibits and traditional activities and rituals. “We
bring the Japanese culture here so that Americans can enjoy
the culture on base,” said Bobby Shibazaki, JAS president.
“This basically breaks the ice between both cultures.”
Local Japanese volunteers took the time to teach Americans
the art of calligraphy, origami and flower arranging, while
JAS held a tea ceremony and offered free food and drinks
during the festival.

A local volunteer with the
Japanese American Society
Students from Hiroshima demonstrates the process
University opened the festival of pounding rice, or mochi-
by performing tricks with the tsuki, during the 60th Annual
Kendama, a traditional Japanese Culture Festival at Marine
toy. Throughout the festival the Corps Air Station Iwakuni,
Japan, March 11, 2017.
students allowed visitors to play (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance
with the toy and taught them Cpl. Carlos Jimenez)
some tricks.
After their performance, American children were given the

JUNE 2017 | MILITARY CLUB & HOSPITALITY 9