 Marines and sailors visited the Sendai International Airport, allowing key leaders the opportunity to meet with their Japanese counterparts and to review community recovery progress since the devastating earthquake and tsunami. It's amazing, the cleanup that has been done, the beautification of the area. It's a real honor and privilege to come back here, both to see the area, but also to remember the memories of many Marines and soldiers and airmen that worked very, very hard alongside the Japanese government's self-defense force. Another aspect of the visit was evaluating the success of the homestay program that brought 25 children from Oshima Island to Okinawa to participate in a cultural exchange and to provide emotional relief to those affected by the disaster. Lance Copa Mathias Hernandez, Oshima Island, Japan.