Nirai, a dragon boat racing team, celebrate after winning the men’s bracket during the Ojima Island Dragon Boat Race in Nanjo City, Okinawa, Japan, June 21, 2023. Dragon boat racing was first introduced to Okinawa from China around 600 years ago and was popularized in southern cities. Dragon boat races are held every year on the fifth month of the Lunar calendar. Ojima Island’s dragon boat race has three teams per heat, and 11 members per team. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Thomas Sheng) - Nirai, a dragon boat racing team, celebrate after winning the men’s bracket during the Ojima Island Dragon Boat Race in Nanjo City, Okinawa, Japan, June 21, 2023. Dragon boat racing was first introduced to Okinawa from China around 600 years ago and was popularized in southern cities. Dragon boat races are held every year on the fifth month of the Lunar calendar. Ojima Island’s dragon boat race has three teams per heat, and 11 members per team. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Thomas Sheng)

Lance Cpl. Tyler R. Papalski, left, talks with Chieko Toyoshima while clearing weeds from a recreation field during an annual cleanup May 20 in Henoko. Marines volunteer each year to help members of the Henoko Senior Citizen’s Association clean up Matsuda-No-Hama Beach in preparation for the annual Henoko Dragon Boat Race. Papalski is a rifleman with 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program. Photo by Cpl. Matthew Manning - Lance Cpl. Tyler R. Papalski, left, talks with Chieko Toyoshima while clearing weeds from a recreation field during an annual cleanup May 20 in Henoko. Marines volunteer each year to help members of the Henoko Senior Citizen’s Association clean up Matsuda-No-Hama Beach in preparation for the annual Henoko Dragon Boat Race. Papalski is a rifleman with 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program. Photo by Cpl. Matthew Manning