Members of the Japan Self-Defense Force and U.S. military joined together to clean up Peace Memorial Park June 15 in Itoman, Okinawa, Japan.

The multilateral cleanup allowed the volunteers to interact with one another while also working to keep a piece of history clean.

“We are out here getting a better understanding and to bridge the community between the United States military and Japan Self-Defense Forces,” said Gunnery Sgt. Mikail Ransom, company first sergeant with Headquarters and Support Company, 3rd Supply Battalion.

The cleanup was done in preparation for Okinawa Memorial day, June 23, where many families come to Peace Memorial Park to pay their respects to those who died during the Battle of Okinawa.

 “Many people died during the war, not only Japanese,” said Staff Sgt. Awashima Hiroshi, a vehicle maintainer with Japan Air Self-Defense Force. “To have the U.S. military come here and help clean up is so important.”

Volunteers raked leaves, picked up trash, and wiped down the Cornerstone of Peace, where more than 240,000 names of those who perished during the battle are engraved.

“It’s good that my Marines volunteered to come out today,” said Ransom. “They see the importance of us being out here and working together.”