HAMAHIGA ISLAND, OKINAWA, Japan – A Marine stands in

HAMAHIGA ISLAND, OKINAWA, Japan – A Marine stands in a moment of silence at a shrine during an annual memorial service June 23 at Hama Park, Okinawa, Japan. Hama Park has two shrines, one dedicated for those lost during the Battle of Okinawa and one for Col. Kermit H. Shelly. While Shelly was the commanding officer of 3rd Force Service Support Regiment, which today is called 3rd Marine Logistics Group, he helped build schools, houses, a church, and constructed the island’s water reservoir system, which are still in use to this day. The memorial site was preserved for 50 years by Ryoji Morine, who passed away April 2018 at the age of 61. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Nicole Rogge)