Lt. James Hicks bows at a ceremony where he received the Zenkokai Association Award. Courtesy photo

Bloomington native Lt. James Hicks, Naval Air Facility Misawa’s Command Chaplain, was honored with the Zenkokai Association Award on May 20, 2017, in appreciation of his community outreach efforts. The ceremony took place at the Meiji-Jingu Shrine in Yoyogi Park, Tokyo, Japan.

In addition to his work teaching English at Misawa’s after-school care center, Hicks was recognized for leading the reparation and rehabilitation of a P-3 Orion aircraft located at the Misawa Aviation Museum. “In Misawa, we’ve forged enduring friendships with both Japanese Service Members and civic leaders from cities and towns across northern Japan,” says Hicks. “It’s truly a joy to promote and participate in these cultural exchange activities.  Maintaining the strong alliance we have with our host nation of Japan is a great privilege and responsibility we sailors take very seriously.” –Sophie Bird