Japan To Invade Tampa (in a good way)

I love tromping around military vessels. Make your 4th of July a different one. Host an officer

I received this email:

Tampa Bay Area is welcoming a JMSDF (Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force) training vessels the first time in the history on July 2nd thru July 6th, 2006. During this time, they will have several cultural exchange events and they will showcase their vessels to the general public.

JMSDF Visit Committee in cooperation with the US Navy League is trying to open homes for newly academy graduted officers for the nights of July 3rd and 4th. They will have 215 training officers (203 males and 12 females) along with 600 crews within 3 vessels.

The purpose for their request for Home Stay is to experience "American Homes and Lifestyles". This is their first official visit to the United States and your participation of being a host family will make a great impact on their naval career ahead of them.

This will be very similar to hosting foreign exchange students and everything has to be supplied on a volunteer basis including accommodations, transportation and food by the host family.

They are asking that families in the Tampa area give them a taste of how we live and share with them the 4th of July and our celebration of Independance.

If anyone would like more information and is interested in helping please contact Skip Witunski, President of the Tampa Navy League, 4256 Golf Club Lane, Tampa 33618.