Glenn Koji vanValkenburgh greets Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Mrs. Akie Abe as they arrive at Andrews Air Force Base on April 27. Photo Contributed SMSgt Kevin Wallace, Chief of Public Affairs, 89th Airlift Wing
Great Falls Elementary School second grader Glenn Koji vanValkenburgh greeted Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his wife, Mrs. Akie Abe, as they arrived at Andrews Air Force Base on April 27 for their U.S. visit.
"It was a really exciting week," said Glenn.
Glenn is a student in the Great Falls Elementary School Japanese Immersion Program. His mother and father, Mia and Jason vanValkenburgh, moved to Great Falls from Chevy Chase in 2012 specifically so that he could take part in the program.
"Because my Mom is Japanese," he said.
On Monday, Glenn shook the Prime Minister's hand and said, "Hello, welcome to the United States" in Japanese as he handed the Prime Minister a bouquet of flowers.
"I thought it was a very big deal. I was a little nervous. Ten percent," he said.
First Lady Michelle Obama and Mrs. Abe visited Great Falls Elementary School on Tuesday, April 28 and Glenn and his classmates sung "It's a Small World" in Japanese.
Glenn's mother is Japanese and his maternal grandparents live in Yokohama, Japan where Glenn hopes to visit with his mother and sister next summer.
When asked how his mother felt about his honor, Glenn said, "I'd like to hear what she says."
"I told you I was very proud," said Mia vanValkenburgh.
"I was so proud, I was bursting," she said, afterwards, "but more than that, it was a great experience for him. I was just along for the ride."
She is excited that Glenn and his younger sister, Emi, 5, anticipated to begin Great Falls immersion program in two years, will be able to speak to their grandparents in their native tongue.
She is hoping to take a trip to Japan with her children next summer.
Although she says her son may not know exactly how distinguished an opportunity he received, being part of the friendly relationship between the United States and Japan, she plans to immortalize the events.
"I think that will be the Christmas card photo this year," said Mia vanValkenburgh.