SESABO, Japan -- In the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), there are two occasions that are greatly celebrated, ribbon-cuttings and groundbreaking ceremonies. On Wednesday, Japan Engineer District (JED) was able to celebrate the groundbreaking for the renovation and replacement of E.J. King High School at Commander, Fleet Activities Sasebo.

"It is a great day when partners can come together to break ground on a new project." Col. Thomas J. Verell Jr., JED Commander, USACE. "Today's ceremony marks the next major step in a long and deliberate process toward completing this school."

This ceremony brought together members of the CFAS installation command team and public works office, E.J. King's principal and other staff members and lastly members of JED's Sasebo Resident Office and Verell.

The ceremony lasted for about one hour. The Shinto priest performed a ceremony to bless the designated construction area. Now that the ceremony is completed the contractor can begin construction. This new facility will increase learning opportunities for students and give the faculty better spaces and tools to continue the world class education DoDEA is known for.

"Many members of the JED team have already been working hard for months to get the project to this point." said Verell. "We celebrate this moment and yet we know that we still have a long way to go until the school is complete. We look forward to continuing to work with our partners from DoDEA and the Navy. Also, continuing to work with our bilateral partners here and all across Japan as we work to improve capability, infrastructure and security throughout the Indo-Pacific Region."

Japan Engineer District is one of four Engineer Districts in Pacific Ocean Division, which focuses on the design, management and construction of various host nation and military construction projects. JED delivers high quality, sustainable, comprehensive engineering and construction services in Japan in support of peacetime and contingency operations throughout the region. It successfully executes the full spectrum of required missions as the United States Forces Japan Construction Agent.