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AFDW Airmen volunteer at Special Olympics

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman R. Michael Longoria
  • 11th Wing Public Affairs
AIR FORCE DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON --  More than 175 Airmen from the Air Force District of Washington volunteered for the 2009 Special Olympics D.C. Summer Games May 19 - 21 at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

Volunteers helped with a wide range of jobs, including athlete escort, finish line assistant, handing out lunches, helping with medical issues, officiating field events and presenting awards.

"My job at the Special Olympics was to escort the athletes from the track to the awards tent," said Airman 1st Class Michael Suzuki, 579th Medical Squadron. "The athletes, no matter where they placed in the race, were there to have fun and have a good time. Most of the athletes would joke around and talk to you about everything. And they were all really excited to get their awards."

The tasks were simple, but the opportunity to give back was tremendous.

"This is an important event because it allows the military a very good opportunity to give back to our community," Capt. Whitney P. Walker, United States Air Force Honor Guard and point of contact for the Air Force volunteers. "They have created a day specifically called 'military day' to show their support for what we do and in turn have allowed us a great opportunity to come out and support what they are about."

The summer games recognized May 20 as military day. As part of the day's events, Maj. Gen. Ralph Jodice, AFDW commander, and Col. Jon A. Roop, 11th Wing commander, participated in a 4x4 100-meter relay with two athletes from the games, Daniel Mathis and Isaiah Wofford.

The Air Force team placed third behind the Navy and Army. However, AFDW took home the "Special Olympics Special Friend" award. The award went to the military branch with the most volunteers on military day.

"We filled our slots for military day within 72 hours. The Special Olympics officials said that was the fastest they had ever seen it fill up. The Air Force provided two-thirds of the volunteers for military day," said Captain Walker.

The summer games provide competition in track and field, volleyball, soccer, aquatics, bocce and tennis aw well as vision, dental and overall fitness screenings. With the addition of opening ceremonies and social events, the games create three days of fun and achievement for the athletes of Special Olympics D.C.

"It is a great atmosphere and the athletes love every minute of it," said Captain Walker.

The athletes are not the only ones who leave the games with a rewarding experience.

"The biggest thing I took from this experience is that no matter what life throws at you, you can overcome it," said Airman Suzuki. "These athletes didn't choose to be born with disabilities but they still live their life the best they can, and have fun doing it."

The concept of Special Olympics began in the early 1960s when Eunice Kennedy Shriver started a day camp for people with intellectual disabilities. Today more than 1 million children and adults with intellectual disabilities participate in Special Olympics programs worldwide.