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AFDW Airmen receive Special Olympics Special Friend Award

  • Published
  • By Michael Martin
  • Air Force District of Washingon
JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. --  More than 50 Airmen from across the National Capital Region volunteered to support athletes competing in the D.C. Special Olympics Bowling Championship Feb. 25 in Hyattsville, Md.

"This is one of the four days of the Special Olympics Bowling Championship that is done in the D.C. area every year, and today is hosted by the Air Force," said 1st Lt. Delma Guevara, 779th Medical Group resource management deputy flight commander. "It's pretty cool to walk in, see ABUs on every side of you and see the Air Force come out and support such an important event for the Special Olympics and the National Capital Region"

To commemorate the Air Force's role in the championship, Air Force District of Washington Command Chief Master Sgt. Farrell Thomas accepted the Special Olympics Special Friend Award on behalf of AFDW.

For Thomas, the Special Olympics hold a special meaning.

"I have a daughter who has special needs so I know first-hand how important it is for those with special needs to be treated as real people, showing their life has value," Thomas said. "To me Special Olympics are a way to celebrate people with special needs, allowing them to showcase their skills and talents in an environment conducive to their limitations and abilities, and also for them to have fun together, bringing together families and individuals that might have similar experiences to share."

Special Olympics D.C. Associate Director of Sports Anthony Sokenu said the Airmen bring a level of class that only the military can bring to an event.

"To have Airmen volunteer for our bowling championships is very special to us," Sokenu said. "We are an Olympic organization that prides ourselves on providing the very best support and competition for our athletes, and we are only as good as our volunteers.

"To the athletes, having the military as competition volunteers means they are at the championships," he said. "It means they have to bring their A-game, it means they have a captive audience who they are in awe of who are there just for them and they can show off their skills to their heroes."

One of the volunteers, Airman 1st Class Cassandra Heal, 779th MDG Biomedical Equipment Technician, was recently recognized as the 779th MDG Volunteer of the Year.

"I have been volunteering since my freshmen year of high school. I like the atmosphere, I love the people. That's why I'm here," Heal said. "It's a great cause. This means the world to the competitors. They're great athletes, doing what they do best."

Thomas said he really appreciates seeing so many Airmen volunteering to give back to their community

"It makes you so proud to wear this uniform," Thomas said. "In the Air Force we always talk about the whole person concept and giving back to the community. Looking around at all these Airmen really doing it because they care about people brings joy to your heart."