Security Forces supports Special Olympics by running

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jelani Gibson
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The 82nd Security Forces Squadron here supported the Special Olympics with a law enforcement torch run that passed through the base May 23.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) began in 1981 in Wichita, Kan., where Police Chief Richard LaMunyon saw a need to increase awareness for the Special Olympics. The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), which is now recognized as the founding organization of the Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run quickly, adopted the practice.

To honor this tradition, local members from the Wichita Falls Police Department and the 82nd SFS ran throughout the city, including Sheppard.

"This shows the Air Force gets involved with the community, no matter how big or small an event may be," said Master Sgt. Timothy Lawrence, 82nd SFS superintendent.

Lawrence looks at the event as a way to foster relations with their civilian counterparts as well.

"It's camaraderie between the local police agencies and our security forces," Lawrence said.

LETR raised over $42.1 million in 2011. The run has had over 142,000 volunteers spanning 48 countries and raised more than $414 million for the Special Olympics movement.
 
Lawrence looked forward to the support the event would receive and the amount of enthusiasm that it would garner from participants.

"Everybody was excited to participate in the run," Lawrence said.

Events such as this were looked at by Lawrence as a way to also follow key Air Force values.

"It's about service before self," Lawrence said.




info from this article was obtained via specialolympics.org