Posted on 03/20/2008 4:28:17 PM PDT by SandRat
BAGHDAD — The Special Olympics Torch Run kicked off March 15 with Coalition forces in Tikrit running a 5K race that will culminate with runners in Honolulu May 22.
Soldiers from the 728th Military Police Battalion, 18th Military Police Brigade and Multi National Division – North sponsored the first-ever run at Contingency Operating Base Speicher. The run is in honor of the “Troy Barboza Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics” that has been held for 21 years on the Islands of Hawaii.
“These are great American Soldiers doing something for a great cause,” said Lt. Col. Brian Bisacre, commander, 728th MP Bn. “We want to show (America) that we are giving back and doing the right thing even in the face of hardship.”
The run was attended and participated by more than 350 U.S. military personnel and others supporting operations in Iraq.
“A significant roar and shouts came from the runners as the torch was lit prior to the start of the race,” said 2nd Lt. Jody Holeton, signal officer, 728th MP Bn and run coordinator in Iraq. “The Special Olympics Torch was hand carried when our unit deployed to Iraq from Hawaii back in November.”
The torch from the March 15 run will make its way to Hawaii where law enforcement officers will light in April for the Flame of Hope through Kauai, the Big Island, Molokai and Maui.
More than 1,000 law enforcement officers are expected to participate in the Oahu Torch Run at Turtle Bay May 22 and will end at the Special Olympics Hawaii Summer Games Opening Ceremony at Les Murakami Stadium May 25.
Soldiers participating and organizing the race felt the need to support this great cause and show the support to the Special Olympics organizations.
“Honestly, just raising money for the Special Olympics exemplifies one of the Army Core Values of selfless service,” said Capt. Nikki Boudreaux, commander, Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 728th MP Bn. “This is a prime example of selfless service.”
Boudreaux said Soldiers are over here and they still find the time to donate to a truly worthy cause.
Bisacre presented prizes to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place runners in both the male and female categories.
For 21 years, law enforcement officers throughout Hawaii have run the Special Olympics Torch in the spirit Troy Barboza, a Special Olympics coach and Hawaii Police Department undercover detective who was murdered in his home in 1987 by a drug gang to prevent him from testifying.
Soldiers from the 728th MP Bn, first participated in the run in 2007 in Hawaii which led to the idea of sponsoring the event in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Won’t they have to deal with an ocean?
Maybe they’re using Navy SEALS to help.
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