Going the distance for someone 'special'

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Stacia Zachary
  • 96th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The 96th Security Forces Squadron carried a torch for the Special Olympics Tuesday.

A security forces member received the hand-off of the Torch of Hope from the Valparaiso Police Department in support of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for the Special Olympics. The Florida Torch Run is a grassroots program supported by the local police departments who help fundraise and create public awareness for people with special needs throughout the state and the world.

"The Torch Run brings attention to the Special Olympics and shows how the law enforcement communities support this worthy cause," said Senior Airman Christopher Fuquay, 96th SFS patrolman and event coordinator."

The Torch Run began as the Special Olympics Mileage Event Run nearly 25 years ago. This is the 10th year the security forces Airmen here have carried the torch. The community awareness event brings more than 85,000 law enforcement officers together annually who carry the Torch of Hope across 35 nations while raising awareness for the Special Olympics.

"All around the world, the Special Olympics has a formidable and caring legion of protectors and supporters: the law enforcement community," said Laura Collins, Law Enforcement Torch Run Florida branch manager.

For the Eglin security forces Airmen, there is no better event to support.

"I volunteered to be a torch bearer (when it was announced runners were needed)," said Tech. Sgt. Elizabeth Staub, 96th SFS officer. "It's an honor to help carry out this tradition and I can only hope that we can increase awareness and help the Special Olympians achieve great success."

The 96th SFS is no stranger to community involvement but it is events such as the Torch Run which help strengthen the ties between the community and the military.

"We work hand-in-hand with the local law enforcement agencies for the common goal of protecting and supporting the community," said Airman Fuquay. "This is a worthy cause for us to be a part of and we look forward to these events which help establish a continuous relationship with each other."

The Eglin portion of the Torch Run began with a hand off at the East Gate and ended at the West Gate where the Torch of Hope was passed off to the Okaloosa County Police Department in the Pensacola Leg of the run. The run will finish May 12 in Osceola County in the Naples Leg of the run.

For more information, go to www.specialolympics.com.