McChord plays gracious host to Special Olympics

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Alvin Louther
  • 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Local Airmen, Soldiers and event volunteers from across the area teamed up here May 30 through Sunday to welcome Special Olympians, their coaches, families and friends for the annual Washington Special Olympic Summer Games.

More than 5,000 athletes, coaches and volunteers flocked to McChord to celebrate the games. Opening ceremonies emcee Brian Davis from Fox Sports Net Northwest and Grand Marshal Patrick Kearney from the Seattle Seahawks were also on hand to kick off the games as part of the Opening Ceremonies.

McChord not only hosted the opening ceremony, but also the family picnic, victory dance and celebration, as well as an athletic event for the first time in the base's history.

Cycling events were held here Saturday and Sunday, and ranged from 500-meter events to a 40K road race.

Lt. Col. Brian Newberry, 7th Airlift Squadron commander, presented medals to the champions of Saturday's cycling events. It was an absolute honor, he said.

"After watching the competition, I can see they are truly all winners," he added. "I am gratified so many personnel from my squadron, the base and Fort Lewis were able to make the event memorable for the Special Olympians and their families."

The 5K bicycle race gave the nearly 200 athletes who participated in the event a smooth, but challenging and scenic ride around the south end of the flightline and across the one of the taxiways.

Some of the athletes said they even got a little distracted looking at the C-17s on the runway, said 1st Lt. Burgess Gow, 62nd Maintenance Squadron, cycling event coordinator.

"They loved the course," Lieutenant Gow said. "It was neat because they said that in addition to riding the course they also got a little air show in the process."

The feedback received from the athletes, their families and volunteers was all positive, said Jill Ward, communications director of Special Olympics Washington.