Special Olympics Comes to Fort Jackson

All of Fort Jackson was there to support. Everyone was there to celebrate these athletes. They were seen as having value and purpose.

It's been three years since Fort Jackson has had the opportunity to host the State Special Olympics Games. Last weekend was the first time that our cadre had the opportunity to experience and support this amazing event. My husband, Mark, is in the brigade who was selected to host the event and frankly, we didn't know what to expect. "We'll have to experience it to understand it's impact." I think all us who have been here for three years or less needed to observe this past weekend and personally find ways that we could support. I saw so many smiles. Not just smiles of those who were competing, but smiles on the cadre and trainees who came out to support the Special Olympics. People with different abilities have a way of doing that to people around them.

On Friday night, the Special Olympics ascended on Fort Jackson like a seismic bolt. The torchlight running team started at the Capital building in downtown Columbia. Mark said, “Come to Solomon Center around 7:30 pm. That is where we’ll be ending our run with the torch to start the games.” When I arrived and slowly walked up to the building, I couldn’t believe my eyes. Hundreds of athletes and their families and friends were culminating around the facility. Mark’s operations sergeant major, Mike, met me at the door full of excitement, “Shelly, have you been inside? You have to see this. It’s amazing.” I follow him into the Solomon Center towards the music and cheers. Basic Training trainees filled the

stands and Army cadre circled the participants. They were cheering "USA" as the athletes were smiling and cheering. Mark was right. To truly understand how special these games are, we had to experience it.

Mike and I ran back outside to witness Mark and the rest of the runners come up the street with the torch to start the games. Sirens were blaring as the team with the torch was escorted by the Richland County sheriff's department. Mark was on the right flank as BG Michaelis, the com

mander at Fort Jackson, ran with a participant. I saw the excitement and awe on the cadre's faces running up to the facility. They were experiencing something special. Fort Jackson was connecting and building relationships with a special group of people. This group of people had pure hearts and have been looking forward to this event for three years, and it was time for these games to begin.

FIRED UP: From left, Fort Jackson Post Command Sgt. Maj. Jerimiah Gan, Fort Jackson Deputy Commanding Officer Col. Douglas Walter, 2019 South Carolina Summer Special Olympics athlete Madelyn Haag, South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army Kevin A. Shwedo bear the Olympic torch to the ceremonies.

As the team walked into the Solomon Center, they heard the cheers coming

from the gym. More people had arrived to kick off the celebration. BG Michaelis said it best, "Look in these stands. This is your Army and we are here to serve you! Let the games begin!" The athletes stayed the night in the barracks and started their competitions early the next morning. There was aquatics, bocce ball, softball, bowling, powerlifting, track and field, and gymnastics. In between the events, Mark and I visited the Olympic Village where there was food being served, a music DJ with dancing and other vendors.

I met Sue Manor, the Vice President of Special Olympics South Carolina, “Have you seen our program called Healthy Athletes?” As Mark and I shook our heads, Sue escorted us down the hall to show us that this is not just an event where their athletes compete, but they also have an opportunity to receive much needed healthcare, “This may be the only opportunity where an athlete might receive an eye exam or a dental exam.” According to Sue, this program started with Eunice Kennedy, the founder of the Special Olympics, “Eunice thought, if my sister has a difficult time receiving dental care, what about the rest of our population with special needs?” This is how the Healthy Athletes Program was born. This is a service provided by Special Olympics that is free of charge to the athlete.