The 2010 Oklahoma Summer games have now come and gone with another record number of athletes, over 4,400!!! Opening ceremonies was once again a very very good show and good for the soul. Jim Scott once again did an outstanding job leading us as a team, and thankfully he did not upset the powers that be, as we actually had decent weather, until the last morning. And considering the way the weather was during this week we were very fortunate. The only hiccup this year was the misplacement of Big Dogs golf cart. Thankfully Jim Scott was taking care of our Unsung Hero Trooper Steve Burrows, and did not want any harm done to Steve's patrol car and he had the vision to remove all of the antennas so that lightning would not strike the vehicle causing damage.
We had a record amount of athletes at the Bocce venue, which kept us busy. Once again THANK YOU OSU for Boone Pickens Stadium. New venue for the Dance, the NEW Stillwater High School football field. A great facility. We live and learn and hopefully will have a better plan for traffic.
It is the end of May now, and I am still working out, not running near as much as I need to be, but getting there. I found out a couple of weeks ago that Shawn Byrne will be one of the Team Leaders for the final leg from Des Moines to Lincoln. What an honor for Shawn as well as for the State of Oklahoma. Congradulations Shawn!!!
Now the only thing for "Worm" to worry about is if Lincoln will survive the two of us!!!
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Friday, May 21, 2010
Honors
First I would like to thank two people that have been very instrumental in my participation in Special Olympics Oklahoma as well as the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Torch Run.
First the man that got me here; Oklahoma Highway Patrolman Steve Burrows. Steve got me started in Special Olympics Oklahoma about eight years ago as I helped him with a fishing tournament. At the time I had NO involvement with the athletes whatsoever, and I just helped raise prizes and helped out during the actual fishing tournament.
Steve kept pushing and pushing until one day I gave in and told him that I would help out with the polar plunge and also become a member of the Summer games committee. Now, if you know me and Steve then you know that as long as I am breathing, I WILL be giving him a hard time for one thing or another, and I will continue to do so as long as both of us are still breathing. But to be honest and all kidding aside thanks to Steve, my life has changed to become a somewhat useful member of Special Olympics Oklahoma Summer Games and LETR. It is now in my blood and he has created a monster. Thanks Steve, love ya brother, and I can never repay you. By the way Trooper Burrows received the Tim Stafford Unsung Hero Award this past year for his dedication to the LETR, and Steve was honored by being able to carry the flame of Hope into Gallagher Iba arena and light the Summer Games torch officially opening the Summer Games.
Second is the man that got me thinking about the final leg portion of Special Olympics; Shawn Byrne, Oklahoma City Police Department. I had the pleasure of participating in the International Law Enforcement Torch Run International conference in Connecticut in 2009. At the time I knew Shawn and he knew me, but it was just the normal seeing each other around thing. Shawn ran the final leg in Idaho in 2009, and to hear him tell me stories about the entire trip, not only made his eyes water, but they did mine as well. And from that moment on I knew that someday I wanted to be a part of this great quest to help spread the word about Special Olympics and be a member of the Final Leg.
To the two men above, I love you like the brothers you are, and I thank both of you for throwing some very large shoes out there for me to try and fill. I doubt I am capable of filling them, but as you both know, I will not give up trying.
Last and certainly not least, I have to acknowledge the Payne County Sheriff's Department. The men that I work with on the 11p.m. to 7 a.m. shift (Darren, Dustin, and Joe). Without the help of these three men, and the administration at the Sheriff's Department, I could not do what I do for Special Olympics Oklahoma. Every time an event comes up, I let them know and they tell me to get it done, and unselfishly cover my shift for me and as of yet I have never heard a complaint. You guys are the best regardless of what I tell you on shift. Thank You.
First the man that got me here; Oklahoma Highway Patrolman Steve Burrows. Steve got me started in Special Olympics Oklahoma about eight years ago as I helped him with a fishing tournament. At the time I had NO involvement with the athletes whatsoever, and I just helped raise prizes and helped out during the actual fishing tournament.
Steve kept pushing and pushing until one day I gave in and told him that I would help out with the polar plunge and also become a member of the Summer games committee. Now, if you know me and Steve then you know that as long as I am breathing, I WILL be giving him a hard time for one thing or another, and I will continue to do so as long as both of us are still breathing. But to be honest and all kidding aside thanks to Steve, my life has changed to become a somewhat useful member of Special Olympics Oklahoma Summer Games and LETR. It is now in my blood and he has created a monster. Thanks Steve, love ya brother, and I can never repay you. By the way Trooper Burrows received the Tim Stafford Unsung Hero Award this past year for his dedication to the LETR, and Steve was honored by being able to carry the flame of Hope into Gallagher Iba arena and light the Summer Games torch officially opening the Summer Games.
Second is the man that got me thinking about the final leg portion of Special Olympics; Shawn Byrne, Oklahoma City Police Department. I had the pleasure of participating in the International Law Enforcement Torch Run International conference in Connecticut in 2009. At the time I knew Shawn and he knew me, but it was just the normal seeing each other around thing. Shawn ran the final leg in Idaho in 2009, and to hear him tell me stories about the entire trip, not only made his eyes water, but they did mine as well. And from that moment on I knew that someday I wanted to be a part of this great quest to help spread the word about Special Olympics and be a member of the Final Leg.
To the two men above, I love you like the brothers you are, and I thank both of you for throwing some very large shoes out there for me to try and fill. I doubt I am capable of filling them, but as you both know, I will not give up trying.
Last and certainly not least, I have to acknowledge the Payne County Sheriff's Department. The men that I work with on the 11p.m. to 7 a.m. shift (Darren, Dustin, and Joe). Without the help of these three men, and the administration at the Sheriff's Department, I could not do what I do for Special Olympics Oklahoma. Every time an event comes up, I let them know and they tell me to get it done, and unselfishly cover my shift for me and as of yet I have never heard a complaint. You guys are the best regardless of what I tell you on shift. Thank You.
Getting Ready
First let me tell you all that I hate to run. Now saying that, I have begun to run and workout even harder as time nears for my departure to Des Moines. I have been informed that we will run approximately 68 miles in about ten days time. I am hoping to run every step of the way, as I could never, ever, repay the Special Olympic Athletes for what they have done for me. Therefore every step of the way, will be a very small payback to these amazing athletes and people that I have become to love as my "Other Family"
The Road begins
Towards the end of April 2010, I was honored as being picked to be the Law Enforcement officer for the State of Oklahoma, to attend the National Games in Lincoln, Nebraska. I am to join members of Law Enforcement throughout the United States, as well a Special Olympic athletes, and we will carry the torch from Des Moines, Iowa to Lincoln, Nebraska for the opening ceremonies to light the flame of hope and open the 2010 National Games.
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