Photo By Cpl. Jorden Wells | A Special Olympics Athlete and his accompanying volunteer pose for a picture and flex...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, N.C. - High-energy cheers and motivation filled the air as Marine Corps Air Station New River, in partnership with Special Olympics Onslow County, hosted the 14th Annual Special Olympics Fall Games at the AS-4400 fitness center, Dec. 6.
The Fall Games are individual-skills basketball competitions that include spot shots, dribbling skills, passing skills and a special skills event. Approximately 20 delegations totaling more than 200 Special Olympics athletes competed in the event.
To kick off the games and Christmas spirit, Santa Claus wished everyone a “Merry Christmas” and “Happy Holidays,” followed by air station commanding officer Col. Timothy M. Salmon giving a few words of encouragement to the athletes and volunteers.
“To put a few numbers out there, today we have 250 athletes registered and 125 Marines from the Single Marine Program, 25 Marines from the Wounded Warrior Battalion and 50 Project Unify students supporting this event,” said Salmon. “We couldn’t be more proud to have you here. Today it is all about our athletes, volunteers and basketball. I know you all have been working hard and practicing your ball skills for this moment.”
One of the biggest and most anticipated events at the games was the basketball shootout, where the athletes stood at six designated locations on the court to see how many baskets they could make.
“I look forward to attending this event every year,” said Lance Cpl. Cory Sandford, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Training Squadron (VMMT) 204 maintenance administrative clerk. “It is so much fun to volunteer with these young men and women, and be a part of such a fun day for them.”
For the athletes who could not participate in basketball-related activities, there was a special-skills room set up to highlight their artistic talents. All athletes were able to receive a ribbon for their participation.
“I have been volunteering at the Special Olympics for more than 17 years in total and these athletes never cease to amaze me,” said Staff Sgt. Oronde Smalls, VMMT-204 maintenance administrative staff noncommissioned officer in charge. “This day is all about the athletes, and I would strongly recommend that everyone volunteer at one of these events because it is such a rewarding experience.”
| Date Taken: | 12.18.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 12.18.2013 15:33 |
| Story ID: | 118405 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 83 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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