Photo By Maj. Kelvin Scott | Command Sgt. Maj. Dennis Hocking hands out a medal to one of the participants in a...... read more read more
MADISON, Miss. – Four Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 348th Regiment, 158th Infantry Brigade, were among the volunteers in the Mississippi Special Olympics basketball event here March 22, 2014. The soldiers provided assistance by serving as coaches and referees.
Maj. Fernando Lavana, Capt. Bryan McKeon, Command Sgt. Maj. Dennis Hocking and Master Sgt. Lamar Hardy drove from Camp Shelby, Mississippi, a distance of more than 100 miles, to help with the event.
“This event was our largest one-day event of the year,” said Helen C. Parish, president and CEO of the Mississippi Special Olympics. “We had around 500 registered athletes and coaches.”
Special Olympics provides continuous sports training and athletic competition throughout the year in various Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
When McKeon was stationed in Washington, D.C., he volunteered with the Washington, D.C., Special Olympics for two summers.
“I’ve been volunteering for the Special Olympics since age 14,” McKeon said. “I feel there is no greater service we can do than helping our community and those around us.”
McKeon saw a similar opportunity in Hattiesburg and before arriving in the area for mobilization, McKeon had already begun coordinating with Parish to become involved with the Mississippi Special Olympics Events.
Lavana and Hardy served as the referees for the basketball game, while McKeon and Hocking were scorekeepers. Later, Hocking had the privilege of passing out the medals after the game.
“When we arrived to assist, some of the other volunteers from other areas made comments regarding how far we drove just to be there to help,” said McKeon. “What they don't realize is we get more out of it than the athletes do.”
| Date Taken: | 05.22.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 06.05.2014 14:33 |
| Story ID: | 132190 |
| Location: | MADISON, MS, US |
| Web Views: | 24 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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