OKINAWA, Japan (NNS) – More than 70 Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) three joined thousands of other service members, volunteers, supporters and athletes gathered at Kadena Air Base's Risner Sports Complex, Okinawa, Japan, to kick off the 16th annual Kadena Special Olympics (KSO), Nov. 7.
Military personnel from Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Army, cheered and offered tips to athletes as they coached side-by-side with parents and other volunteers.
Each participant was paired with an athlete’s buddy who was designated to watch over and support the player throughout the various sport activities.
"It was fun and exciting,” said Builder Constructionman Anthony Harris. “I have volunteered for the Special Olympics before, but this was the largest I’ve been to. “I have a younger brother with special needs so it was exciting to see the community support."
A week prior to the event, 16 Seabees volunteered over 50 hours to set up 1,000 chairs, 120 tables and 37 tents to host nearly 900 athletes and their supporters.
"It was an awesome experience working with the host nation,” said Equipment Operator 1st Class Andy Martindale. “It was an honor to help host the 16th annual Kadena Special Olympics."
KSO was established by the 18th Wing Commander in 1999 as an avenue to build relations with neighboring communities and local government representatives while providing a meaningful activity for the special needs children and adults.
Seabees assigned to Okinawa are consistently called upon to assist the annual KSO and are critical to the event's success.
NMCB 3 is deployed throughout the Pacific performing critical construction projects in remote areas such as Timor-Leste, Cambodia and the Philippines. The teams are also conducting operations in Yokosuka, Sasebo, Fuji, and Okinawa, Japan; Chinhae, Republic of Korea and San Clemente, Calif.
Date Taken: | 11.07.2015 |
Date Posted: | 11.17.2015 09:40 |
Story ID: | 182118 |
Location: | OKINAWA, OKINAWA, JP |
Web Views: | 47 |
Downloads: | 1 |
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