Fort Bragg military police join the ‘Guardians of the Flame’ in 2022 Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics North Carolina

Photo By Brian Bird | Soldiers from the 503rd Military Police Battalion ran through Fort Bragg with the ‘Flame of Hope’ as part of the 2022 Law Enforcement Torch Run during the morning of May 23. The torch run has more than 110,000 law enforcement members in all 50 U.S. States, 12 Canadian provinces and territories and 47 other countries, who contribute to LETR efforts annually as ‘Guardians of the Flame.’  

FORT BRAGG, NC, UNITED STATES

05.23.2022

Story by Sharilyn Wells 

Fort Liberty Garrison Public Affairs Office

FORT BRAGG, N.C. ¬– With the ‘Flame of Hope’ held high and proudly singing cadence, Soldiers from the 503rd Military Police Battalion jogged by the iconic Iron Mike statue during the 2022 Law Enforcement Torch Run, May 23.

Sponsored by the Special Olympics North Carolina, the LETR is a year-round public awareness and fundraising campaign for Special Olympics. Also participating in this year’s event, the Fayetteville Police Department, reached out 503rd MP Bn. to ask if they wanted to participate.

After their 5K walk/run through the historic downtown on May 20, Fayetteville PD handed the torch to the 503rd MP Bn. on Fort Bragg before the 3.76 mile route the Soldiers followed through the installation.

“The LETR and Special Olympics hold a special meaning to those within the Fort Bragg Military Police who have friends, Family, or loved ones with physical/intellectual disabilities,” said Capt. Arianna Disola, 503rd MP Bn. “We strive to support the community in which awareness and positivity are fostered for them.”

Disola added that law enforcement agencies, as a whole, are the biggest supporters of the local community who try to support and give back as much as they can. With partnerships such as the LETR, military police are able to develop close departmental relationships with local community agencies, which enables synchronization and coordination of training efforts.

“We not only develop these relationships but are also able to call to action for the awareness of those with intellectual and/or physical disabilities, who inspire greatness through their success and motivation to compete in physically-demanding athletic events,” said Disola.

According to the SONC website, the LETR for Special Olympics began in 1981 in Kansas where Wichita, Kansas Police Chief Richard LaMunyon saw an urgent need to raise funds and increase awareness for Special Olympics. His idea behind the torch run was to provide law enforcement officers with an opportunity to volunteer with Special Olympics in the communities where the officers lived and worked.

Since going internationally, the torch run has more than 110,000 law enforcement members in all 50 U.S. States, 12 Canadian provinces and territories and 47 other countries, who contribute to LETR efforts annually as ‘Guardians of the Flame.’ They ensure the delivery of the Special Olympics Flame of Hope to local opening ceremonies of Special Olympics competitions.

Traveling across North Carolina from six different points and spanning over 2,000 miles, the relays will culminate on Friday, June 3, for the Circle of Honor and lighting of the cauldron at the 2022 Special Olympics NC Summer Games Opening Ceremony in Raleigh.

Dedicating themselves as ‘Guardians of the Flame,” the 503rd MP Bn. joined Fort Bragg surrounding communities in supporting Special Olympics North Carolina's athletes, who through their involvement in Special Olympics, show the community the true meaning of sport and that there are no limits to human potential.

• Date Taken: 05.23.2022
• Date Posted: 05.23.2022 12:18
• Story ID: 421288
• Location: FORT BRAGG, NC, US