"It all began with a Dream"

Even though Eunice Kennedy Shriver is gone, her dream more than 40 years ago still burns brighter than ever and there is no doubt she will be at this years National Games in spirit. Her dreams to raise awareness of persons with intellectual disabilities burns brighter than ever every time the Special Olympics "Flame of Hope" is light.

This dream is even more evident in our athletes as well as our officers hearts and will be to the people of Nebraska when the Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg makes its journey from Ames, Iowa to Lincoln, Nebraska for the 2010 National Games. That flame burns brighter than ever with Eunice Kennedy Shriver's memory traveling every step and cadence call as our athletes and officers carry the flame of hope hand in hand across the Nations Heartland spreading the Special Olympics movement to light the cauldron at the Opening Ceremonies.

Eunice Kennedy Shriver started Special Olympics with a backyard camp for people with intellectual disabilities over 40 years ago and it has now grown into a global movement that gets larger every day. This movement has been and continues to change lives and attitudes every day. That same drive and desire to make a difference was seen by the founders of the Law Enforcement Torch Run in Whichita. Kansas in 1981. Chief Richard LaMunyon and a small group of officers saw a need to raise awareness,  and funds to support the Special Olympics so they created the Law Enforcement Torch Run and look where we are now. Officers in more than 30 countries worldwide help raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics. I am proud to be one of those 85,000 officers, helping to raise over $35million dollars worldwide annually for our Special Olympics Athletes.  To sit back and think that a small group of people's "dreams" can accomplish this many great things, think what the world would or could be if more people would follow through with them.

You hear officers refer to Special Olympics athletes as "our athletes." They are our families and friends so we are very protective of them as family and the "Flame of Hope," we are the "Guardians of the Flame." For all the negativity in this world that our Law Enforcement see this is one way that we can give back and see a difference. Whether it is a smile, a hug, a high five or a simple thank you to know that you gave back in a positive way and helped a complete stranger or a close friend better your life lets you know that you can as well as did make a difference. Being involved in LETR and Special Olympics has made me a better person and I promise you I have gotten back 100 times more from our athletes than I can ever give them in return. To have the ability not once but twice now to be a part of the Final Leg and to be a guardian of the "Flame of Hope" as it makes its journey to Lincoln, Nebraska I am honored.

"People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but they will never forget the way you made them feel."

Thank you for following my blog

Shawn