NDW Shows Spirit at Special Olympics Armed Forces Day

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Volunteers from around Naval District Washington (NDW) joined in support of this year's Special Olympics Armed Forces Day at Catholic University in Washington, D.C., May 22.

The event was part of the 2013 Special Olympics Summer Games in Washington, D.C.

The volunteers served in a variety of capacities, such as athlete escorts, field events umpires, award presenters, athlete staging personnel, and finish line personnel. In addition to volunteering in support of the event, representatives from all five branches of the military and the VETSports organization participated in the Special Olympics Armed Forces Day Joint Service 4x100 meter relay.

Each team consisted of two active duty military personnel and two Special Olympics athletes. Making up the Navy team was Capt. Anthony Calandra, commanding officer of Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, NDW Command Master Chief Christopher Adams, and Special Olympians Perez Plater and Ryan Brown.

Each runner would sprint 100 meters and pass a relay baton to their team mate. Calandra began the race with a strong start before passing to Brown. Brown dashed through the second leg, pulling ahead of the Marine Corps and Army team members, before a running hand off to Adams. After a mild collision with VETSports runner Connor Mallon, Adams and Mallon righted themselves with both pulling ahead of the Marines and into a brief lead over Army, staying neck and neck with the Coast Guard. In the fourth and final leg of the race, anchor runner Plater took the baton from Adams to catch up with the Coast Guard and Army's final runners, bringing Navy to a bronze medal finish in the relay.

"The Navy and the other military branches were well represented by their volunteers and athletic participants," said Calandra. "I hope the enthusiasm they displayed made the games better for all the participants."

The final standings were VETSports in sixth place, Air Force in fifth, Marine Corps in fourth, Navy in third, Army in second, and Coast Guard in first place.

"Command Master Chief Adams and I gave it our best to defend last year's gold medal win by the Navy, but our sister service did just a bit better and beat us," said Calandra. "It's all in good fun, though, with good sportsmanship and camaraderie. I'm happy that my fellow service members and I were able to participate and do our part to help ensure that the Special Olympics participants enjoyed the event."

After the race, all participants were recognized for their effort in the event. For Brown and Plater, Adams had an additional award to show his appreciation - NDW command master chief challenge coins. Palming each coin, Adams shook both in to the hands of the Special Olympics athletes and thanked them for a job well done.

"I felt honored and proud to be here today," said Adams. "I would do it again in a heartbeat. Olivia Hunter, the NDW volunteer coordinator, asked me [to participate] and I accepted. And I will do my best to encourage involvement next year."

Special Olympics is an international organization that encourages and empowers people with intellectual disabilities, promoting acceptance for all, and fostering communities of understanding and respect worldwide. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the Special Olympics movement has grown from a few hundred athletes to more than 4 million athletes in over 170 countries in all regions of the world, providing year-round sports training, athletic competition and other related programs.

For more news on events in NDW, and to see more photos of the race, visit www.facebook.com/NavDistWash.

For more news from Naval District Washington, visit www.navy.mil/local/ndw/.