Email   Print   Share By Sgt. Jeremy Odom, 89th MP Bde. Public Affairs

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Col. Patrick Williams, 89th Military Brigade commander, carries the torch in front of other 89th MP Bde. runners as they run almost 6 miles for Special Olympics. Sgt. Jeremy Odom, 89th MP Bde. Public Affairs

Soldiers from 89th Military Police Bde. passing III Corps Headquarters as they carry the Special Olympics Torch across post to before handing it over to Killeen Police Department. Sgt. Jeremy Odom, 89th MP Bde. Public Affairs

Approximately 120 Soldiers with the 89th Military Police Brigade ran nearly six miles across Fort Hood this past week as a part of the Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run.

The brigade was one of more than 180 agencies that carried the torch across Texas to the Special Olympics State Games which occurred over Memorial Day weekend in Arlington.

The 89th MP Bde. was able to raise and contribute more than $1,200 during the event. Historically, the Law Enforcement Torch Run is the largest fundraiser and serves as the biggest public awareness vehicle for Special Olympics. In Texas, the Law Enforcement Torch Run began in 1985 and has grown to become one of the largest in the nation.

“This is not my first time participating in the Law Enforcement Torch Run, I have done it a dozen times or so, but it’s a tradition that is very dear to my heart and something I want to support,” Col. Patrick Williams, commander of the 89th MP Bde., said. “I was proud to represent Fort Hood and III Corps when I carried that torch.”

Organizing the event entailed much more than just carrying a torch across post. Capt. Christian Blevins, 89th MP Bde. current operations officer-in-charge and action officer for the event, had to coordinate the receiving and passing of the torch with Copperas Cove and Killeen police departments, promote the event, recruit participants, raise money, sell LETR T-shirts, set up water points, organize police escorts, buses to follow and transport runners, and of course run in the event.

“When I received the torch from Copperas Cove Police Department I was excited to be a part of what was about to happen in Arlington this weekend,” Blevins said. “It was a proud moment when I was running with the torch and when it was over, I was glad everything went smoothly.”

Although there are a number of ways to support the Special Olympics, for one major in particular there was no question about running in the event.

“I have a niece who has been a part of the Special Olympics, so running was my commitment and way to honor her,” Maj. Rufino Herrera, signal officer for the 89th MP Bde., said. “This was also a great way to show that we not only serve our nation, we also serve our community.”

Though the majority of Soldiers who participated did not have personal ties to the Special Olympics, they still ran to support the cause. One Soldier even chose to participate despite it being her last day in the Army.

“This torch run is dedicated to everyone competing in these games and as MPs, we are committed to selfless service, so we are doing this for them not for ourselves,” Andrea Shaffer, former sergeant with the 178th MP Detachment, said. “I wanted to give it my all just one last time. I’m still in the Army, the last day doesn’t mean anything.”

The cheers from onlookers who watched the torch pass served as motivation for those running in the formation. Even though it was the hottest part of the day and one of the toughest routes on Fort Hood, most ran the entire distance.

“Running with the Soldiers motivated me and kept me going,” Williams, who did not plan to run the full route, said. “I set goals for myself and kept the course, the beginning felt great but the end felt even better.”

Members from the Killeen Police Department met the Soldiers when they finished the route in just under an hour. At this point, Williams and Blevins both shared the honor of passing the torch to KPD, as they would be the next leg in carrying the torch toward the state games in Arlington.