|
 This
morning, Friday, June 9th the run will start its final leg into
Bloomington from Atlanta with the intention of arriving at the
annual Summer Special Olympics events in the late afternoon. The
activities will begin with celebrations and dining opportunities on
Friday night and then the games will begin on Saturday and run
through Sunday.
As runners traversed their way through Logan County there were two
significant stops in Lincoln.
The first stop was at New Union Cemetery where Diane Vanderkooy with
the Illinois State Police, and the coordinator of the local leg of
the run, spoke briefly at the graveside of the late Logan County
Sheriff’s Deputy, Scott Brown.
The second stop was at the Memorial Behavioral Health Center on
Postville Drive, where runners spent time visiting with clients at
the center, many of whom are going to be competing in this this
weekend’s State events.
This year the procession, led by local first response
vehicles, included torch runners Aaron Roemer, a forensic scientist
at the crime lab in Springfield and Brenda Danosky also with the
Illinois State Police Forensics. Both Roemer and Danosky live in
Lincoln.
As the two made their way into the entrance of the cemetery they
were greeted with several people who had come early and were waiting
to cheer the runners in to the city.
Among those waiting were several members of the local police
department including City of Lincoln Chief of Police joe Meister and
some of his officers and Logan County Sheriff Mark Landers with some
of his deputies.
The two runners were happy to be carrying the torch into their
hometown, and both commented that they were anxious to move on soon
to the Memorial Behavioral Health as they enjoyed seeing and
visiting with the clients there.
As everyone got settled in for the short stop,
Vanderkooy spoke about the run and other honor stops they had made
for officers who have reached their “end of watch.” She said that
she was honored to be among those stopping at Brown’s resting place
as he had been a huge force in the torch run.
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She mentioned Browns wife Dawn and said that Dawn had
wanted to be there for the torch runners but had made a commitment
to help at the church riding camp.
The last moments at the cemetery were invested in
taking a large group photo with all the runners wearing their 2023
Torch Run tee shirts. As the group gathered, this year’s torch
ambassador and Special Olympian Chase Metz, along with Police Chief
Meister and Sheriff Landers stood directly behind Brown’s stone and
all together held the torch for the photo.
Then, with fire trucks and other emergency vehicles
leading the way, the group moved on to the MBH, where they were
greeted with loud cheers and applause from clients and staff.
Time was spent with handshakes, high-fives and brief conversations
with as many clients as possible. Vanderkooy asked how many of the
clients would be participating in this year’s state event and
several indicated they would be there.
Another group photo with torch runners disbursed
among the clients and a big thumbs up for Special Olympics and the
runners were once again ready to high the pavement and make their
way out of Lincoln and on to Atlanta.
Special Olympics of Illinois is continually seeking financial
support for its programs. If you have an interest in donating to the
Special Olympics programs visit the SOILL website
Special Olympics Illinois (soill.org).
[Nila Smith]
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