Special Olympics Torch Run held this morning

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — The Special Olympics Torch Run was held this morning near the Warren County Court House.

Each year Special Olympians in the region travel to Keesler Air Force Base for their Summer Games. Law enforcement holds a torch run to honor our local athletes.  The Law Enforcement Torch Run began in 1981 with then Kansas Police Chief Richard LaMunyon. In 1983, the International Association of Chiefs of Police endorsed the Torch Run after being presented by LaMunyon in 1983. Since then, it has grown to become the Special Olympics’ largest public awareness and fundraising group.

The goal is to raise awareness and sell merchandise to help send kids and those with special needs to the Special Olympics who otherwise would not be able to afford to go.

Members of law enforcement and Special Olympic athletes carry the “Flame of Hope” to local competitions as well as state, provincial, national, regional, and world games. Over 97,000 law enforcement members carry the Flame of Hope each year.

Our local athletes will travel to Keesler Air Force Base this weekend to compete. They will be leaving from Warren Central High School Friday morning at 6:30 a.m., and the community is invited to show up and cheer them on.