Special Olympics brings U.S. military, Okinawan communities together for a cause

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jason Lake
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  Thousands of spectators, regional leaders from Japan and the United States, and even a soccer star from Brazil came out to show support for the more than 830 athletes participating in the 11th Annual Kadena Special Olympics Games Saturday.

More than 2,500 American volunteers helped put together the event and escort athletes and families from more than 50 special needs schools and organizations across Okinawa.

"Today, we join together in partnership to celebrate the opportunity for these athletes to compete," said Brig. Gen. Ken Wilsbach, 18th Wing commander, during the opening remarks of the event. "These games are filled with acts of kindness, courage and team spirit from the athletes as well as the incredible coaches, school officials, fans, family members and volunteers across the island."

Rui Ramos, a former team Japan FIFA soccer star and beach soccer coach, took the opportunity to support the athletes participating in everything from the 20-meter dash to floor hockey.

"It doesn't matter whether you win or lose; have fun today," said the native Brazilian who became a naturalized Japanese citizen in 1989.

Families and caregivers of the athletes expressed their gratitude to the base volunteers, corporate sponsors and the Kadena Special Olympics committee who made the event possible.

"Our children don't usually get the opportunity to meet Americans, and it's nice that they get a chance to be active and play the games out here on the large field," said Yasuhiko Oshiro, a caregiver who works at Pure Special Needs Home.

For some volunteer "huggers" like Tech. Sgt. Elizabeth Santana-Liranzo, the games were a chance to show support for someone special back in the United States.

"I have a 20-year-old cousin with a disability and I can't interact with her much while I'm stationed overseas, so this is how I give back to her and others with special needs, by participating in the Special Olympics Games," explained the 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron's customer service NCO-in-charge.

This year's games marked Sergeant Santana-Liranzo's eighth year supporting Special Olympics at both Kadena and Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

The games also brought back some familiar faces as two former 18th Wing commanders, Gen. Gary North, Pacific Air Forces commander, and Maj. Gen. Jan-Marc Jouas, PACAF director of operations, plans, requirements and programs, returned to celebrate the games with the community.

General North, who supported the second and third annual games during his tenure as 18th Wing commander from 2000 to 2002, said the games have always been a way to bring people from opposite sides of the world together to support the athletes, their caretakers and a noble cause.

"I like how this event gives Okinawans and Americans an opportunity to work together and share each other's culture," said Mr. Oshiro, whose caretaking organization has participated in Special Olympics Games here for five years.