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Master Sergeant James Breckenridge lights the torch for Lieutenant Colonel Brian Bisacre prior to the start of the Law Enforcement Torch Run held in Tikrit, Iraq. |
Even though they were more than 8,400 miles from home, over 400 soldiers from the 728th Military Police Battalion, 18th Military Police Brigade and Multi National Division - North, stationed in Tikrit, Iraq, ran a 5K Law Enforcement Torch Run on 15 March 2008 to benefit Special Olympics Hawaii.
“We ran in the Torch Run in Hawaii last year, and we were very touched by the experience,” said Battalion Commander Brian Bisacre. “So since we knew we'd be deployed, we made plans to start the first-ever Hawaii Torch Run in Iraq. These are great American soldiers doing something for a great cause. We want to show that we are giving back and doing the right thing even in the face of hardship.”
For 21 years, law enforcement officers throughout Hawaii have participated in the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics in recognition of Troy Barboza, a Special Olympics coach and Hawaii Police Department undercover police officer who was murdered in his home by a gang member in 1987 to prevent him from testifying. He was just 24 years young when he died.
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More than 400 runners from COB Speicher in Iraq take off on a 5K Torch Run to benefit Special Olympics Hawaii. |
Many Hawaii Police Department officers who were classmates of Barboza run faithfully in the Torch Run every year in his honor. The Torch Run has raised more than US$5 million dollars in Hawaii to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition opportunities for 2,000 Special Olympics athletes with intellectual disabilities.
The officers' commitment to their colleague and Special Olympics is especially evident this year, as the 400 soldiers, who were deployed from Schofield Barracks in Hawaii to Iraq three months earlier, kicked off the 21st annual First Hawaiian Bank Troy Barboza Torch Run at COB Speicher in Tikrit. The event in Iraq raised more than US$4,000 in T-shirt sales that will benefit Special Olympics Hawaii.
In April, law enforcement officers will carry the “Flame of Hope” through Kauai, the Big Island, Molokai and Maui. In addition, more than 1,000 officers will participate in the Oahu Torch Run that begins at Turtle Bay on 22 May and culminates at the Special Olympics Hawaii Summer Games Opening Ceremony at Les Murakami Stadium on 25 May.
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Lieutenant Colonel Brian Bisacre and Command Sergeant Major Gerald Stegemeier carry the torch as the 728th Military Police Battalion Warfighters cross the finish line. |
“We are celebrating the 40th anniversary of Special Olympics Hawaii in May,” said President and CEO Nancy Bottelo. “The Torch Run highlights the importance of our Program and the wonderful humanitarian side of law enforcement - here in the U.S. and now in Iraq. We are very grateful for their continued support.”
Officers participate in the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics in 35 countries around the world each year. In 2007, they raised more than US$30 million for Special Olympics.
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Specialist Sergio DelCarmen and First Lieutenant Katherine Dennison were the first place male and female finishers in the Torch Run. | |
