News

Special Olympics supported by volunteer Airmen

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Zachary Cacicia
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  With a look of joy on their faces, medals around their necks and sweat on their brows, each and every cyclist earned a sense of accomplishment.

Team Dover came out in force as 115 Airmen volunteered their Saturday morning to support more than 70 athletes to compete at the 2015 Special Olympics Cycling Classic Sept. 12, 2015, at Dover AFB, Delaware.

For Staff Sgt. Zaneta Mitchell, 436th Airlift Wing command chief executive assistant, this was her second year working as the event's volunteer coordinator, organizing Team Dover Airmen from various units throughout the base.

"I feel that we owe it to the community to volunteer," said Mitchell. "We must all do our part to make our community better, and this event is a step in that direction."

Not only does Dover AFB provide scores of Airmen volunteers, but since 2010, has offered a safe location for the annual event.  Cyclists and their teams travelled from across the Mid-Atlantic region to compete. There were representatives from Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania.

"We got phenomenal support as far as volunteers," said Mark Wise, Special Olympics Delaware director of training. "This is probably one of the largest ratios in terms of volunteers to athletes that I've seen."

Wise was also impressed with the base and the facilities it provided.

"The [race] course itself is world class," he said. "If you were going to do a cycling event outside of Special Olympics, you couldn't ask for a better venue than what you have here."

Much of Team Dover's leadership also took part in the event, including opening remarks from Col. Michael Grismer, 436th AW commander, and closing remarks from Col. D. Scott "Bull" Durham, 512th AW commander. But it was Maj. Danzel Albertsen, 436th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron commander, who held the honor of presenting the Olympic Torch.

"It's a great opportunity to be part of something that's bigger than you are," said Albertsen. "I've been an avid cyclist most of my life and I was involved with the Special Olympics up in North Dakota. I believe in it."

Albertsen also had the honor of presenting the placing athletes with gold, silver and bronze medals at the end of each race.

"We have an outstanding group of volunteers out here," Albertsen said. "It's a great opportunity for anyone to come out and support."

One of these volunteers was able to put her Air Force skills to use when one of the cyclists crashed, needing minor medical attention. Senior Airman Jiheh Lee's, 436th Medical Operations Squadron medical technician, let instinct take over and rushed to the downed rider.

"The rider fell and scrapped his knee, forearm and thumb; he was bleeding," said Lee. "The first thing I did was apply pressure with some gauze that was on hand until he could get additional help."

The event also held a special place in Lee's heart.

"I have a special sister," she said. "I would love for someone to be there to support her, so I'm out her to support others."