HINESVILLE, Ga. - Can Do soldiers representing companies C and D from 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, took a break from their busy daily schedules to volunteer at this year's Liberty County Special Olympics at the Liberty County Recreation Center in Hinesville, April 25.
The mission of the Special Olympics is to provide year-round training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities in order to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics' athletes and the community.
This particular Special Olympics event provided athletic competition for children of all ages. Soldiers from 3-15 Inf., known for their motto Can Do, helped the young competitors by coaching them and cheering them on as they competed in each individual event.
Throughout the hot and sunny April day with temperatures in the high 80's, the soldiers were paired up with boys and girls who competed in events to include the softball toss, relay race, shot put, javelin, and sprint competitions of various distances.
Capt. Jared Ray, a platoon leader with Company D, showed up to support the event along with 10 Soldiers from the company.
"It was an amazing experience that definitely put things in a different perspective for me," said Ray.
Laurel Howard, a chairwoman of the Liberty County Special Olympics, was grateful for the support. "On behalf of the Liberty County Special Olympics we cannot appreciate enough the soldiers coming out here and volunteering," she said. "It means a lot to us and especially the kids."
First Lt. James Rafferty, a platoon leader with Company C, also volunteered along with five members of his platoon. "I am grateful we had the chance to come out and support these competitors today," he said. "I appreciate the opportunity to show the local community how much we care. It's important they realize that we as soldiers don't forget about our local communities who have always supported us."
Despite their busy schedule of conducting team live fires while completing mandatory taskings, and preparing to support a mission at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, the Can Do soldiers continue to live up to their motto and more.
Social Sharing