Blanchfield, WTB Soldiers support student-competitors at Special Olympics

By Maria YagerApril 19, 2018

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1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Blanchfield Army Community Hospital Soldier Sgt. Norma Arevalo and Northeast Middle School education assistant Janet Hildebrandt encourage a student-athlete participating in the 100-yard dash at the Special Olympics of Greater Clarksville Spring Game... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Volunteers from Blanchfield Army Community Hospital and students and staff from Northeast Middle School give a cheer a before heading to their first events at the Special Olympics of Greater Clarksville Spring Games, April 13. The games were held at ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Fort Campbell Warrior Transition Battalion staff, 1st Sgt. Steve Peters and his daughter Abbigail, talk with Soldiers from the Battalion who came out to support Abbigail and other student-competitors from her school at the Special Olympics of Greater... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. -- Soldiers from Blanchfield Army Community Hospital and Fort Campbell's Warrior Transition Battalion positively impacted the community April, 13 supporting the Special Olympics of Greater Clarksville Spring Games.

The games were held at Kenwood High School and featured track and field events for children and adults with intellectual or physical disabilities. Many schools from the surrounding Fort Campbell community had students participate, including some Fort Campbell Schools.

"It means a great deal to my family to have members from the WTB and hospital support such a wonderful event," said 1st Sgt. Steven Peters, a staff member at the WTB and father of Abbigail, 12, who has participated in the Special Olympics since she was eight. Abbigail took first place in the softball throw and third place in the 50 meter run. "My wife and I love the program. It gives the opportunity for Abbigail to compete, make friends and share in the successes of others."

Soldiers from Blanchfield teamed up with its Partner in Education school, Northeast Middle School, and helped get its student-competitors to their individual events.

"We were each assigned a buddy and we go around with the school staff and our buddy and support them and make sure they get to their events on time and help them do the best they can," said volunteer, Staff Sgt. William Cox, an occupational therapy specialist from Blanchfield. Cox cheered as his buddy competed in three events. "It's a nice day and I am really happy to be out here in the sunshine helping our partner school."

Volunteers from the WTB helped support students from Stewart County Middle School keeping track of finisher's results, scoring and cheering students on.

"It's a good event. This community is a big supporter of our military and we want to keep that fellowship and friendship constant. We support them and they support us," said volunteer, 1st Sgt. Conrad Begaye, assigned to the WTB.

Student-competitors from Fort Campbell's Exceptional Family Member Program also participated in the games. The Fort Campbell EFMP serves more than 4,500 individuals with special needs.

Special Olympics of Greater Clarksville manages Special Olympics activities for Montgomery and Stewart counties, providing athletic competition to more than 500 athletes.

BACH, WTB support Special Olympics of Greater Clarksville