DES, MPs carry Special Olympics torch

By Shandi DixJune 19, 2010

DES, MPs carry Special Olympics torch
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT RILEY, Kan. - With temperatures already reaching 90 degrees members of the Directorate of Emergency Services and the Military Police joined forces June 4 for the Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run.

"I think today is the hottest day out of the year, it's about 95 degrees, and actually the Soldiers did the right thing this morning, everyone hydrated, got a lot of rest and everyone completed the run," said Maj. Robert Cosgrove, rear detachment commander, 97th Military Police Battalion. "It was a great time."

He also thought the run was easier than they had anticipated it to be.

Members of DES led by DES Sgt. Maj. Mark Dombrowski met members of the Riley County Police Department at the Ogden Gate to begin the first of the two-leg run. At the First Territorial Capitol of Kansas, Dombrowski handed the torch off to Cosgrove - who along with members of the 97th MP Bn. - took the torch through Grant Gate where it was handed off to the Junction City Police Department.

Each leg was about three miles long.

This yearly event is held the first week of June and is a partnership between the MPs, DES and the civilian law enforcement agencies in the surrounding communities to assist those in need

"The Soldiers within the Directorate of Emergency Services are all about helping people; that's what we do on a day-to-day basis whether we're standing out on gates, providing law enforcement support; it could be a numerous amount of things. This is just another way to go ahead and help the community and show our support for a well-deserved organization like Special Olympics," Dombrowski said.

"As military police our motto is to assist, protect and defend; we're always doing things for the community whether we're on duty or off duty, and it's just an opportunity for especially the young Soldiers to be able to participate in such a great cause as the Special Olympics; it's them giving back to the community," Cosgrove said.

Started in 1981 by the Wichita, Kan., Police Chief Richard LaMunyon, the run raises more than $30 million each year with more than 85,000 law enforcement officers from 35 nations participating.

"Without a doubt it shows that Fort Riley is committed to supporting the community and organizations as a whole whether it's the (Department of Defense) civilians on post or it's the Soldiers, we're all committed to help each other," Dombrowski said.