EFMP, Youth Programs celebrate first joint Olympic Day

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Sandra Marrero
  • 23d Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  For the first time, Exceptional Family Members Program celebrated Olympic Day with children from Moody's Youth Programs at Grassy Pond in Lake Park, Ga. June 14, 2013.

The children participated in several activities that were designed to imitate actual Olympic sports. The events included curling, a waterslide that simulated sledding and sitting volleyball.

The first active-duty service member to be nominated to the U.S. Paralympic Team, Sgt. 1st Class Joshua Olson, attended the event as a special guest.

"This is the first joint Olympic day with the EFMP and Moody's youth group, and this is the first time we've had a Paralympian come to Olympic day for Moody," said Windy Scott, the EFMP coordinator.

In years past, the event was open exclusively to members of Youth Programs.

"With the Olympic Day and the Paralympian it's more about inclusion," said Scott. "That's what I looked at for this event, a full inclusion program for all of the Moody families. I looked at it as a way for our Youth Programs and EFMP to partner and allow the families to come out and come together and just to have a good, fun day."

For Olson, it was a way to pay back all the support he received after being wounded.

"This is my way to give back," said Olson. "So many [people] helped me along the way and through the years it took me to get to the Paralympics. If the kids have questions, I'm more than willing to share because it's my opportunity to give back."

Olson said he would like to show the children that athletic achievement is possible despite having a physical disability.

"Never did I think, going back to 2003 when I was in a hospital bed, that 10 years later I'd be walking out behind the American flag at the Paralympic games competing as one of the best marksmen in the world," said Olson.

He had some words of advice for the youth at the event.

"When you're competing in sports just give it your all and don't get discouraged. You have to persevere. If sports were easy everybody would do it. So if you really want to be the best, work hard, play fair, and treat other competitors as you want to be treated and just have fun."

Although this was Moody's first joint Olympic Day and first Paralympian guest, Scott anticipates it won't be the last.

The goal is to make this an annual event and increase attendance by extending it to all of Moody the Valdosta community, said Scott.