Moody, Valdosta youth celebrate Olympic Day

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Ryan Callaghan
  • 23d Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, GA --  Moody's Youth Programs, the Exceptional Family Members Program, and Valdosta Parks and Recreation came together to celebrate Olympic Day at Grassy Pond in Lake Park, Ga., June 13, 2014.

Olympic Day was created in 1948 to commemorate the creation of the modern Olympics and is now celebrated in more than 160 countries. The event allowed more than 180 children to participate in various sports and activities such as tug-of-war, volleyball, bowling and a football toss to promote the ideals of the Olympic movement.

"All across the country this month people are celebrating the Olympics and what they stand for: fair play perseverance, respect and sportsmanship," said U.S. Air Force Col. Chad Franks, 23d Wing commander, during the opening remarks. "That's what today is all about."

In addition to these values, Franks says we should celebrate our differences.

"I tell my Airmen from the 23d WG that every single one of us [is important] to the success of the mission." he said. "That's the same for all of you, everyone brings a special talent to the team."

Lewis Gordan, Georgia's top Special Olympics athlete, also made an appearance on stage next to Franks and to play alongside the children.

Windy Scott, Airman and Family Readiness Center Exceptional Family Members Program coordinator, organized the event with a single goal in mind: inclusion.

"The goal was to bring the Youth Programs and community partners together to learn about different people's abilities," she said. "We wanted to get all the kids together and make sure everyone was included. That way we can show them that we can all do things together, that we don't have to separate [kids with special needs]."