2012 Special Olympics Mississippi Summer Games

Collin Sartin, athlete, leaps into the air during his turn in the running long jump competition during the Special Olympics Mississippi Summer Games, May 12, 2012, at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. It’s the 26th year that Keesler has hosted the statewide event. Opening ceremonies took place May 11. Athletic competitions took place throughout the day and were followed by a victory dance May 12. More than 1,200 athletes and coaches and 3,000 volunteers joined forces to make the event a success. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

2012 Special Olympics Mississippi Summer Games

Collin Sartin, athlete, leaps into the air during his turn in the running long jump competition during the Special Olympics Mississippi Summer Games, May 12, 2012, at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. It’s the 26th year that Keesler has hosted the statewide event. Opening ceremonies took place May 11. Athletic competitions took place throughout the day and were followed by a victory dance May 12. More than 1,200 athletes and coaches and 3,000 volunteers joined forces to make the event a success. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

2012 Special Olympics Mississippi Summer Games

Olivia Jones, athlete, trails behind athlete Rosekita Johnson in the 15-meter unassisted swim competition at the Biloxi Natatorium, Biloxi, Miss., during the Special Olympics Mississippi Summer Games, May 12, 2012. It’s the 26th year that Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., has hosted the statewide event. Opening ceremonies took place May 11. Athletic competitions took place throughout the day and were followed by a victory dance May 12. More than 1,200 athletes and coaches and 3,000 volunteers joined forces to make the event a success. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

2012 Special Olympics Mississippi Summer Games

David Robertson, athlete, trails behind athlete Beth Ann Sullender in the 100-meter freestyle swim competition at the Biloxi Natatorium, Biloxi, Miss., during the Special Olympics Mississippi Summer Games, May 12, 2012. It’s the 26th year that Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., has hosted the statewide event. Opening ceremonies took place May 11. Athletic competitions took place throughout the day and were followed by a victory dance May 12. More than 1,200 athletes and coaches and 3,000 volunteers joined forces to make the event a success. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

2012 Special Olympics Mississippi Summer Games

Fifteen-year-old, Shelby Smith, athlete, participates in the 25 meter assisted walk during the Special Olympics Mississippi Summer Games, May 12, 2012, at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. It’s the 26th year that Keesler has hosted the statewide event. Opening ceremonies took place May 11. Athletic competitions took place throughout the day and were followed by a victory dance May 12. More than 1,200 athletes and coaches and 3,000 volunteers joined forces to make the event a success. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

2012 Special Olympics Mississippi Summer Games

Athletes Lamar Doss, Josh Turner, 15, and Jonathan Cole,16, participate in the 50 meter run during the Special Olympics Mississippi Summer Games, May 12, 2012, at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. It’s the 26th year that Keesler has hosted the statewide event. Opening ceremonies took place May 11. Athletic competitions took place throughout the day and were followed by a victory dance May 12. More than 1,200 athletes and coaches and 3,000 volunteers joined forces to make the event a success. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

2012 Special Olympics Mississippi Summer Games

Brig. Gen. Andrew Mueller, 81st Training Wing commander, provides encouraging words to the athletes, Airmen sponsors and volunteers during the opening ceremonies of the Special Olympics Mississippi Summer Games, May 11, 2012, at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. It’s the 26th year that Keesler has hosted the statewide event. Athletic competitions took place throughout the day and were followed by a victory dance May 12. More than 1,200 athletes and coaches and 3,000 volunteers joined forces to make the event a success. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

2012 Special Olympics Mississippi Summer Games

Athletes and their Airmen sponsors arrive at the opening ceremonies of the Special Olympics Mississippi Summer Games, May 11, 2012, at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. It’s the 26th year that Keesler has hosted the statewide event. Athletic competitions took place throughout the day and were followed by a victory dance May 12. More than 1,200 athletes and coaches and 3,000 volunteers joined forces to make the event a success. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

2012 Special Olympics Mississippi Summer Games

Brig. Gen. Andrew Mueller, 81st Training Wing commander, carries the “Flame of Hope” down Highway 90 accompanied by runners from the 81st Security Forces Squadron in preparation for the Special Olympics Mississippi Summer Games, May 11, 2012, at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. It’s the 26th year that Keesler has hosted the statewide event. Opening ceremonies took place May 11. Athletic competitions took place throughout the day and were followed by a victory dance May 12. More than 1,200 athletes and coaches and 3,000 volunteers joined forces to make the event a success. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

2012 Special Olympics Mississippi Summer Games

Airmen sponsors cheer on Jay Davis, athlete, as he displays a few moves during the victory dance, inside a Hangar, following closing ceremonies and ending the Special Olympics Mississippi Summer Games, May 12, 2012, at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. It’s the 26th year that Keesler has hosted the statewide event. Opening ceremonies took place May 11. Athletic competitions took place throughout the day and were followed by a victory dance May 12. More than 1,200 athletes and coaches and 3,000 volunteers joined forces to make the event a success. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

2012 Special Olympics Mississippi Summer Games

Chief Master Sgt. Richard Boulanger, 334th Training Squadron, places a medal around an athlete’s neck during the aquatics competition at the Special Olympics Mississippi Summer Games at the Biloxi Natatorium May 12, 2012, Biloxi, Miss. It’s the 26th year that the statewide event has been hosted by Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. Opening ceremonies took place May 11. Athletic competitions took place throughout the day and were followed by a victory dance May 12. More than 1,200 athletes and coaches and 3,000 volunteers joined forces to make the event a success. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

2012 Special Olympics Mississippi Summer Games

The Special Olympics Mississippi Summer Games‘ aquatic competition was held at the Biloxi Natatorium, Biloxi, Miss., May 12, 2012. It’s the 26th year that the statewide event has been hosted by Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. Opening ceremonies took place May 11. Athletic competitions took place throughout the day and were followed by a victory dance May 12. More than 1,200 athletes and coaches and 3,000 volunteers joined forces to make the weekend a success. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

2012 Special Olympics Mississippi Summer Games

Alonzo Gaddy, athlete, busts a balloon on volunteers Jarrett Helm and Colby Jones, 16, son of Steve Jones, also a volunteer from Ingalls Ship Building in Pascagoula, Miss., while playing a game at Olympic Village during the Special Olympics Deloris Reed, athlete, is assisted by her Airman sponsor, Airman Jacqueline Brewer, 336th Training Squadron, with choosing beads to make a necklace at Olympic Village during the Special Olympics Mississippi Summer Games, May 12, 2012, at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. It’s the 26th year that Keesler has hosted the statewide event. Opening ceremonies took place May 11. Athletic competitions took place throughout the day and were followed by a victory dance May 12. More than 1,200 athletes and coaches and 3,000 volunteers joined forces to make the event a success. Olympic Village is an area set up on the parade field with vendors, arts and crafts, games and karaoke for entertaining the athletes while not competing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

2012 Special Olympics Mississippi Summer Games

Steve Jones, a volunteer from Ingalls Ship Building in Pascagoula, Miss.; watches Alonzo Gaddy, athlete, toss a hula hoop while playing ring-a-saurus in Olympic Village as Gaddy’s sponsors’ Airman Basic Brandon Jackson and Airman First Class Wendell Mutz, 335th Training Squadron, cheer him on during the Special Olympics Mississippi Summer Games, May 12, 2012, at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. Olympic Village is an area set up on the parade field with vendors, arts and crafts, games and karaoke for entertaining the athletes while not competing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

2012 Special Olympics Mississippi Summer Games

Cassie McLeod, athlete, receives a high-five from Brig. Gen. Andrew Mueller, 81st Training Wing commander, after he presented her with a silver medal during the Special Olympics Mississippi Summer Games, May 12, 2012, at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. It’s the 26th year that Keesler has hosted the statewide event. Opening ceremonies took place May 11. Athletic competitions took place throughout the day and were followed by a victory dance May 12. More than 1,200 athletes and coaches and 3,000 volunteers joined forces to make the event a success. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

2012 Special Olympics Mississippi Summer Games

Tech. Sgt. Alex Jordan, Mathies NCO Academy, volunteers his services by presenting medals during the Special Olympics Mississippi Summer Games, May 12, 2012, at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. It’s the 26th year that Keesler has hosted the statewide event. Opening ceremonies took place May 11. Athletic competitions took place throughout the day and were followed by a victory dance May 12. More than 1,200 athletes and coaches and 3,000 volunteers joined forces to make the event a success. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

2012 Special Olympics Mississippi Summer Games

Brig. Gen. Andrew Mueller, 81st Training Wing commander, Chief Master Sgt. Angelica Johnson, 81 TRW command chief, and Col. Glen Downing, 81 TRW vice commander, carried the “Flame of Hope” accompanied by runners from the 81st Security Forces Squadron in preparation for the Special Olympics Mississippi Summer Games, May 11, 2012, at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. It’s the 26th year that Keesler has hosted the statewide event. Opening ceremonies took place May 11. Athletic competitions took place throughout the day and were followed by a victory dance May 12. More than 1,200 athletes and coaches and 3,000 volunteers joined forces to make the event a success. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

2012 Special Olympics Mississippi Summer Games

Seventeen-year-old Brady White, Wendell Yates, Desmond Brown, Tierrez Macon, and Chase Meadows, athletes, participate in the 50-meter run during the Special Olympics Mississippi Summer Games, May 12, 2012, at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. It’s the 26th year that Keesler has hosted the statewide event. Opening ceremonies took place May 11. Athletic competitions took place throughout the day and were followed by a victory dance May 12. More than 1,200 athletes and coaches and 3,000 volunteers joined forces to make the event a success. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

2012 Special Olympics Mississippi Summer Games

Heather Boyte, an athlete from Clinton, Miss., sings during the opening ceremonies of the Special Olympics Mississippi Summer Games, May 11, 2012, at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. It’s the 26th year that Keesler has hosted the statewide event. Athletic competitions took place throughout the day and were followed by a victory dance May 12. More than 1,200 athletes and coaches and 3,000 volunteers joined forces to make the event a success. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

2012 Special Olympics Mississippi Summer Games

Brig. Gen. Andrew Mueller, 81st Training Wing commander, provides encouraging words to the athletes, Airmen sponsors and volunteers during the opening ceremonies of the Special Olympics Mississippi Summer Games, May 11, 2012, at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. It’s the 26th year that Keesler has hosted the statewide event. Athletic competitions took place throughout the day and were followed by a victory dance May 12. More than 1,200 athletes and coaches and 3,000 volunteers joined forces to make the event a success. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

Keesler prepares for annual Special Olympics

Staff Sgts. Kevin Braden, 335th Training Squadron, and Cody Spitler, Special Olympics Mississippi deputy project officer, instruct volunteer Airmen on positioning steaks to secure a 40-foot-by-80-foot tent adjacent to Bryan Hall, Keesler Air Force Base Miss., May 7, 2012. It took 30 volunteers three hours to set up the tent which will be used for food service during the games. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kimberly Rae Moore)

Keesler prepares for annual Special Olympics

Staff Sgt. Cody Spitler, 81st Force Support Squadron, leads volunteers in pre-positioning barriers at the Triangle area Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., May 7, 2012, prior to the Special Olympics Mississippi Summer Games kick off. Nearly 200 water barriers will serve as traffic control in addition to 500 metal barriers which are positioned to serve as personnel control throughout the SOMS games. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kimberly Rae Moore)

Special moments at Special Olympics

Special Olympian Deandre Brown, accompanied by Patrolman 1st Class Jamie Brooks, lit the cauldron with the “flame of hope” during Friday’s opening ceremonies for the Mississippi Special Olympics Summer Games. This year’s games were dedicated to Patrolman Brooks’ father, James “Jimmy” Brooks Sr., a longtime Special Olympics supporter. It’s the 25th year that Keesler has hosted the statewide event. Almost 1,000 athletes participated this year with their coaches and parents, bolstered by thousands of volunteers from Keesler and other organizations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

Special moments at Special Olympics

Athlete Rhonda Turner sings Katy Perry's "California Girls" during karaoke at the Olympic Village during Special Olympics, hosted by Keesler Friday and Saturday. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)