Keesler welcomes athletes, supporters for Special Olympics Summer Games Published May 13, 2009 By Airman 1st Class David Salanitri 81st Training Wing Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Friday kicks off the 2009 Mississippi States Special Olympics, which it has been held at Keesler Air Force Base since 1982, with a torch run expected to arrive at the white avenue gate at noon. The event will draw in excess of 1,300 athletes and coaches, as well as 3,000 volunteers, which is the largest participation the Special Olympics has had here. "Once you've participated in the weekend, you're hooked," said Jackie Pope, project officer. "The excitement from the athletes is what keeps me coming back year after year." After five months of planning and with only one day left until the opening ceremony, the Keesler Special Olympics committee is in execution mode. "We're down to crunch time, making sure all aspects of the preparations and execution of the games is on schedule from the smallest detail," said the Special Olympics volunteer of 11 years. "It takes a committee of approximately 40 people to plan and execute the games and demonstrates how well Keesler and the local community works as a team. If you'd like to volunteer to help this week's Special Olympics, call 376-SOMS (7667) "I invite everyone to come and volunteer or cheer on our athletes. For the majority of the athletes this is their only activity where they are away from their home or center and they look forward to the games every year," concluded Ms. Pope.