Maine Law Enforcement Torch Run

Special Olympics athletes are spokespersons for freedom itself – they ask for the freedom to live, the freedom to belong, the freedom to contribute, the freedom to have a chance. And, of all the values that unite and inspire us to seek a better world, no value holds a higher place than the value of freedom.”

                                                                                      -Eunice Kennedy Shriver


For over 25 years Ogunquit Police department has participated in the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. Ogunquit Police department has not only participated, but lead the way.....

                                  Ogunquit Police Officers 1985 First Torch Run, tube socks and short shorts!
                                                         (photo courtesy of retired OPD officer Bob Jones)


Year after year, residents, business owners and others have generously donated to this outstanding cause. Ogunquit has the distinction  of being a small town with the biggest donations.

I ran my first "Torch Run" in 2002. In 2003 I met and was inspired by Lisa Bird, director of Development for Maine Special Olympics. Through out the years Lisa has inspired and motivated me,  and many law enforcement agencies in the state Maine. Each year nearly 700 members of Maine law enforcement run  approximately 900 miles through the state carrying our Flame of Hope.

Because Ogunquit is a small town, with a small police force, we always invite the community to run with us.

The course in Ogunquit may be short, but support is quite large! To donate to the Maine Special Olympics:

Maine Special Olympics

C/O Ogunquit Police Dept

Officer Greg Testa

POB 666

Ogunquit, ME 03907

Home on the Range.....

Its that time of year; time for spring pistol qualifications at the "range". Ogunquit does not have a public gun range. However, one local resident allows the police department to use his "personal" range. Yes, I said  personal range.  Leonard, of Berwick Road owns a wide swath of land in Ogunquit, that was once home to the town "transfer station". Leonard allowed the town to lease the land years ago as a transfer station. The town now has its own  modern transfer station, but the relics and ghosts still occupy the former transfer station on Berwick Road.

Over the years, Leonard has joined us while we qualified. Leonard is a gun enthusiast and avid collector of older weapons. One time as I was taking my daily rubbish to the "transfer station", I noticed that Leonard had a cannon on the back of his pick-up truck. This is why Leonard has his own range.

The gun range is nestled between relics of  days gone by. Old vehicles are juxtaposed farm equipment from the 1800's. Radiators are piled, next to stacks of shutters and there are collections of all kinds of things. Its virtually a "pickers paradise": think History channel 's American Pickers. Leonard's partner, Norman who is a celebrated artist, worked at the transfer station, and would salvage old items and utilized them in some of his artistic installations. Leonard and Norman would also collect old parts, pipes, doors and other materials that people would discard.

With perfect late spring weather for shooting it was a great day to be "home on the range". 

Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics, Ogunquit ME

“You are the stars and the world is watching you. By your presence you send a message to every village, every city, every nation. A message of hope. A message of victory. The right to play on any playing field? You have earned it. The right to study in any school? You have earned it. The right to hold a job? You have earned it. The right to be anyone's neighbor? You have earned it.”

-- Eunice Kennedy Shriver speech at the 1987 Special Olympics World Games, South Bend, Indiana.

In 2002 I ran my first Law Enforcement Torch Run for Maine Special Olympics. In 2003 I went to my first Conference for Law Enforcement Torch Run and was inspired by Director Lisa Bird. Over the years I have met Maine athletes, and watched sport demonstrations and videos about Special Olympics. For several years, I participated in swim relay with athletes at the conference.

Ogunquit is a relatively small town that has a big heart. It's a known fact that the townspeople have a philanthropic spirit.  Every year, several residents, visitors, businesses and second homeowners donate generously to Maine Special Olympics. Over the past 9 years, OPD staff, and members of the community have participated in the Law Enforcement Torch Run.

The length of Ogunquit on US Route One is barely 2.3 miles (3.6 kms), so the run is quite easy. Some towns are 10 miles or longer.  Police cruisers from Kittery, and Ogunquit lead and follow the pack of runners. We pass the torch on to Wells Police dept, and the torch will continue the length of the state. The Torch Run ends on June 11th, which is the start of The Maine Special Olympics in Orono.

OPD staff person, Sharma helps with the bookkeeping, and is a great asset to the project.

The mission of Maine Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community.

I am truly proud to be involved with this outstanding organization. Please donate to Maine Special Olympics, c/o Ogunquit Police 20 Cottage Street, Ogunquit ME  or contact me. offtesta@maine.rr.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4USP9mjusLA&feature=player_embedded