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Lance Cpl. Kashay Patterson from Myrtle Beach, S.C., watches as a Special Olympics athlete putts the ball toward the pin in the ground golf event at the 2010 Kadena Special Olympics on Saturday.

Lance Cpl. Kashay Patterson from Myrtle Beach, S.C., watches as a Special Olympics athlete putts the ball toward the pin in the ground golf event at the 2010 Kadena Special Olympics on Saturday. (Matt Orr/Stars and Stripes)

Lance Cpl. Kashay Patterson from Myrtle Beach, S.C., watches as a Special Olympics athlete putts the ball toward the pin in the ground golf event at the 2010 Kadena Special Olympics on Saturday.

Lance Cpl. Kashay Patterson from Myrtle Beach, S.C., watches as a Special Olympics athlete putts the ball toward the pin in the ground golf event at the 2010 Kadena Special Olympics on Saturday. (Matt Orr/Stars and Stripes)

Athletes bolt from the starting line of the 400m race at the 2010 Kadena Special Olympics on Saturday. About 850 athletes competed in various events throughout the day.

Athletes bolt from the starting line of the 400m race at the 2010 Kadena Special Olympics on Saturday. About 850 athletes competed in various events throughout the day. (Matt Orr/Stars and Stripes)

A Special Olympics athlete races past the finish line with a broad smile on her face after securing second place for her team in the 400m relay race at the Kadena Special Olympics on Saturday.

A Special Olympics athlete races past the finish line with a broad smile on her face after securing second place for her team in the 400m relay race at the Kadena Special Olympics on Saturday. (Matt Orr/Stars and Stripes)

Athletes are presented their medals after the 400m relay. Athletes competed in various events throughout the afternoon Saturday including ground golf, softball throw, basketball skills, frisbee throw and floor hockey.

Athletes are presented their medals after the 400m relay. Athletes competed in various events throughout the afternoon Saturday including ground golf, softball throw, basketball skills, frisbee throw and floor hockey. (Matt Orr/Stars and Stripes)

Athletes wait for their events to start. About 850 competed Saturday at the 11th Kadena Special Olympics.

Athletes wait for their events to start. About 850 competed Saturday at the 11th Kadena Special Olympics. (Matt Orr/Stars and Stripes)

Ten-year-old Keita Chinen, center, is escorted by Marine Staff Sgt. Ramarie Moore of Camp Foster at the Kadena Special Olympics on Saturday at Kadena Air Base. About 800 special needs athletes and more than 3,000 American and Japanese volunteers participated in the annual event, which began in 2000 to strengthen ties between the U.S. and Okinawan communities on the island.

Ten-year-old Keita Chinen, center, is escorted by Marine Staff Sgt. Ramarie Moore of Camp Foster at the Kadena Special Olympics on Saturday at Kadena Air Base. About 800 special needs athletes and more than 3,000 American and Japanese volunteers participated in the annual event, which began in 2000 to strengthen ties between the U.S. and Okinawan communities on the island. (Chiyomi Sumida/Stars and Stripes)

Takashi Oshiro, 20, from Naha, and his escort, Marine Lance Cpl. Elena Jaramillo of Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, are ready to participate in the tennis event during the Kadena Special Olympics on Saturday at Kadena Air Base.

Takashi Oshiro, 20, from Naha, and his escort, Marine Lance Cpl. Elena Jaramillo of Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, are ready to participate in the tennis event during the Kadena Special Olympics on Saturday at Kadena Air Base. (Chiyomi Sumida/Stars and Stripes)

Marine Master Sgt. Raymundo Muro and his son, Sean, a 4th grader at Amelia Earhart Intermediate School, take part in a 30-meter race at Kadena Special Olympics Saturday at Kadena Air Base.

Marine Master Sgt. Raymundo Muro and his son, Sean, a 4th grader at Amelia Earhart Intermediate School, take part in a 30-meter race at Kadena Special Olympics Saturday at Kadena Air Base. (Chiyomi Sumida/Stars and Stripes)

Petty Officer Jason Valdovinos, 21, of Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, and Jun Okawa, 48, of Okinawa City, view the exhibit created by 700 special needs artists at the Risner Gym on Saturday. The Kadena Special Olympics drew more than 5,000 people from military and Okinawan communities, including about 800 special needs athletes and more than 3,000 American and Japanese volunteers as well as senior officials from both communities.

Petty Officer Jason Valdovinos, 21, of Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, and Jun Okawa, 48, of Okinawa City, view the exhibit created by 700 special needs artists at the Risner Gym on Saturday. The Kadena Special Olympics drew more than 5,000 people from military and Okinawan communities, including about 800 special needs athletes and more than 3,000 American and Japanese volunteers as well as senior officials from both communities. (Chiyomi Sumida/Stars and Stripes)

About 800 special needs athletes and more than 3,000 American and Japanese volunteers participated in the 2010 Kadena Special Olympic Saturday at Kadena Air Base.

About 800 special needs athletes and more than 3,000 American and Japanese volunteers participated in the 2010 Kadena Special Olympic Saturday at Kadena Air Base. (Chiyomi Sumida/Stars and Stripes)

About 800 special needs athletes and more than 3,000 American and Japanese volunteers participated in the 2010 Kadena Special Olympics on Saturday at Kadena Air Base.

About 800 special needs athletes and more than 3,000 American and Japanese volunteers participated in the 2010 Kadena Special Olympics on Saturday at Kadena Air Base. (Chiyomi Sumida/Stars and Stripes)

About 800 special needs athletes and more than 3,000 American and Japanese volunteers participated in the 2010 Kadena Special Olympic Saturday at Kadena Air Base.

About 800 special needs athletes and more than 3,000 American and Japanese volunteers participated in the 2010 Kadena Special Olympic Saturday at Kadena Air Base. (Chiyomi Sumida/Stars and Stripes)

Professional soccer player Ramos Rui attracts crowds of athletes during the Kadena Special Olympics on Saturday at Kadena Air Base.

Professional soccer player Ramos Rui attracts crowds of athletes during the Kadena Special Olympics on Saturday at Kadena Air Base. (Chiyomi Sumida/Stars and Stripes)

About 800 special needs athletes and more than 3,000 American and Japanese volunteers participated in the 2010 Kadena Special Olympics Saturday at Kadena Air Base.

About 800 special needs athletes and more than 3,000 American and Japanese volunteers participated in the 2010 Kadena Special Olympics Saturday at Kadena Air Base. (Chiyomi Sumida/Stars and Stripes)

About 800 special needs athletes and more than 3,000 American and Japanese volunteers participated in the 2010 Kadena Special Olympics on Saturday at Kadena Air Base.

About 800 special needs athletes and more than 3,000 American and Japanese volunteers participated in the 2010 Kadena Special Olympics on Saturday at Kadena Air Base. (Chiyomi Sumida/Stars and Stripes)

About 800 special needs athletes and more than 3,000 American and Japanese volunteers participated in the 2010 Kadena Special Olympics on Saturday at Kadena Air Base.

About 800 special needs athletes and more than 3,000 American and Japanese volunteers participated in the 2010 Kadena Special Olympics on Saturday at Kadena Air Base. (Chiyomi Sumida/Stars and Stripes)

Yudai Miyagi, 8, of Okinawa City, starts celebrating his accomplishment in the 30-meter race during the 2010 Kadena Special Olympics on Saturday at Kadena Air Base. His escort, Marine Cpl. Mike Teany, 20, from Camp Foster, said his young Okinawan friend is too energetic to catch up with.

Yudai Miyagi, 8, of Okinawa City, starts celebrating his accomplishment in the 30-meter race during the 2010 Kadena Special Olympics on Saturday at Kadena Air Base. His escort, Marine Cpl. Mike Teany, 20, from Camp Foster, said his young Okinawan friend is too energetic to catch up with. (Chiyomi Sumida/Stars and Stripes)

KADENA AIR BASE — The stadium at Kadena’s Risner Fitness Complex was filled Saturday with cheers and laughter from more than 800 athletes, their families and friends, and 3,000 American and Japanese volunteers during the 11th Annual Kadena Special Olympics.

During an opening speech Saturday, 18th Wing commander Brig. Gen. Ken Wilsbach touched upon the significance of the event.

“Special Olympics serves as a bridge to strengthen our belief that people with disabilities demonstrate courage, strength and unique talent when provided the opportunity,” he said.

The sentiment rings true for tennis player Takashi Oshiro, 20, of Naha.“Every year, this is something he is really looking forward to and he is always practicing,” said his mother, Sawako.

Escorting him was Marine Lance Cpl. Elena Jaramillo, 20, from Marine Corps Air Station Futenma.

“I thought it was not a bad way to spend a Saturday,” Jaramillo said, adding that her new friend had a wonderful laugh.

“He wants to make friends with her, but he’s been too shy,” Oshiro’s mother said while standing next to them.

Events during the day included a 50-meter wheelchair race, tennis, basketball, floor hockey, and many track and field events. There was also an exhibit featuring art from about 700 special needs artists at the Risner gym.

At the art exhibit, Petty Officer 3rd Class Jason Valdovinos, 21, from Futenma, was standing next to Jun Okawa, 48, from Okinawa City. Their eyes were focusing on a paper craft of a Teru Teru bozu, or good weather amulet, which is believed among Japanese children to bring good weather.

“He asked me if it has something to do with Halloween,” Okawa said with a chuckle.

Valdovinos said he volunteered because he loves to help people, but it turned out to also be a learning experience for him.

“He (Okawa) is very knowledgeable,” Valdovinos said of his new friend, who he would later assist in the 50-meter wheelchair race.

For first-timer Yudai Miyagi, 8, from Okinawa City, everything was new.

He ran the 30-meter race with Marine Cpl. Mike Teany of Camp Foster. After the race, he was all smiles and still full of energy.

“He is very energetic and hard to catch up with,” said Teany, 20. “Maybe I am getting too old.” sumidac@pstripes.osd.mil

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