USS Theodore Roosevelt Sailors Assist Special Olympics

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice John Paul Kotara, USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) -- Approximately 50 Sailors from USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) volunteered, April 7 at Old Dominion University (ODU) in Norfolk to help more than 200 elementary school children from Norfolk Public Schools participate in this year's Special Olympics event, dubbed "Little Feet Meet."

The event was put together by Patrick Doyle, an Adapted Physical Education teacher with Norfolk Public Schools. Doyle has been the director of this event for the last two years, and explains that the attendance grew from 88 children last year to more than 200 children this year.

"This is a great opportunity to advocate for these children," said Doyle. "My goal is for this event to grow and include every child."

Doyle said he is proud of the turnout, both of the kids and support.

"This is the first year the Navy has come out and we are very proud to see them out here," said Doyle."

When TR Sailors took the field they were divided into groups, each assigned to a corresponding group of students.

From start to finish, the Sailors looked to enjoy every moment they spent there. Sailors did everything from running hand in hand, jumping and cheering alongside students in 18 events which lasted two hours. The events held were well rounded and offered a variety of exercises such as a 50-meter dash and standing long jump, as well as: softball throw, hula hoop toss, football throw, golf putting, tee-ball hitting, tossing station, parachute activities, obstacle course, soccer kick, weightlifting, bean bag toss, fitness station, ladder ball, track events, hockey shot and races.

"Just to see the smiles on their face, that's enough for me," said Engineman 1st Class (SW) Ryan Giddens. "This means a lot to me, it felt like something I had to do."

Giddens explained that while he does not have a special needs child, he loved spending time with them and was laughing, smiling and interacting with the students.

The Navy and other volunteers were not the only ones enjoying themselves. The students participating were alive with excitement.

"The kids love it, you can tell by the big smiles on each of their faces," said Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Equipment) Airman Mitchell Mackenzie.

Mackenzie said that throughout the exercises his child kept saying "I'm winning, I'm winning!"

Mackenzie said, "It shows that we care for the community and are willing to give back for everything we get from them."

With most of the year still ahead, TR plans to keep an active role within the community and keep giving back in any way possible.

Theodore Roosevelt is currently undergoing its scheduled mid-life Refueling Complex Overhaul (RCOH) at Newport News Shipyard, a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries. During the 39-month maintenance period, TR's fuel will be replenished and significant upgrades will be made to the ship's combat and communication systems to extend the ship's service life for 25 or more years. All Nimitz-class aircraft carriers go through RCOH near the mid-point of their 50-year life cycle.