This year, Schofield Barracks 728 MPBN Battalion who were deployed to Iraq

3 months ago will kick-off the Hawaii Torch Run in Tikrit, Iraq. On Saturday March 15th,  US soldiers will run side-by-side to support 2,000 Special Olympics athletes with intellectual disabilities in Hawaii .  This is a wonderful offering of peace and inclusion for everyone – which is exactly what Special Olympics is

all about.  

“We ran in the Torch Run in Hawaii last year – and we were very touched by the experience – so since we knew we’d be deployed, we made plans to start the Hawaii Torch Run off in Iraq.”  said Battalion Commander Brian Bisacre  “These are great American soldiers doing something for a great cause. “We want to show that we are giving back and doing the right thing even in the face of hardship.”

The Run benefits Special Olympics Hawaii and is considered to be part of the annual First Hawaiian Bank Troy Barboza Law Enforcement Run. The Torch Run unites law enforcement officers as they carry the Special Olympics Flame of Hope throughout their community. The Flame of Hope then comes to the State Summer Games, where over 1,000 officers carry the Torch into the Opening Ceremonies to begin those Games.