Lt. Col. Benjamin Ogden, commander, 1st Battalion,

Lt. Col. Benjamin Ogden, commander, 1st Battalion, 1st Air Defense Artillery, presents medals immediately following the 100 meter competition at the 14th Annual Special Olympics Games on Kadena Air Base, Nov. 2. Approximately 100 U.S. soldiers volunteered to assist and cheer on the athletes during the games. From Special Olympics beginning on Okinawa in 2000, the goals remain unchanged: to not only promote the understanding and acceptance of people with intellectual and physical disabilities, but to foster stronger bonds and friendships between the U.S. and Japan.