Special Olympics New Mexico athlete Sam Zimmerly reads the Special Olympics motto as LAPD Deputy Chief Oliver Morris looks on. Photo by Linda Hull

BY LINDA HULL
Vice President
Rotary Club of Los Alamos

During the February 21 meeting of the Rotary Club of Los Alamos, Rotarian and Deputy Police Chief Oliver Morris introduced friend Sam Zimmerly, a Special Olympics Athlete from Los Alamos, who is wearing a uniform designed for Los Alamos Police Department outreach.

At the podium, Morris read the oath of the New Mexico Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR).  The LETR, which began in Wichita, Kansas in 1981, is the largest grass-roots fundraising movement benefiting Special Olympics, increasing public awareness about its service to young people with intellectual disabilities.

The oath states, “As a Law Enforcement Torch Runner, I commit my talents, energy, love and compassion to the athletes and families of Special Olympics New Mexico.  I will protect, defend, and befriend all those who seek the joy of Special Olympics sport, and I will always be a Guardian of the Flame of Hope.”

Zimmerly followed with the Special Olympics motto, “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”

Morris serves as the Special Olympics New Mexico North Region Coordinator.