It was quite a sight to see as a large contingency of Thunder Bay police and members of the Special Olympics Canada joined forces with Cook County Law Enforcement, Cook County I.S.D. 166 Unified Club, and Special Olympics Minnesota at the Pigeon River Border crossing on Monday, June 19, on a unified torch run from Thunder Bay that will end in the Twin Cities on June 23, just in time for the Minnesota Special Olympics games. Cook County Sheriff Pat Eliasen is in the white shirt in front in this picture.
The best of us came to the front on Monday, June 19 when Cook County Law Enforcement personnel joined their counterparts from Thunder Bay at the center of the Pigeon River border crossing and passed the Flame of Hope between them.
For the officers from Thunder Bay, the Pigeon River was a glorious sight. They had run in relay from Thunder Bay to the border, and many had covered a lot of miles in their 55-K (34 miles) dash to the dividing line between the two countries.
But this day wasn’t about division. Rather addition was in play as the police from both sides joined to raise money and awareness for Special Olympics.
More than 35 Ontario police laced up their running shoes and ran carrying the Flame of Hope to support Thunder Bay Special Olympics. They didn’t run alone, but were joined by Special Olympics Thunder Bay athletes and a multi-agency honor guard.
Carrying the torch, Cook County Sheriff Pat Eliasen accepted the flame from the Canadian runners. Then it was time for some short speeches done on the grass near the border patrol buildings.
Dave Doran, the president and CEO of Special Olympics Minnesota, talked about the historic event, saying this passing of the torch was a first-of-its kind between the two countries.
“For the two (countries) to come together and form a partnership with Special Olympics Ontario, Special Olympics Canada and Special Olympics Minnesota is just phenomenal,” said Doran.
Eliasen also spoke, praising the occasion and Thunder Bay’s willingness to accept the invitation to join together for this occasion.
Const. Julie Tilbury, the spokeswoman for Thunder Bay Police, said it was an easy decision to accept the invitation to run and meet at the border. “Right away we said yes,” she said.
She cited Thunder Bay’s distance from other communities in Canada, and said having a partnership south of the border could lead to more opportunities for local athletes.
Calling it the highlight of the day when the flames touched, Tilbury said. “You saw Canada and the U.S. on the border, the Flame of Hope going from one country to the next and the whole spirit of sport, joy and inclusion – everything the Special Olympics is about – you saw here today at the border and it’s something I hope we get to do again.”
When the flame got to Grand Marais the Cook County I.S.D. 166 Unified Club joined Eliasen as he took the torch from the donut shop to Bear Tree Park where a celebration was held.
Following that joyous occasion the torch was passed from runner to runner as it made its way to the Twin Cities for the Minnesota Special Olympics Summer Games Ceremonies opened on June 23.
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