We arrived in Ames, Iowa, at about 2:30pm this afternoon....and in ten minutes the 1st Lady's sister and husband arrived from Kansas and we checked into the GrandStay Residential Suites Hotel for the week. We are only about a half miles from the Iowa State Univ campus.....which makes it really nice for getting to and from the scheduled events.
Well........we went to the Hilton coliseum at 6:30pm, after receiving our entrance credentials earlier this afternoon which included tickets for tonight's Opening Ceremonies and the Closing Ceremonies on Friday night. The crowds were already packing the entrances as we arrived at the doors to the Coliseum and it took us about 15 minutes to get in and find our seats. Thankfully, we had reserved seats!!! I understand it seats about 45, 000.....and most seats were full this eveing.
The athletes arrived and entered by states, with all 50 states represented.......and there are about 7000 special athletes participating.....WOW!!!!!! It took about an hour to get all of them into the coliseum......and what a tear jerker it was!!! This was something I never expected.....and actually, didn't know what to expect! But......wouldn't have missed this for anything!!
Eunice Kennedy Shriver was there.....and wonderfully received as she was the individual who organized and started the Special Olympics back in the 60's. WOW....does she ever look like the Kennedy family. The Gov. of Iowa, and many Senators and Congressmen were there. The program consisted of some great music.....and a suprise: Hootie and the Blowfish were there and performed several numbers.
It is impossible to verbally tell about the evening! And....I can hardly wait until the Games begin tomorrow.......it will be something to observe as all of these Special Athletes compete in all kinds of Olympic games: swimming, all kinds of individual and team sports, gymnastics......golf, you name it and they the sport(s) will be on the schedule!!!
Again......if you ever have the opportunity to attend, don't miss it!!!! AND.....this is the very FIRST U.S. National Special Olympics!!!!! It is quite an experience to be here at the First one ever held!!!
Sooooo, from Ames, Iowa.........
Life IS Great......and I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!
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