An Illinois State Police master sergeant from Galesburg has been selected to serve as a Guardian of the Flame leading up to the start of the 2023 Special Olympics World Games in Berlin.
Special Olympics Illinois has announced Illinois State Police, Troop 2, Master Sergeant Amber Dunn of Galesburg has been selected for the Final Leg team, serving as a Guardian of the Flame® as she runs the Flame of Hope throughout Berlin and Brandenburg in June, leading up to the start of the 2023 Special Olympics World Games in Berlin. Final Leg runners from around the world were selected to proudly represent their local Torch Run and Special Olympics programs.
“Master Sergeant Amber Dunn embodies the values of the Illinois State Police – integrity, service, and pride,” said Brendan F. Kelly, Illinois State Police Director. “Special Olympics Illinois and I congratulate her on being chosen as a Guardian of the Flame® for the 2023 Special Olympics World Games. Amber’s commitment to serving her community is commendable and we are proud she will be representing Illinois and Special Olympics athletes on an international stage. ‘Veil Gluck’, Master Sergeant!”
The Final Leg team will embark on running the Flame of Hope throughout cities and communities across Germany at various events, honoring the spirit of the Special Olympics global movement and delivering a message of hope to communities where people with intellectual disabilities continue to fight for acceptance and inclusion. The Final Leg team will safely deliver the Flame of Hope to the 2023 Special Olympics World Games Berlin Opening Ceremony on June 17.
As one of only 100 members of law enforcement chosen internationally, Special Olympics Illinois’ own Master Sergeant Dunn was selected to participate in the 2023 Berlin Final Leg Torch Run Team.
“I am very blessed and grateful to have been selected for this incredible opportunity,” Dunn said. “We, as police officers, have an internal drive to help and take care of our communities and be involved as much as we can. Law Enforcement has a special connection to Special Olympics with the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR).
“This is the biggest fundraising mechanism for Special Olympics here in Illinois and internationally. But fundraising is what we do, not who we are. We are the person cheering on our athletes from the sidelines, handing them their medals after competition, taking selfies (every chance we get), and just supporting a community that has not always been supported or included.”
Sponsor Amber Dunn: 2023 Special Olympics World Games
Dunn has ave been participating with Special Olympics LETR events for more than 12 years.
“Once you participate in one event, you will always participate,” she said. “You truly get an immediate connection with the athlete’s. It’s the athlete high-five’s, smiles, hugs and excitement that just builds.
“As another officer involved put it, when you feel your bucket is draining, attend a Special Olympics event and your bucket will be filled to overflowing. It is not what you do for the athletes, but how their determination and pure joy fills you with purpose and reminds us to always put our best foot forward.”
LISTEN: Amber Dunn on WGIL Galesburg’s Morning News
The (Law Enforcement Torch Run®) Final Leg for the 2023 World Games will take place from June 14 to 17. A team of 109 members – which includes 87 law enforcement officer runners, eight International Special Olympics athletes, along with up to 32 German Special Olympics athletes and logistics personnel – will serve as Guardians of the Flame as they run the Flame of Hope throughout Germany. The Final Leg and community visits will raise excitement for the World Games throughout the country.