Torch run lights the dawn

The Olympic flame lit the predawn darkness from its special cauldron on the back of of a truck approaching the Sagebrush Shuffler's Hall Saturday morning.

Waiting, along with several hundred spectators in the cold night air, was Kevin Maybon, the first of 28 runners selected to carry the Olympic flame through Mountain Home.

Dipping his torch into the cauldron, Maybon lit it and began his run of two-tenths of a mile to the cheers of those standing on the roadway. For the next five and a half miles, every three hundred yards, torches would be touched together and the flame passed along to the next runner.

As the first rosy red fingers of dawn began to glow in the eastern sky, the runners, preceded by special Olympic support vehicles, police cars and a city fire truck festonned with American flags, began working their way through Mountain Home, one of the smaller communities along the road to Salt Lake City to be honored with a torch run.

Along the entire route area residents woke in time to bundle up for the cold, grab an American flag, and stand along the route cheering the runners on.

At North and East Elementary, students sang patriotic songs as the torch-bearers passed by. At city hall, festive red-white-and blue banners ran the length of the block above a crowd that was ten deep in places. The courthouse and other buildings along the way also were decorated for the run with banners and patriotic themes.

As the sun slowly made its way into the sky the runners (some walked and one was in a wheelchair) gradually made their way up American Legion Boulevard toward the Desert Mountain Visitor's Center, passing several thousand people along the way.

At the visitor's center, where at least 700 people were gathered (the Kmart and Wal-Mart parking lots were literally filled to capacity with cars), 14-year-old Bruce Lake from Nampa carried the torch on the last leg of its journey into a specially roped off area, placing his torch in a special holder to the applause of the flag-waving and cheering crowd. "It was an awesome experience," he said.

Lake was the last of 28 runners selected from the Treasure Valley area to take part in the Mountain Home run. Five runners were from the local area, but one, Bradley Robert, ran in Boise and another, Wanda Valeska, would run in Idaho Falls. Maybon, Bruce Hansen and Chuck Garvey, the next-to-last runner, were the only three from this area to take part in the Mountain Home run. Judy Andrews, the widow of the first man killed in the war against terrorism, MSgt. Evander Andrews from Mountain Home AFB, had been the final runner the night before when the torch arrived in front of a crowd of over 5,000 people at The Grove in Boise.

The runners, who had been given instructions and special white and blue uniforms a few hours before the run began, carried with them not only the Olympic flame, but smiles as wide as the city streets as they each took their turn at the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

At the visitor's center the 4-H ambassadors were handing out snacks in styrofoam boxes that had been decorated by area schoolchildren, and the high school band played patriotic music as the torch arrived.

Olympic Torch Run organizers said the turnout of thousands of members of the local community, especially considering the cold and darkness in which the run had begun, was the equal of anything they had seen along the 11,500-mile route that would take the flame to the opening of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City next week.

City Councilman Tom Rist read the Olympic message:

"On behalf of Salt Lake 2002, Coca-Cola and Chevrolet, thank you. We are honored to bring the Olympic Flame through Mountain Home and are so sincerely grateful for your enthusiasm and support.

"In ancient Greece, the Olympic Torch was carried throughout the land by heralds of peace to call athletes to Olympia, where the Olympic Games began. Today, the torch remains an international symbol of peace and unity.

"As the Olympic flame travels through the United States this winter, it passes over mountain ranges, across prairies, among canyons and through the tiniest of towns and the largest of cities. The beauty of the land and its people, lining the route, shines as never before.

"But more importantly, the Olympic flame is a reminder of the power of the human spirit. Its power to endure, to triumph, to inspire us all.

"But the power to inspire does not lie only with the Olympic Flame. This gift lies within each and every one of us, and we need only to reach deep inside to find and share our courage. And then we need to reach outside, to those who need that strength.

"The Salt Lake 2002 torchbearers are the personification of the ability to 'Light the Fire Within.' They are a magnificent preview of what lies ahead at the XIX Olympic Winter Games, and what lies beyond, as the Salt Lake 2002 legacy.

"Each Olympic Games is special for the impact it makes on our memories. We remember the snowbound wonders of Lillehammer, the incredible athletics of Atlanta, the joy and laughter of Sydney. You will see all of this at the Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter Games.

"But we hope you mostly remember how this magnificent event moves, uplifts and enlightens us. Billions of people around the world will be filled with a new hope and courage because they have witnessed the resilience of the human spirit and the freedom of the world's people united as one.

"Just like the torchbearers, these games have a story, a story that will radiate from the gleaming ice rinks, from the snow-covered mountains and from the festivities and camaraderie that will surround the competitions. "With the theme of 'Light the Fire Within', the Salt Lake 2002 Games celebrate the power of the Olympics and Olympians to inspire.

"On Feb. 8, this flame will reach Salt Lake City and begin the XIX Olympic Winter Games. History will be made. "But today, you have already witnessed history. We hope you are inspired to carry the messages of the Olympic Torch Relay and the Salt Lake 2002 Games with you always. In your hearts and minds, may the Olympic flame burn forever."

He thanked the Torch Run organizers and finished by calling out the slogan of the Torch Run, "Light the Fire Within!"

Mayor Dave Jett thanked the Olympic committee for "entrusting the community of Mountain Home for the custodial care of the Olympic flame," adding, "this is a community with a big heart."

Referring to the deployed servicemen from Mountain Home AFB, Jett noted, "If you stand against freedom and justice, you will find this community has a big bite and a big bark."

Lt. Col. Bruce Wong, representing the base, added that "while the Olympics are for athletes, this flame is for everyone." Sue Gross, who was one of the organizers of the Torch Run through Mountain Home, said she was ecstatic with the turnout, which she compared in size to the AFAD parades. "They showed the spirit, they came out.

"The Olympic slogan is 'Light the Fire Within.' Well, Mountain Home did that."