| On a cold Sunday morning, December 23, 2001, the day
that Big Mike Dowd of Belleville waited for so long finally arrived!
Waking up before dawn, (and probably not able to sleep the night before)
Big Mike suited up and prepared for his Olympic Torch Run.
While he wished it could be in New Jersey, and
especially in Belleville, the torch route was changed from Central NJ to
Staten Island. There, he was scheduled to carry the flame on Victory
Boulevard. Big Mike got us all up early, and could not wait to
arrive in Staten Island!
Once we all arrived there, Mike introduced himself to
everyone and made many friends while waiting for the Torch Run committee
to arrange the day's events. He met torch bearers from all over New
Jersey who were nominated just like him to carry the Olympic flame.
He also made friends with the Committee members, who were from all parts
of the country, helping escort the runners and the flame to Salt Lake
City, Utah for the February 2002 Winter
Olympics. |
