Guardians of the flame

Guardians of the Flame ran proudly through town on Thursday morning carrying the Special Olympics torch on its way through Crook County.

The Flame of Hope started out in Hulett before moving on to Sundance and finally traveling through Moorcroft, where it was handed over to Gillette for the next leg of its journey to Laramie for the state's Special Olympic Games on May 9.

The spectacle was part of the Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run, a nationwide initiative in which law enforcement and Special Olympics athletes carry the flame into opening ceremonies for local, state, provincial, national, regional and even world games.

An estimated 97,000 law enforcement members carry the flame each year to symbolize courage and celebration of diversity. The tradition began in Kansas in 1981 and has since raised $600 million for Special Olympics programs.

Sundance's youth were flanked by an honor guard representing every law enforcement agency on Thursday, from city police departments and Crook County Sheriff's Office to Wyoming Highway Patrol and State Parks. The event was arranged by Kassie Clements, Special Olympics coordinator.