Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.- Washington Special Olympics participants, sponsors and spectators gathered at Joint Base Lewis-McChord May 31 to support 2,700 athletes and honor the “Flame of Hope”, carried from across the state by law enforcement officers, to the Cauldron. The run began at the Canadian Border, traveled thousands of miles and was escorted on a canoe from the peninsula. JBLM has been the primary competition site of the Special Olympics Summer games for over 40 years. Representing the combined forces of Army and Air Force, I Corps Commanding General, Lt. Gen. Robert B. Brown attended the ceremony in recognition for the support offered to the games provided by troops each year.