A special departure! This year’s Special Olympics USA games, taking place this week in Minneapolis, Minnesota, include several Granite Staters who departed on Friday, June 19 from Signature Aviation at Manchester-Boston Regional Airport.
Volunteers and staff from the Aviation Museum of N.H. were on hand with signs and noisemakers to give our state’s competitors a loud and boisterous send-off.
Many thanks to all who made this special event possible—and to the athletes themselves, all of who are winners in their ability to inspire others.
In the “extra special” department, one of the two donated Textron/Cessna Citation jets suffered unexpected mechanical troubles, which enabled several of the Special Olympians and staff to visit the nearby Aviation Museum while the problem was solved. It was our honor!
The 2026 Special Olympics USA Games will bring together 4,000 athletes, 1,500 coaches, 10,000 volunteers and 75,000 fans from all 50 states. Good luck to all Granite State competitors and thanks to the many individuals and organizations who make this possible. For more info (and results) from this year’s games, visit their website!
