by Larry Roser

It was a memorable experience.

Just being nominated for this activity made me speechless at first.  I later got excited and wanted to tell all before being told to be quiet, just telling family before news conference in September.  Then I told everyone and wanted to go right away, but had to wait till 12-11-01.

When it was finally time to run, I got real excited.  Right before my turn to carry the torch, I told my friends and supporters on our bus that I was dedicating this run first and foremost to my Dad who died a year ago.

My Dad was a decorated WW 2 veteran of the 29th division.  He was not only my Dad, but the best friend I ever had.  He most of all wanted me to help people and be happy with life.  He would have watched me if he were still living.

I then ran with the torch and slowed down to a trot just before the quarter mile run was over.  I handed the lighted torch back and they said, here, this is yours.

Later my youngest brother, Bruce, and I went down town to see the festivities, and they were great as the other 91 people and I had pictures of us taken together.  I am on a high now and might not come down to earth for a while.

To all my friends that saw me run, thank you, and for others that just gave me support, thank you also.  To the members of the Low Vision Club, thank you.

Low Vision Club member Larry Roser was one of the people who carried the Olympic Torch through San Antonio on December 11, 2001.  He wrote about the experience especially for the Low Vision Club web site.