Base to host annual special sports day Sept. 18 Published Sept. 3, 2010 RAF MILDENHALL, England -- The 29th Annual Joan Mann Special Sports Day is scheduled for Sept. 18 in a hangar here. For nearly 30 years, U.S. servicemembers stationed at RAF Mildenhall have invited local community members with special needs on base for this event. Hundreds of base volunteers will again provide games, food and entertainment for more than 250 visitors. "We look forward to this event every year," said Col. Chad Manske, 100th Air Refueling Wing commander. "Joan Mann Special Sports day is a way for us to give back to the community." The day will start with a traditional Olympic-style parade of athletes and end with an awards ceremony. Events of the day include basketball, Frisbee toss, Football toss, bowling, tennis ball bounce and obstacle course/wheelchair slalom. The sports day is named for its founder, Joan Mann, a Ministry of Defence employee who worked at the base public affairs office. Mann's empathy and admiration toward those with special needs and her desire to draw the base and local communities together were the catalyst for the first special sports day. Those interested in volunteering should contact Tech. Sgt. Jennifer Stone at DSN 238-5564.