Photo By Tech. Sgt. Daniel Gagnon | A child from the Phillip Moore Outreach Boot Camp holds the steering controls of a...... read more read more
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The eight year old boy, wearing a load bearing vest, Kevlar helmet, and a ruck sack held an M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW). He struggled with the weight of it all, especially the machine gun. A Security Forces Air National Guard Major assisted him with putting on the gear and holding the weapon in front of him. While standing behind the boy the Major said, “Give me your war face!” The boy wrinkled his face, growled and let out a Whoo Yah ! Then, it was the next child’s turn.
The Phillip Moore Outreach Boot Camp, a free at risk children’s volunteer program from Knoxville, toured the 134th Air Refueling Wing’s Security Forces building, fire department, KC-135 Stratotanker flight simulator, and a KC-135 Stratotanker July 21, 2016 here.
The children, under strict supervision during the base tour, were able to safely handle or observe a variety of military weapons and gear while at the Security Forces building, explore different emergency fire department vehicles, watch a fire truck water demonstration, play with and/or observe a KC-135 flight simulator, and sit in the cockpit and boom operators seat while exploring a KC-135 Stratotanker. After the tour the children ate lunch at the base’s Dining Facility, better known as the DFAC.
The Phillip Moore Outreach Program was developed after Phillip Moore was killed in a drive by shooting. His mother started a program called “Stop The Violence”, it later partnering with the Knoxville Police Department and Tennessee Board of Parole, and once they collaborated they decided to start the boot camp program.
“Bishop Moore had a dream of catching the kids before they got into the guns and violence,” said Sami Manning, a Tennessee state parole officer. “We also don’t want the kids to be afraid of police officers.”
Other dedicated volunteers have been with the children for many years.
“It’s a preventative camp, primarily targeting inner city kids,” said Derek Tate a 20 year volunteer and retired Knoxville Utility Board computer technician. “It’s funded by volunteers, organizations, and churches.”
“Our goals are to try to get the kids back to respect,” said Tate. “It’s mostly about discipline and respect.”
It’s mostly ran by the KPD, said Tate. It’s a military driven camp. We do military style training.
“Get on board and help us accomplish the goals and structure that our kids need,” said Tate. “Volunteer your time if you don’t have the finances. We would appreciate some help. It’s all for the kids. They are at the age when they need some guidance that they really don’t get at home. If they don’t get it at home they will get it somewhere.”
| Date Taken: | 07.21.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 07.25.2016 15:25 |
| Story ID: | 204969 |
| Location: | KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE, US |
| Web Views: | 300 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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