Crisis Nursery kids tour Luke Air Force Base

  • Published
  • By Justin Oakes
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Life is seen entirely different through the eyes of a child.

Last week, 12 children from the Crisis Nursery of Phoenix took a glimpse into a unique part of their community -- Luke Air Force Base.

The 56th Fighter Wing Chapel welcomed the children with open arms and coordinated a hands-on tour that exposed them to various aspects of the base many children their age don't get to experience.

"Our goal is to let the kids know what the community has to offer and that their community has an interest in them," said Pat Beasley, Crisis Nursery Community Outreach manager.

The trip to the installation included visiting the 61st Fighter Squadron and trying on equipment with pilots, an up-close and personal viewing of an F-16 Fighting Falcon, lunch with Airmen at the Dining Facility and a military working dog demonstration. And to top the day off, the children suited up and manned a fire hose at one of the base fire stations.

"You could see the excitement in their eyes when they had a chance to get close to the aircraft," said Lt. Col. Philippe Malebranche, 61st Fighter Squadron commander. "You could tell it made quite the impression."

The ages of the children on the tour ranged between 3 and 9.

"Socializing the kids at an early age is extremely important," Ms. Beasley said. "We try to get out in society and expand their exposure to different elements. This is a great opportunity to show the kids that the military is not as it appears on TV and to gain a true understanding of how Luke operates in the community."

This is the first time that children from the Crisis Nursery have visited the West Valley base, however it's not Luke's first interaction with the organization.

"For the past nine months, we've had Airmen from Luke volunteer at the Crisis Nursery of Phoenix," said Chaplain (Capt.) Carlos Brito, 56th Fighter Wing Protestant chaplain. "It's a great organization and it gives our military members a chance to make a difference in a child's life."

The Crisis Nursery is the oldest child crisis center in the Valley and has provided a safe haven and care for Phoenix children for more than 30 years. Its mission is to break the cycle of child abuse and neglect by providing protection, support and opportunities to troubled families and their children.

"It's my belief that the visit presented something more than a simple opportunity for Luke Airmen to spend a day playing with kids," said Staff Sgt. Alonzo Medley, 56th Fighter Wing Chapel program support NCO in-charge. "It was a chance to reflect on the reality that there are perfectly normal, loving children out there who, through no fault of their own, find themselves in less than ideal circumstances, whom we should all keep in our hearts, minds, prayers and actions."