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First sergeants bring joy to special needs kids, families

  • Published
  • By Jose T. Garza III
  • JBSA-Lackland Public Affairs
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas --  As every parent knows, seeing your children happy is priceless.

Master Sgt. Sherlock Walker can relate to that assessment as the father of two children.
Walker helped organize an event that allowed other parents to create more enjoyable moments with their children.

Walker and Master Sgt. Nicole Basnight, first sergeants representing Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland First Sergeants Council, coordinated a bowling event for special needs children Saturday at the Skylark Bowling Center.

Over 50 individuals attended the event that included two free games of bowling, shoes and pizza.

The two master sergeants coordinated a similar event for special needs children prior to Saturday's event engaging them in the world of cinema.

"We did a movie night for special needs families with support from JBSA-Randolph," Walker said. "From the positive feedback we received, parents asked when the next event would be."

Walker credited Basnight for turning their second event into a bowling affair at JBSA-Lackland.

Basnight found out the JBSA-Lackland Youth Center had funding for the event. Thanks to the funds the center provided, Basnight began to organize a free special needs event with the bowling alley.

The smiles on the children's faces as they competed against each other in a friendly game of bowling made Basnight somewhat emotional.

"I am so happy to have had the opportunity to put the event together as part of the JBSA-Lackland First Sergeants Council," she said. "My gold star was to see the children's smiling faces that day."

Basnight will soon engage in conversations with Wanda Cooper, JBSA-Randolph exceptional family member coordinator, about putting together the council's third special needs event.

Whether it's another movie night or bowling, Walker said the purpose is to unite families and put smiles on the children's faces.

"What I heard from parents is there are not too many times when they can go out and have a great time with their children," Walker said. "They go to different events, and it's like a problem having their children there.

"For the parents to have fun with their children and also bond with other parents going through the same thing is a positive feeling."

To Walker, being involved in these free events is something he can't put a price on.

"Coordinating these special needs events and seeing families have a good time is something I can do for free all day," he said. "It's very overwhelming, and it's the reason why I do what I do as a first sergeant."