Schriever Airmen volunteer in support of adventure camp

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Krystal Bankard
  • 7th Space Operations Squadron
SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. --  About a dozen Airmen and family members volunteered for the day at Knights of Heroes newly purchased ranch on the backside of Pike's Peak on June 27, 2105. The Airmen, from the Air Force Reserve's 7th Space Operations Squadron and active duty's 3rd Space Experimentation Squadron, were helping the KOH prepare for the 2016 camp season. 
The volunteers spent the day moving and burning debris from storage, loading dumpsters, ripping up carpet, and cleaning up cabins.  The work was in preparation for KOH's 10th annual camp that will welcome over 75 campers and 65 mentors on a week-long adventure next year.  
Volunteering for KOH gave both squadrons the opportunity to come together outside of work, while supporting a worthy cause in the process.  Two young family members also participated in the day's events, reminding us how important it is to teach our children to "give back".  
KOH is a non-profit organization created in 2007 by retired Lt. Col. Steve Harrold.  He did so to commemorate the life of a friend and former pilot Maj. Troy Lee "Trojan" Gilbert, who was killed during combat operations in Iraq.  At the time of his death, Gilbert was a husband and father of five children. 
KOH empowers children who have lost their fathers during military service by providing positive adult mentorship, character development, and lasting friendships, which are forged during an annual wilderness adventure camp.  KOH hosts families with common losses allowing them to share experiences and build relationships while increasing public awareness and ensuring families with losses are not forgotten with the passage of time.