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Airmen ‘give back to the community’

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jacob Jimenez
  • Northwest Guardian
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. --  It was the break of dawn on a cold sunny day when three Airmen arrived at the construction site. After six long hours of hard labor, the job was complete. The volunteer work was done -- now it was time to head to work.

Standing 6-foot-6, Staff Sgt. Daniel Watkins, 627th Security Forces Squadron's base defense operations controller, was one of the volunteers. Watkins with the help of two other Airmen from his unit, recently reconstructed part of a building that houses the food-distribution center for those in need at the Empowerment Center in Tacoma.

"It is an honor and privilege to have him come here," said Lewanna Lee, executive director of the Empowerment Center. "He does whatever, whenever he can. His help has been immeasurable."

Watkins, along with Staff Sgt. Erik Cheek and Senior Airman Erik Stilwell performed critical repairs to the building, removing old mortar that was rotted and overgrown with mold.

"The people there were either too busy or physically unable to complete it," Watkins said. "It was falling apart and you could see the daylight through the holes. It was letting in rain and wasn't conducive to the food being stored there."

Watkins and his Airmen tackled the 60-foot long by 10-foot high wall prior to a work shift. The team repaired the wall after six hours of continuous work chiseling out old mortar and adding new mortar.

"We knew the difficulties it was causing and how important it was to complete it that day," Watkins said. "What drove us to complete it was we knew how much it was going to help these people and the repercussions if we didn't with the weather getting colder every day."

Knowing the wall is completed gives Watkins peace of mind.

"They needed this so badly; they give so much and ask for nothing in return," Watkins said. "You can see the people line up down the street for food and how many people this place helps."

Watkins has performed community service work at the Empowerment Center for the past year, transporting cargo and food to churches and local food banks and helping to sort food received.

"I know if I was in their position, I would want someone to be able to help me," Watkins said. "Being able to give back to the community and see the children and adults receiving food and clothing means a lot -- it's a little slice of heaven."

In Watkins' regular job, he serves as a McChord Field defense operations controller overseeing flightline security.

"We serve others as law enforcement and it transitions to our time off," Watkins said. "We are called to serve and no matter what, serving never stops -- when you take off your uniform, it doesn't stop."

Watkins is a regular volunteer on and off base, volunteering at the McChord Field Thrift Shop and Ridgecrest Elementary School in Shoreline, Wash., in addition to the Empowerment Center.

"I've always enjoyed helping people, and that's why I protect and serve others as a law-enforcement officer and help the local community," he said. "I want to provide as much assistance as I can, when I can."

A native of Eatonville Wash., Watkins said his upbringing plays a big part in why he's passionate about serving the community.

"It reminds me of my childhood," Watkins said. "Looking back at old photos of my family, we had nothing but were always smiling. Remembering where you come from is key."

With tears in his eyes, Watkins said he remembers growing up in a small trailer with six siblings and having to bathe in a small tub while his father built a log cabin to house them.

"I know the struggles (the) homeless and people in need face, and I want to be able to help them," Watkins said. "Growing up knowing how hardworking my parents were has made me grateful to be where I'm at and has given me a heart to help others."

Watkins said helping the needy in the community is important to him because of the impact his family made on him as a boy.

"Giving back to the community is a big topic for me because I remember the difference my grandpa and father made serving while in the military and also in their personal lives," Watkins said. "I was taught to treat others as you would want to be treated."

Watkins doesn't just remember what he was taught -- he practices it, and said he plans to continue to help those in need in the local community in every way he can.