Photo By Spc. Rochelle Prince-Krueger | Master Sergeant Michael Tribble, Staff Sgt. Jackie Green, Staff Sgt. Natalie Williams,...... read more read more
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KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan — Soldiers with the 3rd Sustainment Brigade joined hundreds on Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, Jan. 15, to remember a man who travelled six million miles in 11 years, delivering more than 2,500 speeches for equality. An annual observance was held on the birth date of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who was an eminent leader during the African-American Civil Rights Movement more than 40 years ago.
“History rightfully records Dr. King as the most prominent leader of the civil rights movement,” said Col. Vincent Quarles, commander of Afghanistan Engineer District-South and guest speaker at the observance. “I’m here to tell you, as great as he was, he did not march alone. Many different races, genders and statuses came together to achieve the type of change that was needed.”
Quarles, a native of Halifax, Va., spoke about how King pioneered for equal rights. He encouraged those in attendance to apply King’s values and what he stood for to their own lives for the benefit of others.
“Dr. King wanted his legacy to be a committed life of service,” said Quarles, “Being great requires actions, I’m aware and impressed with how many of you are finding ways to be of services to others, right here in Kandahar and beyond.”
Specialist Marjorie Jennings, who is deployed to Kandahar Airfield with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Sustainment Brigade, was one of five ‘Provider’ Ssoldiers who recited an excerpt from King’s “I Have a Dream” speech during the observance. She said that, like King, she serves for the betterment of others.
“I am a soldier serving in the Armed Forces, and I contribute every day whether I’m in uniform or not,” said Jennings, a Fort Walton Beach, Fla., native “I represent a force, not just the Army, but my family, children friends and supervisors. How I display myself matters to me. Martin Luther King Jr. left an imprint; he did not only stand up for one race but for everybody; equality and unity.”
Staff Sergeant Jackie Green, also with HHC, 3rd Sustainment Brigade and a native of Fayetteville, N.C., said that as a Soldier, celebrating a day dedicated to a man who fought for quality is important given the Army’s diversities.
“It is good that the military shows recognition of those who have done great work for the betterment of our nation,” she said.
Many of King’s speeches, lectures, and writings shared one focus—to be the best one can be. In his Blueprint speech where he spoke to junior high school students in Philadelphia, King said “For it isn't by size that you win or fail; be the best of whatever you are.”
Quarles said that the Army’s former motto falls in line with King’s teaching, to be all you can be.
“I suggest you remember these words from Dr. King,” he added. “Don’t just set out to do your job, set out do a good job such that the living, the dead, and the unborn couldn’t do it better. Seek, ladies and gentlemen, to be the very best that you can be.”
| Date Taken: | 01.15.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 01.18.2013 02:08 |
| Story ID: | 100710 |
| Location: | KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, AF |
| Hometown: | ATLANTA, GA, US |
| Hometown: | CLARKSDALE, MS, US |
| Hometown: | FAYETTEVILLE, NC, US |
| Hometown: | FORT MOORE, GA, US |
| Hometown: | FORT STEWART, GA, US |
| Hometown: | FORT WALTON BEACH, FL, US |
| Hometown: | TEXAS CITY, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 211 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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