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By Sgt. Mike Alberts
25th Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs
SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was an African American clergyman, civil rights activist, human rights icon and one of the most renowned orators in United States history. His life embodied the values of courage, truth, justice, compassion, humility and service.
On Jan. 14, Soldiers throughout United States Army, Pacific and distinguished guests gathered to celebrate Dr. King's life and legacy and to observe our nation's holiday dedicated to him at an observance hosted by the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade at Schofield Barracks' Nehelani Club.
The observance included static displays detailing King's civil rights service from his role in the Montgomery Improvement Association's boycott of public transportation in Alabama (punctuated by Rosa Parks arrest for refusing to give up her seat to a white bus passenger in 1955), and the famous 1963 March on Washington to King's 1968 assassination in Tennessee. Attendees also enjoyed breakfast and a video presentation of photographs of King at various stages of his life grouped with quotes from several of his memorable public speeches.
The King holiday honors the life and contributions of a man who was a champion of racial justice and equality. He was the youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for his work to end racial segregation and racial discrimination through civil disobedience and other non-violent means. King was a man of action who put his life on the line for freedom.
Two Soldiers who volunteered in the celebration were Sgt. 1st Class Janice Wilson and Sgt. Eric Miller. Both appreciated the privilege of participating in the event.
Wilson, a platoon sergeant with 25th Transportation Company, 25th Infantry Division, sang the National Anthem. She is frequently asked to sing at events hosted by her unit, but explained that the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., observance was special.
"This observance is meaningful to me as a female and as a senior NCO. It's also important for all Soldiers, not just black Americans," said Wilson. "Events like this let Soldiers know what it was that [King] did to pave the way [to equality]. His legacy is seen all around us today. We have our first black president and many of the rights he desired to see; that he spoke about and that God placed in his heart have [been realized]."
Miller echoed Wilson's sentiments.
"Martin Luther King has always been a very inspiring person for me," said Miller, an information systems analyst and company equal opportunity representative, 396 Signal Company, 30th Signal Battalion, 25th Inf. Div.
Miller read the Presidential Proclamation formally designating January 19 as the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Federal Holiday. "[King] inspires me to be a better person, to be a better leader and to show by example that we should basically treat each other well and be good to each other," he said.
Of course, that was one of King's foremost legacies -- the legacy of peace and love. It was precisely this legacy that the event's keynote speaker addressed and challenged those in attendance to consider.
"Who are you?" asked Chaplain (Maj.) Victor Richardson, 1101st Garrison Support Unit, 25th Inf. Div. For Richardson, examining this question was an endeavor that King forced all Americans to consider.
"[King] asked a nation to think about who we were as a people. And if our lives were books and the books were written, how would the book read?" Richardson asked. "Outside of America, if they knew what we were doing inside and we could write a book about it, what would it say about us as a nation and do you want it to say that, or do you want it changed?
According to Richardson, Martin Luther King asked Americans to simply live up to their creed. His message was about unity and the hope that people would not only respect each other, but love each other and hold each other in the highest regard.
"We are a nation of our diversity and we are a nation of people searching for things that connect us to each other. We are a nation in search of one word – love," said Richardson. "No matter who you are, no matter what rank, no matter what culture, you are in search of love and Dr. Martin Luther King asked, 'Why don't we just love each other and let all the other stuff go.'"
| Date Taken: | 01.20.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 01.20.2009 20:38 |
| Story ID: | 29074 |
| Location: | SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, HI, US |
| Web Views: | 398 |
| Downloads: | 285 |
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