A celebration of change

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Edward Flynn | Members of the U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay and Joint Task Force Guantanamo community march from one area of the base to another as part of a celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s, birthday, Jan. 18, 2010.  

GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA

01.22.2010

Story by Petty Officer 1st Class Edward Flynn 

Joint Task Force Guantanamo Public Affairs

As the nation paused to honor and remember slain civil rights leader and Nobel Peace laureate, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., members of the U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay community gathered to commemorate his birthday and celebrate the life of the heroic civil rights leader, Jan. 18. Many held hands and sang songs from the civil rights era, including "We Shall Overcome."

"This was an exciting event where different backgrounds came together to honor and remember the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King," said Tracy Gamble, the organization's president. "King influenced and reached many people and fought for equality and dignity for all people."

Stressing this year's theme of, "A Celebration of Change, Change has Come," the ceremony's guest speaker, Darrell LaBorn, discussed the history of the civil rights movement in America and how changes helped Barack Obama become the first African-American president of the United States. LaBorn, a Vietnam veteran, provided a discussion and slide show presentation on the history of the civil rights movement.

"King was placed here at the correct time to address injustice and to continue to fight for equality for all," LaBorn said. LaBorn also encouraged the gathering at the chapel to stay involved in helping their neighbors and community.

Many of the marchers and those gathered and proudly recalled how Dr. King influenced them and their military careers.

"It is important to celebrate Martin Luther King's birthday as a reminder of a great civil rights leader who fought bravely for equality among the human race without regard to color," said Navy Chief Petty Officer Jillian Easley, a service member assigned to Joint Task Force Guantanamo. "He inspired a nation to dream and seek to accomplish what may seem to be the impossible."
Easley also credited Dr. Martin Luther King in having a positive impact on her naval career.

"His efforts allowed me to have an equal opportunity in all my endeavors. He paved the path that allowed Sailors to work in a harmonious, cohesive environment."

Navy Capt. Steven Blaisdell, commanding officer of U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, reminded the audience of the important contributions made by Dr. King and others in the civil rights movement. He also credited King with inspiring a country to follow his call for equality and justice.

Dr. King made civil rights his life's work and inspired others to follow his lead. On the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., King delivered his best-remembered speech, "I Have a Dream." Since his death, many changes have come for Americans of all races.

• Date Taken: 01.22.2010
• Date Posted: 01.27.2010 15:43
• Story ID: 44511
• Location: GUANTANAMO BAY, CU