Courtesy Photo | Chief Warrant Officer 2 Carolyn Taylor, staff judge advocate with the 25th Infantry...... read more read more
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By: Sgt. Mahlet Tesfaye
BAGHDAD — Since 1986, the third Monday in January has been a federal holiday commemorating Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, and his fight for civil rights. Service members gathered Jan. 17 at the 25th Infantry Division Chapel at Camp Liberty, Iraq, to honor and reflect on the service and sacrifices of one the most prominent leaders in the African-American Civil Rights Movement.
This event was hosted by the 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, United States Division – Center.
“As we observe the 25th anniversary of this annual holiday, we should take a moment to reflect on Dr. King’s powerful and enduring legacy, and the positive impact that he has had on all Americans and America,” wrote Maj. Gen. Bernard S. Champoux, commanding general of the 25th Inf. Div., in a proclamation to the unit.
King is best known for his “I Have a Dream” speech, which he made Aug. 28, 1963 at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.
Master Sgt. Donald Williams, future operations non-commissioned officer-in-charge with United States Forces – Iraq and a Houston native, re-enacted the speech during the observance—a performance he has been doing for the past 25 years.
“It is important to celebrate this day, because if you were to take a piece of his legacy and study that, you would find something different about him every single time,” Williams said. “It takes us back to a time in our life where we can just reflect on a time to do something good, and teaches us to be the best that we can be in whatever we do.”
Staff Sgt. Kenneth James, with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 63rd Armor Regiment, 2nd AAB, 1st Inf. Div. and a Gainsville, Fla., native, said it’s important to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day because people can benefit from knowing their history and where they came from. It is important to remember the way things used to be in America and to recognize where we are today because of people like King.
“I believe this observance captures the essence of what King was trying to achieve, because there were attendees in the chapel of different ranks and different races, but they were all listening to the speech attentively,” Williams said.
Williams said the one thing he wanted people to take from the speech is that there is another way, other than violence, to solve our problems—a peaceful and nonviolent way King exemplified.
“As we continue our mission of advising and assisting the Iraqi security forces, we realize, just as Dr. King did, that freedom and equality do not come without courage and sacrifice,” Champoux said. “We should harness the spirit of Dr. King’s perseverance as we aid the people of Iraq in their efforts to build a secure, sovereign and stable nation.”
| Date Taken: | 01.20.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 01.20.2011 03:06 |
| Story ID: | 63845 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 70 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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