Photo By Sgt. Gerald Wilson | Glory: Sgt. Delena Cherry performs an interpretitve dance in honor of the Dr. Martin...... read more read more
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ZABUL, Afghanistan- Troopers from the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment and their coalition counterparts gathered at the Mykel Miller Dining Facility on Forward Operating Base Lagman Saturday to pay honor to one of the greatest leaders of the American civil rights movement, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The theme of the MLK Birthday luncheon was “Anyone Can Serve.”
Following the invocation by Chaplain Doug Hogsten of FIRES Squadron, attendees were treated to an inspirational dance exhibition by Sgt. Delana Cherry and Spc. Azaria Carr.
Guest speaker for the afternoon was the 2SCR Regimental Operations Sgt. Maj. Melvin Smith. Smith shared his reflections of the legacy left behind by Dr. King.
“Realizing that we all share a common destiny is one of the first steps along the road to racial harmony and one America,” Smith said. “Dr. King’s teachings help Americans realize that when one of our brothers or sisters is held down by the weight of racism and intolerance, we all lose individually and collectively.”
“Dr. King’s life continues to teach us that with courage, vision and determination, every one of us has the power to help change the course of our nation and the world,” he said.
Smith went on to discuss the theme of anyone can serve and how fitting it was for King’s birthday celebration.
Dr. King once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others.”
“King believed in The American Dream. He both witnessed and experienced much of what was wrong with America, but he never lost his faith in what was right with America,” Smith said. Smith went on to talk about how King encouraged service within communities to alleviate poverty and address community concerns. He stressed that a shining example of this philosophy can be seen within the military community.
“The military truly exemplifies the message that anybody can serve and what it truly means to serve others here in Afghanistan,” Smith said. “In U.S. military communities worldwide and in deployed areas, Soldiers of all colors and ranks, live, work, pray and play together on a daily basis.”
Smith closed by urging people to honor King’s memory through service to others and said that the ultimate birthday present they could give would be to insure that King’s memory lives on for generations to come.
The afternoon concluded with a heartfelt musical performance by Spc. Krystel Dela Merced who played the guitar and sang, “A Change is Going to Come.”
| Date Taken: | 01.22.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 01.23.2011 00:10 |
| Story ID: | 64037 |
| Location: | ZABUL PROVINCE, AF |
| Web Views: | 50 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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