SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Service members from the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing joined together to commemorate and take part in events held throughout the day to celebrate the life of the Civil Rights pioneer Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., here Jan. 21.
"Today is truly a day of celebration as we commemorate the legacy and achievements of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.," said Col. David Farrow, Commander 386th AEW.
King was both a Baptist minister and civil-rights activist. Through his activism he played a vital role in helping to end legal segregation of African-American citizens in the south and other areas of the nation. He worked tirelessly to establish equality for African Americans through marches rallies and other non-violent demonstrations.
August 28, 2013, will mark the 50th Anniversary of Dr. King's 'I Have a Dream' speech during the march on Washington. This event became a defining moment for the African American civil rights movement and was a precursor to the civil rights act of 1964 in which major forms of discrimination against racial ethnic national minorities and women were outlawed.
For members of the 386th, this was also a day of unity and bringing everyone together, this is exactly what Martin Luther King Jr. envisioned, stated Staff Sgt. Larry Daniels, a Client Systems Technician for the 386th Expeditionary Communications Squadron.
"We fight for the freedom of our nation, not only for our nation but for our brothers in arms," said Daniels.
Daniels was the events coordinator for the MLK day events and had taken more than two months to prepare for the remembrance activities.
The day's events began with a walk of solidarity where more than 50 attendees marched a two kilometer stretch as volunteers held educational signs with facts about Dr. King's life for passers-by.
The airing of the documentary film "King: Man of Peace in a Time of War" was the day's second event held at the base theater and a night of poetry reading concluded the ceremonies. Also held was a Birthday Service of Celebration at the base chapel the evening before.