Photo By Chief Petty Officer Darren Moore | Capt. James A. Lovell Federal Health Care center employee Adrienne Fisher, left, reads...... read more read more
NORTH CHICAGO, Ill. – Sailors and employees from the Capt. James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center honored the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., with a celebration program in Bourke Hall, Jan. 23.
The program was led by Master of Ceremonies Cmdr. Wilma J. Roberts, and included comments from Lovell FHCC Director Patrick L. Sullivan and Deputy Director and Commanding Officer Capt. José Acosta, as well as the reading of written essays by Lovell FHCC employees.
“Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. was an American giant, who led the American Civil Rights Movement, and our remembrance of the contributions of all African-Americans remains inseparably linked in this important observance of national heritage,” Sullivan said. “Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. devoted his life to equality justice, economic advancement and opportunity for all. He challenged us to build a more perfect union and taught us that everyone has a role in making America what it ought to be.”
All staff was given an opportunity to write an essay on what King means to them and how he inspired and impacted their lives. The best essays were chosen to be presented during the program. Winners and presenters were Sung Cheon, Cathy Charity, Adrienne Fisher, Trevor Seela and Kathy Dong.
“Whenever I face personal and professional difficulties, his dreams help me to be stronger in choosing what is right,” said Cheon, from Lake Forest, Ill. “He was able to envision a future world where peace and unity prevailed. For that, he staked his life and his sacrifice became fuel to so many people to pursue love instead of prejudice. Through him, I see the greatness of a genuine human being and get to embrace people of all races, social status and different background. He is a role model for me and will remain as such to many people for many generations to come.”
Fisher said that because of the hardships King and others faced to achieve voting rights for black people, she felt compelled to register to vote as soon as she was eligible, and has not missed an election ever since.
“I began to research the civil rights movement and learning things that weren’t covered in school, and to say that my eyes were opened is an understatement,” said Fisher, from Zion, Ill. “I realized how big the civil rights movement really was and how my way of life wouldn’t be possible had it not been for Dr. King and all of the other brave people who risked their lives for a dream.”
During the program, Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Elisha R. Greasham, from Hinesville, Ga., sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” and later brought cheers from the crowd singing a cappella “A Change is Gonna Come,” by Sam Cooke. Greasham works in the recruit evaluation unit at USS Tranquility, one of Lovell FHCC’s branch medical clinics.
Alton, Ill., native Lt. Lanae Z. Hickman, from Lovell FHCC’s general surgery clinic, recited a poem she wrote, titled “A Dream Come True.”
“And standing at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., he began with a reflection of how the Negro wasn’t free; how 100 years after the Emancipation Proclamation, America was enslaved by segregation and discrimination,” Hickman said. “And he talked about how even dwelling in the land of such prosperity, the Negro lived in isolated poverty, and I was yet to be born, but he was dreaming of me.”
At the end of her poem, Hickman grabbed the hand of Seela, who is Caucasian, to illustrate how far America has come.
“And I do not disagree that there is still more yet to do,” Hickman said. “But take a moment and look at me and you. Were we to go back just 51 years, the two of us would not be standing here, hands intertwined, as I read these lines about how we’ve overcome. And yes, there are still some, but they don’t diminish what has already been done. Look at me, look at you, standing here, a dream come true.”
| Date Taken: | 01.23.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 01.24.2014 16:20 |
| Story ID: | 119621 |
| Location: | NORTH CHICAGO, IL, US |
| Hometown: | ALTON, IL, US |
| Hometown: | HINESVILLE, GA, US |
| Hometown: | LAKE FOREST, IL, US |
| Hometown: | ZION, IL, US |
| Web Views: | 59 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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