Photo By Jeffry Willadsen | Sailors assigned to Naval Station Everett (NSE) pack care packages for deployed...... read more read more
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EVERETT, Wash. – Sailors and DOD civilians assigned to Naval Station Everett commemorated Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a ceremony in the William E. Moore Auditorium, Jan. 16.
After a multimedia presentation about King and his work for the Civil Rights Movement, attendees were invited to help pack care packages for deployed Sailors as part the MLK “Day of Service.”
“Martin Luther King Jr. defined what it means to have character,” said Chief Operations Specialist Dacia Cooley, a native of Fargo, North Dakota, who acted as the master of ceremonies during the event. “Character, especially our values of honor, courage and commitment, are very important to Sailors and the Navy as a whole. This is why I think it is important for us to remember Dr. King and try to live up to his legacy.”
The theme for the ceremony was “Teamwork makes the dream work.” The event was organized by NSE’s Multicultural Heritage Committee.
The purpose of the ceremony was not only to recognize the achievement of King and how the Civil Rights Movement changed America, but to also to emphasize applying King’s values of service and standing up for what is right in everyday life.
According to Cooley, King’s value of service before self can be summed up by something he said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is ‘what are you doing for others?’”
“To honor Dr. King’s legacy, we wanted to find a way to serve people in our Navy community,” she said. “We decided that sending care packages to our deployed Sailors is a great way to serve our shipmates.”
The care packages that were packed during the ceremony were sent to NSE Sailors who are currently deployed in Romania.
“I think that this care package project really exemplifies the ideal of service to others that Dr. King stood for. It's a great way to commemorate this day,” said Operations Specialist 2nd Class Deserie Pantoja, a native of Everett, Washington, who participated in packing the care packages. “As Sailors, we know what it is like to be deployed, and what getting a care package feels like. I want to show our deployed shipmates that we care about them.”
As the leader of NSE’s Multicultural Heritage Committee, Cooley believes that it is important to reflect on the history of diversity in America. She said that this is why the committee holds monthly ceremonies meant to celebrate different cultural heritages and backgrounds.
“The Navy is a very diverse force,” said Cooley. “These events are important, because they help us to understand and appreciate each other’s diverse backgrounds. Ultimately, this helps make the Navy a more cohesive and effective force.”
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is celebrated on King’s birthday and has been a federal holiday since 1983. The day is meant to commemorate the accomplishments of King and the Civil Rights Movement he gave his life defending.
The MLK Day of Service is part of United We Serve, the president’s national call to service initiative. The day is meant to challenge citizens to honor King’s legacy through volunteering and service to others.
| Date Taken: | 01.16.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 01.17.2015 12:13 |
| Story ID: | 152213 |
| Location: | EVERETT, WA, US |
| Hometown: | EVERETT, WA, US |
| Hometown: | FARGO, ND, US |
| Web Views: | 88 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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