Photo By Sgt. LaShawna Custom | 11th Air Defense Artillery “Imperial” Brigade hosted the maxed capacity 2019 MLK...... read more read more
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FORT BLISS, Texas – Our paths are often paved by those who’ve gone before us. Countless times within the past seven decades, ordinary Americans have rallied behind the content of character in the face of trials, tribulations and adversity. This harkening to the annals of American citizenship and its immovable self-determination is manifested by none greater than Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Brig Gen. Clement S. Coward, commanding general for 32d Army Air Missile Defense Command, delivered the keynote speech last Thursday in observance of the American titan for civil rights.
“At the 32nd AAMDC, we have the pictures of all the former commanding generals and command sergeants’ major on the wall in the front office,” Coward denoted. “As I walked past it the other day, I took a moment to reflect on the experience and hard work these men and their Soldiers have given to our country. I also realized that I am the first commander of color to lead such a storied organization.”
As the 38th commanding general of the BlackJack formation, Coward has carried something none of his 37 predecessors have: the color of his skin. The first non-white general officer in one of the military’s most-critical defense assets showed his experience is emblematic of a refreshing and hopeful look ahead for his organizations. His command presence and leadership fashioned the Army’s most-cherished prize Thursday morning: the diversity of its people.
11th Air Defense Artillery “Imperial” Brigade hosted the annual 2019 MLK observance at the Fort Bliss Centennial Club, celebrating the legend of the American Civil Rights Movement.
Men and women of all backgrounds celebrated in unison as the Imperial Voices Choir performed the national anthem, invocation, the reading of the Letter From Birmingham Jail, ‘Lift Every Voice’, the benediction and the Army Song.
“We’ve often heard the saying that we will never know a person unless we’ve walked a mile in their shoes,” BlackJack 6 expressed. “We will never know the physical pain, anguish and hate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. faced each and every day of his life.”
Forgoing violence amidst unimaginable injustices, Dr. King repeatedly led non-violent protests and became the catalyst for equal protection under the law during the fifth and sixth decades of the nineteenth century. Because of him, African Americans have progressed toward racial equality that might have otherwise never fully-come to fruition.
As the forbearer of justice and equality within American history, King conceived and organized unforgettable non-violent protests and plights of civil disobedience, resulting in passage of both the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the 1965 Voting Rights Act. He also orchestrated systematic campaigns against poverty and international conflict. The legendary torch-carrier of the American Civil Rights Movement became the youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in history.
Coward harkened back to King’s struggle and focused on the often-forgotten trials of the parents and grandparents of many in attendance.
“Sharing some of Dr. King’s and the Montgomery boycotters’ struggles, my parents, along with some joining us here today, and others in our communities lived through these turbulent times and can remember,” Coward emphasized. “The opportunities I’ve been fortunate to have, along with the support and interest others have taken in me along the way, were made possible by Rosa Parks and Dr. King’s refusal to accept injustice.”
The efforts of King, his family and Rosa Parks have paid the way for today’s generation to reflect on our turbulent racial discourse, learn from it and move forward as equals within the Army and under the law.
“The Army strives to embody Dr. King’s dream by defining diversity as the different attributes, experiences and backgrounds of our Soldiers, civilians and family members that further enhance our global capabilities and contribute to an adaptive and culturally astute Army,” 38 highlighted. “We are dedicated to ensuring that everyone who is able and willing to serve has the opportunity to do so regardless of the color of their skin, their gender, sexuality or religious beliefs.”
Coward and Soldiers from the “Imperial” Brigade recognized King’s storied legacy and paid their respect solemnly, before noon on Thursday.
‘Remember! Celebrate! Act! A Day on, Not a Day Off!’ is more than a theme or text in a historical meme. Each year, Americans honor King’s dream and sacrifice by partaking in acts of community service, acknowledging the origins of equality he catapulted into modernity.
Befittingly, the third Monday in January is a national holiday; commemorating King’s historic contributions to the Fourteenth Amendment’s applicability to all Americans, regardless of race or ethnicity.
As a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, King consistently displayed the organization’s aim of, “Manly Deeds, Scholarship, and Love For All Mankind,” and embodied their motto, "First of All, Servants of All, We Shall Transcend All."
“His infamous ‘dream’ and more importantly his actions, are at the foundation of what it means to be an American,” Coward concluded. “We must celebrate our diversity and channel all our skills, resources and talents into shaping our country for the generations to come.”
This ‘content of character’ revered by Coward and embodied by his service remains at the inception of Dr. King’s vision for America; and portrays as an Army and a nation, just ‘how far we’ve come.’
By Capt. Clark Tucker, 32d AAMDC OIC
#MartinLutherKing #Peace #Dignity #Believe #Justice #Respect #Encouraging #Solidarity #Loyalty #Compassion #Love #Hope #Faith #Understanding #Intelligent #Bravery #Trust #Freedom #Conviction #Empowering #Transformation #Equality #Dream #Rights #Uplifting #Strength #Education #Unification #Courage #Solidarity #Peace #Change #TrustTheProcess #MLK
| Date Taken: | 01.16.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 01.28.2019 12:17 |
| Story ID: | 308468 |
| Location: | EL, PASO, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 95 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Equality, Content of Character Highlighted at Annual Observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., by PV1 CLARK TUCKER, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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