Camp Walker, SOUTH KOREA - Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command hosted this year’s observance for Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday Jan. 13.
The event for honoring Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which is Jan. 15, started with a march from the commissary to Kelly Gym, and completed with a presentation of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech.
The march started with opening remarks from Capt. James Acevedo, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command commander, greeting participants.
“Martin Luther King, Jr. continuously struggled all the way up to his assassination to bring the people and communities of the United States closer,” Acevedo said. “Today, as a community filled with many different types of people, we can walk together to be a part of his dream.”
As soldiers, family members and civilians gathered behind the observance banner and carried extra banners, unit guidons and the American and Korean flags from the commissary to Kelly Gym.
“The emphasis of a march is to take a stand against the inequalities and to expose blatant mistreatment of people,” Cecilia Johnson, 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command family member. “The need to respond versus to remember. In the civil rights era, people marched because of what was going on. Today, we march to remember.”
Sgt. 1st Class Amanda Gunn, 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command surgeon cell non-commissioned officer in charge, narrated as the group passed by seven points with posters representing seven significant events caused by Martin Luther King Jr.’s efforts.
The group entered the basketball area of Kelly Gym which was lined with posters on each side, a cake in the back and a stage with a podium on the far side.
Once everyone entered the gym, Sgt. M.E. Wilson took the stage dressed as Martin Luther King Jr. and performed his “I Have a Dream” speech. Wilson mimicked King’s mannerisms from the 1963 speech.
“The speech blew me away,” Johnson said. “This was the first time I have heard the speech all the way through.”
Following Wilson’s performance, Acevedo and 1st Sgt. Michael Dudley, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command first sergeant, presented Wilson with a plaque, thanked everyone for their attendance and invited them to join in the cutting of the cake.
“Everywhere you look around on a military installation, you will see the minority of the populace that has bonded to work toward the continuance of freedom in the world,” Acevedo said. “Dr. King continuously fought, opened up many doors, and ultimately gave his life to allow us the opportunity to stand here today as a stronger whole and recognize his sacrifices.”
Attendees took the time to eat cake, take pictures with Wilson and look around at the posters along the side.
“This means a lot to me to see people of all races have come together to celebrate this day,” said Spc. Ebony Williams, 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, supply specialist.”
| Date Taken: |
01.13.2012 |
| Date Posted: |
01.24.2012 00:49 |
| Story ID: |
82741 |
| Location: |
CAMP WALKER, DAEGU GWANG'YEOGSI [TAEGU-KWANGYOKSHI], KR |
| Web Views: |
34 |
| Downloads: |
2 |
PUBLIC DOMAIN
This work, Area IV marches to remember Martin Luther King Jr., by SPC Bryan Willis, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
