JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, celebrated on January 15th in recognition of his birthday, celebrates his life and the legacy he left behind, promoting equality and social justice while encouraging community service and involvement.
Members of the Joint Base Langley-Eustis community gathered to celebrate the accomplishments and impact of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during ceremonies held Jan. 11 and 12, 2018.
This year’s theme, “Remember! Celebrate! Act! A day on, not a day off!” served to remind JBLE service members and employees that while Monday was a federal holiday, it should be used as a day of community service, unity and inclusion.
At Fort Eustis’ ceremony, the Woodside High School Arts and Communications Magnet Program choir, guitar group and orchestra performed musical selections in honor of King. Additionally, students in the Creative Writing group performed poetry readings in honor of King’s “I have a dream” speech.
“Events such as this one are a call upon all of us to reflect on where we have come from as an Army, as a society, as a nation,” said U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Donna Martin, U.S. Army Military Police School commandant. “It’s vital that we reflect on those things that make our Army so very special, like diversity, equality and inclusion. Those are just some of the traits that make America’s Army the strongest, finest fighting force the world has ever seen.”
At Langley Air Force Base, Wayne Gomes, former Major League Baseball player and event guest speaker, highlighted the impacts of King’s work and the risks he took to fight for his dream.
“This holiday honors the courage of a man who endured harassment, threats, beatings and even bombings,” said Gomes. “Every Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday is a teaching lesson of values, unconditional love, forgiveness, tolerance and reconciliation, from which we are deeply unified.”
For more information about King’s work, visit www.thekingcenter.org.