Remembering Dr. M.L. King

The Rev. Dr. Alonzo Patterson, president of the Anchorage Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance, speaks to military members at the Martin Luther King Jr. Day observance presentation on Jan. 22. The presentation included quotes read by volunteers from the audience. Patterson spoke about the need for today’s generation to continue the journey to universal equality. King famously said “we shall overcome;” Patterson stressed that overcoming is not something in the past but something which we should strive for in our actions. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Tammie Ramsouer)

Remembering Dr. M.L. King

Air Force Staff Sgt. Robert Willis, 673d Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle maintainer, reads a quote from the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during the MLK Day observance at the Talkeetna Theater on Jan. 22. The quotes were read along with a video of King’s ‘I Have a Dream’ speech to give the audience an understanding of what he did as one of the many civil rights movement leaders. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Tammie Ramsouer)

Remembering Dr. M.L. King

Air Force 2nd Lt. Erik Peyton, 673d Logistics Readiness Squadron readiness flight commander, speaks to military members during the Martin Luther King Day Jr. observance at the Talkeetna Theater on Jan. 22. During the presentation, members of audience read quotes from King’s speeches from his time as one of the leaders of the civil rights movement. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Tammie Ramsouer)

Remembering Dr. M.L. King

Published Jan. 23, 2014
By Airman 1st Class Tammie Ramsouer
JBER Public Affairs

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Members assigned to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson observed Martin Luther King, Jr. Day at the Talkeetna Theater, Jan. 22.

King was a civil rights leader, humanitarian and pastor during the civil rights movement in the 1960s.

He was known for helping gain equal rights for black Americans and advocated peaceful means

to spread the word and effect change.

In 1983, then-President Ronald Reagan signed into law the observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as a federal holiday to represent King's efforts towards equal rights.

Though the base members celebrated the federal holiday Jan. 20, leaders wanted to ensure those assigned here had the opportunity to learn more about the legendary figure and reflect on how the nation has changed since his days.

"It is important to remember not just the person but the things Martin Luther King, Jr. did," said Air Force 2nd Lt. Nicholas Bosch, 673d Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle management flight commander. "Therefore we can celebrate in remembrance, not just have a day off."

The 673d LRS hosted the celebration with the help of about 45 volunteers from various organizations on JBER. The LRS team decided to add speeches and historical documentation of Dr. King to enhance the presentation.

"We want to teach the audience things about Martin Luther King, Jr. that they never knew before the event," said Air Force Master Sgt. Eric Johnson, 673d LRS noncommissioned officer in charge of fuels and distribution. "To achieve that, we had volunteers [from the audience] read quotes from some of his speeches."

While King's speeches, especially the more well-known quotes, are what may stand out at a glance, one of the participants said she gained a deeper knowledge based on the celebration here.

"Everyone knows Martin Luther King, Jr. for the 'I Have a Dream' speech," said Air Force Master Sgt. Monica Strong, 673d LRS superintendent of customer support. "Learning his life inspired me to understand [that] what he accomplished is known throughout the world."