Edwards walks, talks, celebrates values, life of Martin Luther King Jr.

  • Published
  • By Laura Mowry
  • Staff Writer
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Team Edwards honored the memory of Martin Luther King Jr. with a series of celebratory events for both children and adults Jan. 11-12. This year's observance included a children's book reading at the Child Development Center, a celebratory walk, and culminated with a ceremony honoring the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

The focus of this year's observance was tolerance, acceptance, and unity; a message that includes people of all ages, beliefs, backgrounds, and cultures, event organizers said.

The message conveyed the importance of not only appreciating what makes each individual unique, but also being able to look past those differences to find the commonalities.
"The message and Legacy of Dr. King is so important. Whatever your age, background, or branch of service; his message of tolerance and acceptance benefits each and every one of us," said 1st Lt. Tieu Myers, an event organizer who works at the Air Force Flight Test Center Directorate of Contracting.

"That is why we wanted to include the entire Edwards community in this year's celebration." she said.

Myers and the AFFTC Directorate of Contracting organized this year's Martin Luther King Jr. observance.

Volunteers from the contracting office shared the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. with preschoolers at the CDC through a series of book readings Jan. 11.

Children between the ages of three and five listened to "Meet Martin Luther King Jr.," by Johnny Ray Moore; as well as "Brand New Kid," by Katie Couric; "I'm Like You, You're Like Me: A Book About Understanding and Appreciating Each Other," by Cindy Gainer; and "Same, Same but Different," by Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw.

Although only one book specifically addressed Martin Luther King Jr., the additional books emphasized the principles of tolerance, acceptance, and unity.

"This is the first year that children have been included in the Martin Luther King observance. I think it's just as important to expose children to culture and get them involved," Myers said.
"Hopefully this will become a tradition that coincides with the annual walk and ceremony."

The annual celebratory walk took place Jan. 12, beginning at Building 3000. Team Edwards demonstrated its support with a large turnout, including leadership from the base as well as NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center. The walk concluded at Chapel 1 with a ceremony honoring the memory of Martin Luther King Jr.

The guest speaker for this year's ceremony was Mr. L. E. Michael Johnson, a retired U.S. Marine and Western Region Vice President of the Montford Point Marine Association. His message echoed the legacy of Marin Luther King Jr., urging service members to not only tolerate and accept differences, but also remember their common purpose.

"We all have different names and backgrounds, but it is imperative that we remember our commonalities and what brings us together," said Johnson.

Johnson paid special tribute to the Montford Point Marines, a distinguished group of approximately 20,000 African American U.S. Marines that attended basic training at Montford Point, Camp Lejune, N.C., between 1942 and 1949. They were unable to attend the traditional boot camp.

The Montford Point Marines were the first African Americans to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps after President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued Executive Order No. 8802 on Jun. 25, 1941. The order targeted discrimination in all industries pertaining to national defense. In 1942, President Roosevelt created an order, giving African Americans an opportunity to serve their country.
In 1965, a national reunion was held in honor of the Montford Point Marines. The enthusiastic response led to the formation of the Montford Point Marine Association.

"I stand here on the shoulders of these men, the Montford Point Marines. We fought our country's battle and then came home to fight for our rights," said Johnson.
"Throughout history, we all had to prove we could bind together. We are one country, one nation. Let's continue marching together, working together, so that we may continue to achieve our common goals."

In attendance for the ceremony, Brig. Gen. Robert C. Nolan II, AFFTC commander, shared a personal childhood story with the Edwards community during closing remarks.

"I was 7 years old when Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated," said General Nolan.

"As a Boston kid, stickball and bicycles may have been my priorities at the time, but I remember how deeply hurt my mom was the following morning. A few days later, I was watching television program about him with my father and I asked a question beginning with "what."

In that moment, Nolan learned a valuable, life-long lesson.

"My dad told me it's not what Martin Luther King Jr. was, but who he was."

"I learned life is not about what you are, but who you are; and that is the legacy for all of us. Who you are includes character, values, beliefs and how you use them to have a positive impact around you."

Nolan challenged the Team Edwards to remember the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and use that knowledge for the greater good.

"I challenge each and every one of you to improve who you are, rather than whats that fill our lives. If we can do that, our community and lives will be that much better."