MLK observance kicks off

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Sondra Escutia
  • 49th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  A kick-off celebration was held at the Base Exchange Jan. 12 to recognize a prominent leader in the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s, in observance of the upcoming Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Jan. 18.

Members from Team Holloman gathered around a display of information and listened while Holloman members gave their thoughts on Dr. King through spoken word and a video.

"This month we get to celebrate a great man who made huge strides for this country through nonviolence, through peaceful demonstrations and through his voice and the many speeches he was able to give," said Maj. Joshua Jenkins, 49th Operations Support Squadron, event coordinator.

The 49th Fighter Wing vice commander also shared his thoughts with the crowd.

"In his 39 years, as a single individual, [Martin Luther King, Jr.] managed to change our nation and influence the entire world," said Col. Kevin Robbins, 49th FW vice commander. "These displays help us remember and help us celebrate but we all have to look inside of ourselves and figure out how we need to act to make our country and our Air Force a better place."

An informational display in the BX and 49th Medical Group will be set up all week to educate Holloman personnel and to increase awareness of why the 18th of January is more than a day off, but "a day on."

"It is important to give honor to whom honor is due," said Chaplain (Maj.) Shelia Wilson, 49th FW chaplain and event planner. "That's why we do quarterly awards, that's why we do annual awards, to give honor to whom honor is due and to encourage folks to continue to seek excellence. That is what Martin Luther King was about, helping all persons, encouraging them and seeking excellence in what you do."

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Day observance committee is also holding a food drive Thursday, Jan. 14, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the base Commissary to support St. Johns Episcopal Church's soup kitchen and all foods are accepted.