Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “A National Hero”?

  • Published
  • By Jim Hunt
  • Equal Opportunity director
F. E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, WYO --  The national theme for this year's Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. observance was: Remember! Celebrate! Act! A day on, not a day off!

Air Force Global Strike Command's F. E. Warren Air Force Base held a Martin Luther King, Jr. observance January 12th in the Trail's End Club with Col. Amelia Hutchins, 90th Medical Group deputy commander, as the guest speaker at the event.

Dr. King was a vital figure of the modern era and considered a national hero. His lectures and dialogues stirred the concern and sparked the conscience of a generation. Through his courage and selfless devotion, Doctor King led marches and movements that brought significant changes in American life. This devotion gave direction to thirteen years of civil rights activities. His charismatic leadership inspired men and women, young and old, in this nation and around the world.

Doctor King was shot while standing on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel, Memphis, Tenn., April 4, 1968. Doctor King was in Memphis to help lead sanitation workers in a protest against low wages and intolerable working conditions.

Doctor King's concept of "somebodiness," which symbolized the celebration of human worth and the conquest of subjugation, gave black and poor people hope and a sense of dignity. His philosophy of non-violent direct action, and his strategies for rational and non-destructive social change, galvanized the conscience of this nation and re-ordered its priorities. His wisdom, words, actions, commitment and dream for a new way of life are now forever intertwined with the American experience.

In celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, society commemorates this inspirational legend, and builds upon the foundation and dream, he left behind. Inspiration begets inspiration.