SEOUL, Republic of Korea – The headquarters command for U.S. sailors in Korea hosted a celebration Jan. 16 in observation of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Hosted by Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea’s (CNFK) multi-cultural society, the event was held at the Navy Club on U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan.
“It is important to remember Dr. Martin Luther King’s contributions to society and to use his memory to inspire people,” said Navy Counselor 1st Class Dennis Menjivar, CNFK multi-cultural society president. “These celebrations are not just a holiday, but also a chance to encourage unity for citizens to volunteer and work together.”
The event’s guest speaker, Mrs. Marilyn Roseborough, U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan relocation program manager, explained how unity drove the civil rights movement.
“I am a child of the civil rights,” said Roseborough. “Martin Luther King is not just another holiday to me. I lived it. I saw what people did and understand it was not just people of color that fought. If you look at the pictures you will see that it was everybody, so the Martin Luther King holiday is not a black holiday. It is a holiday where we celebrate the accomplishments of what was done for all of us.”
The national holiday’s recurring theme is “Remember! Celebrate! Act! A Day On… Not a Day Off.” The theme encourages everyone to engage in public service and promote nonviolent social change.
“Public service is a great way for everyone to come together and remember the sacrifices and achievements and the people who had the courage to stand up for what was right,” said Yeoman 2nd Class Abigail Lispier. “The event reminded everyone to take time and remember Martin Luther King Jr., what he fought for and how he did it through peace.”
Addressing the theme of “A day on… not a day off”, Chief of Staff, Capt. Robert Sparrock, challenged sailors to think about the deeper meaning of the holiday.
“I urge you to take some time this holiday weekend and watch a Martin Luther King Jr. speech online,” said Sparrock. “Hearing Dr. King speak and listening to his messages in the full context of the 1960s, think about what the world was like then and how the world is today.”
| Date Taken: | 01.16.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 01.16.2014 03:08 |
| Story ID: | 119236 |
| Location: | SEOUL, BUSAN GWANG'YEOGSI [PUSAN-KWANGYOKSHI], KR |
| Web Views: | 99 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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