Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Remember! Celebrate! Act! A Day On, Not A Day Off January 21, 2019

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. reminded the world that, “Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable. Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.” He challenged Americans to live up to the ideals in our founding documents that we are all created equal, endowed with unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Photo courtesy of the National Park Service Martin Luther King, Jr. Quote

The King Holiday Signed into law in January 1983, the King Holiday is a day when the Nation pauses to remember Dr. King’s life and work. In 1994, Congress designated Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as the first and only federal holiday observed as a national day of service, and charged the Corporation for National and Community Service with leading this national effort. Federal, state, and local leaders join citizens in honoring Dr. King through service projects addressing pressing community needs—“A Day On, Not A Day Off.” The King Holiday

Honoring Dr. King At the Department of Defense, we are committed to honoring Dr. King’s work by recognizing the human dignity in all of the people we serve. It also means, ensuring that those who serve are judged not based on who they are or where they come from, but rather what they have to offer to help defend this country. Photo courtesy of the DoD, Staff Sgt. Jette Carr

A Day On, Not A Day Off The following slides are a snapshot of how DoD members Remember! Celebrate! Act! A Day On, Not A Day Off!

Kona, Hawaii Residents of The Homes at Ulu Wini Housing Project and U.S. Marines gather around for a photo during exercise Lava Viper. The Marines volunteered at the housing project to assist Hope Services Hawaii during their Martin Luther King clean- up day. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Marine Corps, Lance Cpl. Robert Williams Jr. U.S. Marine Corps support MLK Day

Navy Medical Center San Diego Diversity committee members collected canned food goods for local food banks at the Naval Medical Center San Diego during a Martin Luther King Jr. Day event to commemorate the holiday. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Navy, Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Harley K. Sarmiento Naval Medical Center San Diego

Waynesville R-VI School District, Missouri Donovan Jimenez, an 8th grader at Waynesville Middle School tied knots on a fleece blanket he made with the help of Pvt. Johnnie Abreu, a medic with 55th Mobility Augmentation Company during the AmeriCorps VISTA Waynesville R-VI School District's annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “Day of Service.” Abreu was part of a group of Soldiers from 5th Engineer Battalion, 4th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, who volunteered to make items to benefit the community and fight local poverty. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Army U.S. Army Volunteers

William Beaumont Army Medical Center William Beaumont Army Medical Center Soldiers and staff joined hands during a rendition of the gospel song “We Shall Overcome,” during their annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day observance. Photo courtesy of U.S. Army, Marcy Sanchez William Beaumont Army Medical Center

Al Dhafra Air Base Service members deployed to the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, stand in silence during the invocation at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. observance day memorial walk. A dense fog prefaced the event and lingered as the many acts and accomplishments of Dr. King’s life were read. Photo courtesy of U. S. Air Force, Airman 1st Class D. Blake Browning Deployed Service Members

Liberty County A crowd gathered near Hinesville’s Main Street to view the 2018 Liberty County Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. parade. Soldiers with 3rd Combined Arms Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, participated in the county’s annual celebration honoring the life, legacy and dream of Dr. King. Liberty County Photo courtesy of the U.S. Army, Staff Sgt. Nathan Berry

Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Dr. Granville Coggs, a Tuskegee Airman, recited a poem written by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at their observance luncheon at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Parr Club. Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Photo courtesy of the U.S. Air Force, Joel Martinez

Conclusion Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s less than thirteen years of nonviolent leadership ended tragically on April 4th, 1968, when he was assassinated at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. His words and actions changed a nation and resonate to this day. As we remember Dr. King on his birthday, let’s recommit ourselves to the standard he set—inclusiveness, equality and acts of service, and continue to rise together as a nation to the challenges that remain. Photo courtesy of the Defense Media Agency

End Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute, Patrick Air Force Base, Florida December 2019 All photographs are public domain and from various sources, as cited. The information in this document is not to be construed as an official DEOMI, U.S. Military Services, or Department of Defense position.