Remember! MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY Celebrate! Act! A Day On, Not A Day Off
January 15, 2018 MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. QUOTE
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands in times of challenge and controversy. The true neighbor will risk his position, his prestige, and even his life for the welfare of others. In dangerous valleys and hazardous pathways, he will lift some bruised and beaten brother to a higher and more noble life.”
During his lifetime, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. dreamed of a nation of freedom and justice for all. Today we honor his dream.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Quote
2 MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. HOLIDAY
Each year the Department of Defense (DoD) joins the nation in honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by making the holiday a day of community service—“A Day On, Not A Day Off.”
The holiday, celebrated on the third Monday of January, encourages people everywhere to reflect on the principles of our nation: that all men are created equal—regardless of color or creed—and we are all equal members of the human family.
3 THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE COMMITMENT
The DoD is committed to honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy of recognizing the human dignity in all of the people we serve.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. recognized the power of service. He once said, “Everyone can be great because everybody can serve.” Observing the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. federal holiday through service continues DoD’s mission of fostering change, building our communities and meeting national challenges. Through their diligent service, the men and women of DoD -- both military and civilian -- honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s life and teachings.
4 MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a Baptist minister and a leader of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States from December 1955 until his assassination on April 4, 1968.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. advocated nonviolent resistance to achieve social justice and racial equality. A powerful orator, he used his words as a call to action through organizing protests, sit-ins, and boycotts.
He was shot and killed by James Earl Ray at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee on April 4, 1968.
The King Center 5 CREATION OF THE HOLIDAY
Congress passed a bill designating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday as a national holiday starting in 1986.
The Defense Department first observed Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 1985, a year before it became a federal holiday.
On August 23, 1994, Congress passed the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday and Service Act designating the King Holiday as a day of volunteer service.
Senate Federal Holiday DoD MLK Day 6 SECRETARY OF DEFENSE JAMES MATTIS
During a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day observance event at the Pentagon Secretary of Defense James Mattis remarked, “In our nation’s history, our military has often served as an example to the American people of unity and strength, of how a diverse group of Photo courtesy of the Department of Defense people can be motivated even under austere or grim conditions of the battlefield to come together as equals.”
Statement by Secretary of Defense James Mattis 7 DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE CELEBRATIONS
On military installations around the world, DoD members share Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s values and ideals.
The following slides highlight just a few of the events throughout DoD celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Photo courtesy of the National Park Service
8 JOINT BASE CHARLESTON
Members of Joint Base Charleston march during the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. remembrance event at the Air Base Chapel at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina.
Photo courtesy of the U. S. Air Force
Joint Base Charleston March 9 GEORGE C. MARSHALL EUROPEAN CENTER
Photo courtesy of the Department of Defense
Garmisch Elementary Middle School students in Kindergarten to second grade sing “Sing About Martin” during the George C. Marshall European Center’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration.
George C. Marshall European Center
10 U.S. PACIFIC FLEET
Members of the U.S. Pacific Fleet Band march in the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Parade in Waikiki, Hawaii. The parade included a unity rally.
U.S. Pacific Fleet Photo courtesy of the U.S. Navy
11 YOKOTA AIR BASE
Airmen watch “The Story of a Dream,” a play chronicling African American suffrage of the mid 1950s at Yokota Air Base. Airmen acted out major events in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life.
Photo courtesy of the U.S. Air Force Yokota Air Base 12 U.S. ARMY AFRICA
A Soldier from U.S. Army Africa observes children’s drawings provided by the Vicenza Elementary School for Martin Luther King Jr. Day during Vicenza Military Community’s Observance in Italy.
Photo courtesy of U.S. Army U.S. Army Africa
13 REMEMBERING DR. KING
The Defense Department understands that freedom, equality and inclusion are true force multipliers and imperative to national defense and the strength of our nation.
As we remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on his birthday, let us continue to live up the to the standard he set, ensure his legacy lives on, and as one DoD family, rise up to meet the challenges that remain.
14 STATEMENT BY SECRETARY OF DEFENSE JAMES MATTIS
“Our Armed Forces are stronger today because of the perseverance of Dr. King and so many others in this country who have fought for civil rights and equality for all…On this day of action, we are inspired to continue being a model for our
Photo courtesy of the Department of Defense Nation.” —Secretary of Defense James Mattis Statement by Secretary of Defense
15 END
Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute, Patrick Air Force Base, Florida January 2018
All photographs are public domain and are from various sources, as cited.
The findings in this report are not to be construed as an official DEOMI, U.S. military services, or Department of Defense position.
16