Event honors life, legacy of Dr. King

By Michele W. Forehand, Army Flier Contributing WriterJanuary 22, 2015

Event honors life, legacy of Dr. King
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT RUCKER, Ala. (January 22, 2015) -- Fort Rucker recognized the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during a commemorative program Jan. 15 with the theme "Remember! Celebrate! Act! Remember the Dream -- Non-violence."

"I want to thank all of you for coming today," said Sherie Trone, Fort Rucker Equal Employment Opportunity Office. "This event is held to honor Dr. King for his hard work and dedication in the Civil Rights Movement."

Chaplain (Col.) John Kallerson performed the invocation and read several scriptures out of the Bible.

Chapter 7, a gospel music group, also performed during the event, putting a spotlight on the meaning of the program.

"We have very talented entertainment today," said Russell B. Hall, U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence deputy to the commanding general. "I also want to thank you all for attending this event. Today, we have a very talented and devoted guest speaker, Command Sgt. Maj. Crystal Turner."

"I am truly honored to be here," Turner, with the 1st Battalion, 212th Aviation Regiment, said. "We must remember this year's theme. We must remember to celebrate and act. Most importantly, remember the meaning of nonviolence. That is what it is all about.

"Nonviolence should not be linked to certain situations. It should be linked to all situations and bondage," she said. "Nonviolence is a powerful force. We must discover how to live in a way of peace -- make way for the words of all of our fathers to be heard by all of us. Look at the color of character, not the color of skin.

"The dream does live on. Who would have thought one man's dream would become reality? Our celebration should be every day, not just one day," Turner continued. "I ask you to celebrate by practicing nonviolence. Celebrate by mentoring the young children of today. I encourage you to act on faith, act on making a difference, act on nonviolence and act on your legacy. I believe his legacy will continue to live through us if we remember, celebrate, act and remember the dream -- nonviolence."

The event concluded with Trone thanking everyone who contributed their time and effort to making this year's event a success.

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Fort Rucker, Ala.

U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence