MLK Observance features message to "get involved"

By Bonnie A. Robinson, Public Affairs SpecialistFebruary 12, 2015

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Soldiers, civilians and community members gathered together for a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Observance Jan. 29 at the Community Club at U.S. Army Dugway Proving Ground, Utah.

The observance focused on the legacy of Dr. King. His courage and leadership during the difficult days leading up to the Selma voting rights movement, which led to the landmark achievement of the Voting Rights Act. The memorial observance also emphasized Dr. King's message for all citizens to be more involved in community service.

During the opening remarks, Col. Ron Fizer, Dugway's commander, spoke of the importance of King's service. He urged those present to get engaged in their local community organizations and events.

"We honor our commitment to our Nation by our active involvement in our community and workplace."

Lashunda Dillon, Dugway's Equal Employment Opportunity manager, was the guest speaker. She shared her perspectives with a rich passion culled, in part, from her childhood experience growing up in a time when unequal treatment for African Americans still echoed in southern communities.

She recalled how as a 7-year old girl in the 1970s she was "deeply affected by an old sign near my home that said: No niggers allowed."

"That sign caused me ask myself, what's wrong with me? What's wrong with my skin color?"

Dillon said King's message created a great deal of introspection as a girl. As she grew up, she became determined to not let the bias of some individuals stop her from succeeding with her life goals.

"I have no bitterness, no hate. The truth is we are all created equal and our actions should always reflect that belief," she said. I came to believe that I too was one of the men and women fighting for civil rights by the way I conduct of my life."

She said that King's message deeply affected and encouraged her choices in how she felt about herself, her education and career. She earned a Bachelor's Degree in Organizational Communication and graduated Magna Cum Laude. She is currently working to finish her masters in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. She hopes to earn a Doctorate in Law.

King's example also influenced her choice to serve in the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Office at both Yuma Proving Ground and at Dugway. She referred to it "as a natural extension, awakened early in girlhood, to reach out and serve others."

Though not yet born when the Selma to Montgomery march took place, Dillon said she was "keenly aware of the significance to all Americans" when Dr. King rallied thousands of nonviolent demonstrators to the five-day, 54-mile advance to the steps of the capitol in Montgomery, Ala.

What should have been a peaceful demonstration, turned into a brutal confrontation, galvanizing our nation, which saw the affect of racial tensions, which still existed the 1960's South.

"Linked arm men, women and some children, black and white tried to cross the [Edmund Pettus Bridge] only to be met by men, who beat them with bitter hatred and anger," Dillon said, her voice cracking with emotion.

"My grandmother taught me to 'never to treat someone different, because under our skin, we are all red inside.'"

Dillon calls herself a "product of the dream." She demonstrates her resolve to treat others with respect and dignity by serving as a coach, mentor and teacher of teens and young adults in Bible study, life challenges and encouraging them to invest in their dreams.

She ended her remarks with counsel and a call to action that would surely make Dr. King proud of the legacy he left behind.

"Elect to live a life without bitterness and strife. Act to make your time count. Standup for what is just. Get involved and make a difference."

Bookending the observance were two musical numbers an A cappella rendition of the National Anthem sung by Timothy Whalen who works at the Dugway Elementary School; and the song Glory, recently featured in the film Selma, sung and accompanied by Jarrett Claiborne, a meteorologist for West Desert Test Center.

Sheryl Grubb, the Public Affairs Officer, served as the Master of Ceremony. Chaplin (Maj.) Bernie Cornell of the Dugway Hope Chapel gave the invocation and benediction.