HOHENFELS, Germany -- Hohenfels honored the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his extraordinary contributions to the American civil rights movement at a ceremony at the Community Activities Center on Jan. 12.
Guest speaker Col. Vann R. Smiley, U.S. Army Grafenwoehr commander, said he felt it was important on a day that some might think of as just another day off, to take time to reflect on what an impact King had on our nation.
Citing examples from King's life and achievements, Smiley related King's message to the Army core values of loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage.
"It never fails to amaze me the level of selfless service that Dr. King demonstrated in support of his cause," Smiley said. "That sort of selfless service...is difficult to comprehend sometimes...until you take a step back from it and ask yourself what we as Soldiers and civilians in support of our nation do to provide that support."
"You make sacrifices for our nation that you probably just take for granted," he said.
When speaking of King's personal courage during the civil rights movement, suffering abuse, attacks, and eventual assassination, Smiley called for others to reflect on their own past experiences.
Command Sgt. Maj. Frank L. Graham remembered being one of the first African Americans in Moncks Corner, S.C., to attend an all-white school during desegregation.
"First six months or a year, being in that school, I went through some rough times," he said. "But we've taken long strides to be where our society is today. We've made a lot of progress."
Master Sgt. Christopher T. Mulvihill read portions of the famous "Birmingham letter" wherein King proclaimed, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." King composed the letter while languishing in a Birmingham jail after leading several non-violent protests throughout the city in an effort to call national attention to the harsh segregation laws.
More than half a century later, the speech has lost none of its poignancy.
King wrote: "When these disinherited children...sat down at lunch counters, they were in reality standing up for what is best in the American dream."
Gregory T. Harvey can relate.
"I lived through segregation," said Harvey. "At some point in my life it made me a hostile person. Later on in life, I was able to use that determination in a positive way. So I just wanted to come out and reflect."
"Dr. King's efforts were for everyone," said Smiley. "His obligation was that all who suffered from inequality, to see that they were treated equal."
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