Fort Leonard Wood begins 2013 cultural series with Martin Luther King Jr. day

By Ms. Martha Yoshida (Leonard Wood)January 18, 2013

Fort Leonard Wood begins 2013 cultural series with Martin Luther King Jr. day
Jennifer Thompson, Fort Leonard Wood's Equal Employment Opportunity director, is scheduled to be the guest speaker during Fort Leonard Wood's first cultural observance of the year in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 14 a... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. -- Fort Leonard Wood is scheduled to host its first cultural observance of the year in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 14 at the Pershing Community Center.

The theme, "Remember! Celebrate! Act!" stresses the importance of service and working together to strengthen our communities.

Jennifer Thompson, Fort Leonard Wood's Equal Employment Opportunity director, is scheduled to be the guest speaker for the event. Thompson plans to discuss the past, present and future of King's influence and legacy. Her talk will incorporate the message that everybody can be great because anybody can serve.

According to Master Sgt. Marvin Lockett, installation equal opportunity advisor, ethnic observances are held at Fort Leonard Wood throughout the year to recognize the contributions and achievements of all groups that comprise the society of the United States.

In 2013, the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood will support ethnic observances through the development of brigade-sponsored events, local programs and recognition ceremonies that are aligned with joint congressional resolution, presidential proclamation and the Army's chief of staff, Lockett said.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a United States federal holiday marking the birthday of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The day is observed on the third Monday of January each year, which is around the time of King's birthday, Jan. 15.