By Capt. Anthony Carter, 27th Special Operations Aerospace
Medicine Squadron
Published January 16, 2014
CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. (AFNS) -- As Martin Luther King
Jr. Day approaches, many of us are deciding which activities to participate in
on our day off, that we forget to reflect on the meaning behind this special
celebration. The purpose of the holiday is to empower people to see their role
in continuing the legacy of King. This holiday is an instrument used to inspire
individuals to use their strengths, passions and talents to better the lives of
others and impact their local and global communities.
In 1983, legislation was signed creating a federal holiday
marking the birth of King. This extraordinary holiday is observed on the third
Monday of January each year, which is close to the birthday of King, Jan. 15.
President Bill Clinton signed federal legislation into law Aug. 23, 1994,
making Martin Luther King Jr. Day a national day of service. The federal
legislation challenges Americans to transform this holiday into a day of
citizen action and volunteer service in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
When I reflect on this day and what it means, a quote from
the late widow of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. comes to mind.
"(The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday) is a day of
interracial and intercultural cooperation and sharing," Coretta Scott King
said. "No other day of the year brings so many peoples from different
cultural backgrounds together in such a vibrant spirit of brother and
sisterhood. Whether you are African-American, Hispanic or Native American,
whether you are Caucasian or Asian-American, you are part of the great dream
Martin Luther King, Jr. had for America. This is not a black holiday; it is a
peoples' holiday. And it is the young people of all races and religions who
hold the keys to the fulfillment of his dream."
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a holiday for everyone. It
is a chance for everyone to honor the life and teachings of King through
community service. That service may meet a tangible need, such as collecting
food for the less fortunate, or it may exhibit the spirit of the holiday, such
as building a sense of community. It is up to you to make a change. What mark
will you leave on your community?
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