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Members of the KMC took time to reflect on the life and work of civil rights activist Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during an observance ceremony Jan. 12 at the Ramstein Northside Chapel.
The event was highlighted by guest speaker Chief Master Sgt. James Davis, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa command chief.
“Dictionary.com defines a dreamer as a person who lives in a world of fantasy, one who is impractical or unrealistic,” Davis said. “The second definition says a dreamer is a person whose ideas are considered audacious or highly speculative, a visionary.
“On Aug. 28, 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King had the audacity to speak before thousands to articulate his dream, a watershed moment in the civil rights movement that affected the course of history,” Davis added. “I ask you today … over 50 years after the historical ‘I Have a Dream’ speech, was it a fantasy? Was it impractical? Or was it unrealistic?”
The event also included a musical performance by Angela McMullen, an inspirational dance by Tech. Sgt. Janelle Ramsey, 86th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, and a speech by Solomon Udo-Aka, a Ramstein High School freshman who won first place in an oratorical speech contest.
Udo-Aka’s speech focused on King’s works that he performed in an effort to better the lives of others that continue to inspire change.
In his speech, Udo-Aka said King’s life represented service to others and devotion to achievement that influenced the lives of those he touched through his actions that were for a greater cause than his own comfort.
Udo-Aka went on to speak about how King’s life was not only an example of selflessness but also an example of why one should be proud to be an American.
Davis echoed similar sentiments as he contemplated King’s dream.
“When you don’t have a lot of things, you’ll find yourself dreaming about everything,” Davis said. “Our dreams are tied to our purpose in life, and it’s extremely important for each of us to fulfill that purpose by developing and pursuing such important dreams like Dr. King.”
Davis encouraged the audience to not be afraid to dream the impossible.
The event ended with closing remarks from Brig. Gen. Jon T. Thomas, 86th Airlift Wing commander, reminding the crowd that Martin Luther King Jr. Day is not a day off work but rather a day on which to work toward individual dreams.
