While history will long remember Dr. Martin Luther King’s involvement in the Civil Rights movement, fewer people today might note how much of this work he accomplished at the pulpit.
So, at the 2016 MLK Noon Day Service at Freedom Chapel Jan. 13, the African American Heritage Committee here gave attendees a glimpse into the “reverend” side of Dr. King’s work.
Staff Sgt. Krizia Gibson, AETC NCO in charge of chapel readiness and training, oversaw the event, which included a reading of the “I Have a Dream” speech from Dr. Scott Bradley of the Intercultural Development Research Association and a sermon from Chaplain (Capt.) Lamar Reece, 321st Training Squadron.
“As soon as the opportunity came to volunteer, I jumped on it because there’s so much of Dr. Martin Luther King’s history that everybody doesn’t know,” Gibson said. “Aside from the ‘I Have a Dream’ speech and the freedom marches, King was a reverend – and a lot of the time we don’t commemorate him for what he’s done as a reverend, as opposed to his (civil rights) work.”
Reece, for his part, touched on the importance of people loving their enemies, and offered advice for Airmen looking to apply King’s teaching in their careers.
“I think Martin Luther King would have said to Airmen, to ‘be excellent in all you do – stand for the truth, stand for justice,’” Reece noted. “Even in your career fields – even in what you’re doing on a day-to-day basis, love your enemy.
“Love even the supervisors you don’t like or you can’t get along with,” he continued. “Love the coworker you don’t like. Remember that you’re an Airman first, and as Airmen, we should be professional and respect and love one another, regardless of our disagreements.”
Master Sgt. Debra Flowers, Robert D. Gaylor NCO Academy superintendent MPOA, helped organize the event and echoed Reece’s sentiments.
“I think that is a big part of where we should all be looking in the future is culminating in love, everywhere we go,” she said.
Flowers, JBSA-Lackland African American Heritage Committee member, said she was – like Gibson – honored to be part of the event.
“When I first heard about the committee looking for people to lead the events for the month, this was the first one I thought of to volunteer for,” she said. “I feel an overwhelming sense of pride – I wanted the opportunity to help commemorate Dr. King and help bring about that respect that he rightfully deserves.”
The program also saw a diverse audience of Airmen and retirees in attendance, Flowers said.
“The main point is not just for African-Americans – it’s to bring awareness to everything that the African American community has brought to the country, both in where we’ve served in the military and how the contributions they’ve made have helped the country to where we’ve gotten today,” she added.
While MLK Day is over, those interested in the upcoming Black History Month can look forward to several JBSA-Lackland African American Heritage Committee events, including: Opening Ceremonies Feb. 1 at Willford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center Auditorium; AAHC Luncheon Feb. 10 at JBSA-Lackland Gateway Club; and a performance from the Gospel Choir Feb. 20 at the JBSA-Lackland Gateway Chapel, among other events.
For additional information, call 671-3956 or 671-0916.