TOP STORY >> Celebrating MLK day

By Staff Sgt. Jacob Barreiro
19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

Team Little Rock, along with members from the Calvary Baptist Church, the second and third grade classes of Arnold Drive Elementary School and other citizens from the local community we’re present Jan. 13, when the base celebrated the accomplishments and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a three-part event.

The event began at the base theater with songs sung by the Arnold Drive Elementary School students, followed by a speech on Dr. King by guest speaker Col. Todd Pavich, 314th Airlift Wing vice commander, then followed by a rendition of Dr. King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech by Calvary Baptist Church minister Cecil Gibson, then followed by the remembrance walk from the base theater to Hangar 1080, where the festivities we’re concluded over a luncheon.

“I want to thank everyone who came and made this event the success it is,” said Col. Thomas Crimmins, 19th Airlift Wing vice commander, to the crowd at Hangar 1080. “Martin Luther King accomplished a lot of things … he died when he was 39, and accomplished a lot more than many people who have lived twice as long. We lost a great leader too early … and hopefully after today we can better appreciate why we celebrate (Dr. King’s) birthday on Monday.”

While the event was about the legacy of a man who was assassinated at the age of 39, the event was celebratory rather than somber, as Pavich highlighted in his speech not only the accomplishments of King, but the underlying conditions of them, and why they we’re necessary.

“Dr. Martin Luther King was a great man,” Pavich said during his speech. “Cleary he’s done some fantastic things for our country and our nation.”

He would go on to say King was the right man, at the right place, at the right time, with the right preparation and goals to make a difference when numerous other people couldn’t.

“We the people … we need to be more like Dr. Martin Luther King every day, from this day on and into the future,” he said.