Members of the South Post Gospel Choir lead the Martin Luther King Jr. candlelight vigil and march attendees in a rendtion of the song "Lift Every Voice and Sing." during the holiday celebration, Jan. 18 at U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan.
YONGSAN GARRISON, Republic of Korea – Soldiers, civilians and family members gathered for a candlelight vigil and observance honoring the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Jan., 18 here.
The observance paid tribute to the life and contributions of Martin Luther King Jr., who paved the way during the civil right movement of the 60s.
Col. Maria P. Eoff, garrison commander, U.S. Army Garrison-Yongsan opened the event with a discussion on the important of selfless service and how Dr. King exhibited these qualities.
“Selfless service is a core Army value,” she said. “The military is often referred to as ‘the service.’ We Soldiers, and civilians [like Dr. King] are trained to put the welfare of the nation, the Army and our subordinates before our own. Selfless service means doing what is right.”
During the event, community members sang songs as they marched from the Seoul American High School to the Yongsan Memorial Chapel, where the candlelight vigil and musical performances and proclamations’ occurred.
Nine-year-old Jenna and seven-year-old Sophia Ajello, two Girl Scouts who both took part in the march and proclamation readings, called Martin Luther King and important figure of American history.
“He caused everyone to have the same rights as each other,” Sophia said. “To demonstrate what he taught the world, we should “not judge people by their race.”
The proclamation readings at Memorial Chapel echoed a similar message during remarks by Kayla Fointno, Delta Sigma Theta sorority, who spoke about Coretta Scott King, the wife of the slain civil right leader.
“Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a chance to celebrate life and commemorate the man of action, who paid the ultimate price,” she said. “It’s not just an African American holiday but a people’s holiday.”
Martin Luther King Jr. Day was first observed in 1986 after President Ronald Regan signed the holiday into law in 1983. Today, this holiday is a observed as a beacon of light for quality and justice for all people.
Lt. Col. Mark Danner, commander, brigade special troops battalion, 1st Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, and guest speaker for the event called Dr. King a man who represented the hope during difficult times.
“He was a drum major for justice, an American hero and my idol,” Danner said. “Dr. King pushed for equality for all people and had a commitment to serve, at times even pushing forward through death threats.”
He said that even with death threats looming, many answered the call to serve Dr. King. The call to serve continues to be an important part of American life today, especially for U.S. Soldiers.
“It’s not enough to just celebrate MLK once a year,” Danner said. “It’s not enough to just know the “I have a dream’ speech, but to have a dream. We serve together and salute Dr. King for making that dream become a reality.”
