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Luncheon will honor Martin Luther King Jr.

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. La'Ronda Harris
  • 375th Medical Support Squadron
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  On Aug. 28, 1963, more than a quarter of a million people marched to the Lincoln Memorial in support of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. It was during this demonstration that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., energized the crowd with his famous "I Have a Dream" speech. During his speech, Dr. King said "... with this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope."

On Oct. 16, 2011 the faith that Dr. King dreamed about became a vision for all to see. An estimated 50,000 people gathered to witness the dedication of the Martin Luther King, Jr.
National Memorial in Washington, D.C. The monument is a 30-foot statue of Dr. King constructed out of 159 granite blocks and stands in a direct line between the Lincoln Memorial and the Jefferson Memorial. The MLK "Stone of Hope" memorial is the first on the National Mall to honor an African-American and someone other than a U.S. president.

Although Dr. King was never president, he believed that this nation's future would be much greater than its past if all people, regardless of race, color, gender, or creed, were treated as equals. This belief of equality was instrumental in the election of the current president of the United States of America, Barack Obama. President Obama spoke at the MLK memorial stating, "... with our eyes on the horizon and our faith squarely placed in one another, let us keep striving; let us keep struggling; let us keep climbing toward that promised land of a nation and a world that is more fair, and more just, and more equal for every single child of God."

MLK committee chair, 2nd Lt. Francisca Alaka-Lampton, said, "Dr. King's monument is not only a constant reminder of how far we've come as a nation on building his dream and keeping it alive, but it also resonates that we must continue to bridge the gap that prevents everyone from living the American dream--freedom, democracy and opportunity for all."

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King's memory, message, and mission, there will be a MLK luncheon Jan. 20 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Scott Club. To help us celebrate Dr. King's life, retired Chief Master Sgt. Robert Dandridge will be the speaker for this event. Dandridge retired as the first command chief master sergeant to nine installations in the United Kingdom and Norway. He is a motivational speaker and a member of Park University Alumni Council.

Registration for the luncheon has begun through an e-vite. The deadline to RSVP is today. The menu includes barbecue chicken, fried catfish, or vegetarian lasagna, macaroni and cheese, greens, sweet corn bread, and tea. Red velvet cake is for dessert.
The cost for Scott Club members is $10.98 and non-members pay $12.98. For questions regarding the luncheon, contact Mrs. Sturgis at 256-7474.