By Tim Cherry
Staff Writer
Thursday, January 12, 2012

Peaceful protest, riveting speeches and unwavering perseverance all helped define the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

An American leader who was a tremendous force in the civil rights movement that fostered improved equality for all races and faiths within the country.

His legacy is recognized every year on the third Monday of January as federal holiday with this year’s observance Jan. 16.

Martin Luther King Day of Service is less than a week away and to celebrate Soldiers and civilians joined in the Fort Belvoir Community Center Tuesday.

The garrison’s Equal Opportunity office hosted the event which featured several speakers, breakfast and cake commemorating the life of King.

The community center’s ballroom was filled with images of the civil rights leader including a virtual tour of the recently completed MLK memorial in Washington D.C.

“On this day we remember that he inspired us to believe that a day would come when people of every race and faith would come together and unify America,” said Sgt. 1st Class Tyshia Taylor, U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command Equal Opportunity advisor and narrator for the event.

The theme across the nation for MLK Day is that “it’s a day on and not a day off.”

Col. Napoleon Stewart, INSCOM deputy commander, said the phrase is fitting for a man who Stewart believes worked everyday in pursuit of fairness for others.

Stewart cited King’s numerous marches, constant speeches and persistent traveling to racially divided areas in the United States as examples of the civil right’s leader’s commitment to improving life for millions of people.

“He never took a day off in his struggle for social and economic equality nor in his quest for justice,” Stewart said.

Jim Lucas served as the guest speaker for the breakfast, standing in place of Reverend Rev. Walter Fauntroy, a personal friend of King who was unable to attend.

Lucas, a student of the teachings of King, delivers dramatic recitations and interpretive readings depicting the life and times of the civil rights leader.

During the breakfast he gave verbatim excerpts from the “I have a Dream” and “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speeches while leading attendees through King’s pursuit of equality.

The 40-minute speech refreshed and educated minds to the civil rights leader’s movement.

“We have been schooled today,” Taylor told the audience after Lucas finished his dialogue.

Sgt. 1st Class Momodou Kah, Equal Opportunity advisor, agreed.

“His speech was very inspirational and very educative,” Kah said.

Kah said observances such as the breakfast honor a man who he believes is still with Americans in spirit.

“His movement helped bring about black and white no matter what color you are we all can come together and work together as human beings,” Kah said.

Speaking on behalf of garrison Commander Col. John Strycula, Col. Mark Moffatt deputy garrison commander for transformation and BRAC, said he appreciated Lucas and all the participants in the breakfast celebration.

He said that honoring the civil rights leader was a great gesture by the installation.

“Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is very proud of what happened here today,” Moffatt said, “and we’ll take the great message forward not only for today but for the rest of our year here at Fort Belvoir.”