By Tim Cherry
Staff Writer
Thursday, January 10, 2013
A one-woman stage play headlines Fort Belvoir’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration at 11:30 a.m. Jan. 17 at the Fort Belvoir Officers’ Club.
E.P. McKnight, a poet, actress, writer and radio and television artist, will read poetry, provide a historical recount of MLK’s life and provide a small snippet from her Fannie Lou Hamer play during the garrison’s cultural observance.
The celebration also features free fried catfish, corn bread, cake and other foods as well as educational displays and birthday music.
“We often think of this day as another four day weekend but it’s more than that,” said Master Sgt. Charm Rodgers, U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command EOO advisor, who wants people to use the holiday to remember the sacrifices King and many others made to improve the quality of life for millions of people. “It’s a day to remember a great leader and people who made sacrifices for us to be in uniform.”
Fort Belvoir, the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command and the Operational Support Airlift Agency Equal Opportunity Offices are co-hosting the event.
Representatives from each office encourage people of all backgrounds to attend and honor the civil rights leader.
More than 40 years have passed since King died in 1968. His and other civil rights leaders’ work paved the way for heightened equality amongst Americans. King’s use of peaceful and non-violent methods to attain this equality set a precedent that Americans should continue to strive for, said Sgt. First Class Ebonie Washington, EOO advisor.
“His struggles will always continue,” Washington said. “There’s never a break when working towards equality.”
Rodgers believes King was a man who wanted equality in every aspect of life, from the way people are received in social settings to how their religious views are accepted.
She believes McKnight will drive this point home to attendees. McKnight is a graduate of Fordham University in New York, N.Y., and has written and performed in plays, movies and television shows, according to a biography provided by the garrison’s EOO.
“I think she’s going to make an impact,” Rodgers said who paused briefly and then added. “She’s going to be an impact speaker.”
Rodgers hopes attendees leave with a better understanding of who King was and what he fought for and she encourages all people to attend to learn about and celebrate the civil rights leader.
“His fight didn’t stop in 1968 (the year of King’s assassination). It started and it’s not over until everyone is 100 percent equal.” Rodgers said “This is a great opportunity to slow down and think why we’re performing our missions.”
Washington added that “it’s an uplifting and joyous occasion and we want everyone in the Fort Belvoir community to come out and participate.”
For more information visit www.belvoir.army.mil/eo/.
