Wolf Pack honors MLK day

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Katrina Heikkinen
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  Members of the 8th Fighter Wing honored Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. while attending a luncheon here, Jan. 16.

Spearheaded by Tech. Sgt. Portia Wyatt, 8th Security Forces Squadron physical security NCO in charge, the Wolf Pack paid homage to the historical impact of the American civil rights activist and the 86th anniversary of his birth.

"I'm grateful that President Ronald Reagan signed this holiday into law in 1983," said Col. Ken "Wolf" Ekman, 8th FW commander. "I'm grateful you and I serve one of the most colorblind employers in the world, the United States Air Force -- where we value individuals based on what they can do and their adherence to our core values."

Following Wolf's opening remarks, Tech. Sgt. Lavar Plummer, 8th Civil Engineer Squadron structural craftsman, echoed a portion Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech from 1963.

"'I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal,'" Plummer said. "'I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. I have a dream today.'"

Plummer said Martin Luther King Jr. Day has been extremely important to him ever since he was an elementary school student and President Reagan signed the holiday into effect on national television.

"At one point in history, the U.S. military was segregated," he said. "Now, no matter your race, creed, religion or sexual orientation, you can be a part of the military, and that's why I took on this task of speaking the words that Dr. King spoke."

Chief Master Sgt. Nanette Klingman, 8th SFS manager, delivered remarks as the guest speaker for the luncheon.

"Each year on the third Monday of January, we remember, we honor, we reflect and we reemphasize Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy," she said. "He may not have been the initial catalyst of integration within our armed forces, but without his determination and his impact on the civilian community, we may never have achieved our standing as the greatest Air Force the world has ever known."

The event served not only to honor the impact of Dr. King's courage and his ultimate sacrifice, but also as a reminder to Wolf Pack Airmen of the American freedoms they protect every day alongside ROK allies.

Klingaman said Dr. King's actions more than four decades ago resemble the mission of the Air Force core values: integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do. These three core values that are the common bond among all comrades in arms is a bond that enables the Wolf Pack to defend the base, accept follow-on forces and take the fight north.

"Dr. King's powerful words live on today," she said. "For example, I, being the first recorded Wolf Pack female Cop Chief -- these are our modern-day realizations. Now is the time for us to take his lessons, knock down our barriers and make a stand. Make a difference!"