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News | Jan. 15, 2021

Celebrating the Life and Ideals of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. - DLA Distribution Commanding General's Message

By DLA Distribution Public Affairs

Happy New Year Distribution Teammates,

Each year, on the third Monday in January, the Department of Defense joins the nation in honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by making the holiday a day of community service—“A Day On, Not A Day Off.” This year, the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of service will be recognized on Monday, January 18, 2021.

This day was set aside in 1995 when Congress designated Martin Luther King Jr. Day as the first and only federal holiday observed as a national day of service, a way to channel King’s life and teaching into community action. We remember Dr. King as America’s advocate of nonviolence and a leader of the Civil Rights Movement. He challenged us to live up to the ideals enshrined in our founding documents — that we are all created equal, endowed with unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Our EEO office did an excellent job of highlighting the extraordinary life and legacy of the undaunted champion of Peace in this month’s bulletin. In celebration of Dr. King, each of us can contribute to strengthening our own communities by serving in our neighborhoods and volunteering our time. While we may not be able to observe the holiday in all the same ways we did pre-COVID, there are still many ways to honor Dr. King’s memory while staying safe including participation in virtual events. Additionally, we can safely drop off donations at local food banks or shelters to help those in need.

While we approach the extended weekend, I’d like to remind each of you that we are still in the midst of a pandemic. The CDC continues to report that COVID-19 cases across the Nation continue to rise. We need to continue to be vigilant, to make smart decisions and to protect one another by wearing a mask, social distancing, washing hands and staying home if you are sick or if you are awaiting COVID-19 test results. We have a responsibility to our families, to our co-workers and to our customers.

Mr. Knight and I would like to thank you for everything you do to support our Warfighters and our federal partners. Keep striving for excellence and look after one another. Stay safe!

BGen Keith D. Reventlow, USMC
Commanding General
DLA Distribution