Serving others is a way to live the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support commander said during a ceremony honoring King Jan. 21.
“Everybody can be great, because anybody has the right to serve,” Army Brig. Gen. Charles Hamilton said, reciting King’s words. “You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace and a soul generated by love.”
“And that’s what we do at (DLA) Troop Support, we serve,” Hamilton continued. “Thank you for helping me live Dr. King’s dream to continue to serve, and thank you for serving.”
Employees from DLA Troop Support and NAVSUP Weapons Systems Support attended the event in celebration of the national theme, “Remember! Celebrate! Act!”
During the ceremony, Key Arts Production performed a multimedia presentation titled “King’s Dream,” which outlined King’s life from childhood, his leadership in the Civil Rights Movement and assassination in 1968.
Historical images, video, remarks and musical performances encapsulated African Americans’ struggle for racial equality, from slavery to the Civil Rights Movement, and asked the audience to reflect on their personal contributions to social justice.
Videos included footage of Civil Rights demonstrations and public statements by elected officials of the time opposing desegregation laws. Performers also sang gospel songs inspired by King’s upbringing in the Black Church and freedom songs inspired by the Civil Rights Movement.
“King’s dream is his legacy,” Key Arts Production Director Joe Patterson said. “Many courageous people lost their lives during the struggle, Americans seeking their rights guaranteed to them by the United States.”
Hamilton shared his own experiences with racial discrimination growing up in Houston, his family being the only African Americans living in a predominately white neighborhood.
“The few folks that didn’t want us to live there probably moved or just dealt with it,” Hamilton said. “The majority of the folks were good folks. They welcomed the Hamiltons into that neighborhood over a period of time.”
Hamilton believes that the inclusiveness he and his family felt in their community reflected King’s vision.
Concluding the ceremony, Hamilton and NAVSUP WSS Aviation Deputy Director Capt. David Rhone presented the performers with mementos of appreciation on behalf of their respective organizations.