Captain’s Column

On the 20th of January the Federal Government will observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

It’s common when federal holidays come around to focus on weekend plans and forget about the real reason behind the commemoration.

On Monday the 20th, I think it’s important that we take some time to understand Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., his message, and his legacy.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. lived a life of service, delivering a message of hope, equality, and social justice in a peaceful way.

Between 1957 and 1968, he traveled all over the country and gave over 2,500 speeches.

He took great risk to deliver his message in the face of opposition and protest, even surviving a stabbing that nearly took his life in 1958.

Dr. King knew the risks, but continued until his death by assassination in 1968.

Right up to his death, he never gave up the idea that “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

Dr. King’s message was so undeniably powerful that it connected with and moved people of all races.

He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 at just 34 years of age. After his death, further honors followed: he is the only non-president with a federal holiday honoring him, and the only non-president memorialized on the National Mall in Washington DC.

One of the most important aspects of Dr. King’s legacy is the focus on service and action.

Dr. King said “the most urgent question is ‘What are you doing for others?’” As Dr. King personally led a life of public service, his memorial holiday serves as a call to all of us to serve as well.

So on this Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, it will not be enough to simply honor and celebrate the life of Dr. King; instead, we must take it one step forward and be prepared for action, to find some meaningful way to give something of ourselves in the service of our community.

Peace, justice, equality, service – what an amazing legacy to celebrate, what an amazing example to follow!