Celebration

During Tinker’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration, held Jan. 16 at the Base Chapel, Augustus Mays shared how the dream changed the nation. The dream is what Thomas Jefferson, third president, and his editors put into the Declaration of Independence, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Mr. Mays said that the United States has come a long way since Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. made his “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963 at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. In fact, another dream was realized Tuesday. The presidential inauguration more likely achieved non-discrimination in the political arena. But, that’s not to say all goals since Dr. King’s speech were realized; the United States still has a long way to go, Mr. Mays said. Capt. Coleitha Heffner handled the welcome and introductions, Staff Sgt. Roslyn Evans sang the National Anthem, Airman 1st Class Krystale Thomas performed “Our Deepest Fear,” Staff Sgt. Myre Huff introduced the guest speaker, Col. Allen Jamerson provided closing remarks and Staff Sergeant Ahmad Kennedy led the audience in “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” (Air Force photo by Kelly White)