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CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait (January 16, 2009) - The
Area Support Group- Kuwait Equal Opportunity Community, hosted an
observance for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the Zone 1 Chapel on
Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, Jan. 15.
The event was held to celebrate King's 80th birthday and to
recognize his contributions to the civil rights movement, a
movement aimed at abolishing racial discrimination in the U.S.
"Dr. King never wanted to be the center of attention, he wanted
the attention to be on equality and justice for all," said Master
Sgt. Michael J. Coleman, headquarters and headquarters company,
ASG-KU.
The event focused on educating its guests on both Dr. King and
other prominent figures, such as Henry David Thoreau, Rosa Parks,
Gandhi, President Lyndon B. Johnson, Joan Baez and Dr. King's wife,
Coretta Scott King, who have inspired him and played a role in
fighting for equality and human rights throughout history.
Servicemembers and civilians role played as these figures to
help edify their influences.
"We always want to bring to every observance something new to
the table," said Sgt. 1st Class Gwendolyn Beauford, equal
opportunity leader, headquarters and headquarters company, ASG-KU.
"We don't want to forget, we want to add to the history of these
people that paved the way for us,"
The observance illustrated how King has helped play a key role
in helping gain equal rights for African Americans through the
civil rights movement and his peaceful demonstrations; but it also
focused on the fact that there is still much to be done in the
world today.
Guest speakers, Chaplain (Col.) Richard C. Quinn and Capt.
Samsul Alam, 27th Financial Management Company, spoke of how
citizens of all nations must continue to work together to ensure
that discrimination is abolished and human rights are obtained for
people all over the world.
"Let's open our minds to building ourselves a beautiful future
as Dr. King dreamt," said Alam.
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