01/18/2021
USACE Commanding General and 55th Chief of Engineers Lt. Gen. Scott Spellmon, along with USACE Command Sergeant Major Patrickson Toussaint, reflect on the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.:
Command Sergeant Major Toussaint and I are in the field visiting with our teams who are valiantly supporting first responders in the fight against COVID-19. But we felt it vitally important to take a moment to remember another valiant American, Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Ninety-two years ago, this January 15th Martin Luther King Jr. was born in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. King is best known for advancing civil rights through nonviolence and civil disobedience, inspired by his Christian beliefs and the nonviolent activism of Mahatma Gandhi.
As you may know, on August 28th, 1963 MLK Jr. organized a march on Washington, D.C. during which he made his historic “I have a dream” speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. He spoke of "beloved community," and the "fierce urgency of now." We still have a lot to achieve, even in 2021, and that fierce urgency is readily apparent.
On October 14, 1964, Dr. King won the Nobel Peace Prize for combating racial inequality through nonviolent resistance. In 1968, Dr. King was planning a national occupation of Washington, D.C., to be called the “Poor People's Campaign.” Tragically he was assassinated on April 4 in Memphis, Tennessee just before that campaign.
Dr. King was posthumously awarded both the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal. And as is befitting a national hero, Martin Luther King Jr. Day was established as a holiday in cities and states throughout the United States beginning in 1971. In celebrating his birthday, we recognize one of history’s most consequential advocates for equality and civil rights. We celebrate his powerful message of justice and hope, and acknowledge that despite progress, we are still working to reach the “promised land” he envisioned in his famous “I have a dream” speech.
Here in the ranks of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers we believe that we can begin to make real that dream by putting people first. We must ensure diversity and inclusion as a strategic competency. Through mentoring and career development we can begin to support people so that you can be the best they can be no matter the color of your skin or your background. To foster new ideas we must embrace equality, diversity and inclusion in the USACE workforce. People are the most important resource in USACE. It is our goal to ensure a safe environment for everyone so that you can contribute your best selves to the mission.
So today, let us and all our 36,000 teammates across the Corps commit ourselves to Dr. King’s message of service to our neighbors and communities. Let us be inspired not to take a day OFF but to have a day ON when we provide service to others - give a hand up not a handout. In honor of one of the greatest civil leaders in our nation - volunteer in your community, on January 18th in whatever capacity you can. Find a volunteer opportunity in your area by visiting: https://www.volunteermatch.org/
In his memory let us recall Dr. King’s teaching that “We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny.” In keeping with his example let us embrace the belief in our shared destiny, accept our obligations to one another, and strengthen the bond that holds us together as the - most diverse Nation!
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Shown: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and partners remember the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and those who paved the way for the civil rights movement. Take a look as Pacific Ocean Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Commander Col. Kirk Gibbs has a conversation with U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Ronald Clark about this important observance and call to Remember! Celebrate! Act!
Additional footage: www.dvidshub.net, National Archives