MLK Jr. luncheon to be hosted at RAF Lakenheath Jan. 17

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Clark Staehle
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, U.K. --  The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Luncheon will be held at RAF Lakenheath's Eagle's Landing Jan. 17. 

The luncheon, which will run from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., is open to all Airmen, civilians and family members and will celebrate the life of Dr. King. 

Lt. Col. Keith Compton, 48th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron commander, will be the luncheon's guest speaker. The event is also slated to include a Southern buffet lunch, video presentations, a poetry reading and more. The luncheon costs $9.50 for club members and $10.50 for non-members. There will also be a three-on-three basketball tournament Jan. 19 and a five-kilometer fun run Jan. 26. 

Dr. King stood for racial equality during a time of unrest through much of the United States. His marches and speeches became legend, as his words urged millions of people to judge each other by the content of their character instead of their skin tone. 

According to Maj. Tim Thomas, 100th Maintenance Operations Squadron and an organizer of the luncheon, while Dr. King was a great man, he began life as an ordinary man who rose to the occasion. 

"He was an individual who answered a call, and in answering that call, gave something about life, and encouraged countless others to do the same," the commander said. "If you look in the archives, you'll find he was just a man, but you'll find he had that dedication to equality that many of us needed. He coached people to be to the very best people they could be, he just happened to be a great leader." 

Dr. King stood for racial equality and many people consider his marches and speeches to be legendary, He used his words to urge millions of people to judge each other by the content of their character instead of their skin tone. He was assassinated for his beliefs April 4, 1968. 

President Ronald Reagan signed a bill which created a federal holiday on the third Monday each January in observance of Dr. King and his efforts to improve civil rights. It was first observed Jan. 20, 1986. 

For more information on the luncheon or to purchase tickets, contact one of the following people: 

Master Sgt. Barry Fine, 100th Maintenance Group, at 238-7274;
Tech. Sgt Melvin Seivwright, 100th MXG, at 238-7270;
Staff Sgt. Nicole Kennedy, 100th Operations Group, at 238-8781;
Tech. Sgt Kristy Frost, 100th Mission Support Group, at 238-7116;
Staff Sgt Nichole Dixon, 100th MSG, at 238-4148 and
Precious Wallace, 100th Air Refueling Wing at 238-5723.