Andersen Airmen march for equal rights Published Jan. 13, 2014 By Senior Airmen Cierra Presentado 36th Wing Public Affairs ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- With Martin Luther King Jr. Day approaching, members of Andersen and their families are invited to attend the events that will be held at the Arc Light Memorial Park Jan. 15. The day will start at 8 a.m. with a re-enactment of the historic march on Washington. During the march, participants will walk around with picket signs made by students from Andersen Elementary School who will also be participating in the event. Chief Master Sgt. Marvin Parker, 554th RED HORSE Squadron, will read King's famous "I Have a Dream" speech. Afterward, members of the African American Heritage Association will perform a skit. "The skit represents real occurrences that happened during Dr. King's time," said Airman 1st Class Paislei Gordon, 36th Communications Squadron and AAHA member. "It will be a learning experience for those that are unaware of the huge impact Dr. King made on today's society." According to americaslibrary.gov, King was one of the most important voices in the American civil rights movement, which worked for equal rights for all, not just blacks. He was famous for using nonviolent resistance to overcome injustice, and trying to end segregation laws. Because of his work, King received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 at the age of 35, making him the youngest person ever to receive the honor. America first honored King by making his birthday into a federal holiday in 1983. In 1994, Congress amended the law to fall on the third Monday in January and made it the only federal holiday that is also observed as a national day of service. It calls on all Americans to work together to fix issues that divide the nation. "A substantial amount of progress has been made from Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream," said Tech. Sgt. Steven Wallace, 36th Munitions Squadron, and special observance committee and AAHA member. "We want to invite all members of Andersen to come out and celebrate Dr. King's birthday and help his dream live on." For more information on the event or to be a volunteer, contact Tech. Sgt. Wallace at 366-6304 or Master Sgt. Kecia King at 366-3308.