Fort Bliss Monitor

31st Bde. hosts MLK observance

1st lt. Victor Hoffer
31st ADA Bde.

The Sage Hall Choir performs a series of musical pieces at the start of the celebration. Sage Choir received a warm reception and appreciation for their talents and participation in the Black History Month celebration hosted by 31st Air Defense Artillery Brigade.

Black history is not about skin color. Black history is about people. People who rise to greatness ... yet burdened by oppression, attacked by ignorance and misunderstanding ... people with hope, people with a serious challenge. If you can relate to this, black history is your history.”

Fort Bliss’ annual Martin Luther King Jr. observance, sponsored by the 31st Air Defense Artillery Brigade, brought these words to the assembled Soldiers and civilians from guest speaker Richard C. Johnson in a fashion of inclusiveness and encouragement. Powerful in his speech and intense in his conviction, Johnson spoke briefly but memorably in Soldier Hall Thursday, following a performance by the Sage Hall Choir. The day’s presentations focused on the trials and accomplishments of Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his legacy still with the country today. Following comments by Johnson, local attorney and graduate of El Paso’s Burges High School and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Donald L. Williams spoke of King’s legacy and the trials King faced long before he became widely known for his crusade for equal rights for all. His message focused on a philosophy taken to heart by King in his early years and embodied in historic poetry and prose.

“So live.” was a battle cry for King, a philosophy that drove him to seek to better his life and the lives of others. King’s experiences while in a college fraternity, Williams related, shaped and strengthened King, where he learned about aspirations and equality and the strength to hold to one’s values. “There were many influences in Dr. King’s life,” Williams said, citing both Ghandi and Christ as the primary examples. “I invite you to not let circumstances change your personality,” he told the crowd, echoing King’s intent and speeches and life.

Guest speaker Richard C. Johnson, speaks to the standing-room-only crowd at Soldier Hall during the Black History Month celebration.

The ceremony was flanked on each side with masterful singing, the opening piece the National Anthem sung by Shawnta Robinson and closing with the Battle Hymn of the Republic sung by Mozell Nervis. The ceremony ended with remarks from Col. Jeff Oeser, commander of the 31st ADA Bde., and presentations of appreciation awards to those participating in the ceremony.

“Say to yourself, to the world,” Johnson said, conveying the significance and impact of the day as he turned to sing the following line, “deep in your heart, you do believe.

Both guest speakers were presented with framed posters to thank them for their participation.

“In spite of all the difficulties,” he said, then singing, “you can overcome.”

“When we learn to celebrate each others’ achievements,” he finished, “we shall overcome.”



www.bliss.army.mil	Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	January 27, 2005

<map name="boxmap-b4"> <area shape="rect" coords="0, 589, 120, 600" href="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm/privacy-policy.html?o=1" > <area coords="0,0,10000,10000" href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=&creative=92501&camp=8117&link_code=dl1&path=subst/misc/amazon-cobrand-cc/v3/marketing-from-associates-step1.html/ref%3Db1_assoc_29" > </map>	31st Bde. hosts MLK observance 1st lt. Victor Hoffer 31st ADA Bde. The Sage Hall Choir performs a series of musical pieces at the start of the celebration. Sage Choir received a warm reception and appreciation for their talents and participation in the Black History Month celebration hosted by 31st Air Defense Artillery Brigade. Black history is not about skin color. Black history is about people. People who rise to greatness ... yet burdened by oppression, attacked by ignorance and misunderstanding ... people with hope, people with a serious challenge. If you can relate to this, black history is your history.” Fort Bliss’ annual Martin Luther King Jr. observance, sponsored by the 31st Air Defense Artillery Brigade, brought these words to the assembled Soldiers and civilians from guest speaker Richard C. Johnson in a fashion of inclusiveness and encouragement. Powerful in his speech and intense in his conviction, Johnson spoke briefly but memorably in Soldier Hall Thursday, following a performance by the Sage Hall Choir. The day’s presentations focused on the trials and accomplishments of Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his legacy still with the country today. Following comments by Johnson, local attorney and graduate of El Paso’s Burges High School and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Donald L. Williams spoke of King’s legacy and the trials King faced long before he became widely known for his crusade for equal rights for all. His message focused on a philosophy taken to heart by King in his early years and embodied in historic poetry and prose. “So live.” was a battle cry for King, a philosophy that drove him to seek to better his life and the lives of others. King’s experiences while in a college fraternity, Williams related, shaped and strengthened King, where he learned about aspirations and equality and the strength to hold to one’s values. “There were many influences in Dr. King’s life,” Williams said, citing both Ghandi and Christ as the primary examples. “I invite you to not let circumstances change your personality,” he told the crowd, echoing King’s intent and speeches and life. Guest speaker Richard C. Johnson, speaks to the standing-room-only crowd at Soldier Hall during the Black History Month celebration. The ceremony was flanked on each side with masterful singing, the opening piece the National Anthem sung by Shawnta Robinson and closing with the Battle Hymn of the Republic sung by Mozell Nervis. The ceremony ended with remarks from Col. Jeff Oeser, commander of the 31st ADA Bde., and presentations of appreciation awards to those participating in the ceremony. “Say to yourself, to the world,” Johnson said, conveying the significance and impact of the day as he turned to sing the following line, “deep in your heart, you do believe. Both guest speakers were presented with framed posters to thank them for their participation. “In spite of all the difficulties,” he said, then singing, “you can overcome.” “When we learn to celebrate each others’ achievements,” he finished, “we shall overcome.”