30th Medical Brigade hosts Martin Luther King Jr. Day observence

U.S. Army Capt. Mary Johnson, commander of the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 30th Medical Brigade, gives remarks at the Martin Luther King Jr. Day observance, which was hosted by the 30th Medical Brigade at Tiger Theater, Sembach Kaserne, Germany, on Jan. 16, 2024. The theme for MLK Day remains “Remember, Celebrate, Act: A Day on Not a Day Off.” Johnson spoke about MLK’s life and achievements, emphasizing how he was a pillar of his community and preached the importance of peace and prosperity. He saw the turmoil of segregation and how he organized marches and peaceful protests to inspire those around him. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Samuel Signor)
U.S. Army Col. Anthony King, commander of the 30th Medical Brigade, gives a certificate of thanks to Jaxson Main, a third-grade student, at Sembach Elementary School, along with seven other students who conducted a poem reading and performed two songs in commemoration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day at the MLK Day observance at Tiger Theater, Sembach Kaserne, Germany, on Jan. 16, 2024. King thanked Sembach Elementary School for their contributions to the observance and how important it is for the community to be intertwined together. “We get to partner with a lot of different countries, and as we just mentioned, NATO and other services, but I, as the brigade commander of 30th Medical Brigade, am more proud that we partnered with Sembach Elementary School and our relationship there,” said King. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Samuel Signor)
U.S. Army Col. Anthony King, commander of the 30th Medical Brigade, gives remarks at the Martin Luther King Jr. Day observance at Tiger Theater, Sembach Kaserne, Germany, on Jan. 16, 2024. King thanked everyone who came and supported the observance, which was hosted by the 30th Medical Brigade and gave brief remarks, speaking about the importance of community and how important it was for the 30th Medical Brigade to have those eight students from Sembach Elementary be a part of the observance. “We look for more opportunities where we can partner and demonstrate our interoperability in this community,” said King. “I invite all of you to take time to go over to the school and spend time with the kids; this is our generation.” King emphasized the importance of being a positive influence on the next generation, which can help make the changes that correlate with the observance of MLK Day. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Samuel Signor)
U.S. Army Col. Anthony King (right), commander of the 30th Medical Brigade, thanks Col. Howard Matthews Jr. (left), judge advocate, U.S. Army Europe and Africa, for being the guest speaker at the Martin Luther King Jr. Day observance at Tiger Theater, Sembach Kaserne, Germany, on Jan. 16, 2024. King awarded Matthews with a gift for his contributions to the ceremony and the moving speech that Matthews gave. Matthews thanked everyone for having him at the ceremony and listening to what he had to say. “We often find ourselves in a world where headlines often focus on quick wins, yet the underlying issues persist,” said Matthews. “As Dr. King observed, “it’s easy for society to rally to visible injustice such as police dogs attacking protesters, while neglecting the quieter but more insidious injustice and poverty.” (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Samuel Signor)
U.S. Army Col. Anthony King (left), commander of the 30th Medical Brigade, sits alongside Brig. Gen. Karen Monday-Gresham (center), commanding general of the 7th Mission Support Command and deputy commanding general of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command, and Col. Howard Matthews Jr.(right), judge advocate, U.S. Army Europe and Africa, while watching the eight students from Sembach Elementary School perform their poem reading and song performances during the Martin Luther King Jr. Day observance at Tiger Theater, Sembach Kaserne, Germany, on Jan. 16, 2024. MLK Day is held each year on the third Monday in January; the Department of Defense stands with the nation in honoring the life and enduring influence of MLK as he is celebrated as a champion of nonviolence in America and as a prominent figure in the Civil Rights Movement. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Samuel Signor)
U.S. Army Col. Howard Matthews Jr., judge advocate, U.S. Army Europe and Africa, gives remarks as the guest speaker at the Martin Luther King Jr. Day observance at Tiger Theater, Sembach Kaserne, Germany, on Jan. 16, 2024. Matthews gave a detailed speech about the importance of MLK’s legacy and the impact he made. “Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was among us earthly beings for only 39 years. However, he accomplished so much and stood for so many impactful ideas,” said Matthews. “He was a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, a prolific author, and, of course, a leader.” Matthews spoke about his ideals and how people must consistently keep his values of change in mind if they want to make the change he envisioned for America. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Samuel Signor)