U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Tracy Powell, 18th Equipment Maintenance Squadron aircraft structural maintenance, has her finger cleaned by Petty Officer 3rd Class Danny Nguyen, U.S. Armed Services Blood Bank lab technician, during the Martin Luther King Blood Drive on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Jan. 17, 2013. The blood drive was held to remember Martin Luther King Jr. and inform people about his impact on American history. The drive was also one of three events dedicated to remembering MLK. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Malia Jenkins)
Christina Anderson, 390th Intelligence Squadron secretary, gives a blood sample during the Martin Luther King Blood Drive at the Schilling Community Center on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Jan. 17, 2013. The blood drive was held to remember Martin Luther King Jr. and inform people about his impact on American history. The drive was also one of three events dedicated to remembering MLK. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Malia Jenkins)
Blood is drawn at the Schilling Community Center for the Martin Luther King Blood Drive on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Jan. 17, 2013. The blood drive was held to remember Martin Luther King Jr. and inform people about his impact on American history. The drive was also one of three events dedicated to remembering MLK. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Malia Jenkins)
U.S. Navy Corpsman Leigh Prevatte, U.S. Armed Services Blood Bank corpsman, prepares Christina Anderson, 390th Intelligence Squadron secretary, to give blood for the Martin Luther King Blood Drive on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Jan. 17, 2013. The blood drive was held to remember Martin Luther King Jr. and inform people about his impact on American history. The drive was also one of three events dedicated to remembering MLK. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Malia Jenkins)
U.S. Navy Corpsman Leigh Prevatte, U.S. Armed Services Blood Bank corpsman, gets ready to draw blood from U. S. Air Force 1st Lt. Kristine Mosher, 18th Medical Group neonatal intensive care unit nurse, during the Martin Luther King Blood Drive on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Jan. 17, 2013. The blood drive was held to remember Martin Luther King Jr. and inform people about his impact on American history. The drive was also one of three events dedicated to remembering MLK. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Malia Jenkins)
U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Matt Molloy, 18th Wing commander, gives his opening remarks before the Martin Luther King 5K run at the Risner Fitness Center on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Jan. 16, 2013. The run was the opening event to celebrate Martin Luther King's Day and more than 140 service members attended. There will also be a Blood Drive and Luncheon to close the celebration. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Malia Jenkins)
Members from Kadena participate in the Martin Luther King 5K run at the Risner Fitness Center on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Jan. 16, 2013. The run was the opening event to celebrate Martin Luther King's Day and more than 140 service members attended. There will also be a Blood Drive and Luncheon to close the celebration. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Malia Jenkins)
Service members sign up to participate in the Martin Luther King 5K run on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Jan. 16, 2013. The run was the opening event to celebrate Martin Luther King’s Day and more than 140 service members attended. There will also be a Blood Drive and Luncheon to close the celebration. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Malia Jenkins)
Pastor Leonard Bohanon, a retired U.S. Air Force member, speaks to service members and their families during the Martin Luther King luncheon on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Jan. 18, 2013. The luncheon was the closing event for the base in remembrance of Martin Luther King Jr. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Malia Jenkins)
Kadena Honor Guard members present the colors during the Martin Luther King luncheon on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Jan. 18, 2013. The luncheon was the closing event for the base in remembrance of Martin Luther King Jr. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Malia Jenkins)
U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Joseph Mageau, 18th Equipment Maintenance Squadron corrosion control section chief, gives an introduction during the Martin Luther King luncheon on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Jan. 18, 2013. The luncheon was the closing event for the base in remembrance of Martin Luther King Jr. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Malia Jenkins)
by Airman 1st Class Malia Jenkins
18th Wing Public Affairs
1/21/2013 - KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Martin Luther King Jr. has had a major impact on American history with the role he played in ending the legal segregation of African-American citizens.
During the week leading up to Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Kadena residents celebrated his life through various activities, including a blood drive, a luncheon, and a 5K run that drew more than 140 participants.
While giving blood to help save lives Jan. 17, donors watched a 10-minute video about MLK's life and struggle for equality a generation ago.
"He fought against insurmountable odds to do what very few people could have done," said DeDee McCue, an Air Force Reserve veteran. "I could not imagine being hosed down with water, attacked by dogs, or told I have to use a different stall because of the color of my skin."
The video was also played at the luncheon Jan. 18 which marked the end of the campaign to honor a man who made it possible for an African-American to be elected president of the United States.
"I've seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land," said Martin Luther King Jr. on his last crusade.
