FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Nearly 100 Team Fairchild members conducted a march in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday here Jan. 14.

Immediately following the march, Rev. Percy "Happy" Watkins, a reverend from Spokane, Wash. and retiree from Fairchild AFB, recited King's famous "I have a dream" speech and spoke of King's accomplishments as well as some of his personal experiences from decades ago.

"It was amazing to have the reverend here to speak to Team Fairchild," said Master Sgt. Trey Horn, 92nd Operations Support Squadron airfield systems section chief and MLK observance committee lead. "The speech was very moving. You can watch the videos of the 'I have a dream' speech over and over, but to actually meet someone who knows it and delivers it was very inspiring."

According to the reverend, King was always his mentor and he was excited to have the opportunity to deliver the speech to Fairchild Airmen.  He said it was like a homecoming to come share his story, and overall a great experience.  He said he was stationed here years ago and it was destiny because he was still in Spokane 53 years later.

Staff Sgt. Ladarious Malone, 92nd Air Refueling Squadron boom operator, led the march prior to the presentation, accompanied by Col. Brian McDaniel, 92nd Air Refueling Wing commander.

"It was humbling and a good feeling to lead the march," said Malone. "It was great to have a good presence of Fairchild members attend and support the MLK observance."
Other committee members agreed it was great to have such support from the base populace, and appreciated everything that was done in honor of King and everything he stood for.

"To participate in Martin Luther King, Jr. Day requires an individual to go outside of themselves and develop a new comfort zone," said Senior Airman Garret Young, 92nd Medical Support Squadron bioenvironmental equipment technician and MLK observance committee member.  "Participation is not based on the color of one's skin, but the initiative in the individual's heart."