JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
The Joint Base Andrews Youth Center hosted a Martin Luther King educational event for K-6th grade school children here, Jan. 21, 2015. Approximately 170 children attended the event.
Over 10 volunteers helped set up various activities for the children.
"This is a great learning experience for the kids," said 2nd Lt. Joshua Van Abel, 11th Logistics Readiness Squadron officer and event coordinator. "We wanted them to learn that no matter what your dreams are, you should do what you're passionate about and chase after it."
Activities for the children included an educational clip showing a brief history of Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and his involvement in the Civil Rights Movement. Afterward, the children were quizzed on their knowledge of said events and rewarded with candy.
"I learned a lot about Dr. King and what he did for the country," said nine-year-old Christopher Humphries, one of the children attending the event. "He taught us to go after our dreams and everyone deserves the same chances in life."
There was also a banner for the children to write their personal dreams on as a tie to the message of King's "I Have a Dream" speech.
"For many of the children that attended, this was the first time that they heard about the incredible impact that Dr. King had on our nation in tearing down racial barriers," said Chief Master Sgt. Vance Kondon, 11th Wing command chief. "It is critically important we teach the next generation about the lessons learned from our nation's history. Fortunately, our children haven't grown up to face the racism that Dr. King's generation suffered. It was because of him, and others that took a stand, that turned the tide in the United States for the advancement of civil rights. We can never forget that."