By Macy Meinhardt, Voice & Viewpoint Staff Writer
The USS Midway hosted their 10th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration last Wednesday night, featuring Dr. John E Warren as this year’s prestigious Bridge Builder Award recipient.
Spearheaded by the fleets Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee, the event took place aboard the USS Midway Ship’s Museum. Historic aircrafts exquisitely bordered the reception space where guests indulged in company, food, and refreshments.
This is the USS Midway’s 10th year hosting a celebratory event in honor of Dr. King. Normally a lunch banquet, in honor of crossing over to the decade mark the committee decided to put their efforts in making this year’s event extra special by hosting a dinner.
The USS Midway served the American Navy as an aircraft carrier for 45 years, and now has a mission legacy “To be America’s Living Symbol of Freedom.” Furthermore, Dr. King’s legacy is deeply intertwined with the pursuit of freedom and equal rights for all individuals,
making it the perfect location for historical commemoration.
“King reminded us that our survival depends on our ability to stay awake. To adjust to new ideas, to remain vigilant and to face the challenge of change,” said Mrs. Peggy Cooper, the emcee for the night.
“We have to remind each other that we’re all moving forward together and on this night, onboard this historical, iconic USS Midway Museum we celebrate you, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr,” said Cooper.
After the introduction, the Naval Medical Center San Diego Color Guard presented the colors, followed by a mesmerizing performance of the National Anthem by Vocalist Ms. Felicia Daniel.
The guest speaker of the night was Brigadier General James A. Ryans II who enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1988 and received his commission in 1995. Well respected and decorated, he has served a variety of duty stations, deployments and staff assignments throughout his
time in service.
Despite being in combat six times, General James A. Ryans II notes, “Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his followers exhibited a courage that I can only hope to live up to.” Throughout his speech he said that although he took an oath to defend constitutional freedom, he did so with a weapon, and “an inherent right to self defense.”
However, what is distinguishable for MLK and his followers is that “in their efforts to gain those rights, MLK and his movement surrendered their rights to protection for the cause.” said General James A. Ryans II.
Furthermore, the two honorees for the night were our publisher, Dr. John E. Warren, who was presented with the Bridge Builder Award, and Dr. Leonard J. Thompson III, who received the Outstanding Community Service award.
The Bridge Builder Award is on behalf of the Midway’s DEI committee given to an individual who exemplifies the core values of the museum. These include community service, and working to improve the relationships, understanding, cooperation, and inclusion among the various ethnic communities living and working in the San Diego area.
