Celebrate a day on, not a day off Published Jan. 14, 2015 By Senior Airman Joshua Edwards 17th Training Wing Public Affairs GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Every year, the U.S. government recognizes the third Monday in January as Martin Luther King Jr. Day, in honor of his impact on the civil rights movement. The Goodfellow MLK committee decided to host book readings to educate youths about MLK and recreate one of his marches on base. "When we all remember Martin Luther King Jr., we know about the marches he put on in D.C.," said Senior Airman Stephen E. Yelbert, 17th Comptroller Squadron customer service technician. Senior Airman Yelbert went on to say why the march and what King did was important to him. "Me being an African, I feel like I'm welcomed here in the United States," he said. "It's a country for everybody, not just one particular race. I'm comfortable and can live my life the way I want to, because of what he did." The committee also wanted everyone to know the significance behind MLK Day. "MLK Day is important to me, because it's a federal holiday," said 2nd Lt. Sonya R. Yelbert, 17th Medical Support Squadron Readiness and Logistics Flight Commander. "It's one of the only holidays that we have for African Americans, where the entire United States of America gets off. It's good to know why we're getting off. That's why they have the new theme, 'Remember, Celebrate, Act: A Day On, Not a Day Off.'" When talking about the theme, she encouraged people to volunteer on their day off, reflecting the contributions King made to his community. "Besides this day, any day is great to give back," 2nd Lt. Yelbert said. "I think sometimes we take advantage of a lot of the things we have to ourselves, so I think it's good to take the time to stop and think about the things that we have. Taking the time off to go and volunteer at a soup kitchen, or to a church, or go to an elderly home to give back in any way you can, that Monday is a great day to do that."
