Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY) Multicultural Committee hosted an observance for Martin Luther King, Jr., in the Chapel of Hope, Jan. 17.

Martin Luther King, Jr. birthday observance was established by Public Law 98-144, signed by then President Ronald Reagan in November 1983, to be celebrated as a national day of service on the third Monday in the month of January.

“MLK’s legacy and efforts for equality rings as true today as during the motivational leader’s lifetime,” said Capt. Rich Jarrett, CFAY’s commanding officer at the beginning of the observance. “Dr. Martin Luther King was a hero and agent for change in a society that did not always welcome the change.”

During the event, Operations Specialist Petty Officer Second Class Tyrone Ore recited King’s entire famous speech, “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop,” purely from memory. King delivered the speech on April 3, 1968, and was assassinated the following day.

“Here in Yokosuka, we may not see the divisions in our society,” added Jarrett. “This is an opportunity for us to acknowledge and work towards a greater justice.”

For 75 years, CFAY has provided, maintained, and operated base facilities and services in support of the U.S. 7th Fleet's forward-deployed naval forces, tenant commands, and thousands of military and civilian personnel and their families.

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