Kirtland remembers Martin Luther King Jr. Published Jan. 22, 2016 By Ryan Stark Nucleus writer KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- About 100 members of the base community noted the importance of unity Friday morning at a breakfast to remember the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. on what would have been his 87th birthday. Col. Lance Kawane, vice commander of the 377th Air Base Wing, hosted the event at Mountain View Club, and said King's work in civil rights for all Americans is as relevant today as it was during his lifetime. "Although we have come a long way as a society, we are not there yet," Kawane said, referring to the vision outlined in King's 1963 "I Have a Dream" speech. "So it's not just about his speeches, but about continuing to strive, take action, be more inclusive as a society and progress forward." Kawane added that he hoped Airmen would emulate King's actions and character as they serve the nation. "Three words come to mind for me from Dr. King's legacy: courage, service and sacrifice," he said. The breakfast included a keynote address by the Rev. John D. Hill of Albuquerque's Grant Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church and a slide show highlighting King's life and accomplishments. Tech. Sgt. Carlita Soares of the 377th Maintenance Group, who led the committee that put together the breakfast, said she was one of many Airmen who took the lessons of King's life to heart. "Dr. King fought for desegregation and to bring everyone together," she said. "I hope this event will tell everyone who he was and everything that he did to build what we have today." Many of Kirtland's leaders were on hand for the breakfast.