Team Kadena celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. Day

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Angelique Perez
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  Martin Luther King Jr. would be proud of the changes that have taken place in America, said "second generation" Tuskegee Airman Col. Richard Toliver Jan. 16. 

Col. Toliver, a retired Air Force F-15 test pilot, spoke to more than 400 Kadena Airmen and civilians at a luncheon honoring Dr. King.

"Martin Luther King Day means a very significant celebration of a great American, a great patriot and a great servant to humanity," said Col. Toliver. "When I look at his contributions to humanity, his service in helping to forge the civil rights movement, which was a very critical time in our country, he was indeed for me and many, a godsend."

The colonel met Dr. King on more than one occasion and described what it was like to see his passion to eradicate prejudice, racism, and bigotry in America through peaceful resistance. 

According to the colonel, America has changed drastically since he first met Dr. King, citing the latest presidential election as an indication of how far America has come in overcoming discrimination.

"When I look around today and I see the change in the military," said Col. Toliver. "It has been flexible, it has been innovative, and most importantly, we have been blessed throughout the generations to have men and women who were brought along to serve in the capacity of leaders."

As someone who has struggled against racism during his life, Col. Toliver said he has overcome adversity and risen above discrimination.

"There is still discrimination in most professions and I've seen it certainly in my military career," Col. Toliver said, "right up until the time I was a full colonel in the Air Force, but I dealt with it through performance, through ability, through maneuvering."

The military has made quantum leaps forward, he added. For example, 30 years ago there were no female pilots, no women at the service academies and no female generals. Today there is a female 4-star general in the Army and many other female generals in the services.

Col. Toliver said this is an enormous opportunity to participate in an unprecedented and historic time in American history. He urged the current generation of warriors to make the most of it and to embrace the changes that are taking place. 

"This is history in the making," Col. Toliver said, "Try to be an active, dedicated, and motivated part of it.

"When we look at what is happening, it reflects the work of Dr. King and all of those who, like myself, came along and fought and struggled and cried through the horrors of racism and oppression," the colonel said. "We are so excited about what is happening in America today. It reflects the dream that Dr. King had, it reflects the dream of my forefathers, and it reflects the hope that I had when I stood against racism as a young lieutenant in the Air Force."