Where were you when MLK was killed?

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 24 Oct 2015 19:26:50 -0400

My take MLK was both courageous and a deeply spiritual man
and was harassed by the FBI. If you watch the X-Files and
from time to time Stargate SG-1. Both talked about the
geopolitical cause and effect, which reveals both bigotry
and racism on the part of the government.

Martin Luther King Jr, was a great man and his cause
championed by us all. In Greensboro, they have a
place where black Americans sat at a counter, were
assaulted and thrown. Much like the harassment
encountered by Bob Gibson and other people of color,
we owe a debt of gratitude to the civil rights crowd.

I hesitate to attribute much to Jackson and Sharpton
but a corollary effect was bringing attention the cops
versus criminals and the brutality.

We lived in Wichita Falls and Burkburnett. I remember
hearing the news and MLKs death mattered more
than the Kennedys, only because it humanized blacks.

What is your take and where did you grow up? Did his
death impact you and how so?

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Oct 24 at 2015 7:42 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Sat, 24 Oct 2015 19:42:28 -0400

I was at home outside Philadelphia SSgt Private RallyPoint Member in 1968. That was a sad year for assassinations of both Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy.
I was about 12 years old enough and beginning to be aware of current events. I already had a keen interest in history especially military history buy that time.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 24 at 2015 7:43 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 24 Oct 2015 19:43:28 -0400

I was only seven and in second grade. Sadly I don't even remember!

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Oct 24 at 2015 7:53 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Sat, 24 Oct 2015 19:53:13 -0400

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member, I was a freshman at Auburn University, AL. I did not enter the service until a year and a half later.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Oct 24 at 2015 8:11 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Sat, 24 Oct 2015 20:11:08 -0400

I was in the eleventh month of my 13 month tour of duty in Vietnam and read about it in Stars and Stripes. It was one of those "ah shit" reactions. It was at that time that I developed my hatred of slavery. It was apparent that that sin of our fathers was going to extend a helluva lot longer than three or four generations. I wanted to dig up all the slave owners and traders and everyone who fought for them and kill them again...

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 24 at 2015 8:40 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 24 Oct 2015 20:40:49 -0400

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member, Larry, It was the first year after I got home from Vietnam. I was 23. I was and still am interested in the movement by King. He was a great visionary and so close to God he predicted his own death and what he wanted his followers to do after his death. I was just getting used to Kennedy's assassination, which I was watching on tv, and then a cowardly bigot kills King. I remembered his famous speech and thought, he is a great man and not afraid of anything or anyone. He made a difference which should be everyone's bucket list.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Oct 24 at 2015 9:02 PM

Capt Seid Waddell — Sat, 24 Oct 2015 21:02:14 -0400

I was a Weapons Controller at Eglin AFB, Fla. My view of war protestors of the day was not positive, and he was one such person. It took me years to come around to appreciate his vision with respect to civil rights.

He was a very great man, and he also had very great personal flaws - it took time for me to sort it all out. At the time he appeared more like Jackson and Sharpton than not.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 24 at 2015 9:25 PM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 24 Oct 2015 21:25:26 -0400

I was 8 months old on my mother's lap.

Response by MSgt Curtis Ellis made Oct 24 at 2015 11:16 PM

MSgt Curtis Ellis — Sat, 24 Oct 2015 23:16:59 -0400

I was 3 1/2 years old and living in Shelby, NC... My parents and grandparents never let me forget "who" he was.

Response by Sgt Kelli Mays made Oct 25 at 2015 10:16 AM

Sgt Kelli Mays — Sun, 25 Oct 2015 10:16:08 -0400

I was 5 years old living in Japan

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 25 at 2015 4:32 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 25 Oct 2015 16:32:33 -0400

Stationed at Westover AFB, MA.

Response by MAJ Jim Woods made Oct 25 at 2015 6:35 PM

MAJ Jim Woods — Sun, 25 Oct 2015 18:35:10 -0400

First tour outside of Qui Nhon.......

Response by 1SG Patrick Sims made Oct 26 at 2015 4:05 AM

1SG Patrick Sims — Mon, 26 Oct 2015 04:05:44 -0400

I was on a mike boat--(land craft) on the Bassac River, moving River Section 513 from Sadec, on the Mekong River to Binh Thuy, on the Bassac River.

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Oct 26 at 2015 8:13 AM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Mon, 26 Oct 2015 08:13:36 -0400

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member - I was a freshman at the University of Alabama.
It is a shame that Obama has done so much to destroy MLK's dream.

Response by SSgt Terry P. made Oct 26 at 2015 9:25 AM

SSgt Terry P. — Mon, 26 Oct 2015 09:25:13 -0400

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member Flying into Memphis,Tn.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Oct 30 at 2015 6:21 PM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Fri, 30 Oct 2015 18:21:41 -0400

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member I was about 11 years when that happened still living in Washington, IL

Response by SFC Cary Jeffery made Nov 10 at 2015 1:28 AM

SFC Cary Jeffery — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 01:28:49 -0500

4 years old...playng in the yard!