MCRD/ERR PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. -- "... I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. I have a dream today..." -Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In observance of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday, a commemorative service will be held Monday at the MCAS Beaufort Station Chapel, from 10:30 a.m. - noon. Buses will depart the Depot Theater at 9:45 a.m. and stop at Facilities Maintenance before heading toward the Air Station. The Rev. James Moore, pastor of Mount Carmel Baptist Church in Dale, will be the guest speaker on topics relating to this year's theme of "Remember, celebrate, act! A day on, not a day off."King, born Jan. 15, 1929, was a pivotal figure in the Civil Rights Movement, leading numerous non-violent marches for the desegregation of African- Americans. King was also elected president of the Montgomery Improvement Association, the organization that was responsible for the successful 381-day Montgomery Bus Boycott from 1955 to 1956.Many Americans best remember Martin Luther King Jr. for his famous "I Have a Dream" speech, which was delivered on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 28, 1963. However, King was much more than an eloquent speech, according to Gunnery Sgt. Refugio Martinez, Depot Equal Opportunity advisor."Martin Luther King was perhaps one of the greatest figures of the 20th Century, and quite possibly one of the better speakers," said Martinez. "He helped Americans to come to terms with centuries of discrimination. Sadly, most of our younger people know him only as a sound bite, 'I have a dream.' There's so much more to him than that. He was a catalyst for change. If not for Martin Luther King, we would probably still be treating minorities, as a whole, as second-class citizens." "He was probably one of the most influential figures in the history of America, who did probably as much as any figure has done to bring America to reflect the truth of the Constitution of the United States of America," added Moore, who is also the development manager for the Parris Island Armed Services Bank. "He taught us to love as a nation, and he taught us to look at each other as one rather than being different."King's inspiring words, which gave direction to 13 years of civil rights activities, were silenced on April 4, 1968, when he was shot to death at age 39 while standing on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tenn. King was in Memphis to help lead sanitation workers in a protest against low wages and intolerable working conditions.Throughout King's life, he inspired millions. Even after his death, his philosophies toward non-violent social reform and his legacy continue to spark change in America, said Martinez. "He continues to effect change by his followers and the people who served alongside him during his life through his wisdom," said Martinez. "He is still the vision for the future."That is why King's birthday is not just a day off, it is "a day on." It is a day to reflect on how each individual can do their part to promote positive change, said Martinez. "If Americans take the day to reflect on their character, morals and values about how they treat other people, then Martin Luther King continues to effect change," he said. Martinez said Americans still have a long way to go before they live in a truly color-blind society, but through the actions of Martin Luther King Jr. and his followers, they are one step closer to accomplishing his dream.