Darryl Glenn, president of the board of El Paso County Commissioners, delivered the keynote address at Fort Carson’s 2018 Martin Luther King Jr. Day observance at the Elkhorn Conference Center Jan. 16, 2018. Glenn is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and retired as a lieutenant colonel after 21 years of service. (Photo by Scott Prater)
By Scott Prater
Mountaineer staff
Fort Carson Soldiers and civilians gathered at the Elkhorn Conference Center Jan. 16, 2018 to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The event was hosted by the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, and featured a keynote address by Darryl Glenn, president of the board, El Paso County Commissioners.
Glenn brought a unique perspective to the celebration. He was raised in Colorado Springs, graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the U.S. Air Force Academy, obtained both master’s and juris doctor degrees and served 21 years in the Air Force, retiring as a lieutenant colonel.
Following his military service, Glenn continued to serve the local community. He was appointed to the Colorado Springs City Council in 2003, was elected to that position in 2005 and re-elected in 2009. A year later, Glenn won election to the Board of El Paso County Commissioners, was re-elected to that position in 2014 and won the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in 2016 as well.
In 2017, Glenn was selected by his peers to serve as president of the board of El Paso County Commissioners, where he is responsible for overseeing and implementing federal and state requirements that impact county financial operations for more than 600,000 residents.
While speaking about King’s life and legacy Jan. 16, 2018, Glenn found a common link between the renowned leader and today’s military service members.
“When you think about Dr. King, you think about his service,” Glenn said. “His life was devoted to service. He fought for and promoted peace, freedom, equality and justice for all, key themes that were important to him and his legacy. He chose to demonstrate peacefully and did this during a time in our country when people of color were struggling.”
Then Glenn mentioned King’s most famous speech, when he talked about his dream.
“It’s a dream deeply rooted in the American dream, a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed. We hold these truths self-evident, that all men are created equal,” Glenn said, referring to King’s speech. “When I think about that statement, I relate it to military service. Each of you is the ultimate protectors and defenders of that dream.”
Glenn went on to talk about how America is still struggling, as a nation, to live up to that vision. Throughout the nation’s history, he said, African-Americans have fought and given their lives in defense of this country, from the revolutionary war through today’s battles.
“During World War II, African-Americans were fighting a double victory,” he said. “They were fighting the Axis powers overseas and racial inequality at home. And, after all of these sacrifices, it took until 1948 for President (Harry S.) Truman to end segregation (in the military ranks). These are struggles we must reflect on, but we’ve come a long way, and I think we should be proud of that fact.”
He relayed some of his life experiences as well, growing up as an African-American child of military parents who lived in an area with few minorities (Colorado Springs).
“My parents emphasized that racism is very real, but they also wanted to make sure that I didn’t grow up with a chip on my shoulder,” he said.
Years later, as a county commissioner, he visited a local elementary school where he met a young African-American boy who proceeded to educate him on how the man was keeping him down.
“I chuckled at first, but that thought weighed heavy on my heart,” he said. “Here you have a young person being taught at home that there is already a ceiling above his head and that the man was keeping him down. I burned that story into my brain because it helps me emphasize to people that the only limitations we live under are the ones we place there ourselves.”
He explained that King’s dream doesn’t mean that life is going to be easy, but that people need to take an extra step and reflect on how their actions are going to help others.
“As a military member, people are looking up to you because you have the courage to do things others won’t,” he said. “Never forget that people are depending on you to carry out the legacy of the dream. On behalf of our country and on behalf of everyone in this community who values you, we want to thank you for your service. You are our heroes and role models.”