Base leader to speak at MLK banquet

The annual Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast will be held Saturday, Jan. 18, beginning at 8 a.m. at the Elks Lodge, 325 S. 3rd West St.

Doors open at 7:30 a.m. The cost is $15 per person and dress is business casual. Those wishing to attend are encouraged to make reservations by Jan. 15 by calling 587-3227.

The event is sponsored by the Mountain Home Community Black History Committee. Tickets are available from any committee member.

The breakfast honors the life, accomplishments and dream of Dr. King. Following his admonition that "we always have today to work towards a better tomorrow," the theme of this year's banquet is "Make It a Day On... Not a Day Off!"

The event features a number of local pastors, priests and ministers offering prayers for the family and the nation.

The guest speaker for the event will be Col. Michael Lawrence, commander of the 366th Maintenance Group at Mountain Home Air Force Base.

He is responsible for aircraft, component, and equipment maintenance in the 366th Fighter Wing and tenant organizations through a 1,900-person organization. The group annually executes a $158 million budget.

Lawrence was born in Lucedale, Miss., and grew up in an Air Force family. He entered the Air Force in 1991 as a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy. He has worked at all levels of command including Headquarters Air Force, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C. He has maintained fighter, bomber, rescue, tanker, and remotely piloted aircraft. He is also a qualified Logistics Readiness Officer.

He is a graduate of the National War College and has earned a number of medals, including the Bronze Star.

Lawrence is married to the former Felicia Walton of Jacksonville, Fla., who serves as a career educator. They have two sons, Justin and Joshua.