Today, I joined thousands of Americans, including the President and fellow members of the Cabinet, to honor the life and legacy of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by participating in one of the many National Day of Service events taking place across our country.
In 1994, Congress designated this holiday as a National Day of Service - a holiday when we come together to empower individuals and strengthen communities. It’s “a day on, not a day off.” And at this time every year, together, we honor the life and legacy of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and celebrate him through service projects like the one I was at today.
In neighborhoods all over America, volunteers came together to deliver meals, refurbish schools and community centers, collect food and clothing, assemble care packages for veterans and military families, and much more.
This morning at the “Unite America in Service” event at the DC Armory, hosted by the Points of Light Foundation and Target, I joined thousands of volunteers who came together to assemble care kits filled with necessities to help our troops, our wounded warriors and veterans, and our first responders.
Whether at home or abroad, in war zones or disaster zones, our men and women on the frontlines defend our freedoms, protect our communities, and come to our aid in times of need. Today was an opportunity to thank them for their service and to give back to them in a tangible way.
At the Department of Homeland Security, we often say that homeland security begins with hometown securit it begins with engaged individuals working together to make our communities stronger and more resilient. After this weekend, I hope everyone will continue to find ways to serve, just as many people across the nation did today.