Jill Schramm/MDN Tryve Hammer speaks at the Martin Luther King Jr. Day observance hosted by Souris Valley Dem-NPL at The Spot on Monday, Jan. 19.

Character matters, Trygve Hammer of Minot told a Souris Valley Dem-NPL gathering Monday, Jan. 19, in a celebration of the memory of Martin Luther King Jr. in Minot.

“His dream was that his descendants would be judged in this nation not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. But today, the color of your skin can get you targeted,” he said.

“King rejects the idea of not making waves, of fixing the system without protest, through normal channels. He says the cause is too urgent and requires action,” said Hammer, who announced his second run for U.S. House on Monday. “I declare my candidacy today because I know that we can do better, and I know that Dr. King would have called us to action.”

Hammer said each day brings new cruelties, absurdities and outrages that make it seem as if hate and stupidity are winning in America. However, he reminded listeners of Americans who came between enforcers of the Fugitive Slave Act and their targets by hiding and freeing slaves..

“They took risks and they took action in defense of what was right, even though the right thing was illegal,” he said. “Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was arrested 29 times.”

A former Marine, Hammer recalled being approached in Iraq by a service member who trusted him with military information because of his character, reflected in how Hammer’s troops treated the people of Iraq with courtesy and respect.

“I believe that intelligence without humility or cleverness without kindness produces con men. Strength without compassion and composure is the stuff of bullies and barbarians. Charisma without character produces demagogues,” he said. “Honor, courage and commitment are the three core values, far more important to the Marine Corps than intelligence, strength or charisma.

“We must be a good moral country before we can dare to call ourselves great or great again,” he added.

“You see something and say something, but our federal delegation sits on their hands and keeps their mouths shut, aquiver, in fear of losing their status and position,” Hammer said. “It’s not that hard to say, ‘This is not right. Our country is better than this. My party is better than this, and I demand better than this.'”

At the U.S. Naval Academy, there ‘s a flag with “Don’t give up the ship” stitched on it, Hammer said. Those were the last words of Capt. James Lawrence as he lay dying on his ship’s deck in the War of 1812, and it became the battle cry for the U.S. Navy.

“A committed Congress would not give up the ship and cede its power to the executive branch or honor its fake emergencies. A committed Congress would remind the White House that it is Congress that levies tariffs and it is Congress that holds the power to declare war. With commitment and together, I believe we will win,” Hammer said. “I believe we will fulfill Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream of a better county – a good and moral country. And if you ever begin to lose hope, remember, don’t give up the ship.”