Martin Luther King Jr. Day is officially a "Day of Service" in Illinois. And several organizations in central Illinois are taking part, offering opportunities for the public to participate in service activities.

Bill Martin of North Pekin, Illinois joined the Army in 1965 and served in Quy Nhơn, Vietnam for 18 months as a forward observer for artillery units where he coordinated communications for firing rounds and adjusted coordinates for the soldiers. Ever since returning from the war, Martin has been involved in several organizations that aid and celebrate American war veterans.