Martin Luther King remembered, honored with annual walk and day of service

By PAMELA GRANT
Cove Leader-Press

Joining millions across America in honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Copperas Cove Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Committee held their Annual Unity Walk on Monday.

Participants gathered at the Fester House (stage area) at Copperas Cove City Park before walking a lap around the park, singing songs, and doing their part to spread Dr. King’s message. Following the walk, everyone was invited to participate in a “Day of Service”. Many of the participants helped prepare fruit baskets which were donated to Cove House while others helped pick up trash to beautify City Park. They also planned to visit a local nursing home, but it was put on Covid lockdown Monday morning.

“I just think it’s a nice way to keep the message and the legacy of Dr. King alive,” said Angela Robinson, a chair member of the Commemoration Committee. “We’ve obviously made a lot of progress since his time but there’s still a lot of work to do and this is just a simple reminder to the community of that.”

The Commemoration Committee was started by members of the Bible Way Missionary Baptist Church as a separate nonprofit 501c3 organization. They typically offer a scholarship as part of their way of honoring Dr. King, but this year they were unable to raise enough funds to do so.

Robinson said that the Commemoration Committee reached out to several other churches hoping to increase participation, but Bible Way Missionary Baptist Church was the only church with representatives in attendance for Monday’s walk.

“I’m happy. Even if it’s just a few people, I think it’s still worthwhile. I think it’s still important,” said Robinson. “In my mind, it’s the least that we can do.”

Anne McMullen was one of many who took part in the commemorative walk. McMullen’s husband, Pastor S.D. McMullen was one of the original members of the Copperas Cove Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Committee who started the Annual Unity Walk.

“It’s about bringing the community together to keep the dream alive,” said McMullen. “I thank God for being able to do this.”

McMullen said that it’s important to keep Dr. King’s dream alive stressing the fact that although we have more freedoms (such as the freedom to vote), many choose not to exercise those freedoms.

“People forget. They don’t see the importance of their rights,” said McMullen.

Reverend George Blake, Assistant Pastor for Bible Way Missionary Baptist Church, said that their annual walk and day of service gives them a way to go out and do what they can to help others.

“Dr. King stood for equality for all people, not just blacks. He really had a heart for all people,” said Reverend Blake. “It’s important that we remember to continue to do our part…and do what we can to make the world a better place for all of us.”

Those who want to learn more about the Copperas Cove Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Committee or want to donate to their scholarship program can email the committee at ccmlkcc18@gmail.com