‘Honoring the Dream’ celebrated for 16th straight year in the Valley

PALMER — Monday , January 15 was a holiday for some but a celebration for many. It was the 16th Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Annual “Honoring the Dream” Celebration at the Mat-Su Senior Center. The place was packed with a wide range of elders, children, parents, teachers and individuals seeking to remember the man who is an icon and leader for peace and civil rights.

The program is put on yearly by by Mat Su MLK Jr. Foundation. Board of Directors Melvin Sage-EL,II, Bertha Hall, Cheryl Puryear, Shuvonne Benton and Aundra Jackson planned the extensive Palmer event.

The Palmer Senior High School Chorus began the program with a lovely a capella rendition of the national anthem, followed by a beautiful version of everyone’s favorite, The Alaska State Flag Song. An uplifting invocation was offered by Reverend Bernice Robinson, from the Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church of Palmer. Colony High School’s talented calypso steel drum society band offered a selection of lively music which caused more than a few audience members to chair dance.

Wasilla Mayor Bert Cottle and Palmer Councilman Steve Carrington offered city proclamations. Palmer’s Mayor Edna DeVries was sadly under the weather and couldn’t attend. Miss Alaska Angelina Klapperich spoke about her personal goal of compassion. Her words were both eloquent and sincere.

Guest Speaker Curt Leuenberger is a Deacon at Palmer’s Saint Michael’s Catholic Church. He offered a short homily about the mustard seed parable. He explained how a mustard seed, one of the tiniest seeds in the seed kingdom, can grow into a large and abundant plant, if nourished faithfully. It was a perfect story explaining that small changes can bring big results.

Sherrod Elementary School students, directed by instructor Annie Benson, delivered a presentation that made folks cry and offer a standing ovation. The production focused on the children during the civil rights battle of the 60’s. It offered simple statements of love and justice which evolved into large statements of freedom and equality for all.

The keynote speaker was Cal Williams, who has lived in Alaska since 1965. Prior to his arrival he worked in the civil rights movement in the South. He has spent many years giving service, volunteering, and directing. His skills are many, including singing and drama. He explained the psychology of labels which started with slaves, servants, colored people, Negro, pan-African, to Black and proud. His words rung with honest rhythm as he explained the notions and reactions to labels— which sought to identify differences (and therefore inferiority) while diminishing opportunities. Mr. Williams’ speech was profound and touched on the importance of word choice, even today.

Following the event was the very first Free Legal Clinic offered for several hours. This private counseling and help was serviced by the Alaska Bar Association, Alaska Legal Services and the Alaska Court System.

Sponsors of the full event were AARP, Alaska, City of Palmer, City of Wasilla, Mat-Su Mayors, Mat Su Valley Senior Services, Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church of Palmer. The Valley Center for Recycling was represented. Sculptors were at the event who are building the Alaska Highway Project memorial which honors the African-American Army Engineers who built the historic Alaska Highway in 1942. The Alaska Congressional Delegation, Mat Su Democrats, Mat Su Health Foundation, Palmer UPS Store, and Alaska State Defense Force all supported and participated in the event.

Committee Members Simon Brown, Bee Fugere, Bernice Robinson, Daphne Barbosa, Clata Puryear and Casey Steinau were the hard working committee members whose mission is to strengthen the Mat-Su Community by unifying diverse cultures, ethnicities and faiths through events and educational opportunities. Over the years the non-profit foundation has funded thousands of dollars in scholarships to valley high school students.