Cobb County Gathers to Remember MLK

Just as millions across the nation remembered and celebrated the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. today, more than 700 Cobb County residents packed the Jennie T. Anderson Theatre for the county's 25th annual MLK service entitled "Keeping the Dream Alive: Continuing the Journey."

Sponsored by the county and its chapter of the NAACP, the gathering celebrated King’s legacy through word, dance and song. Representatives from each of the county's six municipalities were present, including Marietta Mayor Steve Tumlin.

“He indeed is one of the greatest Americans that ever lived,” Tumlin said about King. “Today, we need to seek justice as Dr. King did and chose love over pain."

Master of Ceremonies Eric Philips, of WSB-TV, agreed and said: “King Day is always a big deal. I can’t lose sight of the fact of the sacrifices that Dr. King and others made.”

The morning performances and speeches reflected King's stances on justice, equality and human rights. Attendees contemplated his life, which consisted of travels of more than 6 million miles and 2,500-plus speeches.

King would often appear wherever there was injustice. He wrote five books and numerous articles and was the youngest person ever to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.

He is perhaps best known for leading the march on Washington D.C., where he delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech.
Appropriately, songs such as "A Change is Going to Come," "Stand," "Man in the Mirror" and "Never Would Have Made It" were among those performed. Speeches and poems about love, racism and living to the fullest were also delivered.

This 25th anniversary celebration was complete with performers of all ages, including young and older adults, as well as college, high school and elementary school students.

Attorney General Sam Olens and Lee Rhyant, a former general manager of Lockheed Martin, were named recipients of the "Living the Dream" award, which is given to two community members who exemplify King's ideals. The audience also participated in the production by singing the black national anthem, "Lift Every Voice and Sing."

A persistent question throughout the program was, “How do you continue the journey?”

Cobb County NAACP President Deane Bonner’s answer: get an education, vote, fight unemployment through entrepreneurial endeavors, and properly groom black children so they will become honorable, responsible and respectable adults.

“Keep kids in school to learn and to become productive citizens,” Bonner said. “Youth know that you came from queens and kings, so you must act like so.”

Others echoed Bonner's comments, further describing that continuing the dream also involves doing community service, building bridges between races, and showing true genuine love and kindness to others.

David Howell, from the Cobb County Chamber of Commerce, told audience members that their presence displayed a strong commitment to what Martin Luther King Jr. stood for.

“He is a man that changed the world,” he said.
Kennesaw Mayor Mark Mathews said King's mission was to give everyone the opportunity to live their dream.

“Our charge today and everyday,” he said, “is that we may too keep the dream alive.”