King’s Alma Mater Alumnus to Speak at Milford Observance
MILFORD--The annual observance of REFLECTIONS: A TRIBUTE TO THE REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. will be held Sunday, January 15 at 4:00 p.m. in Milford City Hall auditorium. This is the 26th year that the Milford Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, a women’s service organization, has sponsored the event, but the first since the dedication of Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, DC. The Stone of Hope Statue of Dr. King is the first on the National Mall devoted, not to a United States President or war hero, but a citizen activist for civil rights, peace and justice for all mankind. The figure of Dr. King was sculpted by renowned artist Master Lei Yixin, who captured him in a moment of reflective thought.
The Milford Chapter, one of 6 in the state, was chartered May 17, 1986 and has continued to impact the Greater Milford Community in their programmatic endeavors. The chapter has sponsored annual Walk For Health and Hunger Walk-A-Thons to benefit Beth El Shelter and the Clothes Closet in Milford. The chapter is also a supporter of the Robert McInnis Hospice Suite at Milford Hospital. The chapter’s present program initiative is PROJECT L.I.N.K.S. (Little Individuals Need Kinder Services). The chapter was the recipient of the Eastern Area’s 1st place award in Umbrella Programming and second place for their initiatives in international programming.
The annual address will be delivered by the Reverend Brian O. Bellamy, a graduate of King’s alma mater, Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA and Yale University Divinity School. He pastors the Friendship Baptist Church in Hamden and is also a Faculty Associate at the University of New Haven in the Department of Global Studies. Other program participants will include Foran High School Chorus under the direction of Ms. Theresa Voss; The Celentano Museum Academy Chorus in New Haven under the direction of David Minnella; US Senator Richard Blumenthal, US Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro; State Senator Gayle Slossberg, and State Representative Richard Roy. Milford’s new mayor, Benjamin G. Blake will present a proclamation on behalf of the City of Milford.
A reception will immediately follow the program in the Fellowship Hall of First Baptist Church at 28 North Street. The program is open and free to the public.