Submitted by: LTC (R) Richard R. Hodgson
Cadets from Junction City High School AJROTC presented the national colors and then led a Freedom March as part of the 38th annual Junction City-Geary County Celebration and Commemoration of the works and contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The event was a very inspiring ceremony with lots of special music performances including the song “Glory” performed by Junction City High School alumni Justin Aaron, who recently appeared on ABC’s “The Voice”.
Guest speaker for the event was another Junction City native, Mr. Kevin Willmott, who is an Academy Award winning movie and television producer and is now a professor at the University of Kansas. Mr. Willmott described what it was like growing up in the racially and ethnically diverse community of Junction City in the 1970s and 80s. He stated that it was a great place to grown up and that it has made much progress in the past 40 years. Mr. Willmott challenged the audience to go and get into “good trouble” to confront and fight injustice wherever it is seen.
The event ended with a Freedom March a few blocks down Washington Street to an unveiling of a statue which is part of “JC Main Street” a campaign to revitalize Junction City’s down town business district and instill pride in the community.
“The event this year again proves to be one of education and entertainment excellence!” Said Mrs. Daphne Maxwell, coordinator for the event. “We are so proud to have the cadets as part of the ceremony.”
