Hefner VA Medical Center
The W.G. (Bill) Hefner VA Medical Center will celebrate the birthday of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. throughout the month of January with various activities. This year’s theme is “The Unfinished Dream.”
The public is invited to attend all events, which begin with a candlelight march around campus Sunday and will be capped by a program next Friday that includes a closing assembly on the steps of Building 6 to resemble the March on Washington.
The program will include a rendition of the “I Have a Dream” speech.
The Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday is Jan. 17. Other events planned at the VA for next week are:
• Monday — Rowan–Salisbury School System students will read their award-winning essays in Chapel Building 19 at 6 p.m.
Topics are: Elementary school, “How do You Choose Your Friends?”; middle school, “What Does the Dream Mean to You?”; and high school, “Living the Dream in a Multi-Cultural Society.”
• Tuesday — Poetry Slam at 5:30 p.m. Poets from the community and employees will use the open mic forum to present their poetry selections. Readings may be original poetry or from selected poets.
• Thursday — Employees and community residents debate at 6 p.m. in the chapel. The topic is, “Progress Report on the ‘I Have a Dream’ speech.”
Discussion will include: “Have we completed the elements of the dream?” and will highlight the successes and barriers to fulfilling the dream.
• Friday — The public is invited to attend a special program, “The Unfinished Dream” at 1:30 p.m. in the social room of Building 6. Keynote speaker is Dr. Reginal Broadnax of Hood Theological Seminary.
For more information about any of these events, contact Chaplain Ethel Bamberg-Revis, chairwoman of the 2011 MLK Jr. Birthday Committee, at 704-638-3330 or log on to www.salisbury.va.gov.