CLEARFIELD – Before the Clearfield County Courthouse a group of people gathered in observance of Martin Luther King Day.
Sixteen people made their way through Clearfield Borough from the Zion AME Church near the West Side United Methodist Church down to the Nichols Street Bridge en route to the courthouse. Once there the Rev. Matt Holbert of St. John Lutheran, president of the Clearfield Ministerium, oversaw the presentation. Clearfield Borough Mayor Patty Gilliland and her husband joined in on this walk.
The observance at the courthouse plaza began with a reading from the Bible, a passage from Isaiahreferenced in the “I have a dream speech”, and ended with a prayer. Copies of the “I Have a Dream” speech were handed out to those who wanted them.
Beyond those who made the walk there were others who went straight to the courthouse because of the cold.
When Holbert was asked how he felt about the turn out, he responded “I’m pleasantly surprised.”
He had expected the weather to discourage more people from attending.
This was the first time ever that Holbert could recall that this walk had been done. Services were traditionally done within the churches though. Though not certain right now, there is the possibility of the walk being continued next year.
Present for this was Lee Hebel of Karthas. Hebel had been to see Martin Luther King Jr. give the “I Have a Dream” speech in person 45 years ago.
Hebel almost didn’t come at first with his wife because of the cold.
“My reason said no, my emotions said yes,” said Hebel.
Throughout his life he has helped the poor, from heading to the South during college to more recently helping feed people in the Brooklyn/Bronx area.
When asked about how he felt to have seen King speak in person and will see Obama become inagurated tomorrow he responded: “It’s thrilling. It makes one very humble.”
“I’m grateful it can happen, and is happening,” said Hebel a bit later.