Over 50 years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech below the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. This week, celebrations in honor of King and what he stood for will be held to pass that dream to younger generations.

Also, in accordance with Martin Luther King Jr. Day, several celebrations will be held in Washington.

Mt. Hebron Church Disciples of Christ will host a program that includes preaching, music by the Mt. Hebron Praise Team and prayer for the community and nation, according to Betty Moore, a member of the committee heading the service. The event’s keynote speaker will be Rev. Floyd Pugh of Davis Chapel Missionary Baptist Church of Cherry Run Road. Churches and residents are invited to come and participate, Moore said.

“It’s a happy time where people get together and remember good things done in the community by different people for the good of the community, in honor of all (King) stood for,” Moore said. “It’s important to have a service to show that we remember what (King) stood for. He stood for peace and people working together for a common goal — the good of humanity. We want to keep (the service) as nice and happy and loving as it can be because (King) did stand for the good things that people can offer each other.”

Moore said the service is also vital to educating younger generations about King and what he represented — showing love and goodness between ethnic groups and learning to work peaceably with others. Florence Lodge, president of the committee organizing the service, epitomizes that mindset, according to Moore.

“In order to help them to learn to work together peacefully with others, we honor Dr. King’s dream each year,” Moore said. “(Mrs. Lodge) is really the epitome of what (King) stood for. She tries so hard to let all people know that they are important in God’s eyes. She symbolizes what (King) stood for and what he dreamed about.”

The Jeptha Chapter of the Eastern Star will also host a service in honor of King on Monday at 11 a.m. at Hiram Lodge, 507 Respess St. in Washington. The theme of the service is “Moving Forward,” according to Carolyn Moore, worthy matron of the chapter.

“It’s going to be a beautiful event,” Carolyn Moore said. “It’s not a long event, but we do want to recognize what King has done for humanity. This is why we try to keep his legacy alive because we know where we came from and how we were segregated. Remembering his legacy, we keep moving forward.”

The Jeptha Chapter of Washington was the first African American chapter of the Eastern Star and was instrumental in having a portion of Fourth Street named after King,. Beaufort County Commissioner Ed Booth will be the guest speaker. The service, led by Rev. E.R. MacNair from Spring Garden Missionary Baptist, will include hymns and then a march from the lodge to the corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and Gladden Street, where a wreath will be laid in King’s honor.