SAN ANTONIO – (Jan. 18, 2026) – Legionnaires of Fred Brock American Legion Post 828, joined by Sons of the American Legion Squadron 828, city officials, clergy, businesses leaders and community organizations, gathered at Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza on the East Side to present a wreath during the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Wreath-laying Ceremony.
The event, hosted by the Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Commission, is held annually to honor the life, accomplishments and legacy of Dr. King. The 2026 theme was "Diversity Unites Us: Love Leads Us & Action Propels Us.”
After presentation of the colors by the Bexar County Buffalo Soldiers Association and singing of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” attendees heard welcoming remarks from State Sen. José Menéndez followed by Bexar County officials, City of San Antonio District 2 Council Jalen McKee-Rodriguez, MLK Commission Chair Dr. Doshie Piper and others.
“Diversity unites us. Yet there are folks, many in the state capital, many in the national capital, that believe diversity divides us. And they are trying to do away with diversity, equity and inclusion - many of us know this as DEI,” said Menéndez. “As we come together today to remember the work of Dr. King, and to prepare for the march tomorrow, we must realize that the work has just begun. We are nowhere near being finished. It is incumbent upon all of us to unite and come together in our diversity.”
The keynote speaker was former seven-term Mayor of Prairie View, Texas, the Hon. Frank Jackson, the grand senior warden of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Free & Accepted Masons of Texas.
He spoke briefly about King’s book “Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community,” and how it relates to the current state of America.
Fred Brock Post 828 thanks ceremony co-chairs Harold Moore and Mary Fulton-Moore for inviting the post to participate and honor King.
“Honoring Dr. King is a way to reaffirm Post 828’s commitment to equality and civil rights; principles that many Legionnaires defended in uniform but were often denied at home,” said Post Commander Amanda Parham. “Participation also connects military service to the ongoing struggle for democracy, reminding the community that freedom requires both sacrifice and civic action.”
