While the Glen Cove police closed off the march route, many volunteers started the day setting up the Wunsch Center at the Robert M. Finley Middle School, and another group gathered in the fellowship hall of the First Baptist Church on Continental Place. Welcomed by members of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Commemorative Commission, city dignitaries, elected and appointed officials, clergy and young, younger and not-so-young residents mingled, drank a cup of coffee and, at the directive of Chairperson Sheryl Goodine, headed out to assemble for the march to the Wunsch Center, symbolic of the civil rights marches of Dr. King and his community.

A staunch traditionalist, Ms. Goodine wore her scarf of many colors and passed out lyrics to songs of freedom, determination and unity, (Come on up to the front of the bus. I'll be sitting up there). A constant teacher, Ms. Goodine interspersed bits of history and emotion with the music, as when she invoked Rosa Parks' name or observed that now, the police march "in front of us, beside us, with us ... not against us."

In official capacity, the Glen Cove Police Department Motorcade and Honor Guard headed the march and the Glen Cove Fire Department followed the marchers. Glen Cove High School and the Glen Cove Youth Bureau were well-represented and proudly carried banners, the high school banner covered with plastic for protection from the rain.

At the Wunsch Center, Ms. Goodine took off her coat and became Mistress of Ceremonies, assisted by Allen Hudson III, her fellow assistant principal at Glen Cove High School. Joining them on the dais were Mayor Ralph V. Suozzi, Dr. Laurence Aronstein, Dana Plummer, Elder Clarence Johnson, the Rev. Roger Williams, Brother Al Evans, and GCHS senior Sheltan Zachary.

Following the welcoming Harambe! (a call to work together) by Ms. Goodine, Brother Evans gave the invocation, and the Glen Cove Police Department and Glen Cove Girl Scouts Honor Guards presented the Colors and led the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Then it was on to entertainment. The Glen Cove High School Select Chorale, under the director of Edward Norris, lifted up their voices and sang, after which Mayor Ralph V. Suozzi proudly spoke of the formation of the first Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Committee in 1985. It was formed by the late James Davis and the late Vincent "Jimmy" Suozzi, the fathers, respectively and respectfully, of Sheryl Goodine and Ralph Suozzi. Dr. Aronstein, superintendent of the Glen Cove Schools, appropriately spoke of Dr. King's extensive education and called the day a celebration "not of birth, not of death, but of the vision of a man." Rev. Roger Williams read a message from Assemblyman Chuck Lavine, part of which said, "I remember the world before 1954," and the Reverend reminded all that it was Mr. Lavine speaking, not him.

Musical selections by the Spotlights were followed by a dance performance choreographed and danced by Jasmine Sanker, a Glen Cove High School graduate. Another dance performance by a group called Aspiring Young Artists took over the entire stage. Victoria Crosby, Glen Cove's poet laureate, read an original poem, Dreams of Martin Luther King, which she wrote in 1996 and continues to complement through the years.

Music rang out for the rest of the program, starting with the Hempstead A Cappella Ensemble. They were followed by the First Baptist Church Mass Choir which got the audience on its feet, where it remained through the Tones of Joy. Elder Clarence Johnson concluded the program by leading all in singing the civil rights anthem We Shall Overcome.

As the group enjoyed doughnuts, cookies, coffee and hot chocolate in the lobby of the Wunsch, Ms. Goodine was heard saying she had to get home to start work on next year's Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Commemoration.

Harambe!