The stair to the basement echoed my footfalls. I could hear Bill typing as I rounded the corner to his office. I had been working at the Shaw House Emergency Shelter for homeless teens on Broadway in Bangor Maine for about a year. Bill was the director and tough character with a large warm heart. He looked up at me as I handed him the nightly guest log for the kids that had checked in. I then noticed, oddly for the first time, a picture of Dr. Martin Luther King on the wall behind him.
The picture was signed by Dr. King, signed to Bill. “Bill,” I said quizzically, “you met Dr, King?” He looked up at me and smiled. “Yes, many, many years ago.” I was enthusiastically surprised. “How did you get to meet him?” “Well, I shared a jail cell with the man.” This was indeed getting very interesting! “More details if you please.” I pushed for more.
“I was in a civil rights march down south with Dr. King and we were arrested by the local police and thrown in jail. After we were released he gave me a signed photo of him.” He didn’t speak of their conversation that evening. He didn’t need to. I understood the depth and power of that chance meeting. It probably changed Bill’s life in some way. My respect and admiration for the man took on a whole new level. Here was this tough former fighter pilot that spent a night with a great leader in jail.
Bill understood the causes Dr. King was fighting for. It wasn’t a fight for people of color. It was a fight for freedom and equality for every person. On this day of remembrance of a truly great man, I also honor all the people that fought and marched alongside Dr. King, like Mr. William England, they have continued to strive to make a positive change for our country, one that is based on love and equality.
The Journey of a thousand miles 