FOLEY, Ala. — Hundreds gathered in downtown Foley Monday to honor a man who changed the face of America and whose legacy still lives today.

Religious leaders, politicians and Baldwin County residents from as far as Bay Minette marched from Max Griffin Park on Alston Street, down Highway 59 to the Foley Civic Center as part of the 22nd Annual Baldwin County Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration.

Those who marched held signs that read of freedom and wore shirts promising forthcoming change from new President Barack Obama.

Upon reaching the Civic Center for the annual ceremony, attendees participated in prayer and song before hearing several community leaders sing their words of praise for King, even those who were not alive during his time.

Keynote speaker Baldwin County Circuit Judge James H. Reid highlighted the history of King — his speeches, work, education and impact.

Many sang in remembrance as Reid spoke of violence in Birmingham, protest sin Washington, D.C. and unwavering dedication and bravery on a bus in Montgomery.

“We resist change, we become comfortable in our ways and we do not want to change,” Reid said. “In 1954 King said ‘America must change,’ but we resisted. The following 13 years played out on a national stage. And we ultimately did change. “

Many in attendance spoke about not only what King’s legacy means to them, but what they believe should be done to continue his work.

“I feel the greatest service we can pay to [King’s] memory is to offer our time and talent in service to others,” Tommie Conaway said. “This one person helped all Americans realize that all persons should have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. He was an advocate for peace; he believed in nonviolence. It’s not our circumstances that define us, but it is how we react to our circumstances.

As citizens of the finest country in the world, we are blessed. If we continue to press for peace and unite people, we will realize an unimaginable outcome. Dr. King was a servant of the people. The way to transform this world into a happy and desirable place to live is by everyone striving in his or her own corner of life.”

Foley City councilwoman Vera Quaites took the day of King’s celebration and continued it into one for Obama.

“I want to thank God for allowing me to be here today to celebrate this holiday set aside for Dr. Martin Luther King and to witness his dream,” she said. “His dream has come alive — when he said one day that we would live in a nation where we will not be judged by the color of our skin but by the content of our character. His dream will come alive tomorrow when President-elect Barack Obama becomes the next president of the United States. I’m thankful that I’m here to see this day and to witness this historical event.”

The praise and excitement over Obama’s inauguration was simply the icing on the cake for those who had bared witness to the decades-long road which got him to the White House.

“Without Martin Luther King, there might never have been a Barack Obama,” Reid said. “Dr. King held up a mirror to America and he forced her people to look at the image. They did not like what they saw.”