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Recalling the historic march

Tuesday, December 30, 2008 10:51 AM EST

Each year, just following the New Year, the nation observes Martin Luther King Jr. Day, celebrating and honoring the life of the late Civil Rights leader.

King's words have echoed in their significance since he first spoke them. And in 2009, as America ushers in the first African American President, some might say those words carry particular poignancy.

One man who made the March on Washington and heard King's legendary speech will make the journey to Niles, bringing his 'reflections' of the historical event with him. Special guest speaker Alfred Holliday will be in Niles, Sunday, Jan. 11 at the Franklin African Methodist Episcopal Church in Niles, for "March On Washington" Reflections, a presentation of the church's Sunday school department, along with guest soloist Terry James.

Alfred Sonny Holliday, Jr. was born in Sumter, South Carolina, the 11th child of five sons and seven daughters. The family left Sumter when Holliday was only four, moving to Harlem, on the East Side of Manhattan in New York. It was in Harlem where Holliday got his start in school.

When he was entering junior high school, Holliday's father died suddenly, of a heart attack - which resulted in the separation of the young siblings. Holliday moved uptown to Washington Heights, the 'Sugar Hill' district, to live with his aunt. There he got his first job, working near the Times Square district at F. Schumacher and Co. as a mail clerk - a job he would keep throughout his high school education.

Holliday graduated from De Witt Clinton High School, in the Bronx.

Following his high school career, Holliday joined a Harlem theatrical group called "The Penthouse Dance and Drama Theatre," in an effort to entertain his passion in directing and acting for the theatre.

But his passions would have to wait. Holliday was drafted to serve in the Army during the Korean War, training at Fort Dix in New Jersey. A member of the 2nd Infantry Division, 3rd Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, Holliday was on the frontlines in Korea, as a gunner - remaining in combat until a cease-fire was signed between North Korea and the United Nations.

He received an honorable discharge from the Army at the rank of Sergeant, completing his foreign military service decorated with medals, badges, and commendations, citations and campaign ribbons.

Returning to life as a civilian, Holliday returned to his love for the arts, studying at the College of the City of New York and later, Oakwood College in Huntsville Ala., where he graduated with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Theology.

It was through Oakwood College that Holliday found himself about to be a part of the most theatrical events in American history.

In 1963, the opportunity arose for Holliday to do summer work as a student colporteur in Hartford Conn. Working in Hartford, he learned of the late Martin Luther King Jr.'s plan to make a historic march on Washington.

He made the decision to be a part of that event, making his first trip to the nation's capital, witnessing and hearing the speeches of King and other Civil Rights leaders - all gathered together in one place at one historical time.

Holliday later moved to Atlanta Ga., working various jobs before making a visit to Andrews University in Berrien Springs.

That trip turned out to be a career opportunity. Following his visit to Michigan, Holliday was hired as a teacher for the Benton Harbor School District, where he taught fifth and sixth grade students for 32 years.

During that time he took a one-year sabbatical to obtain a Masters degree in Instructional Development and Technology at Michigan State University.

Holliday has worked with the district's Staff Development Department as a consultant as well as serving as principal of Morton Hill Elementary School.

He continued to serve the school district as a guest administrator for many of the area's elementary and secondary schools following his retirement. Currently, Holliday spends his time focusing on his digital photography at his studio in Benton Harbor.

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