By LEONARD GRAY / L’Observateur / January 20, 1999

RESERVE – Dr. Reginald Ross, a native of Edgard and a physician whoovercame racial oppression to achieve his dream, recalled his inspirations Monday at a rally honoring the late Dr. Martin Luther King.Beginning with a march from Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church on River Road, more than a hundred people walked River Road to East 13th Street and the Reserve Housing Development.

There, they were entertained by the Joyful Dancers, including Makelle Pryor, Gabrielle Pryor, Amber Lane and Kenya Brown, and heartened by the music of Avis Brown.

Ross recalled his years of study until he achieved his personal dream at the LSU School of Medicine in Shreveport, a facility not noted for a great number of African-American students.

The LaPlace resident, speaking directly to King, proclaimed, “Thank you for allowing me to dream!” Ross also urged young people in the audience to pursue educational opportunities and to stay away from illegal drugs, and observed, “Freedom cannot ring when we’re selling drugs to each other.”Other guests at the rally spoke as well, including Rep. Bobby Faucheux,who noted: “This is not a black celebration but an American celebration because we’re all in this together.”Get High on Life founder Harold Keller recalled when King marched in the South of the 1960s he was not courageous enough to march alongside.

Instead, he came late to a full appreciation of King’s courage, determination and vision.

The marchers were accompanied by the Leon Godchaux Junior High School band under the direction of Dr. Adrean Watkins. Other noteworthyattendees of the event included Sheriff Wayne L. Jones, School Boardmember Patrick Sanders, assistant parish assessor Whitney Joseph and 40th Judicial District Judge Madeline Jasmine.

The event was sponsored by Victory Beyond the Walls Outreach Ministry, under the administration of the Rev. Forell Bering Sr., BethlehemMissionary Baptist Church and New Pilgrim Baptist Church.

Keyboard artist was Gordon Taylor of Beechgrove Baptist Church.

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