As the American flag flies overhead, Athens High School JROTC cadet Ty Horton waits for the Dr. Martin Luther King march to begin Monday at the Limestone County Courthouse Square. Marchers made their way from the south side of the courthouse to the Alabama Veterans Museum, where a program was held honoring Dr. King. (News Courier/Kim Rynders)

Nearly 41 years after his death, Dr. Martin Luther King’s dreams are coming true.

Limestone County Commission Chairman David Seibert said although the nation celebrated MLK Day Monday, it is really a celebration of King’s dream today as the first African-American president of the United States is sworn in.

Monday, the local branch of the NAACP sponsored its annual MLK march from the courthouse to the Alabama Veterans Museum and Archives. The program included the reading of winning essays in three age categories in an NAACP-sponsored contest.

Fifteen-year-old essayist Phillip Smith, who took first place in the 13-15-year age group, also picked up on the theme of King’s dreams realized in the election of Barack Obama.

“He visualizes in his dream that black children will not be judged by the color of their skin, but the content of their character,” read Smith from his essay. “This part of the dream was made a reality on November 4, 2008, when Barack Obama was elected the first black president of the United States.”

Anushka Freeman, 17, wrote in her prize-winning essay read in her absence by Flo Dawson, that Obama is the personification of the King dream that lives today in spite of his death.

“Today, Dr. Martin Luther King dreams that we as brothers and sisters would come to accept the fact of having a person of a different ethnic group come forth to help guide our country,” Freeman wrote. “He dreams that we would just give him a chance, and that we will rejoice because someone of this ethnic group has made it this far.”

Reginald Battles, 12, who won for his age category, was not present because he was attending the inauguration with his family. His essay was read by Elaine Simelton in his absence.

“He also dreamed of a world of justice, not just for some races, but for all people,” Battles wrote. “He dreamed of a time when all God’s children would be treated the same. In his dream all people would experience freedom, a freedom where men would be able to stand with dignity as a proud American. These are the things that Dr. King dreamed; he was a dreamer with a big heart.”

Each of the first place winners will receive a $500 U.S. Savings Bond from the NAACP, “hopefully to further their educations,” said NAACP Chairman Benard Simelton.

Other essay winners included: 12 and under, Jamika Fletcher, second place; Bryce Ballard, third place; 13-15, Brady Daniel, second place; Diana Dorintae, third place; 16-18, Destiny Battles, second place.