Employees from the Tulsa District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers volunteered their time to take part in the city of Tulsa’s 38th annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Parade, Jan. 16, 2017.
According to Michael Ware, Tulsa District Supervisory Regulatory Project Manager and African American Program Manager, the Tulsa District has been participating in the event for over 20 years.
“Carmen Pettie and all the folks at the Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Society did an absolute fantastic job on organizing this year’s parade,” said Ware. “It’s truly an honor for us to be able to participate in this event honoring Rev. King.”
District personnel walked alongside a boat from the Oologah Lake office that had been decorated with signs and balloons while handing out water safety reminders to children in the form of coloring books and frisbees.
“It was good to see so many people from the District office come out and support this event, in addition to all the support we received in preparing for today,” said Rhonda Leal, Tulsa District Equal Employment Opportunity Specialist.
The parade began at 11 a.m., at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and John Hope Franklin Boulevard and wound around the Oklahoma State University campus, through the historic Greenwood District, finishing at Archer Street and Elgin Avenue.
Martin Luther King Jr., day is a federal holiday that was first observed January 20, 1986, and is celebrated the third Monday in January.
This year’s theme for the celebration was “Love Conquers Hate.”
“This event is a great opportunity for us to get out and support the community and to recognize the influence that Reverend King had on our country,” said Col Christopher Hussin, Tulsa District Commander. “Events like this one today also present us with the opportunity to pass out water safety educational materials to the children and to remind everyone to always stay safe and wear their life jacket.”