GM Offers Sneak Peek at Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial

/PRNewswire/ -- General Motors is providing an advance look at the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial, which will be dedicated on Aug. 28 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

As major contributors to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Foundation, the General Motors Foundation, GM and Chevrolet received one of only two replicas of the Memorial. GM is donating its replica to the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History for its ongoing effort to provide learning opportunities, exhibitions and programs that explore the diverse history and culture of African Americans.

"As the world's largest museum dedicated to the African American experience, we are honored to house the replica of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial," said Charles H. Wright Museum President Juanita Moore. "The replica is a great addition to the Museum's collection, which documents, preserves and educates on African American history, life, and culture."

GM Foundation President Vivian Pickard said that GM, the GM Foundation and Chevrolet have donated more than $10 million to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Foundation, and are committed to remaining a driving force in seeing the Memorial completed and raising public awareness of its existence.

"This replica of the Memorial will reach many people from around the world who visit the Charles H. Wright Museum here in Detroit and will help to spread Dr. King's message of democracy, justice, hope and love," Pickard said. "The GM Foundation is pleased to support the MLK Foundation in honoring Dr. King. He continues to be a model of hope and a great humanitarian, whose story of striving for equality should never be forgotten."

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial will be positioned on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., in direct line between the Jefferson and Lincoln Memorials, the place where Dr. King delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech on Aug. 28, 1963. The centerpiece of the Memorial, the "Stone of Hope", will feature a 30-foot likeness of Dr. King using natural elements. It will contain excerpts of his sermons and public addresses to serve as living testaments of his vision of America. It will be the first memorial on the National Mall to honor a non-U.S. president.

"The GM Foundation and General Motors were among the first to contribute to the legacy of Dr. King by sponsoring this important memorial," said Harry E. Johnson, president and CEO, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Foundation. "We are grateful for their generous contribution and commitment to uphold the ideals most important to Dr. King."

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Hunley Men Remembered

HH Note: This entry was written by the author of Geni-Tales, a genealogy blog on the Fayette Front Page. With permission, we have included in our history section.

The discovery of the Hunley and its crew continues to amaze genealogists, history buffs and the general public. Recently, I visited the Hunley Memorial at Magnolia Cemetery in Charleston, SC, where our family placed wreaths in memory of all sea faring men who have perished in the service of their country.

It was eerily quiet in the cemetery. We followed the signs to the memorial. While on our way down the long paths, we found many beautiful old tombs from the time of the Civil War. Magnolia Cemetery is the final resting place of many an early Charleston family. You can easily follow the history of the area just by looking at the many names.

It was a surprise to learn the Hunley had three crews which had perished in her history. As the 145th anniversary of the loss of the second crew has just been observed within the last week, I find it fitting to remember the crew.

Horace Hunley was aboard this training mission of the Hunley on October 15, 1863, when it sank. Once again, the Confederacy raised the Hunley from the ocean, only to have it sink again in February 1864.

The story of the Hunley is fascinating. To learn more, click here.


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Fayetteville's Official Historian, John Lynch, on the History of Fayetteville City Cemetery

Lynch is speaking at the Memorial Day ceremonies sponsored by American Legion Post 105 in Fayetteville, Georgia